Afghanistan: On transfer of security and peace negotiations

1. The NATO led International coalition hands over responsibility to the Afghan national army and police. The transition sounds as a major milestone, but how would you asses the ability of Afghan forces to do their job?  2. Also  U.S., Afghans, Taliban peace talks may  begin. What it means in your opinion? Read few comments by Jorrit Kamminga, Visiting Fellow, Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael. Update: also comments by Patrick Bury, military and security analyst.

Irregular quote of the day

Rory Medcalf, Lowy Institute Program Director, Australia India Institute Associate Director in “Defence White Paper 2013: Treading water in the Indo-Pacific.”

North Korea versus South Korea. Is it different this time?

We went through this rhetoric full of threats from the North Korean side many times before. So would you say is it somehow different this time, is it in your opinion possible to identify any new element in this? Read few comments.

Cyber or Cold War?

According to NYT article a secret legal review on the use of America’s growing arsenal of cyberweapons has concluded that President Obama has the broad power to order a pre-emptive strike.

Women in combat? Yes!

The Pentagon to declare lifting a ban on women serving in combat. How revolutionary is this act and what added value it may give to military? And BTW, is it a right decision in your opinion?

China, Don’t Be Stupid

This article was originally published in Education About Asia, Winter 2012 Edition.

Post-2014 Afghanistan: A zero option?

As Ben Rhodes suggested that after 2014 having no troops in Afg is an option how would you say this debate will go on in NATO, how could and should smaller members influence this debate?

R.I.P. Norman Schwarzkopf. What is his legacy?

Read few comments by experts.

Turkey may invoke the Article 5, but NATO is still only obliged to consider offering assistance

But, of course,  it seems very unlikely that Turkey will invoke Article 5.

Afghanistan: Are green on blue attacks a serious problem?

Admiral James Stavridis, Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe says: Recent attacks conducted from within the Nato-Afghan security partnership are certainly troubling. That is why we are taking concrete action to ensure we reduce the potential for these incidents in the future.