Korean crisis reaching the eye-ball to eye-ball stage

By Col R Hariharan 

North Korea’s deployment of two additional short-range scud ballistic missile launchers in its eastern coast has strengthened speculations in the South that Pyongyang might launch a missile on April 25, the anniversary of North Korean army. According to South Korean media,  the latest deployment was in addition to the seven mobile missile launchers already in place on the coast. 

What do the communal riots in Myanmar indicate?

By Col R Hariharan

Myanmar’s fledgling democracy faced yet another obstacle to its progress when anti-Muslim violence flared up in Central Myanmar town of Meiktila in March 2013. It quickly spread to six other smaller townships in Thayawady district in Bago Region in Lower Myanmar. According to Human Rights Watch, it also spread to 11 townships in Mandalay and Pegu divisions, where Muslim neighborhoods were ransacked.

Comments on Korean Crisis

Col R Hariharan

Why the North Korean stand off?

There are both contemporary and historical reasons behind the North Korean threat to launch an offensive against South Korea and strike at U.S. bases in Guam and Hawaii. North Korea (Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea –DPRK) and South Korea have been having an uneasy relationship since the singing an armistice in 1953 after the Korean War ended in a stalemate. At that time a De-militarized Zone (DMZ) was created along the 38^th parallel between the two countries to prevent breaking out of fresh conflict. However, DPRK has not recognized the maritime boundary between the two countries; this continues to be an irritant in their relations. Annual joint exercise by South Korean and U.S. troops and navy is yet another major source of irritation for the North. The Kim regime has repeatedly used these irritants to whip up anti-U.S. hysteria and talk tough on attacking South Korea.

Sri Lanka Perspectives - March 2013

Col R Hariharan

Highlights

UNHRC resolution: India voted for the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka’s accountability and reconciliation which was passed at the 22^nd session of the UN Human Rights Council meeting. The DMK ruling UPA coalition’s partner at New Delhi walked out of the alliance when India did not put through two amendments it wanted. This has threatened the survival of the government. 

Leadership impact on India -Sri Lanka strategic security dynamics

Col R Hariharan (retd.)

Strategic power equation in the region

South Asia and Indian Ocean Region have come under increasing focus of strategic community with the rise of China and its impact on the power equation evolving in Asia-Pacific region. During the last two decades Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has improved qualitatively in command and control and joint operations involving land, air and naval forces supported by giant strides made in space technology and the use of C4I systems. Technological improvement in design and manufacture of ballistic missiles, submarines and surface ships aided by increasing cyber warfare capability have enabled the PLA navy to become a modern and ambitious naval force to look beyond East and South China seas to extend China’s power assertion.

Sustaining change in Myanmar

By Col R Hariharan

Strategic context of change

Myanmar is in the throes of change since 2010 after the first-ever multi-party election was held after two decades. President Thein Sein has surprised all the stakeholders by the speed with which he is  transforming the government from an insensitive military dictatorship to a democratic rule of sorts, despite the limitations imposed by the Constitution 2008. As a result Myanmar has become the focus of international attention and even approval.  

Sri Lanka: UNHRC resolution and after

By Col R Hariharan

The UNHRC passed the U.S. sponsored resolution (A/HRC/22/L.1/Rev.1) on Sri Lanka at its 22^nd session at Geneva on March 21, 2013. The text of the resolution is at Annexure. The resolution was passed by 25 votes to 13. Eight nations abstained. Gabon was absent.  

The result was not unexpected. However, the content and wording of the resolution was stronger than the UNHRC’s 2012 resolution on Sri Lanka. It makes accountability in observing international human rights laws as its primary focus and has called for a “credible and impartial investigation” into such violations. This is important as it reflects the lack of faith in what Sri Lanka has done so far. Equally important is the reference to the continuing fundamental rights violations in the country.