Robi's S. Asia Briefing: 2003-09-03

Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays too. This Regional Briefing focuses on South-SE Asia, courtesy of Robi Sen.

TOP TOPIC

• Unfortunately our biggest story for the month is the horrific bombings that happened in India this month. The largest was in Bombay. Just about every India blogger has some comments on the news, from Suman to Varnam. But it's useful to look at why Bombay was such a tempting target.

Other Topics Today Include: Israeli-India-US alliance; India's continued resistance to support the US in Iraq; Explaining Pakistan's behaviour; Philippines update; A fantastic South Asia resource; and more.

• While Europe and the US have seen a dramatic decrease in acts of terrorism in their countries since 9-11, South Asia has seen an increase, in part perhaps because of the success of the War on Terror has pushed extremists to target countries that have less resources to combat them. Unfortunately we can only expect things to get worse.

• So, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are still our close allies. Even though there are increasing although unsubstantiated reports of Osama Bin Laden hiding out in Pakistan, as well as Pakistan assisting Iran in its development of nuclear weapons. Perhaps, though, Pakistan's schizophrenic behavior can be explained.

• We've commented before on how Israel and India have become increasingly close. India is going to put creating an Israel, India, and US alliance on top of its list of items to discuss with Sharon when he gets to India. Apparently this is already bothering some people.

• India still refuses to support the US in Iraq unless there is a specific UN mandate. For India, supporting the US can be a hard sell in light of the US strong support for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as India's fear of further attacks by Muslim extremists if it is seen as siding with the US.

• Last month we covered the Philippines failed military coup. The fallout continues, and Rantburg comments while the Philippines continue to worry of further attempts to destablize the government.

• There have been some success in the War on Terror in South Asia, especially with the conviction of the Bali bombers and the capture of Hambali who is probably the most senior Al queda operative in South Asia. Yet some of those successes are pretty weak.

• One of the strangest things about this war, the War on Terror, is that many of the Muslim extremists who wage war against the West often have to travel or move to the West to have the freedom to preach their extremist viewpoints and gather new recruits. From London to Paris from Berlin to near our nations capital, the terrorists are being recruited and trained by Islamic extremists.

• For a fantastic resource on South Asia you need to read the South Asia Intelligence Review each week and make sure to check their archives.

Got any additions for us? Use the Comments section to let us know!