November 19, 2007:
In Burma, the army has launched
another operation to find and destroy camps, used by tribal separatist rebels,
along the Indian border. Northeast India has had problems with the tribal
rebels for generations, and only recently, when arrangements (weapons shipments
and trade deals) were made with the Burmese dictatorship, have the tribal
separatists been forced out of their sanctuaries. There are over 5,000 Indian
rebels in these border camps, and the Burmese offensive will cause many to flee
into India, where they will either quit fighting, or go up against Indian
counter-terrorism forces. Without the Burmese sanctuaries, the separatists face
defeat. This is hastened by the evolution of some separatist groups into
criminal gangs. That's more lucrative, but gives up most popular support.
November 18, 2007: In Kashmir, fighting has
increased, with nine rebels and two soldiers killed in one day, the highest
daily death toll this year. The increased violence is the result of the Winter
weather forcing many Islamic terrorists out of their mountain hideouts, and
down into the more densely populated valleys. There, the security forces are
waiting for them, more so than in past years.
November 17, 2007: In Pakistan, the battle in the
Swat valley has escalated, with over a hundred Islamic radicals killed in the
last week. The army has lost five soldiers. The Islamic radicals cannot deal
with the military in a regular battle. Guerilla war in the Swat valley is
difficult because most of the locals oppose the radicals (who are ruining the
mainstay of the local economy; tourism).
November 15, 2007: In northwest Pakistan, Islamic
militants have moved into the Swat valley, in an attempt to impose Islamic law
in the area. The army is sending in more troops to oppose the militants, and
has launched an offensive to oust the militants. Several dozen militants have
been killed in the last few days.
November 14, 2007: In
Pakistan, the students have not been leading large demonstrations against the
emergency rule of Musharraf, because the student community is split. The
Islamic radicals are the best organized, and most violent, even though they
represent the fewest students. The democrats are split between party partisans
and those wanting true reform. The majority of students are bystanders.
November 13, 2007: While
political party leaders are calling for general Musharraf to resign as
president in Pakistan, not a lot of Pakistanis are taking to the streets over
the matter. None of the political parties offer anything different, or worth
risking your life for in street demonstrations. Pakistani politicians have
proved, again and again, that they are corrupt and inept. The generals aren't
much better, but they aren't worse either. So the people wait for the next
round of elections, which are supposed to happen in the next two months.