Headlines
- US & Russia Broker “Selective” Ceasefire
- Kashmir Unrest
- US Shows North Korea ‘Force’
US & Russia Broker “Selective” Ceasefire
Monday, 12th September saw the imposition of a ceasefire brokered between the regime and rebel groups. Despite this, the regime undertook a mass bombing campaign. After 5 years of fighting Bashar al-Assad leaving has disappeared from the agenda, the ceasefire and the political resolution to evolve from the ceasefire requires the rebel groups to change their behaviour and accept a political resolution. The announcement that rebel groups need to separate from Nusra, who have been central to much of the success against the al-Assad regime is an ominous sign of the direction the foreign powers want to take the country in.
Kashmir Unrest
More have died this week in a series of anti-Indian protests that have claimed the lives of at least 78 people, with 100 more injured. Many continue to protest against India’s rule over Kashmir and in particular, the unjust killing of Burhan Wani on the 8th of July 2016. Kashmir itself has been split between India and Pakistan in a long dispute over power since both gained independence from the British in 1947. For decades, rebel groups have fought Indian soldiers, demanding the independence of Kashmir or its merge with Pakistan. In this civil unrest, tens of thousands have been killed in the crossfire and India has come under heavy scrutiny for quelling protests with pellet-based weaponry. The Hindu state is doing everything in its power to eliminate the spread of rebel groups, by any means necessary. However, the Pakistani government and its army have remained idle whilst innocent blood is being shed, only to then make empty statements that do nothing to alleviate their oppression. It is clear that the military might of Pakistan is being restraint by a government, well known to be loyal to America, whom wishes to protect India from defeat and destruction.
US Shows North Korea ‘Force’
The recent testing of a nuclear device by North Korea has led to the US to give a “show of force” by flying a pair of nuclear-capable bombers over South Korea. While it’s unclear if the bombers will have nuclear arms aboard, officials were very clear the overflight is a direct reaction to North Korea’s conducting of a nuclear test explosion last week. The US condemned North Korea’s move as a “provocation,” while South Korea unveiled details of its plan to exterminate the entire city of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital and home of 2.5 million people. Whilst North Korea lacks the capability to execute its rhetoric, with its Soviet era military equipment, its continued aggressive posturing has been constantly used by the US to move its military in the area, justifying increased defence expenditure and in effect use this to contain China. North Korea has been used like terrorism and Iraq were used in the Middle East to justify intervention.