Latest news
28 November 2011
NATO’s claim that it was retailing against gunfire from the Pakistani side of the border has been denied by Pakistan, which in return has lodged protests against both the United States and NATO in connection to the incident in which NATO air forces killed at least 25 soldiers in strikes against two military posts at the northwestern border with Afghanistan. Pakistan’s government already ordered the US to vacate an airbase used for drone strikes in Afghanistan, and announced that it would would “revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and co-operative arrangements” with the US, and US-led forces in Afghanistan, “including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence”.
Source 1: Guardian – Pakistan orders US to leave airbase in row over deadly Nato assault
Source 2: NY Times – Tensions Flare Between U.S. and Pakistan After Strike
28 November 2011
On Saturday 24 November 2011, 25 Pakistani soldiers were killed during air strikes conducted by Afghan and ISAF forces at the Pakistani border. While the incident is lifting up tensions between the US and Pakistan, its circumstances remains unclear. NATO is investigating the incident, including the possibility that it resulted from a communication problem. Possibly, NATO came under fire from insurgents at the border and mistakenly fired back at Pakistani soldiers.
Source 1: www.nytimes.com
Source 2: www.bbc.co.uk
28 November 2011
On Wednesday 23 November 2011, 7 Afghan civilians – including 6 children – were killed during a NATO airstrike in southern Afghanistan. According to the Afghan government, the strikes were targeting insurgents who entered an area were children were playing. The relatives of the victims, however, are contesting this version of the events and claim that ISAF indiscriminately killed civilians. NATO is investigating the incident.
Source: www.nytimes.com
27 November 2011
China, Thailand, Laos and Burma agreed to launch joint patrols of the Mekong River that will involve the police departments of the four countries. This follows an attack last October where 13 Chinese crew members were killed. Thai soldiers have been suspected of carrying out the attack, and China urged the Thai and Burmese governments to do more to protect shipping in the area. The coordinated action of the four countries is intended to increase the security on the river.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
26 November 2011
Carsten Stahn has written a very interesting article on the recent developments concerning the prosecution of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abduallah al-Senussi before the International Criminal Court. He describes it as “a test case for international justice and the idea of shared responsibility”. The article can be found here.
Source: http://www.haguejusticeportal.net