Current Events Summary 3.2 (South Asia)

The interactions between South Asian countries and the rest of the world have proved to be quite productive in the February-March period of 2008. India and Pakistan, two neighboring countries torn by war, have recently made a deal to double the number of flights between the two countries. They also agreed to expand the number of destinations served by the flights and to allow more airlines to operate the routes. The two countries made a joint statement the deal was signed in Islamabad saying they hoped the agreement would facilitate "people to people contact, business and trade activities". Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, dismissed claims that Nato's Afghan is having difficulty in their mission. He acknowledged that some parts of the country were heading in a “strongly negative direction,” but he said the picture across Afghanistan was confusing people. He also told the BBC it would “take time for Afghanistan to be pacified.”
US defense Secretary Robert Gates made a trip to Delhi to strengthen military ties and promote US arms manufacturers. US firms are competing with Russian and European rivals for a multi-billion dollar deal to sell India fighter jets. Mr Gates has said he wants to "expand" India's "significantly improved relationship" with the US. The United States urged India to quickly complete all steps required to conclude a civilian nuclear technology deal with Washington before the US presidential polls in November. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Richard Boucher, told reporters in New Delhi, "Time is very tight to get the deal through the US Congress before the United States goes into election mode.” The agreement, which would give New Delhi crucial access to civilian atomic technology even though it has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, requires final approval of the US Congress.
The Taleban threatened to blow up telephone masts across Afghanistan unless mobile phone companies agree to switch off their signals at night. They claim the US and other foreign troops are using the signals to track down insurgents.The Taleban warned the masts and offices of the mobile companies will be destroyed unless their demands are met. Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said, "If those companies do not stop their signal within three days, the Taleban will target their towers and their offices." The Taleban said that Afghanistan's four mobile phone companies would stop operating between 1700 local time and 0300 that following morning.
A suicide car bomber attacked a government building protected by NATO and Afghan troops in eastern Afghanistan, collapsing a guard post, wounding three NATO soldiers inside, in addition to Two Afghan policemen were also wounded in the attack. It was an Afghan government district building inside compound that also houses a unit of U.S. soldiers. They were evacuated for medical care to the main U.S. military base at Bagram airfield. U.S.-led coalition troops targeted a Taliban commander in Garmser district of Helmand province. The coalition said, "Several insurgents were killed when they fired on coalition forces."

Themes & MCAS standards 2

theme #4: Assess the effects of geography on the history of civilizations and nations.

USII.14: Explain the strength of American isolationism after World War I and analyze its impact on U.S. foreign policy. textbook chapters: 24-4 (WWII)

USII.16: Explain the reasons for the dropping of atom bombs on Japan and their short and long-term effects. textbook chapters: 25-3 (US in WWII)

USII.19: Analyze the sources of Cold War conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. textbook chapters: 26-1 (Cold War Conflicts)

USII.20: Explain the causes, course, and consequences of the Vietnam War and summarize the diplomatic and military policies of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. textbook chapters: 30-1, -2, -5 (Vietnam War)