Af/Pak & Other News (12/31/2011)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

Afghan forces take control in former Taliban hotspots:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g--Gf4tRGPG0ZKd4fMcCYpcR0Dhg?docId=CNG.900b2262f0a804d872b4ca9eb669605a.841



AP Exclusive: US ups extremist fight in Pakistan:

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-us-ups-extremist-fight-pakistan-160004372.html;_ylt=AkhnfItIBQr_KwXtEtfju4EBxg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQzYzNhaWNkBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBXb3JsZFNGIEFzaWFTU0YEcGtnAzMxZGZmNjBiLWUzYjYtMzk5My1iNjg1LWViYTExZWY5NDk4NwRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDZmEzOWQ2NDAtMzNlNC0xMWUxLWJmNzctNTc2MmQxNDFmNjY0;_ylg=X3oDMTF1N2kwZmpmBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN3b3JsZHxhc2lhBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3



566 coalition troops die in Afghan war in 2011:

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/566_coalition_troops_die_in_Afghan_war_in_2011_999.html




Super Tucano Wins USAF’s Light Attack Contest:

http://defensetech.org/2011/12/31/embraer-wins-usafs-light-attack-contest/



U.S. steps up sanctions as Iran floats nuclear talks:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45835866/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/#.Tv_aCvIoLTo



Syrian opposition groups unite against Assad:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57350537/syrian-opposition-groups-unite-against-assad/



Philippines looks at coastal anti-ship missiles and surface attack
aircraft:

http://alert5.com/2012/01/01/philippines-looks-at-coastal-anti-ship-missiles-and-surface-attack-aircraft/



China: An Acceptable Alternative:

http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/china/articles/20111231.aspx



Maliki Declares 'Iraq Day' to Mark U.S. Pullout:

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8710041&c=MID&s=LAN



N. Koreans 'human shields' for Kim Jong Un:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45836189/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/#.Tv_aHfIoLTo



Finland to widen missile shipment probe:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Finland_to_widen_missile_shipment_probe_customs_999.html



The Russo-Jordanian Super RPG:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20111231.aspx



F-15 Sale to Saudi Arabia Part of Broader Effort:

http://www.defencetalk.com/f-15-sale-to-saudi-arabia-part-of-broader-effort-39194/



U.S. Bolsters UAE's Missile Defense in Arms Deal :

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8709947&c=MID&s=AIR



Nigeria calls state of emergency over sect attacks:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45834259/ns/world_news-africa/#.Tv_aPfIoLTo



Mexico bought three Mi-17V5s:

http://alert5.com/2012/01/01/mexico-bought-three-mi-17v5s/

[SolomonW]

On Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:04:14 -0800 (PST), dump...@hotmail.com wrote:

> China: An Acceptable Alternative:
>
> http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/china/articles/20111231.aspx

If North Korea went belly up, what other alternatives is to a massive
increase there of China's power? South Korea could not afford to integrate
North Korea.

[bill]

On Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:32:34 +1100, SolomonW wrote:


South Korea could not afford to
> integrate North Korea.

West germany could not afford to integrate East germany, but they did,
although they had a rough few years doing so.

If North Korea collapses then South Korea has no choice.


--
William Black

Free men have open minds
If you want loyalty, buy a dog...

[vaughn]

"bill" <black...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:jdrl5o$lf0$1...@dont-email.me...

>
> West germany could not afford to integrate East germany, but they did,
> although they had a rough few years doing so.

Exactly

>
> If North Korea collapses then South Korea has no choice.

Would China try to expand its influence into North Korea? Probably.

In the end, North Korea has far more in common with South Korea than it does
with China. Also, South Korea also has a pretty strong economy. That little
country's economy ranks #15 in the world!

Vaughn

[Andrew Chaplin]

"vaughn" <vaugh...@gmail.invalid> wrote in
news:jdscha$2p1$1...@dont-email.me:

China is finding it can get along with Russians as neighbours, customers
and a source of resources. It will probably figure out that, in the long
run, it will benefit by underwriting an orderly reunion of the Koreas in
the event of a collapse of the Kim dynasty with its cling-on empire. With
the rise of China's power, a client may have be more useful than a buffer.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

[SolomonW]

On Mon, 2 Jan 2012 14:59:31 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Chaplin wrote:

> "vaughn" <vaugh...@gmail.invalid> wrote in
> news:jdscha$2p1$1...@dont-email.me:
>
>>
>> "bill" <black...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:jdrl5o$lf0$1...@dont-email.me...
>>>
>>> West germany could not afford to integrate East germany, but they
>>> did, although they had a rough few years doing so.
>>
>> Exactly
>>>
>>> If North Korea collapses then South Korea has no choice.
>>
>> Would China try to expand its influence into North Korea? Probably.
>>
>> In the end, North Korea has far more in common with South Korea than
>> it does with China. Also, South Korea also has a pretty strong
>> economy. That little country's economy ranks #15 in the world!
>
> China is finding it can get along with Russians as neighbours, customers
> and a source of resources. It will probably figure out that, in the long
> run, it will benefit by underwriting an orderly reunion of the Koreas in
> the event of a collapse of the Kim dynasty with its cling-on empire. With
> the rise of China's power, a client may have be more useful than a buffer.

From China view, I doubt it would see an area dominated by South Korea as a
client.

[Andrew Chaplin]

SolomonW <Solo...@citi.com> wrote in
news:140efij5ubjlx.tyktuwfoxd73$.d...@40tude.net:

>> China is finding it can get along with Russians as neighbours,
>> customers and a source of resources. It will probably figure out
>> that, in the long run, it will benefit by underwriting an orderly
>> reunion of the Koreas in the event of a collapse of the Kim dynasty
>> with its cling-on empire. With the rise of China's power, a client
>> may have be more useful than a buffer.
>
>
> From China view, I doubt it would see an area dominated by South Korea
> as a client.

That depends on how China gets reacts, I admit. If South Korea has to
borrow to integrate the North, it may make sense for China to lend the
money to keep North Koreans from becoming economic refugees on their
doorstep.

[David E. Powell]

On Jan 1, 12:04 am, dumpst...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Afghan forces take control in former Taliban hotspots:
>

> http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g--Gf4tRGPG0ZKd4fM...

Good I hope they whup on the Taliban.

> AP Exclusive: US ups extremist fight in Pakistan:
>

> http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-us-ups-extremist-fight-pakistan-16...

Good.

> 566 coalition troops die in Afghan war in 2011:
>

> http://www.spacewar.com/reports/566_coalition_troops_die_in_Afghan_wa...

Sucks, but if AQ is disrupted and Afghans turn more against Taliban
that favors the US.

> Super Tucano Wins USAF’s Light Attack Contest:
>

> http://defensetech.org/2011/12/31/embraer-wins-usafs-light-attack-con...

Thank goodness. It only took 10 years. I still prefer my own concepts
for either the single motor turboprop Skyraider/Airacobra hybrid or a
twin turboprop, but hey. Wonder if the Super Tucano is a two seater to
allow a separate gunner/countermeasures crewman? It won't replace
attack helicopters, A-10s or other fast movers but it can sure spell
them some in some areas for counterinsurgency.

> U.S. steps up sanctions as Iran floats nuclear talks:
>

> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45835866/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/#...

>
> Syrian opposition groups unite against Assad:
>

> http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57350537/syrian-opposition-groups...

>
> Philippines looks at coastal anti-ship missiles and surface attack
> aircraft:
>

> http://alert5.com/2012/01/01/philippines-looks-at-coastal-anti-ship-m...

Yep, mostly because of.....

> China: An Acceptable Alternative:
>
> http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/china/articles/20111231.aspx

Not to the Phillipines I gather....

> Maliki Declares 'Iraq Day' to Mark U.S. Pullout:
>
> http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8710041&c=MID&s=LAN
>
> N. Koreans 'human shields' for Kim Jong Un:
>

> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45836189/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/#.Tv_...

Pretty much, all they really are to their top leadership,sadly.

> Finland to widen missile shipment probe:
>

> http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Finland_to_widen_missile_shipment_p...

This sounds really interesting and I look forward to hearing more
about it.

> The Russo-Jordanian Super RPG:
>
> http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20111231.aspx

The Mideast, they really love that RPG don't they?

> F-15 Sale to Saudi Arabia Part of Broader Effort:
>

> http://www.defencetalk.com/f-15-sale-to-saudi-arabia-part-of-broader-...

Yep, the news came at the time Iran was announcing their big maneuers.
Rather clear message, clearer even than usual due to the timing.

> U.S. Bolsters UAE's Missile Defense in Arms Deal :
>
> http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8709947&c=MID&s=AIR
>
> Nigeria calls state of emergency over sect attacks:
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45834259/ns/world_news-africa/#.Tv_aPfIoLTo

That stuff is not good. Hope Nigeria runs the militants down and fixes
them but good. Disgusting what happened there recently.

> Mexico bought three Mi-17V5s:
>
> http://alert5.com/2012/01/01/mexico-bought-three-mi-17v5s/

Hope they do OK for Mexico. The biggest way that Mexico could be
helped would be if every American who used illegal drugs stopped using
them....