1. Australian Forces Try New Tactics against Taliban
2. Afghanistan: Kidnappers Extend Deadline for Korean Hostages
3. Pakistan’s Peril
4. Denmark to Pull Troops from Iraq
5. Operation Resolute: How Howard’s Plan Threatened Security
6. China, Indonesia Look into Joint Maritime Operations
7. Indonesian Papua: A Local Perspective on the Conflict

1. Australian Forces Try New Tactics against Taliban, Tom Allard, SMH, 2007-07-20

   The commander of Australia’s special forces, Major General Mike Hindmarsh, said the new strategy involves calling in air strikes on Taliban positions, as well as directly engaging them on the ground. Oruzgan is considered a Taliban stronghold and the Australians will not undertake projects beyond a 20-kilometre radius around Tarin Kowt.

   • 2007 World Drug Report, Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations, June 2007 [PDF]

   • Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, Report of Standing Committee on National Defence, Canada, June 2007 [PDF]

2. Kidnappers Extend Deadline for Korean Hostages, Chosun, 2007-07-23

   Taliban kidnappers of 23 Koreans in Afghanistan have extended their deadline by another 24 hours to negotiate with the Korean government for the release of the hostages. While hailing the Korean government’s decision to pull troops out of Afghanistan by this year’s end, the Islamist group demanded that the same number of Taliban prisoners be freed in exchange for the hostages.

   • Overseas Troops, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

   • Security Operations in Afghanistan Briefing, Colonel Jonathan Ives and Lieutenant Colonel Kim Seoung-Ki, US Defense Department, LexisNews, 2007-06-28

   • Korean Hospital Provides Care, Help to Afghans, Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service, ReliefWeb, 2007-06-28

   • Bagram Airbase, Australia in Afghanistan, Nautilus Institute

   • Manas Air Base, Australia in Afghanistan, Nautilus Institute

3. Pakistan’s Peril, Paul Rogers, OpenDemocracy, 2007-07-19

   A number of military developments are again making apparent the pivotal character of Pakistan in the war on terror. The storming of the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad has generated a militant backlash that highlights the central position of the country and the regime of Pervez Musharraf. Whatever happens in Afghanistan, and whatever al-Qaida proves capable of doing, Pakistan will be a key military and political focus.

   • U.S.: Force an Option in Pakistan, Chicago Tribune, 2007-07-23

4. Denmark to Pull Troops from Iraq, BBC, 2007-07-21

   Denmark will withdraw its troops from Iraq by August, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said. The troops, numbering about 460, will be replaced by a unit of about 50 soldiers manning four observational helicopters, he said. It comes as Tony Blair announced a timetable for reducing British troop numbers in Iraq from 7,100 to 5,500. Most Danish troops are based in the southern city of Basra, where they operate under British command. The mandate for Danish troops to serve in Iraq is due to expire in June.

   • Australian Chief Lashes US on Iraq, Tom Allard, SMH, 2007-07-23

5. Revealed: How Howard’s Plan Threatened Security, Tom Allard, Age, 2007-07-22

   The Australian Navy’s war-fighting ability has been blunted by the Federal Government’s efforts to keep asylum seekers out – a policy so unpopular that some sailors have feigned illness or quit rather than enforce it. Defence documents reveal senior officers warn using costly, sophisticated frigates on anti-asylum seeker operations is undermining key war-fighting skills.

   • Operation Resolute, Defense Department, Australia

6. China, RI Look into Joint Maritime Ops, Jakarta Post, 2007-07-20

   The Chinese and Indonesian governments will conduct joint maritime operations to follow up on a strategic partnership deal signed in 2005. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen, who is also acting Chinese Ambassador to Jakarta, said the cooperation will involve the navies of both countries conducting joint maritime navigation and security operations, shipbuilding and securing the Malacca Straits.

7. Indonesian Papua: A Local Perspective on the Conflict, Asia Briefing No.66, ICG, 2007-07-19

   Most outside observers see only one dimension of conflict in Papua – the Indonesian government vs. the independence movement – but it is much more complex. Tensions among tribal groups and between indigenous Papuans and non-Papuan settlers, as well as competition over political power and access to spoils at the district and sub-district levels, are also important.

Similar free newsletters

• Australian region (this newsletter).

  http://www.nautilus.org/mailman/listinfo/apsnet

• Northeast Asia.

  https://nautilus.org/napsnet/dr/

• Southeast Asia.

  http://www.siiaonline.org/seapsnet

• Climate change adaptation.

  http://gc.nautilus.org/gci/adaptnet/