Middle East Politics.Net » Military http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Iran’s Navy Can Strike Well Beyond Coast http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/29/iran-says-navy-can-strike-well-beyond-its-coast/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/29/iran-says-navy-can-strike-well-beyond-its-coast/#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:42:40 +0000 bjrussel http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3000 Iran’s Naval Commander Mahmoud Mousavi stated that his country’s naval capability now allows it to strike an enemy as far as the Bab al-Mandab, as well as to control the entrance to the strategic waterway along its coast, the Strait of Hormuz.  The commander stated Iran’s belief that control of the Strait was the deciding factor in any battle fought in the waters of the Gulf.  Iran has previously threatened that it could close the Strait to shipping (carrying 40% percent of the world’s globally traded oil), to which the United States responded that it would protect shipping routes. In addition, the United States continues to object to Iran’s nuclear program and has not ruled out military action, if diplomacy continues to stagnate. The United States has a naval base on the Arab side of the Gulf in Bahrain.  Iran’s recent statements regarding its enhanced naval capability may be associated with recent piracy in the Gulf of Aden, near to the Bab al-Mandab, in which Iranian commercial ships have been attacked.  While several international warships are already patrolling the waters in search of the Somali pirates, Iran has previously stated that it could use force when dealing with the hijackers.

Bridget Russell

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/29/iran-says-navy-can-strike-well-beyond-its-coast/feed/ 0 Libyan Looks to Develop Ties With Ukraine http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/libyan-looks-to-develop-ties-with-ukraine/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/libyan-looks-to-develop-ties-with-ukraine/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:21:05 +0000 rdickson http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2008 Moamer Kadhafi arrived in Ukraine Tuesday November 4th while touring the region to discuss energy and military cooperation. The Libyan leader has already made stops in Russia and Belarus.

Andri Gontsharuk, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, said at the beginning of Kadhafi’s three day visit that he is ardent to talk about the possibility of purchasing armored vehicles and air defense systems from the Ukraine. In turn, Ukranian President Viktor Yushchenko will negotiate the possibility of Ukraine extracting oil from Libya, in order to reduce the country’s dependence on Russia for energy commodities.

Libya is also set to discuss its planned purchase of three aircraft transporters, a plan that had been put on hold due to economic difficulties.

Kadhafi’s tour throughout the region portrays his, as well as the Ukraine’s effort, to establish new ties around the world, with Libya coming out of its economic isolation. and Ukraine escaping its Russian dependence.

Roy Dickson

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/libyan-looks-to-develop-ties-with-ukraine/feed/ 0 “Real Consequences” in Near Future for Iraq? http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/23/real-consequences-in-the-near-future-for-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/23/real-consequences-in-the-near-future-for-iraq/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:22:11 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1647 In the ongoing saga of the renewal of a security pact between Iraq and the United States, advancements were made today as strong words were exchanged. US government officials warned Iraq of “real consequences” in the event that Iraq turns down the recently revamped deal. The legal basis for the US to maintain a military presence in Iraq expires on December 31st, and if Iraqi officials fail to make a deal with the Bush administration, the US may be forced to end its operations in Iraq sooner than anticipated.

In pushing for an extension to remain in the country, US officials declare that Iraq is not yet ready to defend itself and keep the peace. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, however, insists that unspecified revisions must be made before Iraq will sign the pact. If the Iraqi government does not sign in time, the US may be force to resort to a UN Security Council mandate to legitimize their military presence.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/23/real-consequences-in-the-near-future-for-iraq/feed/ 0 Sunnis and Shiites Join Forces in Rebuilding Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/03/sunnis-and-shiites-join-forces-in-rebuilding-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/03/sunnis-and-shiites-join-forces-in-rebuilding-iraq/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:50:21 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1176 One step closer to getting the nation back on its feet, the Iraqi government made an effort to unite rival sects of Islam on Wednesday when it incorporated 54,000 Sunni militia men known as the Sons of Iraq into its structure. This outreach, backed by the United States, is part of a larger plan to absorb nearly 100,000 Sunni Muslims into the Shiite-led government and to employ them in the military, police force and other government agencies.The purpose of these efforts is to alleviate distrust between the parties and to give Sunni Muslims a greater hand in the future of Iraq.

The Sons of Iraq, who up until this point had operated under US authority, apparently felt betrayed by the United States. They had helped American forces in Iraq curb support for Al Qaeda and quell insurgencies but were fearful that they would face discrimination in the Shiite-dominated government. The Iraqi government has its own concerns though, as leaders question whether these Sunni Muslims will be loyal to the ideals and purposes set forth and whether they will be patient enough during the incorporation process.

Only 20% of the expected 100,000 will remain in the military or police force, and the plan is for others to either work as government bureaucrats or to be trained for skilled work in mechanics or carpentry. How well the Sunni militia men take this news will be something to look out for in the near future.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/03/sunnis-and-shiites-join-forces-in-rebuilding-iraq/feed/ 0 New Mandate Submitted; Turkey Will Extend Stay In Iraq http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/23/new-mandate-submitted-turkey-will-extend-stay-in-iraq/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/23/new-mandate-submitted-turkey-will-extend-stay-in-iraq/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:21:32 +0000 cicek http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=854 On Monday, September 22, 2008, the Turkish government submitted the new parliamentary motion regarding authorized operations on the border between Turkey and northern Iraq. Turkey’s motive in the
region is to maintain a secure border and prevent all terrorist activity, led by the PKK. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet states: ” The terrorist threat and attacks by outlaw PKK separatists, which took shelter in the north of Iraq, continued against peace, security, national unity and territorial integrity of Turkey.” Turkey has adopted an aggressive military stance to terrorist activities in northern Iraq for the last two years. Analyzing this motion, it is clear that they will continue with this stand.

Although the mandate was passed, there will still be discussions about the decision. In a week, the Turkish Parliament (TMBB), will gather once more to finalize this motion.

The most interesting observation at the domestic level about this issue would be that the opposition parties, CHP (Republican Peoples Party) and MHP (Nationalist Movement Party), have given their support to the motion. In the political arena there is no doubt that this motion will pass. This is a solid demonstration that the opposition parties and the government can work together to maximize the national interest. It is a step in the right direction, to decrease turmoil that the political arena has been in for too long.

However, at the international level, it should be considered that the Turkish military presence in northern Iraq will continue to exist, at least for another year.

It is clear that the Iraqi government will have no say in this matter, considering that they are not capable of securing the borders and preventing terrorist activity. Iraqi motives are an enigma, almost impossible to understand, in contrast to Turkish motives, which are justified under the United Nations.

Aylin Ece Cicek

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