1. Clinton and Gates to visit Australia for security talks next week, sounds serious
CANBERRA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) — Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced on Thursday that United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Australia next week to discuss regional security and defense issues. She will be accompanied by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The pair will meet with Smith and Defense Minister John Faulkner on Jan. 18, to hold the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations.
2. India demands urgent action by Australia to stop attacks
Toughening its stand, India demanded “urgent action” by Australia to put an end to the attacks on Indians there, brushing aside attempts to downplay the incidents by Australian government….Concerned over the series of attacks on students as well as other members of the Indian community over the past few years, especially over increasing number of incidents of assaults since May 2009, it said “the most recent incidents resulting in the tragic deaths of Indian citizens only underline the need for addressing these concerns at the earliest.
…Earlier, dismissing Australia’s suggestions that Indian reaction on the issue of attacks was “hysterical”, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said “none of us need to be hysterical but all that we expect is that Indians, whether they are students or otherwise, should be safe in the countries where they go for pursuing their higher studies.” Describing as majority of incidents of assaults as “opportunistic urban crimes”, Australian government had on Wednesday said these crimes could happen anywhere and they were making efforts to check the same.
The Ministry said the issue has been taken up at the highest levels during the visits of dignitaries from Australia and visits by “our dignitaries to Australia, particularly over the last six months.
3. France, outdoing the US, adds 23 countries to “risk list”
In response to the failed bombing of a U.S.-bound aircraft last month, French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux is seeking to add 23 countries to a list of countries whose air travelers face tighter security measures. Hortefeux, in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, did not specify which countries he wanted to add to the “risk list,” which now only includes Syria, Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria and Mali….Hortefeux, one of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s closest allies, said France has to “expand the list of zones at risk” from 7 to 30 countries.”This is not about stigmatizing the countries concerned, but we have to bear in mind the transit points of extremist Islamist networks,” he said.
4. RAND suggests policy makers be “very careful” what they say about Iran because heaven forfend we don’t get the regime change we want
WASHINGTON - The Revolutionary Guard Corps has “gained primacy” in Iran since the 2009 presidential election, fueling fears there that the country is becoming militarized, a Pentagon-sponsored study said Tuesday. The study by the RAND Corporation also urged US policymakers to take “great care” in their statements regarding Iran in order not to give the leadership a pretext to divert attention from domestic troubles, like the economy.Speaking to reporters on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had her mind on the Revolutionary Guard. “We have begun discussions with our partners and like-minded nations about pressure and sanctions,” said Clinton. “Our goal is to pressure the Iranian government, particularly the Revolutionary Guard elements without contributing to the suffering of ordinary (Iranians) who deserve better than what they are currently receiving” she said.
