1. Canberra Tackles China on Space War
2. Pakistani Role Seen in Taliban Surge at Border
3. India’s Rising Nuclear Hurdle
4. The United States in Iraq: the Case for Withdrawal
5. Timor-Leste’s Rebel Leader Warns Australian Troops

1. Canberra Tackles China on Space War, Cynthia Banham and Mark Coultan, SMH, 2007-01-20

   Australia has demanded that China explain its plans for developing and deploying weapons systems, following the first known satellite-killing test in space in more than 20 years. The Chinese ambassador in Canberra, Fu Ying, was called in by an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Tuesday on instructions from the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer.

   • China Anti-Satellite Test Sparks Space Junk Outcry, Richard Ingram, AFP, SpaceWar, 2007-01-19

   • Chinese Anti-Satellite [ASAT] Capabilities, GlobalSecurity.org, 2007-01-18

   • Lolly Lolly Get Yer ASAT News Here, Jeffrey Lewis, Arms Control Wonk, 2007-01-19

   • Space Weaponization and Space Security: A Chinese Perspective, Zhang Hui, World Security Institute, 2005

   • Trends in China’s Space Program and the Prevention of Outer Space Weaponization, Teng Jianqun, World Security Institute, 2005

   • Concern over China Satellite Weapons Test, Richard Tanter, ABC, 2007-01-22

2. Pakistani Role Seen in Taliban Surge at Border, Carlotta Gall, NYT, 2007-01-21

   The question about the Taliban resurgence along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is this: Have Pakistani intelligence agencies been promoting the Islamic insurgency? Western diplomats and Pakistani opposition figures say that Pakistani intelligence agencies have been supporting a Taliban restoration, motivated by Islamic fervor and a view that the jihadist movement allows them greater influence on Pakistan’s vulnerable western flank.

   • Rough Treatment for 2 Journalists in Pakistan, Carlotta Gall, New York Times, 2007-01-21

   • Afghan Update: Dec. 1 – 31, 2006, CDI, 2007-01-17

      

3. India’s Rising Nuclear Hurdle, Nick Hordern, AFR*, 2007-01-22

   An enlarged nuclear sector is one essential part of the mix required to rein in India’s burgeoning greenhouse gas emissions. So the deal is of vital importance not only to India and the US, but to Australia and the world at large. Therefore, the recent statement by PM Manmohan Singh’s special envoy on civilian nuclear energy that India was prepared to walk away from the negotiations had global implications.
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4. The United States in Iraq: the Case for Withdrawal, Zaid Al-Ali, Open Democracy, 2006-01-19

It is not a coincidence that the Iraqi government has evolved as it has – it was unavoidable given the US occupation. As long as the occupation remains, any Iraqi who will accept work in government will likely be of the same stock as the individuals currently in power. The presence of the US army in Iraq has a deeply corrosive influence on Iraqi society. In order for Iraq to function, the US military should withdraw from the country as soon as possible.

 

1. Timor-Leste’s Rebel Leader Warns Australian Troops, People’s Daily, 2006-01-22

Timor-Leste’s rebel leader Alfredo Reinado has warned that Australian troops in his country will be killed if they try to force him to surrender. He made the threat at his camp in a village four hours’ drive west of Dili, where he is under restricted movement. Australian soldiers have set up roadblocks to the area to limit the movements of the rebel leader, who has refused to surrender.

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