MORNING NEWS BRIEF: 08 MARCH
PICTURE OF THE DAY
KUNDLI, INDIA
Protesters walk next to a national highway to block KMP Expressway during a demonstration called by farmers, as a part of their continuing protest against the central government’s recent agricultural reforms, in Haryana state.
Photograph
Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images
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Imran Khan’s Sri Lanka visit: A huge foreign policy achievement?
Only a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan concluded his maiden visit to Sri Lanka – a first by any head of government since Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office, a notification emerged, allowing for the burial of Muslim dead bodies which had earlier been banned in the island nation due to Covid-19 restrictions. The changes made by the Sri Lankan government to the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (Chapter 222), paving the way for the burial of Muslim Covid-19 victims has put to rest the assertion that PM Imran Khan’s planned address to the Sri Lankan parliament was abruptly cancelled over concerns that he might use the opportunity to talk about diminishing Muslim rights in Sri Lanka. The latest development is not only being hailed as a major foreign policy achievement of PM Khan, but it has also vindicated his position as a champion of Muslim rights around the world.
Myanmar military hires PR agent to explain ‘real situation’ to west
Accused of crimes against humanity, an illegal government takeover and gunning down protesters, Myanmar’s military is seeking to rebrand itself in foreign capitals, recruiting a former Israeli military intelligence official turned lobbyist with a record defending controversial clients. Ari Ben-Menashe, a Tehran-born, Israeli-Canadian lobbyist, was hired by the Tatmadaw this week to “assist in explaining the real situation in the country”, according to a consultancy agreement reported by Foreign Lobby, an outlet that tracks foreign government influence operations in Washington.
Indian farmers mark ‘century’ of protest against farm laws
After completing 100-days 'not out century' of protest at the Ghazipur border, the farmers said they were ready for double century (200 days) if the government continues to ignore their demand for a repeal of the farm laws. “Many news channels are regularly reporting thin crowds at borders but I would like to clarify that crowd might be thin but protesters spirit is high. Many protesters have gone back for some household work and to take care of farms but that doesn’t mean they are not with us. Thousands of protesters are on standby in western U.P. and Haryana,” said Gopal Jaat, a farmer. On the occasion of International Women’s day, the protest will be led by women at all the borders on Monday when women protesters will take charge of stage and the speakers too will be women. A march has been called by women at all protest sites.
Rohingyas in India fear deportation after police detain over 150
Indian police have detained more than 150 Rohingya refugees found living illegally in the northern region of Jammu and Kashmir and a process has begun to deport them back to Myanmar, two officials said on Sunday (March 7). Dozens of Rohingya are in a makeshift "holding centre" at Jammu's Hira Nagar jail after local authorities conducted biometric and other tests on hundreds of people to verify their identities. "The drive is part of an exercise to trace foreigners living in Jammu without valid documents," said one of the two officials, who declined to be named as they are not authorised to speak to the media. "We have started the process of deportation of these refugees," the official added.
China treads lightly on Myanmar coup with billions at stake
China has maintained a guarded approach in its response to last month's coup in Myanmar, with many in Southeast Asian diplomatic circles saying Beijing sees the unrest as a threat to the massive investment it poured into the country over the decadelong transition to democracy. Such cautious diplomatic steps arise from China "not being happy with the coup," a Southeast Asian diplomatic source told Nikkei Asia. "The signs emerged after the military took over, because it has high economic stakes in Myanmar and so much to lose." China analysts based in Hong Kong agreed that Beijing was likely not pleased with the turmoil spreading across the country after the Feb. 1 coup. China has multibillion-dollar economic and strategic investments in the pipeline that were blessed by the leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which controlled the civilian-led government that the military overthrew.
2 accidents in 2 weeks kill 2 Army and BSF men, Ordnance Board ammo in spotlight again
Ammunition manufactured by the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has again come under the spotlight with two accidents resulting in two fatalities over the past two weeks. Both incidents involved the dependable 105mm field guns of the Army and the BSF. The first incident took place during a live firing training in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu on 23 February. It led to the death of Gunner Sayan Ghosh of the artillery regiment and left two others injured. Describing the accident, a defence spokesperson said the barrel of a 105mm gun suddenly burst into pieces and the flying splinters hit the three soldiers.
WORLD NEWS
How the US military is preparing for a war with China
The Atlantic Council's publication of The Longer Telegram, which lays out a sweeping blueprint for a U.S. strategy to face China, provides significant clues about a new lay-down of American forces around east Asia. Whether the new Biden administration fully embraces the paper's aggressive stance remains to be seen, but elements are under serious consideration. Certainly, the new team at the National Security Council, led by highly respected Asia hand Kurt Campbell and a deep bench of Asia experts, will be looking at a wide variety of options for the military component of a new overall strategic posture. One of the key elements in the military component is a series of "red lines" to which the U.S. would respond militarily.
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