COUNTRY REVIEW

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Afghan presidential campaign gains momentum ahead of the August 20 poll; AIEC: Appropriate measures taken to avert rigging; Over 17 million voting cards distributed; 7000 polling stations established

Pakistan

• Baitullah Mehsud killed in a CIA drone strike; Sufi Mohammed booked on charges of sedition; Mullen: US needs to focus on a regional approach incorporating Pakistan and Afghanistan to defeat the al-Qaeda

Sri Lanka

• UPFA garners majority in provincial elections; Rajapakse urges Sri Lankans to set aside political differences and work for nation’s prosperity; Former DG of India’s NCB: Efforts underway to control LTTE’s drug network worth $200-300 million

East and SsouthEast Asia

China

• Chinese naval flotilla arrives in Karachi on the way from the Gulf of Aden; PLA in the process of upgrading its capabilities to handle security threats in multi-dimensional battlefields

Japan

• Japan’s opposition leader calls for single Asian currency; Japan says China’s moves to acquire stakes in Iran’s oil field may hamper global efforts to address Tehran’s nuclear programme

Korean Peninsula

• Bill Clinton makes surprise visit to Pyongyang, secures the release of two journalists; US expresses concern over nature of military cooperation between North Korea and Myanmar; North Korea seizes a South Korean fishing boat

SouthEast Asia

Malaysia

• Malaysia and Brunei hold their 13th annual consultation in Bandar Deri Begawan; Malaysia, Australia to set up a working group to tackle issue of human trafficking

Myanmar

• Myanmar actively seeking the help of North Korea and Russia to establish nuclear facilities; Second Myanmar-Sri Lanka Joint Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation held in Colombo

Indonesia

• Sino-Burmese border trade zone near Kan Pai Ti village reopens; India’s Trade and Industry Minister calls for greater foreign direct investment from Indonesia

Philippines

• Floods in Philippines displace over 20,000 people

WEST ASIA

Iran

• Ahmadinejad sworn in for 2nd term, criticises Western countries for not recognizing the elections; Iranian Army General warns of foreign media instigating next coup in Iran

Iraq

• 36 killed in series of bomb attacks in Mosul and Baghdad

MISSILES, SPACE, NUCLEAR AND DEFENCE REVIEW

Defence National

• HAL supplies new helicopters to IAF

• HAL to get F414 engines

• C-130J-30 Hercules for Indian Special Forces

• MMRCA trails to begin soon

International

• China supplies frigates to Pakistan

• Naval support services agreement between Abu-Dhabi and UK naval shipbuilder

• Ease military restrictions in Japan, recommends the report

Nuclear Review

• Reports: Jihadis thrice attacked Pak nuclear sites

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir

• UK: LeT responsible for Mumbai attacks

• A.K. Antony: Rise in infiltration in J&K worrisome

Other Development

• Two Hizbul militants arrested in Delhi