Yearender 2012:World remained overcast with economic gloom,conflicts,political chaos

The happenings and problems  of the year 2011 persisted  alarmingly in the year 2012. As Global economy faces slowdown ,US president Barack Obama is struggling to deal with fiscal cliff and the Eurozone countries  are finding it tough to come out of the debt crisis

North Korea announces new rocket launch in December

Again a provocative act by North Korea  as it announced on Saturday that it would  launch another long-range rocket this month between

Lessons of Israel-Hamas conflict

When Israel provoked Hamas on 14^th November this year by killing Ahmed Jabari,the hamas military chief of staff,it did little service to its own cause of

Israel-Gaza conflict : Implications and effects

Israel and Hamas are once again on the brink of war in Gaza and Israel has called up  75,000  reservists in preparation for a possible ground invasion that could happen any moment coupled with air offensive..Let's have a look What will be the impact of this war.

World leaders have condemned the attacks, and the Arab League said that it will hold an urgent meeting  Saturday to discuss the Israeli strike on Gaza.

Iraq recommended  that Arab states  must use oil as a weapon to exert pressure on Israel and countries that back it, particularly the United States, over the Gaza crisis.

"Playing the economic card is our most powerful weapon at the moment in supporting the Palestinian people, for no military power can currently stand up to Israel," Iraq's permanent Arab League representative Qais al-Azzawi said.

   

"What happened in 1973, when the Arabs stopped oil exports to Western states, is proof that this weapon can succeed in the battle between the Arabs and Israel," Azzawi said .

Israeli air strikes  on Saturday have targeted the cabinet  headquarters of Gaza's Hamas government ,  reporting extensive damage to the building.


On the other side ,Palestinian militants continued  targeting densely populated Tel Aviv in Israel's heartland with rockets .

 Meanwhile, further escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas , Israel's Cabinet on Friday approved the activation of up to 75,000 reservists, prime minister's spokesman Mark Regev said. Also, the Israel Defense Forces reported earlier in the day that it is "mobilizing forces" in preparation for a "possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip."



At least 30 Palestinians and three Israelis have died since Israel killed Hamas's military chief on Wednesday.
On Saturday an additional strike on the house of a Hamas official in the northern Gaza Jabalia refugee camp left at least 35 people injured.

Senior cabinet minister Moshe Yaalon warned that Israel was poised for aground offensive."We are preparing all the military options, including the possibility that forces will be ready to enter Gaza in the event that the firing doesn't stop," he said.
   
 As  ground troops massed, there was no let-up in theIsraeli air offensive. Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi hammered home the message of support soon after his prime minister ended the lightning visit. "Egypt will not leave Gaza on its own... What is happening is a blatant aggression against humanity."

Hamas boasted its Arsenal

'Israel believes Hamas has significantly boosted its arsenal since the last Gaza war four years ago, including with weapons from Iran and from Libyan stockpiles plundered after the 2011 fall of the regime there.

"After four years, we became stronger, we have a strategy and we became united with all the military wings in Gaza," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, referring to Hamas' setbacks during Israel's last major offensive in late 2008.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aim  is "to take out the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza while doing everything possible not to harm civilians."

WAr on TWITTER

The Israel and Hamas conflict has started  battle for public opinion on social media


An intense battle is taking place online, On Twitter , the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) warned Hamas’ military wing to lay low: “We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead,” the IDF tweeted.

To which the other side  tweeted  @Alqassam Brigade—a reference to the military wing of Hamas—replied: “@IDF Spokesperson Our blessed hands will reach your leaders and soldiers wherever they are (You Opened Hell Gates on Yourselves).”
   
IMpact of Gaza Attack

Hamas, first elected to govern the Gaza Strip in 2006, is a direct offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.

-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said Friday that "Gaza will not remain alone as it was," adding that the "aggressors know they will pay a heavy price is they continue their aggression."

"I'm warning the aggressors on Gaza, they can't have any power over the strip," he  said in a statement after the Friday prayer.

"Cairo won't leave Gaza alone, and I'm speaking on behalf of all Egyptian people that Egypt now is different than before," he added.


As Israel turned down the Egyptian request to seize the assault on Gaza , Egypt withdrew its ambassador from Israel and called for a Security Council meeting.

The  ongoing conflict will effect the  three major groups  ie pro-American gulf countries  led by Saudi-Arabia, second group consists of of Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, and the countries witnessing Arab Spring

Actually ,Israel’s assassination of Hamas military chief Ahmed Jaabari have  reverberated far beyond the impoverished, violence-torn Gaza Strip.The exchange of attacks between Israel and Hamas has threatened an increasingly fragile Middle east peace process .

Hamas,who  refuses to recognize the state of Israel is one reason why it's been excluded from peace talks. In 1993, it opposed the Oslo Accords, a peace pact between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

In an effort to de-escalate tension in the region,US President Barack Obama has called the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Morsi Isa El-Ayyat.


 Obama tries to de-escalate tension

Obama reiterated American support for Israel's right to defend itself, and expressed regret over the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives. "The two leaders discussed options for de-escalating the situation.

"The President and Prime Minister agreed that the continued spiral of violence jeopardizes prospects for a durable, lasting peace in the region.  The President underscored his commitment to advancing the goal of Middle East peace.

"In all cases, her message has been the same, that we are urging a de-escalation of this conflict. We are urging those countries with influence on Hamas and other groups in Gaza to use that influence to get a de-escalation," the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told 

Obama says the Best is yet to come

While addressing supporters in Chicago after winning a second term in the White House, US President Barack Obama said he returns to the White House "more determined and more inspired than ever".

 

Jubilation grew through the night in Chicago as Obama  addresses Americans ,"Tonight in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up," Obama said in a victory speech in his hometown of Chicago.

"We have fought our way back and we know in our hearts for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.""We are an American family, we rise and fall together as one nation, as one people,"

Obama, 51, the first African American president of the US and a powerful orator, said that he looked forward to taking to Romney in the weeks ahead to take the country forward.

Obama thanked his ... Impassioned voters and said "We are not divided as the politics suggest,we are more than the sum of the total as its the determination  of the person to carry forward  for the achievement."

"I spoke to Romney and congratulated him on a hard-fought campaign  I look forward to working with Governor Romney to see the country move  forward."

“I want to thank every American who participated in this election,” Obama told the crowd.

“Whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very, very long time – by the way we have to fix that – whether you pounded the pavement… or whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign you made a difference,” he said.

The nation, he told the gathering, “moves forward because of you… because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war, over depression”.
 

Obama was welcomed by thunderous applause as he arrived on stage in his hometown, joined by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.

Obama acknowledges first lady Michelle

Acknowledging the contribution by first lady Michelle Obama, barack obama said "The  journey, he said, would not have been possible without the woman who married him 20 years ago.

“Michelle, I never loved you more,” he said.

 

Amidst loud cheers from massive crowds , Obama said the best is yet to come ".Obama  said "Thank you for believing in me all the way ".

Obama   said " We are here to open to the dreams  of immigrants who studies in campuses here ".Further adding that "You have voted for more work and I will work harder.

Decade of war is over

A decade of war  is over and economy will recover  and America will work towards achieveing great results. "

Obama said "To meet the challenges reducing our deficits, fixing our immigration system , working for taxes but that dosent mean your work is done ,  America  is about working together ."

Obama said " Hope is something that we strive hard to achieve something ,For Americans it dosen't matter whosoever you are security will be given to everybody.'

Obama said " We will fulfill  the ambitions of all the individuals  as we are the citizens of the United States of America and  we live in the greatest nation on earth

"Today is the clearest proof yet that, against the odds, ordinary Americans can overcome powerful interests," he said, adding: "There's a lot more work to do."
 

 "Four more years," Barack Obama tweeted after winning a second term in the White House.

"Four more years," he said minutes after he defeated his Republican rival Mitt Romney in a closely contested poll.

"We're all in this together. That's how we campaigned, and that's who we are. Thank you," said another tweet.

The current electoral college tally is:

Obama:  303   (Vermont 3, Illinois 20, Connecticut 7, Delaware 3, Massachusetts 11, Rhode Island 4, Maine 4, Maryland 10, District of Columbia 3, New York 29, Michigan 16, New Jersey 14, Pennsylvania 20, New Hampshire 4, California 55, Hawaii 4, Washington 12, Wisconsin 10, New Mexico 5, Ohio 18, Iowa 6, Minnesota 10, Oregon 7, Colorado 9, Nevada 6, Virginia 13)

Romney: 203  (Kentucky 8, West Virginia 5, South Carolina 9, Oklahoma 7, Tennessee 11, Georgia 16, Alabama 9, Wyoming 3, Kansas 6, Louisiana 8, South Dakota 3, North Dakota 3, Mississippi 6, Nebraska 5, Arkansas 6, Texas 38, Indiana 11, Utah 6, Arizona 11, Idaho 4, North Carolina 15, Missouri 10 ,  Montana 3)

US presidential Polls:Who occupies the oval office next year?

President Barack Obama appeared to have a slight edge over Republican challenger Mitt Romney .Take a look at the policy plans of Barack Obama and that of Romney.

Polls show the race is neck and neck, although the president holds a slender polling lead in crucial swing states.

Polls  give Mr Obama a three-point edge over his rival.World is closely watching the US presidential race  as  the next president will determine the direction of the super power.

Amidst the European financial slowdown , the key issue among the Americans is their economy  and unemployment .International issues are behind the Domestic issues for a voter in united states.

Obama Policies

IRAN

Obama says  he is determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon through  diplomacy  but is opposed  to military strike by US or Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities . sanctions imposed   against Iran's central bank, oil revenues and financial system.For Romney  military action "remains on the table" and he presents a clearer military threat to Iran; would send Navy ships to patrol the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf; calls for more sanctions

Economy

Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, known as the stimulus, a $768bn (£489bn) package of tax cuts and investment in education, infrastructure,  health; Backed a bailout of the US auto industry. President Obama's own budget proposals lack seriousness. In May 2012, the U.S. Senate voted 99-0 against a budget proposal containing all of the president's top-line budget numbers.

Romney has plans  on tax cuts, repeal of Obama's 2010 healthcare reform law and repeal of 2010 Wall Street and banking regulations,Opposed the auto industry bailout

Social issues

Obama a Supports abortion rights; appointed two Supreme Court justices who appear to favour abortion rights

 Romney opposes abortion rights and gay marriage and promises to use the power of the federal government to limit or end them.Though he supported abortion rights when he was running for governor Massachusetts in 2002;would strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood women's health clinics

Defence spending and  Afghanistan

Obama, already has a plan of withdrawal from Afghanistan and  has begun a draw-down of US troops with the combat mission to end by 2014 .While Romney wants to increase defence spending

Heath

Obama 's most important plan "Obamacare" 2010 healthcare reform law aims for universal health insurance coverage.

Mitt Romney  will repeal the Obama  the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), the signature legislative achievement of the Obama presidency and one that will guarantee health care access to almost all Americans.

UNemployment

Unemployment is persistently high among some of the very voters President Obama claims to benefit. Blacks face an unemployment rate of 13.4 percent. Nine million jobs evaporated.

But surely Hurricane sandy gave some good marks to Obama

Romney, according to a campaign official, will keep campaigning on Election Day, adding stops in Democratic-heavy Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Obama, Romney in tight race

Seven of the eight national polls released since on  Sunday indicate the race for the White House is not only in a dead heat nationally, but also in the key battleground states that will decide the next tenant of the White House.

According to surveys ,49 percent of likely voters support the president, with an equal number backing the former Massachusetts governor.

Arab world,Persian Gulf to have collective security arrangement :Iran

  The world order appears to be changing and Iran is planning to set up collective security arrangements in the region comprising Arab world  and the Persian Gulf.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign minister  Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said “ this region is very important because of its vast resources  of oil and gas  and thus it is  imperative  that peace and stability should persist in this region.For this,Arab world  and Persian Gulf countries  should set up  a collective security arrangements  for the security and stability of the region. “

He stressed that all the countries of the region should be involved  including Saudi Arabia  which is  a key player  without the interference of foreign forces.

Further adding that “Foreigners will only increase the tensions a they have to justify their presence in these countries. Because of this Mid-East continues to be pivotal point in the US foreign policy.

Denying that there is any Shia-Sunni conflict in the region, Deputy Foreign minister said

that “Propaganda of Shia Sunni divide has been propagated by Westerns to raise tensions and to create conflicts  in the region and thus it is a duty of the countries to be aware of the old policy of Westerns .”

The Arab people are still bereft of the promised benefits of Arab awakening  by way of employment and better economic conditions as the desired direction to solve the problems has still not been imparted. Instead the region got bitterly torn with cross-cutting conflicts due to ethnic divisions  and sectarian divide.

Preferring a diplomatic solution for Syria crisis,Deputy foreign minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said “Syria is different from Libya and we must distinguish between political support and sending weapons, fighters and money to rebels”

Therefore he said regional countries should help resolve the Syrian crisis as any collapse of the Bashar Al Assad regime will be disastrous for Turkey and neighbouring countries,.

Unmindful of the impact of US elections followed by one in Israel, Iran appears determined to move ahead with its peaceful nuclear programme  with a a reasoning that Iran’s Supreme leader   Khamenei is against use of Nukes and weapons of mass destruction, as forbidden in Islam.

Iran deputy foreign minister said there is no place for  nuclear weapons  in our security calculations and Iran doesn’t want  Nuclear Race to happen in this region as it will add nothing to security .”We have seen 10 different wars in three decades in our region and Nukes are not the solution of any problem.”

Elaborating on the challenges facing the region,He said “nature of the threats is different in this region  and we do not accept that terrorism can be confronted  with nuclear weapons.”

While commenting on the US announcements “All options on the table” He said “ It will be a suicidal attempt for US and Israel if they think of a military attack as our facilities are not an easy targets.”Iran remains undeterred by the fresh sanctions as it continues to engage diplomatically with other countries

Chavez vs Capriles:Venezuelan presidential election result to impact foreign policy

Voting is underway in Venezuela to elect a a new president,around 19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote for Sunday's presidential election in the tightly contested race between President Hugo Chavez and Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

No statement issued at Asean Summit over South China Sea Disputes

As tension over South China Sea threatens to escalate, diplomats from Southeast Asian nations failed to issue their customary joint statement on Friday on how to deal with a territorial dispute involving China at a summit.


This is the first time in 10-member ASEAN bloc's history that foreign ministers failed to hammer out a final communique in Cambodia, which has held up progress on a draft code of conduct aimed at soothing tension in the flashpoint South China Sea.

This is because of the deep divisions within the 10-member bloc amid conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea involving four of its members plus China and Taiwan.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighbouring countries. The Philippines claim the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

A sharp disagreement over whether to mention the standoff over the shoal has held up a joint statement being prepared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong  said the failure to issue a statement lies with all
ASEAN members, not just Cambodia.

 "I requested that we issue the joint communique without mention of the South Shina Sea dispute ... but some member countries repeatedly insisted to put the issue of the Scarborough Shoal," he told reporters.




Manila wants the standoff mentioned while Cambodia, a staunch Chinese ally that currently holds the ASEAN chair, has rejected the proposal.


Philippines slams Chinese  intimidation'

The Philippines' foreign minister  denounced Chinese "duplicity" and "intimidation" in the South China Sea, souring the mood at a regional gathering designed to soothe tensions.

"If Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction can be denigrated by a powerful country through pressure, duplicity,intimidation and the threat of the use of force, the international community should be concerned about the behaviour," Albert del Rosario told the meeting, according to
an official statement.

He was referring to a recent standoff between Chinese and Philippine boats at a rocky outcrop called the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both sides.




External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said that all the countries must respect principles of international law in resolving the issue while asserting that freedom of navigation and access to resources in the area must be ensured in accordance with laid down principles.

"The message was that all outstanding issues must be resolved peaceful through a process of dialogue and discussion. Those dialogue and discussion should be taking place without intimidation or without any pressure tactics and it should be acceptable to all the parties involved," Krishna told.

A number of ARF member countries said that China is  responsible for the simmering tension in the South China Sea region while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Beijing to accept a code of conduct for resolving the dispute, which was also strongly favoured by India.
  


  
China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines all have competing claims on South China Sea (SCS) where India's ONGC has oil blocks.

Vietnam accuses China

 Vietnam has accused China of aggressive behaviour and yesterday Japan lodged a formal complaint over Chinese boatsapproaching islands in the East China Sea which are controlled by Tokyo.

ASEAN has already agreed the key elements it will propose in any negotiations with China, including using international law such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the basis for any dispute.

Clinton urges countries to settle South China sea disputes 'without coercion'

In an indirect reference to China ,U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has urged countries around the South China Sea to settle their territorial disputes

Syria --Is it heading towards civil war ?

Syrian government on Friday said their investigation has shown that 800 rebel fighters were to blame for the massacre of more than 100 people in the tow

US efforts at securing Afghanistan

US president Barack Obama specially travelled to Afghanistan to celebrate the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden But Al Qaeda was only one aspect of Afghanistan operations. With Afghanistan into the process of withdrawal of US-led forces which is to be completed by the end of 2014 ,the country is in the midst of most crucial stage of transition and transformation.

 This is  a phase of integration of Afghan Taliban insurgents  who are willing to abide by the constitution of the country.Though mostly subdued ,they are still executing daring terrorist acts as recently  being  seen in the  blasts in diplomatic enclave in Kabul.These are seemly attempts to embolden the residual insurgents elements to seize some place  in the post-US order of the country. Afghan talibans sheltered in the Pakistan’s semi-- autonomous tribal belt of Waziristan, have most recently even rejected the offer of “ a safe passage  by the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan’ to hold talks for negotiation describing this offer “ as an attempt to create schisms in their ranks.”



The current process may have to be attempted along multi--dimensional approach intended to break the nexus between Afghan and Pakistan talibans, deter Pakistan from following policy objectives of overshadowing Afghanistan, investing a strong political leadership with the Afghan President by conducting fair elections and boosting the country’s  economy by providing government to government assistance  and  promoting private business –to – business by gradually unleashing market forces of globalization. 





Even  after two terms  at presidency, Hamid Karzai does not  possess the desired level of political authority to deal with the prevailing situation,what is even more scary, his term expires in the year 2014 that would require even a stronger political handling  with the US virtually  exiting the country at that time.Hamid Karzai is thus reportedly considering calling early presidential election next year (ie in 2013) to take advantage  of the coalition military presence to enhance chances of country’s first peaceful transfer of power.Under the constitution, Mr Karzai is not eligible to run for a third term unless the provision is changed by the so- called constitutional  Loya Jirga- an assembly made up of national lawmakers  and heads of provincial  and district councils.But numerous Afghan leaders including Mr Atmar, Ashraf Ghani and Ali Jalili are seriously  exploring their prospects at Presidential election.A fair and transparent election can invest greater political authority at this juncture.





Pakistan can be persuaded  to seriously look  at the dangerous results of its adopting overbearing policies towards Afghanistan. A reverse-- gear reaction of promoting fundamentalist extremism in Afghanistan is amply visible in the Tehrik-e-Taliban terrorists executing terrorist attacks throughout the length and breath of Pakistan itself. The most undesirable  nexus between  the rogue elements in the ISI and the terrorist cadres grew such complicated  that “Memogate “ emerged as  a scandal assuming laughable proportions .



The interests of the region comprising India, Pakistan and Afghanistan would in fact be best served by following mutually advantageous policies of promoting  development, education and economic betterment so that this region may be counted as the most harmonized region of the world instead of being demarcated as the most dangerous  area  contributing as fulcrum of power play between different powers.



Inspired by such an ideology, India has already entered into a strategic bilateral agreement  with Afghanistan promising reconstruction assistance to the country at upgraded  government --to-- government level  and also ready to explore private to private economic cooperation by asking private  business companies (house) in India to join hands  with private investors  in Afghanistan with an idea  of unleashing huge economic forces in this war ravaged  country by even involving Pakistan, Iran ,China  and other countries  of the Istanbul process. US has also  explicitly announced  its intentions  of supporting Afghanistan after 2014 by keeping residual non- combat troops for training  Afghan forces to meet the responsibility of maintaining  internal and external security, providing financial assistance for boosting economic expansion otherwise so badly needed to root out joblessness to provide stability in the country.
Needless to say  that in view of perilous situations existing in the adjacent mid -east region on the west and positive development taking place in Myanmar on the east, US “pivot” has to be most essential and meaningful. It is only in this context that a truly sovereign Afghanistan can exist and thrive.

 

nuclear security summit 2012 world leaders pledge to secure Nuke weapons by 2014

Considering nuclear terrorism as one of the greatest threats facing the world,US President Barack Obama reminded the world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit

Syria holds constitutional referendum amid violence

Syria is holding a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday amidst violence in which 89 people were killed on Saturday.
To placate the critics ,Assad presented the

Iran warships enter Mediterranean

   
Two Iranian warships on Saturday entered the Mediterranean Sea after crossing the Suez Canal ,a move that will escalate  tensions between Iran and Israel .


Navy commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari

Iran envoy Mehdi Nabizadeh explains ground reality of US- Iran nuclear standoff

On the 33rd anniversary of victory of  Islamic Revolution, Iranian ambassador to India Mehdi Nabizadeh, used this opportunity to show the ground reality of the recent US and Israel threat posed to Iran.

Referring to the two wars

Iran threatens to target any country

Iran has threatened West by saying that it will target any country used as a launchpad for attacks against its soil.


Issuing warning to world powers over its nuclear ambitions,Iran's deputy Revolutionary Guards commander,Gen. Hossein Salami did not clearly eleborate to  which countries he meant as possible hosts for military action against it.

"Any place where enemy offensive operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran originate will be the target of a reciprocal attack by the Guard's fighting units,"  Salami said.


Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also issued stern warning to West by saying that " Iran has its "own threats" to respond to any military attack or sanctions against its oil exports.'

The tensions between Iran  and West  has increased after U.S. defense secretary said Israel was likely to bomb Iran nuclear installations  with or without US help  within months to stop it assembling nuclear weapons.
   
"In response to threats of oil embargo and war, we haveour own threats which will be implemented at the right time,if necessary," he said.


The West has also ramped up sanctions aimed at severely curbing Iran's vital oil exports.

Israel's defence minister said  there is growing international awareness that military action against Iran's nuclear programme will have to beconsidered.


Ehud Barak told  that he senses a change in international thinking. He says world leaders are increasingly realising that if sanctions don't stop Iran's nuclear programme, "there will be a need to consider action."


President Barack Obama has said that Israel has not decided uptill now  on attacking Iran's nuclear installations, as he still prefers to use diplomacy.

Acknowledging that the tough international sanctions are hurting the Iranian regime,Obama said ,

"We have mobilized the international community in anunprecedented way. They are feeling the pinch. They are feeling the pressure."



Until Iran commit itself to peaceful use of nuclear energy and leaves its nuclear weapon programme, both the USare Israel are going to be very concerned about it.


The U.S. and its Western allies accuse Iran of producing atomic weapons while Iran maintained  its  program is meant to produce fuel for future nuclear power reactors and medical radioisotopes needed for cancer patients.

Israel and the U.S. have  have threatened that all 'options are on the table' including military action, if Iran continues with its uranium enrichment program.

On October 2011,Syrian President Bashar Assad  warned West that he will set the Middle East on fire if NATO forces attack his country.

“If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than six hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv,” Assad  said.
“All these events will happen in three hours, but in the second three hours, Iran will attack the US warships in the Persian Gulf and the U.S., and European interests will be targeted simultaneously,” Assad said

 Earlier,Iran threatened  to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the event of being attacked  and  could cut off oil exports to “hostile” European nations with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said  that Tehran would block the strait of hormouz  and create havoc in international oil markets if the West placed new economic sanctions on his country.

“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil exports,” Rahimi declared, “then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz.” 



The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have come up with a contingency plan in case of a crisis"Exporting oil or importing goods and cargo through Hormuz remains a main concern for the GCC

Assembly elections: Punjab, Uttarakhand to decide future of Congress

January 30,2012  is a crucial day  for Congress as voting is underway in Punjab and Uttarakhand to elect new assemblies .The elections will decide the future of Congress  and the Rahul Gandhi


After an aggressive campaign by Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress is hoping to oust SAD-BJP combine government from Punjab .

Taking a different approach from its tradition , Congress announced  Capt Amarinder singh as its Chief ministerial candidate in Punjab before the elections  . This announcement was made to check the factional vioces as state CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal  was also aspiring for the top post.

Although there is a close fight between  Akali Dal and the Congress as both are claiming to form the next government in Punjab but the key to electoral victory in the state lies in the hands of  smaller parties like PPP,Bahujan Samaj Party and the most important factor Dera Sacha sauda .


Dera has a strong influence in Malwa region that is  spread across nine districts with 65 Assembly seats which holds the key to power while the other regions of the state have fewer seats ie Doaba has 25 and Majha has 27 seats in the 117 seat Assembly.

According to sources ,Dera  is going to support congress in 100 seats  and SAD in eight seats.The rebels from both the major parties Congress and SAD will play spoilsport at some constituencies in the elections  as rebels are fighting in about 45 seats .

Dera Sacha Sauda, which had openly backed the state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh in the 2007 Assembly polls. In the last polls, the Congress, despite sweeping the Malwa region with Dera's support, had lost the elections as Punjab voted for change .

It seems Congress is on the upper hand in Punjab due to  the alleged corruption in governance and the non-performance of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the anti-incumbency factor added to it ..

Well, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party will cut the traditional Congress vote base .The other smaller parties PPP and left parties under the Sanjha Morcha alliance  is also expected to affect  both the Akali and the Congress vote banks.
  
The Akalis are fighting against anti-incumbency factor and the support of Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim-led Dera Sacha Sauda also  play a crucial role in formation of the new government .During campaigning, Akali's made  development and progress its main poll plank and shunned its old agendas like religious or water agreements .

 
The ruling SAD-BJP alliance, the Congress and BSP are contesting all the 117 Assembly seats. Newly-formed Punjab People's Party floated by the outgoing  Manpreet Badal, is contesting 92 while SAD (Amritsar) headed by former IPS officer Simranjit Singh Mann is contesting 57 seats.


In Uttarakhand



Over 63 lakh will decide the fate of 788 candidates in these elections  where the ruling BJP is locked in a close fight against Congress.Both the main parties BJP and Congress are  contesting all the 70 seats.

 The elections will also decide the fate of top state leaders including Chief Minister B C Khanduri from Kotdwar, former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Doiwala,the leader of opposition Harak Singh Rawat from Rudraprayag and PCC chief Yashpal Arya from Baajpur seats.
Congress attacked BJP over alleged scams that had taken place during the tenure of former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. and during the campaigning raked up iisues  like Godhra carnage , scams like Kargil coffins,Dilip Judeo, Shaila Masood murder case, Bangaru Laxman bribery and other such scams through local media in the hill state.
   
   
On the other hand, the ruling BJP continued its campaign "Khanduri hai Zaroori" asking the people to retain the ruling party.To counter the Congress campaign, BJP  highlighted  scams under Congress  like Commonwealth Games and Adarsha society scam and the alleged Bofors scam where it said the Swedish government paid a kickback of Rs 64 crore to clinch the gun deal during the then Rajiv Gandhi government.