Defence of Kabul Important

Security of Kabul is a key concern for the Afghan government and for that purpose holding of all round defence of the capital is no doubt necessary. Thus while there may be some criticism of the excessive focus on the capital, given that it remains one of the primary targets for the Taliban and as a symbol of the government would be important to be provided maximum security. The FOBs will ensure that any challenges are met outside the capital without affecting the security within, which should add to the overall safety of citizens. What is equally important however is developing the intelligence grid and not enough work is evident in this field so far with continued reports of penetration of the grid from time to time.

in reference to: Flag raising brings Afghan control to base outside Kabul : NTM-A.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

The New Political Formulations

A central government increasingly dependent on regional parties?

in reference to: Expect Political Road Blocks as Mamata takes Bengal, Jaya TN; Assam, Kerala to Cong - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

UN Supports the New Myanmar Regime

With visit of the Secretary General Chief of Staff to Myanmar the new government gets a boost

in reference to: UN Special Rep Visits Myanmar Bolsters New Govt - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

A Outcome Document on Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Afghanistan

A Outcome Document on Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Afghanistan Read the complete details in one source with comments

in reference to: Smart Strategy in Zero Sum Game in Afghanistan - Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Pakistan PM's Defence to Save the Government Army

Pak PM put up a defence to save his government and the army

in reference to: Pakistan PM Pussy Foots ISI in National Assembly: Read Transcript - Pakistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Chhattisgarh – Eye of the Rights Storm

The use of excessive force and mutinous resistance by Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Chhattisgarh the State most infested by Naxal violence has led to a new challenge for the government.

in reference to: Naxalism - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Colombo Protests Likely as UN Experts Panel Report Released

With the Sri Lankan government stiffly opposing the UN Experts panel the official release of Report by UN likely to see protests in Colombo and other parts of Sri Lanka

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Colombo Protests Likely as UN Experts Panel Report Released (view on Google Sidewiki)

Taliban Attempt to Create Rift between NATO and ANA

Increase in the number of incidents of fratricide in Afghanistan indicates that the Taliban is attempting to create rift between NATO and Afghan National Army to prevent the transition process from going smoothly.

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Taliban Attempt to Create Rift between NATO and ANA (view on Google Sidewiki)

Karachi Threat of Bomb Attacks Increases

Four killed, 56 injured in twin Karachi blasts on Pakistan Navy vehicles, Second blast in the past week

in reference to:

"Alerts » Karachi Threat of Bomb Attacks Increases Karachi Threat of Bomb Attacks Increases Print Bookmark Four killed, 56 injured in twin Karachi blasts on Pakistan Navy vehicles, Second blast in the past week"
- Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Karachi Threat of Bomb Attacks Increases (view on Google Sidewiki)

Eurofighter, Rafale Asked to Extend MMRCA Commercial Bid

Is the Indian government sticking to the recommendations of the Indian Air Force and looking beyond the politics of the 126 MMRCA fighter contracts? Reports appearing in Indian media tend to suggest that Eurofighter, and Rafale have been asked to extend MMRCA commercial bid while the others including US giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin and Russian Mikoyan as well as Swedish SAAB may be out of the race. But wait for the politics to take over is our take?

in reference to: Eurofighter, Rafale Asked to Extend MMRCA Commercial Bid - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Afghan Security Forces: Slow Progress

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said a large Afghan force, even though more cost-effective than having US troops in that country, was simply not sustainable without a viable financial plan.

in reference to: Afghan Security Forces: Slow Progress - Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Obama Review: First Rays of Hope?

The US President’s Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review on 16 December did not surprise many observers, even the Taliban issued a regular statement rejecting conclusions of reasonable progress announced by Mr Barack Obama.

in reference to: Obama Review: First Rays of Hope? - Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Spring Maneouvres – Focus Reduction of Civilian Casualties

With the spring manoeuvres by both sides now in the offing Afghanistan would be seeing more violence in the days ahead. This was evident with rising fatalities during the month of March.

in reference to:

"Spring Maneouvres – Focus Reduction of Civilian Casualties Apr 16, 2011 With the spring manoeuvres by both sides now in the offing Afghanistan would be seeing more violence in the days ahead. This was evident with rising fatalities during the month of March."
- Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Security Transition, Spring Reality

President Hamid Karzai’s seminal announcement of security transition of seven areas was a small but cautious step towards Afghan ownership what is known as Afghanisation and remained the highlight of the month of March. “

in reference to: Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Shattering Complacency and Poor Anticipation

Complacency and poor anticipation by the local police was evident when on 7 December India’s third terrorist incident in 2010, a blast at a crowded temple in Varanasi occurred, killing an eighteen-month-old girl and injuring 32 others.

in reference to: India Terrorism - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

India Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit

India’s Foreign Minister Mr S M Krishna was in Kathmandu from 20 to 22 April in a clear attempt to reset Indo Nepal relations which has seen many swings in the recent past most of which are perceived to be in the negative territory.

in reference to: India Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit - Nepal - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Indian PM Opens Channel to Gen Kiyani?

The Times London reported that Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh has opened a secret channel to General Kiyani and the Mohali initiative has been possibly cleared due to this new initiative.

in reference to: Indian PM Opens Channel to Gen Kiyani? - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Antony Asks Top Brass Not to Succumb to Corrupt Practices by Vested Interests

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today called upon the top brass of the Army and Air Force not to succumb to corrupt practices indulged by vested interests in the garb of ‘aggressive marketing’.

in reference to: Antony Flags Need for Controlling Corrupt Practices in Armed Forces - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

US Firm Signs Pact to Acquire DRDO’S Technology for Explosive Detection Kit

A USA based firm Crowe & Company, LLC has entered into a licensing agreement with DRDO to acquire the technology of Explosive Detection Kit developed by the High Energy Material Research Lab (HEMRL), Pune, one of the constituent laboratories of DRDO.

in reference to:

"A USA based firm Crowe & Company, LLC has entered into a licensing agreement with DRDO to acquire the technology of Explosive Detection Kit developed by the High Energy Material Research Lab (HEMRL), Pune, one of the constituent laboratories of DRDO. An MoU to the effect was signed by Dr. Subhananda Rao, Director HEMRL on behalf of DRDO, and Ms. Faye Crowe, President, Crowe & Company, LLC, USA here today."
- US Firm Signs Pact to Acquire DRDO’S Technology for Explosive Detection Kit - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Hybrid Wars, Dirty Bombs New Threats for Indian Army

Media reports indicated that during the recent Army Commanders Conference the focus was on hybrid wars and dirty bombs though not necessarily undermining the conventional and nuclear challenges.

in reference to: Hybrid Wars, Dirty Bombs New Threats for Indian Army - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Army’s Transformation Plans: More Shock and Awe

Indian Army transformation plan was much in focus as the Army Chief General V.K. Singh said it was planning new acquisitions and reforms in command and control structures. The formation of a strategic command was particularly flagged. “The aim of the transformation is to become a more agile, lethal and networked force capable of meeting future challenges.

in reference to: Army’s Transformation Plans: More Shock and Awe - India Defence - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

iPitching India’s Concerns on Relations with China

India’s Foreign Secretary Ms Nirupama Rao has moved up to her job through the chair of the ambassador in Beijing and thus knows China very well. She put various issues on Sino Indian relations in perspective in a speech in New York on 12 February 2011.

in reference to:

"itching India’s Concerns on Relations with China   India’s Foreign Secretary Ms Nirupama Rao has moved up to her job through the chair of the ambassador in Beijing and thus knows China very well. She put various issues on Sino Indian relations in perspective in a speech in New York on 12 February 2011."
- Pitching India’s Concerns on Relations with China - China In South Asia - Security Issues South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Network Centricity: Meeting the Chinese Challenge in 2020

The biennial event of release of White Paper on China’s National Defence is eagerly awaited by China watchers in India. To those regularly following Chinese military developments, the content of China’s Defence White Paper 2010 released during the week may not provide new light on Beijing’s strategic approach or military developments.

in reference to:

"Network Centricity: Meeting the Chinese Challenge in 2020                 The biennial event of release of White Paper on China’s National Defence is eagerly awaited by China watchers in India. To those regularly following Chinese military developments, the content of China’s Defence White Paper 2010 released during the week may not provide new light on Beijing’s strategic approach or military developments."
- Network Centricity: Meeting the Chinese Challenge in 2020 - China In South Asia - Security Issues South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Sino Indian Relations: A Positive Shift?

The rocky road of Sino Indian relations seems to have once again come out of the trough of the past two years with a clear signal of rapprochement after the Sanya bilateral on 13 April 2011 between Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

in reference to:

"Sino Indian Relations: A Positive Shift?  The rocky road of Sino Indian relations seems to have once again come out of the trough of the past two years with a clear signal of rapprochement after the Sanya bilateral on 13 April 2011 between Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The statements coming out of the Summit from both the sides are all positive. It is evident that each has addressed the others concerns and thus forebodings are sanguine."
- Sino Indian Relations: A Positive Shift? - China In South Asia - Security Issues South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

India and Kazakhstan: “Energizing” A Relationship

After a hectic trip to Sanya for the BRICS summit, India’s Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh flew across the breadth of China to land in Astana the picturesque capital of Kazakhstan.

in reference to: India and Kazakhstan: “Energizing” A Relationship - India Defence - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

India Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit

India’s Foreign Minister Mr S M Krishna was in Kathmandu from 20 to 22 April in a clear attempt to reset Indo Nepal relations which has seen many swings in the recent past most of which are perceived to be in the negative territory.

in reference to:

"ndia Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit             India’s Foreign Minister Mr S M Krishna was in Kathmandu from 20 to 22 April in a clear attempt to reset Indo Nepal relations which has seen many swings in the recent past most of which are perceived to be in the negative territory."
- India Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit - Nepal - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

US Pakistan Relations – ISI The Hub

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accepted that despite resolution of the Raymond Davis Case where the alleged CIA agent was released by the Pakistani authorities after payment of, “blood money,” relations between the United States and Pakistan are ‘very challenging.’ Another blow came with the death of large number of civilians in drone strikes in Datta Khel.

in reference to:

"US Pakistan Relations – ISI The Hub"
- US Pakistan Relations – ISI The Hub - Pakistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Security Transition, Spring Reality

President Hamid Karzai’s seminal announcement of security transition of seven areas was a small but cautious step towards Afghan ownership what is known as Afghanisation and remained the highlight of the month of March. "Afghanistan will take over complete responsibility for security in the following areas from Saratan [22 June] of the current year,” Karzai said.

in reference to: Security Transition, Spring Reality - Afghanistan - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

NSCN Factional Feud and ENPO Demand

National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isaac Muivah and Khaplang (NSCN (I-M) and NSCN K) leadership celebrated the so called “Independence Day,” on 21 March separately. The NSCN IM General Secretary T Muivah reiterated the groups demand for greater Nagaland or ‘Nagalim.’ Muivah clearly stated that there could be no solution with a divided Naga area.

in reference to:

"Security Trends South Asia » North East » Nagaland: NSCN Factional Feud and ENPO Demand"
- Nagaland: NSCN Factional Feud and ENPO Demand - North East - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Indian Navy Anti Piracy Operations in Focus

With the government coming under considerable pressure from families of the Indian merchant sailors who are under captivity and growing proximity of pirate mother ships near the Indian coast there was some movement to obtain release of victims of piracy off the Somali areas. In action taken so far, the Ministry of Defence outlined that as per International Maritime Bureau the number of ships hijacked from 14th January 2008 till 11th March 2011 is 174.

in reference to:

"Security Trends South Asia » India Defence » Indian Navy Anti Piracy Operations in Focus"
- Indian Navy Anti Piracy Operations in Focus - India Defence - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Chattisgarh -Eye of the rights Storm

The use of excessive force and mutinous resistance by Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Chhattisgarh the State most infested by Naxal violence has led to a new challenge for the government. Sulwa Judum activists, Police and SPOs are alleged to have burnt 300 houses and killed five people, molested and raped women in three of the worst affected villages in Dantewada.

in reference to: Chhattisgarh – Eye of the Rights Storm - Naxalism - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Overall Strategy Jammu and Kashmir

The overall strategy of the Indian government and the Congress Party in Jammu and Kashmir has been ironically best summarized by a cable by the US Embassy in New Delhi to Washington dated 22 October 2009 revealed through Wikileaks and reproduced in the Hindu on 30 March .

in reference to:

"Overall Strategy Jammu and Kashmir Apr 17, 2011 The overall strategy of the Indian government and the Congress Party in Jammu and Kashmir has been ironically best summarized by a cable by the US Embassy in New Delhi to Washington dated 22 October 2009 revealed through Wikileaks and reproduced in the Hindu on 30 March (Page 11)."
- Jammu Kashmir - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Indo Nepal Relations

India’s Foreign Minister Mr S M Krishna was in Kathmandu from 20 to 22 April in a clear attempt to reset Indo Nepal relations but will the relations improve without political stability in Nepal?

in reference to: India Nepal Relations: Review of Indian Foreign Minister Visit - Nepal - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Guerrillas Adept at taking up social issues

Maoists are able to take up issues which can generate public support for them

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Maoists Shutdown in Jharkhand 23 April Saturday (view on Google Sidewiki)

India and Kazakhstan - Energy Relations

India's relations with Kazakhstan are developing rapidly there are however many vectors other than energy that should be examined

in reference to: India and Kazakhstan: “Energizing” A Relationship - India Defence - Security Trends South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Afghanistan Pakistan Joint Commission

Appears that the aim of the Joint Commission is to involve Pakistan's Deep State in the parleys with Taliban

in reference to: Pakistan Takes Control of Talks With Taliban with Formation of Joint Af Pak Commission - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Sino Indian Relations

Something is happening here. Why the sudden turnaround by China? Is the Dragon smiling or we are imagining things?

in reference to: Sino Indian Relations: A Positive Shift? - China In South Asia - Security Issues South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Seminal judgement by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court released civil rights activist Mr Binayak Sen on bail. With Chhattisgarh opposing the same tooth and nail there remains a considerable gap between what the State sees as sedition and what is justified in the eyes of the Court.

in reference to: Binayak Sen Bail - State versus Civil Society in Chhattisgarh - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Indian National Security Adviser Announces Border Mechanism with China

India's National Security Adviser, Mr Shiv Shanker Menon announced in a media conference after the bilateral dialogue between Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President Hu Jintao that an, "agreement in principle on establishing a working mechanism for consultation and coordination on border affairs. This will handle important border affairs relating to maintaining peace and tranquility. You would remember this was an idea which had been suggested during Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit last December, and we have worked on it and reached agreement in principle. It will also explore cooperation in the border areas".

in reference to:

"Indian National Security Adviser Announces Border Mechanism with China"
- Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

An Assertive China.

China has, of course, begun to deal in the currency of global power and its economic success is impacting its foreign defense and security policies. Now the appellation of assertiveness is frequently applied to China’s global profile today. But I really believe that neither of us have a luxury of seeing each other in purely antagonistic terms. The view that India and China are rivals to me is an over generalization as well as an over simplification of a complex relationship which encompasses so many diverse issues. I believe that the proposition of competition and rivalries should not be exaggerated in a manner that it over shadows our genuine attempts to manage and transact a rationally determined relationship between India and China.

in reference to: Pitching India’s Concerns on Relations with China - China In South Asia - Security Issues South Asia - Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

Challenges in Afghan Security Forces Building

The low level of literacy in the Afghan National Army and Police is certainly a cause of concern while the NTMA is doing much to improve the same, merely teaching them to read and write may not be enough. Thus while the Afghan may be a good fighter, soldiering requires skills to be able to work with a group rather than individually. Thus to make up this difference it would require some level education given that most of the training material is tuned towards literacy. There is therefore a need to focus on this facet not just in the Army but also across the board in the country which has such a low literacy that it has become very difficult for the government to recruit for other jobs as well. This is one issue which may challenge the government continually in the days ahead.

in reference to: “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” (view on Google Sidewiki)

Structured Approach to police training

Afghan National Civil Order Police will be performing an important role given the nature of challenges that the police are likely to face in the country in the years ahead. This is particularly so with the incidents of violence that have erupted in the recent past over the burning of the Holy Book in the United States. This underlines the multiple nature of capabilities that the police will have to develop over the years and would make it important for them to acquire the same smoothly over a period. With Mehtar Lam now being transfered to Afghan security forces the training centre there would be an important landmark for the forces of change in the country. The structured training that is being carried out would produce some worthy policemen in the years ahead.

in reference to: Impressive progress in ANCOP training (view on Google Sidewiki)

Tamil Nadu elections may play spoil sport in Rajapaksa invite

Inviting Mahinda Rajapaksa to Mumbai final may be sending a wrong signals for the Tamil Nadu elections perhaps so they may not do it?

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Diplomatic Initiative with Sri Lanka in the Offing at Mumbai Finals? (view on Google Sidewiki)

Diplomatic Initiative with Sri Lanka

Will Dr Man Mohan Singh invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to Mumbai?

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security- Diplomatic Initiative with Sri Lanka in the Offing at Mumbai Finals? (view on Google Sidewiki)

Training Transition

Apart from the operational transition, training transition is also important and it appears that side by side with greater incorporation of Afghan instructors this is also taking place slowly and gradually. Ultimately by 2014 or some time later, Afghan training institutions would have to depend on their own instructors and not just for COIN but also to develop conventional capabilities though in the near to medium term it would remain COIN focused. Similarly a pool of instructors to train the police and para military may also be required in the future. While training assistance can possibly go even beyond 2014, building Afghan capacities would remain an important component of the overall paradigm.

in reference to: Afghan instructors teaching COIN Leaders Course (view on Google Sidewiki)

Security Alerts in South Asia

Some key security alerts in South Asia flagged

in reference to: Security-Risks.com Caring for your Safety, Life & Security (view on Google Sidewiki)

District Stability Framework

The key challenge for implementation of the District Stability Framework in Afghanistan is managing the diversities of nations who are cooperating in the same. While the focus is on common assessment and implementation standards, these may be the easier part of the programme than that of training a diverse group from different nations to implement these in Afghanistan where local differences are political, social as well as economic varying some times even within districts of the same province. How would the trainees implement the same remains one of the key areas for success of the programme which has led to expansion of the network at the grassroots over the past many months.

in reference to: DSF 43 Trains 21 Individuals from 11 Nations (view on Google Sidewiki)

22 March An important day in afghan history

22 March 2011 will be an important date in the modern history of Afghanistan with the government announcing a transition in seven areas which were mostly expected but for the southern city of Lashkar Gah. Kabul except Sarobi district, Bamyan and Panjshir as well as Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat and Mehterlam have not witnessed much violence though the capital has had a series of major incidents it is largely under the control of the Afghan security forces. The French were keen that the Surobi district should also be handed over but the threat to the same keeping in view the transit route to the Pakistan border and access to Kabul remains. However this should be a positive though some say only a symbolic step in the country. This is line with the overall objective agreed to by the leaders of the troop contributing countries at Lisbon in November 2010 that Afghan forces will lead performing the security tasks by the end of 2014. There is increasing confidence that this would be so in the days ahead and with considerable progress in the past six months, though the path will continue to remain uncertain and full commitment would be necessary.

in reference to: Karzai addresses NATO transition at NMAA graduation (view on Google Sidewiki)

A good initiative

The role of mobile training teams in COIN operations being carried out in a country which has different regional profiles may be questioned initially but the content of the training being imparted indicates that this is quite relevant given that essentially it is spreading the message of larger guidance and ensuring that troops on the ground stay rooted to the basic principles of COIN which include people centric operations. The Mobile Training Team would also have to weave in the Afghan National Army personnel as much as possible and enhance the understanding of foreign troops on the peculiar requirements in Afghanistan particularly the cultural congruencies required from time to time.

in reference to: COIN Center Trains Partnered Forces (view on Google Sidewiki)

A Holistic ANA

There is much criticism of the poor progress on building up the Afghan National Army and the Police however the process would be essentially slow as many of the functions such as the clerical ones which are being taught in the courses to a select few have to be undertaken from the scratch. Therefore it is not just fighting or raw skills of soldiering that have to be taught or rather reoriented for Afghan youth who are good fighters in any case but also ancillary administrative functions. Training is therefore holistic and balanced therefore indicating a solid base for the ANA and the Police in the future. The infra structure for training that is being created is also likely to support the security forces for years and is therefore welcome.

in reference to: DVIDS - News - Joint Security Academy Southwest graduates 20 ABP, ANA members (view on Google Sidewiki)

End of McChrystal Era in Afghanistan

Reopening of Pizza Hut at Camp Phoenix in Kabul and the allegations of death of scores of civilians in a raid in Kunar province possibly marks the end of the McChrystal era in Afghanistan which saw equity in the soldiers roughing it out in the field and the base camps as well as a reduction in the civilian casualties in Afghanistan

in reference to: DVIDS - News - First fast-food vendor reopens in Afghanistan (view on Google Sidewiki)

Improve Capacity with numbers

The survey showing 40 percent of the people in the South supporting the Taliban and only popularity of the police dropping from 67 percent to 48 percent in the South would possibly denote the level of militancy and the differences between the various regions of the country. This is so as the overall nationwide popularity of the police forces is very high at 79 percent, thus making the same more than acceptable. The low level of preference in the south would need more deliberation as the reasons could be many including the ethnic composition of the police and police social behavior and response towards civil society as well as violence. Even as the numbers are improving, it is apparent that the overall capacity remains poor and that is the worrying factor.

in reference to: Afghan police 'nearly as unpopular as Taliban in south' | World news | The Guardian (view on Google Sidewiki)

Jairam Ramesh

Making waves but also giving the go ahead to Posco and Lavasa after raising the ruckus

in reference to: Maverick Jairam Ramesh makes waves | Reuters (view on Google Sidewiki)