Korean Peninsula
This Time, a Less Predictable Pyongyang
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times – April 18, 2012
Things tend to repeat themselves enough in the continuing North Korean missile and nuclear crises that analysts and journalists often joke that if they pulled out their old reports and changed the dates, they could pretty much describe the latest episode.
S. Korea deploys new missile capable of hitting anywhere in N. Korea
Yonhap News Agency – April 19, 2012
South Korea has deployed a new long-range cruise missile that puts nuclear and missile sites in the entire North Korean territory within striking distance, defense ministry officials said Thursday, amid growing security jitters sparked by the North’s botched rocket launch.
Afghanistan
U.S. and NATO Finalize Pacts on Ending Afghan War
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times – April 18, 2012
The United States and its allies in NATO finalized agreements on Wednesday to wind down the war in Afghanistan, paving the way for President Obama to announce at a NATO summit meeting in Chicago next month that the unpopular, nearly 11-year-old conflict is close to an end.
Afghanistan needs firm security funding pledges, U.S. says
David Cloud, Los Angeles Times – April 18, 2012
The United States and its allies are promising to provide more than $4 billion a year for Afghanistan’s army and police after international forces depart in 2 1/2 years, but they still lack firm financial pledges to meet the target, U.S. officials said.
United States
Obama Reelection Could Threaten U.S. Nuclear Deterrent, GOP Suggests
Douglas Guarino, National Journal – April 18, 2012
Key congressional Republicans on Tuesday suggested that President Obama’s potential reelection could undermine the United States’ ability to deter enemy attacks, even as a GOP-controlled House Appropriations panel approved legislation on Wednesday that largely endorses the president’s plan for nuclear weapons spending.
South Asia
Pakistan Army Chief Calls for Demilitarization of World Highest Battleground
Ayaz Gul, Voice of America – April 18, 2012
Pakistan’s powerful military chief has made a rare call for the demilitarization of the Siachen Glacier, where thousands of Pakistani and Indian troops have been posted for nearly three decades. The call comes after some 140 people were buried by a massive avalanche that flattened a key military base in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
India tests nuclear-capable missile that can reach China
Jatindra Dash, Reuters – April 19, 2012
India successfully test-fired on Thursday a nuclear-capable missile that can reach Beijing and Eastern Europe, thrusting the emerging Asian power into a small club of nations that can deploy nuclear weapons at such a great distance.
