Maoists in Nepal threaten to retake government from the streets

Since leaving power in protest against the President of Nepal's actions the Maoists have been agitating for their return. The latest effort was a three-day general strikethe declaration of autonomous states which crippled the nation's economy by blocking off transportation. This followed a series of actions by the Maoists including the declaration of numerous autonomous states encompassing the whole of Nepal. Following the conclusion of the strike Maoist leader Prachanda issued an ultimatum threatening an indefinite strike across the country if the government do not form a national unity government with the Maoists by January 24.

Before this Baburam Bhattarai, a key party official, said if a constitution is not implemented by May 14 next year then both the interim constitution and presidency will "cease to exist" and the Maoists will then "declare constitution from the streets and capture power" though how this will be achieved is not made clear. However, another Maoist official has warned Nepal risks sinking back into civil war and blames Indian interference.

Nepal is also the center of a geopolitical struggle between India and China. As India seeks a strengthening of defense ties with Nepal China is also moving towards expanding its ties with the nation. The Maoists being far more hostile to India than the other major powers could prove a critical factor in Nepal's place in the region. Any future scenario with the Maoists in full power and reshuffling the government according to their wishes will sway them towards China. In particular Maoists hostility towards the Ghurka recruitment risks heightening tensions with, not only India, but the United Kingdom as well.

If the Maoists are not returned to power with the agreement of the other parties then there runs a risk of them launching a revolution that could entangle both India and China, potentially even the UK, in a devastating civil war.

North Korea declares "firing zone" in West Sea

Declaring the move to be a reaction to "reckless military provocative maneuvers by the warmongers in the South Korean military" North Korea has designated the disputed Northern Limit Line of the West Sea a peacetime naval firing zone and warned ships to avoid entering the area. If South Korean ships civilian or military enter the area North Korea has threatened to use artillery from coastal and island bases against them.

Earlier in the year President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea authorized South Korean military forces to retaliate to any attack coming from such land-based weaponry. Then in November a brief naval skirmish broke out between a North Korean ship and South Korean naval forces. Though this battle heightened the risk it did not lead to a renewal of the Korean War. Two other skirmishes occurred years before but also did not result in a new war. However, the declaration that ships will be fired on by coastal or island-based weapons introduces a new complication.

Despite a series of battles breaking out between North Korea and South Korea, the worse situation being in 1968 when an assassination attempt was launched by North Korean commandos, with the commandos fighting with police and troops, and a U.S. ship came under attack. Another serious incident occurred in 1976 called Operation Paul Bunyan where an attempt to clear tree limbs obstructing the view of border guards saw large-scale military support. However, in every single major post-war incident there was not a direct act on North Korean territory by South Korean military forces. With the two orders issued by North Korea and South Korea such a scenario has become plausible. If North Korea keeps its promise and fires on South Korean ships they will then be free to retaliate. As this situation has not arisen before there is no definite way of knowing what will occur.

The most recent threat comes as President Barack Obama pursues diplomacy to try and bring North Korea back into the six-party talks on its nuclear weapons capability. South Korea's foreign minister has warned that failure to restart the talks by March could mean them ending entirely.

Complicating the situation even more is the reported worsening health of Kim Jong-Il. Having already suffered a stroke and kidney disease the North Korean leader is now said to be suffering laryngitis with forcing him to work every other day. Uncertainty over the leadership at the same time as a skirmish increases the chances of a more dire reaction by North Korea's military. The fact Kim Jong-Il has suffered from a stroke already makes this new sickness all the greater risk to his life. Kim Jong-Il's death would greatly upset the already dire geopolitical situation in the Korean peninsula.

Iranian forces seize Iraqi oil field

Today the Iraqi government accused Iran of seizing an oil field in Iraqi territory. Though sporadic clashes have occurred before in this incident Iraq is saying that Iranians forces sent tank into the territory, erected their flag, and began digging trenches. Iraq has demanded that they leave though whether this could escalate into an armed confrontation depends on the support of the U.S. Any battle could result in escalations and lead to an all-out war. However, even if the situation is defused it provides a potential look into Iran's strategy should war erupt in the Middle East. While Iran's threats to block the Straits of Hormuz have been well-publicized the potential for Iran to seize Iraqi oil fields has not.

Other potential actions which could lead to a renewed war have arisen recently. The most obvious risk is an attack over Iran's nuclear program which came back into question as Obama was said to inform the Chinese that the U.S. could not hold back an Israeli attack indefinitely. Given numerous examples of Iran's program advancing in both enrichment and weaponization the more times passes the more inevitable an attack becomes.

Another risk emerged with the Abbas government in the West Bank threatening a unilateral declaration of independence. The Israeli government's response was that it would then annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Though they have backed away from this preferring to push for a Security Council vote, the potential for such a declaration could arise should the vote fail and discussions remain deadlocked. Indonesia expressly supported recognition of a unilateral declaration and it is likely other countries would as well. This possibility arose due to the unilateral declaration of Kosovo and later recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia. Though a declaration by itself may not cause such an event Israeli retaliation by annexing parts of the West Bank could invite other actors eventually including Iran.

Hamas has also stated what has long been expected in the event of a war with Iran. They declared that they will aid Iran if a war erupts. In this area Hamas has been improving their capabilities to prepare for such a war. Having learned from the war earlier this year Hamas is building up its weapons stockpile and improving its defensive infrastructure. Though far from being as capable as Hezbollah they are also acquiring missiles capable of hitting Tel Aviv. Combined with Hezbollah's capabilities, a future war will see Tel Aviv hit from all directions.

The consequences as indicated by the developments in Iraq would be massive disruption of world oil supply.

Aliyev once more threatening war over Nagorno-Karabakh

While this is not the first time Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, has threatened to reclaimed the separatist state of Nagorno-Karabakh with force the rhetoric is more resolute. A few months ago he said talks were proving fruitless and that they plan for war, but there was a caveat:

The president added that it was Azerbaijan’s "sovereign right" to resort to force, if Armenia did not show more negotiating flexibility, Russia’s Regnum news agency reported.

This seems to talk only about negotiations needing to make some movement, but this is what he is saying now:

Aliyev said, “We are attending to this meeting as a part of our program. This meeting will decisive for the negotiations. We held several meetings this year but we could not achieve any results. If we cannot again achieve any results we will run out of hope.” Stressing that they may use the military option if they lose their hope about peaceful resolution of the conflict, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan should be ready for that option.

This seems far more definitive in that he is saying without an agreement on resolving the matter there will be a war. Some will say this is just to play into domestic consumption, but there is serious reason for doubt. The same thing was said of Putin's comments on Abkhazia and South Ossetia. When he didn't immediately react to Kosovo's independence with recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia there were people claiming Putin was a paper tiger unwilling to back up his threats.

Azerbaijan is not likely to accept that anymore than Russia did. Even if they do not immediately react it is likely the foundations will be laid for a war sometime next year. Armenia is likely to react to any war with immediate recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence inflaming a war even further. Such a war could prove more explosive than the one in Georgia a year ago.

Key to its explosive potential is the reaction of Turkey. If Azerbaijan is the aggressor Turkey's reaction could be measured. Though the government would say Azerbaijan has the right to assert its territorial integrity it may also add that it is best to achieve this peacably. Fear of becoming entangled in a war with Russia is another major reason for them to not intervene.

Another key element is the reaction of the United States. In the previous year's war in Georgia the U.S. sat by as Russia sent troops perilously close to Tblisi. Indeed, Russia could have removed the government without challenge from the U.S. With President Obama's popularity flagging he may see this as an opportunity to distract the American public from domestic troubles. Moving soldiers quickly into Azerbaijan could be done under the pretext of preventing Russian intervention and expansion of the conflict. A scenario several years ago envisioned just such an event.

At any rate, a conflict will leave Russia as a threat in many minds.

Israeli soldier possibly kidnapped

An unknown Palestinian group called the "Al-Quds Army" has claimed to have captured an Israeli soldier outside Ben Gurion airport. Eyewitness reports indicate the story may be accurate. If verified the report could create the basis for a new war in the Middle East. This is because a Palestinian security official has stated the group has links to Hezbollah.

In the past few days tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated. Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon warned that Hezbollah would be blamed for any harm which came to Israelis abroad. This was carried with the warning of consequences which will be suffered by Hezbollah and Lebanon.

Should the report of the soldier's capture be verified and Hezbollah blamed potential military retaliation could follow.

Tensions build in the Former Soviet Union

As the one-year anniversary of the Russian-Georgian War approaches hostilities are rising across the region. Naturally the main areas of concerns are the members of the anti-Russian post-Soviet group GUAM which consists of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova. The most obvious source of tensions is Georgia where both sides are claiming ongoing strikes into the other's territory. Russia has responded to this escalation by putting its forces on high alert. At the same time Georgia is claiming that Russian forces are attempting to move South Ossetia's border to grab Georgian territory.

While 2008's war was about securing independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which will both likely be absorbed into Russia, a new war would have different motivations. Of primary interest would be removing Mikhail Saakashvili from power with one possible motivation being to establish a land link between Russia and Armenia. This would be of crucial importance in the event of a war over Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan. Merely perceiving this outcome as likely from a war with Georgia could push Azerbaijan into taking action before it is completed.

Developments in Nagorno-Karabakh also depend on ongoing negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In September or October the OSCE Minsk Group is set to release its updated Madrid Principles on a resolution of the conflict. However, previous negotiations have failed to resolve the key issue of Nagorno-Karabakh's status which will likely remain a stumbling block. A conflict could erupt if the talks are frozen, as some suggest, due to a failure to budge by either side on the crucial matter of status. Conflict would be especially likely if the updated principles are seen as moving towards some process to establish an independent Nagorno-Karabakh. In either case Azerbaijan is the likely aggressor given their more bellicose rhetoric.

Another matter of potential interest arises in this matter with regards to Georgia. While both the UN and OSCE observor mission in Georgia have had their mandates ended, the EU's monitoring mission in the region is continuing. As a result of the UN and OSCE missions ending there is talk of inviting the U.S. and other non-EU countries to participate in the EUMM with a decision likely by October. Any deployment of U.S. forces to Georgia would heighten hostilities and also set the foundation for possible direct U.S. intervention in the Caucasus. While it is unlikely they would entangle themselves in Georgia's conflict they could pull a maneuver like Russia's during the Kosovo War and move military forces from Georgia into Azerbaijan to prevent a Russian invasion of the country.

Ukraine is one more potential hotspot given the basing of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the region of Crimea, which has a large Russian-speaking population with aspirations of independence. Tensions have increased as a result of missile shipments through parts of Sevastopol which were in violation of agreements. Tit-for-tat expulsions of envoys is also increaing the diplomatic rift between Ukraine and Russia. In the immediate future the biggest potential pitfall are regular payments Ukrainian state-owned company Naftogaz is required to make to Gazprom. Failure to pay could trigger a major economic crisis in Ukraine already in a fragile state due to the steep downturn the country is experiencing. This would increase the chances of domestic unrest, particularly in Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine. A civil war would be to Russia's greater strategic interest as it could be used to justify separation of pro-Russian regions and establish a land link between Russia and Moldova. The former would undoubtedly include Crimea and if it extends all the way to Odessa the latter would be plausible.

Moldova's situation has become much more important given recent events. While earlier in 2009 the election victory of the ruling Communist party led to domestic unrest a revote has led to a group of opposition parties winning. However, whether those parties can reach a consensus given some major diverging views is another matter. At the same time forming a government would require some support from the Communists despite the opposition having a majority. Though a coalition with the Communists in some form can't be ruled out it would likely be a temporary measure and unstable. Should it be impossible for any group capable of forming a government to emerge then another election is expected in a year.

The outcome of such an election would be crucial to Moldova's future relations with Russia. Western media reports about the Communists being aligned with Russia are inaccurate, but certain elements of the opposition are strongly against Russia favoring NATO membership and even the serious measure of leaving the CIS. Should they win a future election or possibly seize power in the same manner as in Georgia it would create a situation likely to result in war. Transnistria would be the likeliest source of conflict. Given that Moldova is a land-locked country a land link would be necessary as it is very unlikely Romania or Ukraine will allow Russia to send military forces to use against Moldova through their territory. As such any war with Ukraine would have to happen before a move by Moldova to take Transnistria.

Last year saw the beginning of major hostilities between Russia and its U.S.-backed neighbors and it is no longer a matter of if, but when it happens again.

Middle East tensions rising

Numerous reports are coming out that could signal an attack on Iran by Israel is impending. One major road block to Israeli action on Iran has been receiving approval from the U.S. and other nations to carry out such an attack. In June the first sign of such approval came with reports an Israeli sub was allowed to transit the Suez Canal by Egypt. The Israeli Dolphin class sub is capable of launching Harpoon cruise missiles with a nearly 200 mile range. It is also capable of launching nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. Being able to move these subs to the Persian Gulf through the Suez would allow Israel additional options for an attack on Iran including launching sabotage operations with special forces.

Further evidence that Israel could get support in an attack on Iran came from reports that Saudi Arabia has essentially opened up their airspace to the Israeli Air Force for an attack on Iran. Israel has denied such an agreement has been reached though Israeli sources had been reporting of high-level negotations with Saudi leaders. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made a more public statement saying the U.S. would not stand in Israel's way and that the country has a sovereign right to launch an attack on Iran.

Possible justification for an attack on Iran could come before a strike with Iranian officials saying they are set to seize land held by the British embassy. The UK has threatened to seize similar Iranian property in its country if Iran follows through with its threat. Such actions run the risk of escalating tensions and providing cover for military attacks against Iran.

Any way will ultimately involve Hezbollah and Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated that any attack by Hezbollah will be the responsbility of Lebanon with the subsequent consequences. However, Hezbollah has considerably improved its military capabilities since the war in 2006. Presently they are reported to be capable of launching 600 rockets a day for 60 days with a goal of 1,000 rockets a day. Much of their new arsenal is said to be longer range rockets and missile meaning a sustained bombardment of Tel Aviv is likely in the event of war. Hezbollah is also claimed to have builts it force up to 8,000 men with fortified garrisons and a compact defense system of artillery, anti-armor, and intelligence capabilities. Together with Syrian and Hamas weapons this would allow Iran to damage Israel considerably more than Israel could harm Iran by itself. Support from the United States will be crucial for Israel or else it may be forced to resort to extreme measures.

Honduras edging to the brink

On July 2 Manuel Zelaya is planning to return to Honduras in the face of warnings from the post-coup government that he would be arrested immediately. Zelaya will be accompanies by the head of the Organization of American States as well as several Latin American Presidents including Rafael Correa of Ecuador, a member of the leftist regional organization ALBA founded by Hugo Chavez. The exact circumstances of his arrival are unknown though it is likely he will be encircled by his supporters and together with his escort of international leaders any attempt to use the military to arrest him will be dangerous.

While the coup leaders are sending representatives to Washington D.C. for talks there is no guarantee a resolution will be reached. Zelaya is certain to refuse anything short of a reinstatement and his opponents may not be too anxious to see him back in power. Without a resolution by the time Zelaya arrives the stage will be set for a more serious escalation of the crisis.

In anticipation of developments regarding Zelaya's arrival and likely in reaction to ongoing protests throughout the country the government has extended a curfew by three days. Continuing restrictions are likely only to inflame current protests, which on Monday in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa were violently dispersed with two dead and 60 injured according to some reports. In spite of this protests in the capital continue to build reaching 10,000 people with protests around the country. Union leaders supporting Zelaya have also called a national strike which could stokes tensions even further.

Another development that could send the situation in Honduras spiraling out of control is the reported rejection of the current government's authority by two military battalions. Of particular importance is the presence of these battalions in the coastal state of Atlantida with one of them stationed in the second-largest city in Honduras. With those forces in control it provides Zelaya a potential safe haven in the country upon his return. It's position on the Caribbean side provides additional strategic benefits as well in the event of war. While Nicaragua's border is considerably closer to the capital being able to launch an offensive from the coastline would make resistance to an invasion more difficult especially with some Honduran forces backing them.

Venezuela threatens intervention in Honduras

The Honduran Congress has appointed the successor for deposed President Manuel Zelaya after the Congress unanimously voted to remove Zelaya. In spite of this Zelaya is insisting he will not give up in trying to regain his position. He is not alone in his support as Venezuela as well as most of the world is backing his return to power. Even privately U.S. officials are saying they recognize Zelaya as president. The strength of his support is a different matter. The nature of U.S. comments suggests support is measured and potentially fragile. However support from Zelaya's leftist allies in Latin America is much stronger.

In particular Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said his country's military is on full alert and warns they will use military force if their ambassador is "kidnapped" or killed. He has also pledged to go to war if the Venezuelan embassy is violated. Even further he has pledged to remove any government sworn in as a result of the coup. While straying from the fiery rhetoric Ecuador is also warning that they will go to war if their ambassador or those of their allies were threatened. There have already been claims that the ambassadors of Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela were briefly taken by security forces and that the Venezuelan ambassador was beaten then left on the side of a road.

An extraordinary meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance for the People of our America, known as ALBA, was called in Managua, Nicaragua. Zelaya has reportedly been flown from Costa Rica, where Honduran troops exiled him, by a Venezuelan aircraft to participate in the meeting. Potential actions from the meeting could be minor like a condemnation or more serious like an effort to restore Zelaya by force.

If such a decision is not reached there a potential escalation of the situation within Honduras is a another possible justification. Protesters have clashed with security forces near the presidential palace, been setting up barricades, and blocking roads. Groups of young men, many armed with metal pipes or chains, have been burning tires and newspaper stands as well as throwing rocks at cars. Protesters said they were willing to fight and die in their resistance to the coup. In at least one case a leftist leader is said to have been killed as soldiers attempted to detain him. Any significant unrest or crackdown by military forces could be used as pretext for military intervention by Zelaya's backers.

A risk here is that U.S. troops stationed in Honduras at Soto Cano Air Base will be dragged into the conflict. Despite publicly opposing the coup and privately calling for Zelaya's reinstatement allegations have been raised about the connections between the coup leaders and the U.S. In particular is the fact the two main military fixtures in the coup studied at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation or School of the Americas. Further the U.S. is unlikely to support Zelaya being reinstated through force by Chavez and his allies. The most likely result from such an action would be reforms similar to those implemented by Chavez.

Any attack into Honduras could bring U.S. military forces into the picture escalating such a conflict even further.

New Nagorno-Karabakh War on the Horizon

On June 26, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev declared Azerbaijan's military was ready to "restore its territorial integrity" at any moment. Aliyev called the ongoing peace talks "fruitless" and that his left only the military option. He further argued that Azerbaijan has the "sovereign right" to retake Nagorno-Karabakh with force if Armenia doesn't show more flexibility in negotations.

While analysts claim his remarks are meant to rally nationalist support recent military exercises could be part of preparations for a military incursion. In particular the fact the war games were called the "Restoration of the Territorial Integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan" suggests it may be in preparation for an actual military intervention. The key determining factor could be talks in Russia mid-July on a peace deal. The convergence of these events are somewhat opposed to his comments merely being rhetoric. Kosovo's independence and the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have also put additional pressure on Azerbaijan.

A conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh also has potential to spread into Georgia where recent protests by ethnic Armenians in Javakheti led to clashes with police. A speaker of the Georgian parliament suggested Russia could provoke a scenario like Nagorno-Karabakh in the region.

Russian military exercises ending in early July could be a sign of preparations for such conflict. The exercises called KavKaz 2009 would involve the Black Sea Fleet, North Caucasian forces, and critically the Caspian Flotilla. While involvement of the Black Sea and South Ossetian and Abkhaz forces indicate it most likely involve, but the Caspian Flotilla's involvement suggests the conflict entails more than a conflict with Georgia. It most likely means a conflict with Azerbaijan. This could mean Russia is preparing for a scenario where a new conflict erupts with Georgia probably following an Azeri invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A U.S. military scenario in 2006 involving the deployment of U.S. military forces to prevent an invasion of Azerbaijan by a third country, most likely Russia, could be realized with Armenia being a member of the CSTO. Such a development would erase what little progress has been made in U.S.-Russian relations.

Coup lauched in Honduras

On the day of Manuel Zelaya's expected referendum the military surrounded the presidential palace and removed Zelaya. Zelaya was taken to an air base outside the capital with reports he is being sent into exile. The military briefly clashed with supporters of Zelaya outside the presidential palace.

Troops also had seized documents related to the planned referendum. Soldiers have been deployed across the capital of Honduras to prevent any unrest in response to the coup. What follows next will be key to any escalation. Venezuela and its allies have pledged to support Zelaya in any way possible and as such might make moves to intervene in Honduras.

Most immediate signs will likely come from Nicaragua though an invasion is unlikely at this stage.

Next Battleground for resistance to U.S. in Honduras

June 28 in Honduras President Manuel Zelaya is planning to hold a consultative referendum on whether to place a measure calling for a Constituent Assembly to change the Constitution on the November ballot. Zelaya is doing this over the objections of his own party, the Supreme Court, and military. Opposition from the head of the military led to Zelaya moving to relieve him. At the same time the Congress has launched an investigation into his mental state which could find him unfit to rule. The result would be the president of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, taking the Presidency. Despite being from Zelaya's own part he has been one of the major critics of Zelaya's efforts.

However such efforts could rile his supporters who have already shown considerable resistance to the present system going so far as to go to an Air Force base where ballots were being held for destruction to retrieve them and distribute them to polling stations. Should Zelaya be removed through essentially a legal coup popular resistance could emerge to the action potentially resulting in conflicts with the military.

People have been warned not to vote in the referendum because they could be attacked by Zelaya supporters. The Micheletti claimed Zelaya's supporters might assassinate him. All of this heightens tension in preparation for the referendum and there exists a risk that military forces will block people from voting resulting with battles in the streets.

Potential consequences of these developments are considerable. Should Zelaya be found unfit to rule by Congress he is likely to ignore the ruling and use his supporters to shield him from forcible removal. If the security forces press through supporters violently to foricbly remove Zelaya it would likely result in mass unrest or even civil war. This could open up a much bigger can of worms for the region.

Under Zelaya Honduras has joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the People of Our America which includes the nations of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Cuba and several small caribbean nations. President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has promised to support Zelaya together with his allies in any way they could. Of most immediate consequence would be Nicaragua which shares its northern border with Honduras. Nicaragua could be used as a passageway for weapons from Cuba or Venezuela to support a resistance to any military-imposed government. Should the situation escalate further all-out war is a distinc possibility.

That scenario could involve a very short conflict involving an invasion from Nicaragua by ALBA military forces especially Venezuelan forces. One major risk is that the U.S. intervenes in support of the Honduran government through direct military force or a blockade. In the event U.S. forces are deployed in Honduras and come into conflict with ALBA military forces further escalations become possible with Russia and/or Brazil moving to warn off the U.S. from intervention.

Developments in Honduras are further evidence of a growing trend involving conflict between American-backed forces and Russian-backed leftists in Latin America. September 2008's unrest in Bolivia and the Colombian strike which nearly sparked a war Ecuador and Venezuela in March of the same year indicate more events are likely to occur in the future.

Drums of war grow louder in East Africa

Moves towards peace between Chad and Sudan appear to have collapsed following a renewed offensive by Chadian rebels opposed to the government of Idriss Deby. While the attack was halted, Chad's government is concerned they will attempt another attack and is blaming Sudan for the Chadian rebel assault. The government of Chad has already launched several cross-border attacks into Sudan in an attempt to stop the rebel. Chad is now building troops on its border and says it intends to launch an offensive soon into Sudanese territory to prevent a renewed attack by the rebels.

Sudan is warning Chad that any Chadian troops which move into Sudanese territory will be "destroyed" by Sudanese forces. While the forces of Sudan's military are much stronger a conflict with Chad has the potential to bring in France and the EU in support which could escalate further with an outbreak of violence in South Sudan.

Nearby the Western-backed government in Somalia is at risk of collapse as Al-Shabab and other Islamist militants take large swathes of territory. Militants have launched a major attack on Mogadishu and have managed to secure most of the city. All that remains outside the control of Shabab is the center of the city containing government buildings and the port. These areas are secured not only by militias but the 4,000 African Union troops sent in as peacekeepers. Though fighting has died down in the capital the militants appear to be tightening the noose around the nascent government.

Shabab and its allies have seized two key towns north of the capital. Jowhar and Mahaday both lie along roads key to maintaing ties between governments forces in Mogadishu and areas controlled by allied militias in Central Somalia. With their significant presence in Mogadishu already established and the government choked off from potential support up north the Shabab and its allies can move to take the remaining parts of the capital and topple the government. To prevent this from happening East African nations are calling for the UN to enforce a sea and air blockade of insurgent-run cities and regions.

If efforts to prop up the transitional government fail and the country is taken over by Islamist militants potential for further violence remains. Aside from possible international intervention other potential civil conflicts could emerge. Puntland officials are warning the pirates based out of the Somali region could become the next warlords and build up their own armies. If Shabab is able to topple the government in Mogadishu and establish control of Southern Somalia, the Puntland region would be their likely next target where warlords could be potential allies of either side or third parties in the conflict.

After falling a second time to Islamists its possible no major challenges will emerge to their power and a Taliban-style government will impose order in the region. Such a government would also be likely to shelter foreign fighters like al-Qaeda allowing them to build their own strength.

Pakistan moving towards Civil War

In just a few short days members of Pakistan's opposition plan to start a march intended to go from Karachi to Islamabad. This march is meant to protest the current government's failure to reinstate the judge dismissed by Musharraf in 2007. The leader of the opposition, Nawaz Sharif, has been banned from contesting elections and is likely to fuel the protests. In addition Pakistan's precarious economic and security situation will be another source of protest. Some are expecting hundreds of thousands of protesters to participate. In Punjab the provincial government has banned all protests as well as brining in paramilitary forces with the government saying regular military forces could be called in to deal with protesters. At the same time reports are coming in of the head of the armed forces warning President Zardari to resolve the crisis before March 16th, the day the march concludes in Islamabad inciting fears of a military coup.

Such a crisis as hundreds of thousands of people confronting military troops in the streets could easily spiral out of control resulting in mass unrest. Another factor contributing to this potential for instability is the Taliban which continues to increase its power. Several rival Taliban groups have joined forces and pledged to defend each other from attacks. The numerous groups control a swath of territory across the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas and the Northwest Frontier Province. Their control has also been effectively expanded with the concession by the Pakistani government to allow sharia law in the Swat Valley after a military operation failed to defeat Taliban forces there.

Risk to the rest of Pakistan has gradually increased as well with an attack on a police checkpoint in Punjab province a possible sign of the conflict expanding into larger Pakistani provinces. Baitullah Mahsud, the leader of a Pakistani Taliban group, warned his group would expand actions to Punjab and Sindh province if the government continued conducting operations in the northwest. In Sindh there are reports the Taliban is capable of widening the conflict all the way to the coast. A police reports on the Taliban indicated a large presence in the city of Karachi with stockpiles of weapons warning the Taliban could take the city hostage at a moment's notice. Civil unrest resulting from the ongoing political crisis could serve as the perfect backdrop for the Taliban to make such a big move. Whether they could only cause a Mumbai-style attack or launch a full-on uprising in the city is uncertain though it would likely be somewhere in between given the larger numbers of Taliban forces in the city and the higher levels of support.

Karachi is not the only city of notable concern. Peshawar is the capital of the Northwest Frontier Province and has been a frequent source of concern for the Pakistani government with rising fears the Taliban are poised to seize the city. City residents have suffered harassment from Taliban and their sympathizers while trucks delivering supplies to U.S. forces in Afghanistan have come under increasinly intensive attacks. Police and paramilitary forces come under frequent attack in and around the city as well as high-level political officials. With the Taliban becoming more united in the northwest and receiving larger safe havens like the Swat Valley their ability to take the provincial capital increases every day. Were the Taliban to succeed in taking the city it is likely the entire province would soon follow and put the Taliban on the doorstep of Islamabad. Were this coordinated with aggressive actions in Punjab and a seizure of Karachi while the central government is distracted by large civil unrest from the political opposition a full-on civil war in Pakistan would become highly likely.

Trouble in Nagorno-Karabakh

With tensions still brewing between Georgia and Russia following the August war last year signs of potential conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is growing. On January 17th an Azeri soldier was reportedly killed after an attack from Nagorno-Karabakh. Further violations by Armenia were reported on January 22nd with Armenian armed forces launching attacks on Azeri positions near Yusifjanly village of Aghdam, Gervend village and two other locations in Fizuli and Khojavend. Only two days later more attacks were reported to have been launched on Sarijaly village of Aghdam, Gorgan village, and a location in Fizuli.

This situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is the most complicated and volatile in the region. With Armenia having a collective defense agreement with Russia. On the other side are Turkey and Azerbaijan presently both allies of the United States. While Georgia's role in diverting Caspian gas from Russia was noted during the conflict between Russia and Georgia, Azerbaijan plays the even more crucial role of being a natural gas producer and major port for natural gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan two nations the European Union has sought to tap as a way of reducing its dependence on Russia.

More troubling is that this conflict has been the apparent subject of a U.S. military exercise involving the deployment of U.S. troops into Azerbaijan. While no threat was specified it specifically referenced the Korean Way as a model with a conflict between two nations risking intervention by a third power with U.S. forces having to move in to prevent of possible fight those forces. The theoretical deployment involved troops stationed near Azeri held parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and the movement of troops around Baku to defend against external threats.

While the violations appear minor the risk is that if they continue Azerbaijan's government, eager to retake Nagorno-Karabakh, will initiate broader hostilities. If that occurs the situation will likely lead to Russian intervention of threat of intervention, especially if Azerbaijan has success against forces in Nagorno-Karabakh to the point of positioning for attack on Armenia itself. The relatively meager response by U.S. forces could encourage President Obama to send troops into Azerbaijan to ward off any Russian response. This would also include a condition on the part of Azerbaijan that the offensive not lead to any attack on Armenia. While such a response would have been more likely under a McCain administration Obama could view such an operation as a way of flexing his muscle and legitimizing himself in the international community. Indeed, it may very well be the crisis Joe Biden mentioned as testing Obama in his first months in office as it would likely be an unpopular move, though serving to demonstrate his strong hand on foreign affairs.

Near the brink in the Middle East

Israel's invasion of Gaza has managed to severely weaken Hamas, which appears to have not yet achieved Hezbollah-style capability, but the conflict has caused a shift in the geopolitical situation. The conflict had risked spreading to the rest of the Middle East after several rockets were fired from Southern Lebanon. Israel's decision not to launch a full-scale attack on Gaza city and depose Hamas likely prevented the conflict from erupting into a regional conflict. However, Israel remains intent on deposing Hamas through other means by having the reconstruction efforts led by Fatah in the hope it would get more support for the secular party in Gaza. Other regional powers are moving to back Fatah all in the hopes Hamas in its weakened state could fall, though a military takeover by Fatah seems unlikely.

However, Israel's decision also leads to the drawback that Hamas will now be able to improve its training and resupply. In this sense while Hamas did not show the capabilities of Hezbollah it may ultimately achieve the same aims. At the same time Hamas lacks the advantage Hezbollah enjoys in that a direct land route between it and Iran, the biggest likely source of assistance, can only travel through Israel.

The biggest impact of the conflict has been on the relations between Turkey and Israel. During the conflict Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayiip Erdogan accused Israel of committing "crimes against humanity" and said Allah would punish Israel. Erdogan even suggested Israel was putting itself on the path to self-destruction, the kind of rhetoric rivalled only by that of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Prime Minister was even refusing calls from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the conflict. Erdogan went so far as to call for Israel to be barred from the U.N. saying:

How is such a country, which totally ignores and does not implement resolutions of the U.N. Security Council, allowed to enter through the gates of the U.N.?

Strain in Turkish-Israeli relations is impacting political relations in other ways as the Turkish Parliament has ended the inter-parliamentary friendship group with the Israeli Knesset. Visits to Turkey by Israeli officials have also been canceled. Jewish leaders and Jewish groups in the U.S. including the Anti-Defamation League and B'nai B'rith International are also concerned at increasing acts of anti-Semitism in Turkey. Such actions including attacks and protests could pose problems for Israeli relations. The overall decline in relations is naturally spreading to the business atmosphere between the two countries. Turkish travel agencies are seeing a 70% decline in traffic by tourists, Muslim businesses in Turkey are disassociating themselves from their Jewish counterparts, and over a dozen groups have been formed by Israelis to "ban Turkey" in response to Erdogan's comments about kicking Israel out of the U.N.

With Turkey moving further from Israel and closer to Iran the chances of Turkey allowing the arming of Hezbollah through Iran and Syria increases. With Hamas effectively out of the picture it is that sphere which stands to bring the most likely chance of renewed conflict. Hezbollah is saying it is prepared for Israeli action against them and Israel is receiving intelligence indicating the group is planning an attack in retaliation for the assassination of Imad Mugniyeh. Of particular interest is the one-year anniversary of the killing on February 12th. This happens to coincide with the Israeli elections on February 10th making it a period with strong potential for renewed conflict. If Likud should win the elections as most polls indicate it will it makes it highly likely that any attack would receive a more devastating response or that Israel would launch an attack on Hezbollah without a serious provocation.

It would also increase the chance of an Israeli strike against Iran. In this sense another pivitol development is incoming as Iran is looking for more uranium. Iran currently is said to have enough enriched uranium for 35 nuclear bombs. If Iran manages to get a major shipment of uranium or merely continues its progress on nuclear enrichment a Likud government will be more tempted to use force against Iran. One way or the other a major regional war in the Middle East is inevitable, it is only a question of time.