{InfoMedia} WAD: The year ahead 2013

Topic Covered:

• Germany Election;
• Growth Rate;
• IPCC Report on Climate Change;
• Where to born in Twenty-13.

{Education} Article: North Korea successfully launched an Unha-3 rocket into space

• On Dec 12th Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea's tin-pot regime, caught his own people and the rest of the world off-guard by successfully launching an Unha-3 rocket into space and possibly putting a rudimentary satellite into orbit. Experts said the same technology it takes to put a 100kg satellite into orbit could be the first step towards firing an intercontinental ballistic missile with an equivalent payload at America, provided that North Korea could also master re-entry and accuracy.
• The timing, just before the first anniversary of the death of his rocket-loving father, Kim Jong Il, appeared to be aimed primarily at solidifying the young Mr Kim’s leadership, as well as bolstering his popularity among his oppressed subjects. 
• Beforehand, news of the proposed launch was censored in North Korea, possibly because of the embarrassment that ensued in April, when a previous Unha-3 rocket flopped in front of the world’s media.
• The U.S. described the launch as “a provocative action”, while Japan’s Foreign Minister said the government had officially protested the launch to the DPRK and had called for the UNSC to take a tough stand. Also, while Beijing had earlier expressed concern over the North’s actions, China “believes the Security Council’s response should be cautious and moderate, protect the overall peaceful and stable situation on the Korean peninsula, and avoid an escalation of the situation”.
• North Korea’s launch of a rocket has put India’s plans to send an officials and businessmen delegation to Pyongyang (assessed whether talk of economic reforms in the reclusive nation was for real) in March next year in the deep freeze. New Delhi would prefer to stay away from North Korea for the time being as the rocket launch violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874. There have been reports about North Korea undertaking agrarian reforms as well as wanting to attract investments. Some Indian officials witnessed the conditions in the North Korean country-side when they recently accompanied a U.N. team for the food aid programme. India contributed $1 million to the cause and was likely to allocate a similar amount around the time when the delegation was to visit North Korea.
• The Unha or Eunha is a North Korean expendable carrier rocket, which experts say utilises the same delivery system as the Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile. Its earlier attempt of launching Unha1,2,&3 was a big failure.

{Education} Article: India's rank in UHNWI, Quality of Living and City Infrasture

Ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) are individuals or families who have, by one definition, at least US$30 million in investable assets, or with a disposable income of more than US$20 million. The exact dividing lines depend on how a bank wishes to segment its market; for example, the term "very high net worth individuals" can refer to those with assets between $5 million and $50 million, with ultra high net worth individuals only those with above $50 million.

{Education} InfoGraphic: IMF GDP forecast for BRIC & EURO

{Education} Article: North Korea rocket launch

• North Korea is apparently readying her second rocket launch of 2012, attempting to ping satellites in to orbit using ballistic missiles. 
• Island neighbour Japan is a trifle nervous about it and is readying Patriot missiles to islands close to the areas where the three rocket stages are expected to crash land.
• There’s a fair amount of such military posturing and space activity going on in that part of the world, which goes some way to explaining this, this and this.

{Education} Article: Japanese installation of 2nd Missile Defence Radar

• In the First InfoGraphic, we look at how the Japanese is installing its second missile defence radar, most likely to counter China’s growing military power.
• Then we analyse the new American tiltrotor aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey, which Tokyo has declared safe for deployment. 

{Education} Article: Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index 2012

• India's image on tackling corruption has not improved with Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (wiki link included)  placing it at 94th rank out of 176 nations this year.
• Though India was ranked at 95th position last year, the international watchdog said it has started evaluating the positions through a different formula beginning this year and hence this cannot be compared to last year's ranking.
• However, the last year's rank of 95 would be 96 if it is calculated using the new methodology which implies there was a "slight improvement" in the index.
• This year, India has a score of 36 out of 100 on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) which is a result of an average of 10 studies including World Bank's Country Performance and Institutional Assessment and Global Insight Country Risk Ratings.
• India was ranked 72 among 180 countries for the first time in 2007 and since then the country's rankings have been showing a decline. While India was placed at 87 in 2010, the position was 95 in 2011.
• This year, India is ranked below neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka (79) and China (80), while Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh fared much worse than India when it came to corruption in public sector undertakings.
• Denmark is placed at the top spot with a score of 90 while Finland and New Zealand follow very closely. Countries that occupy the bottom ranks in the index are Myanmar, Sudan Afghanistan, Somalia and North Korea.

Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index

{Education} IRA: Japanese Prime Ministers since 2000

Last week, Yoshihiko Noda became the longest serving Japanese prime minister since Junichiro Koizumi stepped down in 2006 after five years in office.

Click on image to expand:

{Education} IRA: Terrorist attacks mapped around the world

Key Findings:

• Of total 158 countries the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) cover in their inaugural global terrorism index, only 31 have had no attacks in the ten years to 2011. 
• Yet although attacks are distributed widely around the world, the majority are concentrated in just a handful of countries.
• From 2002 to 2011, North America was the region least likely to suffer from terrorism
• While more terrorist attacks are being recorded, the number of fatalities has declined by 25% since 2007.
• Iraq ranks first based on a five-year weighted average of the number of incidents, deaths, injuries and estimated property damage. It has suffered from the most attacks, including 11 of the world's worst 20. Indeed, Iraqis comprised one third of deaths from terrorism between 2002 and 2011. But while the number of incidents there have climbed since 2007, deaths have actually declined. 
• Other terrorist hotspots include Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. 
• The worst attack over the period was in Nepal, where 518 people died and 216 were injured. If there is any small cause for comfort, it is that terrorist incidents have plateaued since their peak in 2008.
• For more detail on the 500 biggest incidents see IEP's map here.

{Education} Analysis: An examination of 31 nations founded or reconstituted since 1990

• Not all new countries are really new. Some are born almost fully formed and others have to start from nothing. South Sudan is the most extreme example of that. 
• An examination of more than a dozen key indicators in the 31 nations founded or reconstituted since 1990 shows just how steep a climb South Sudan faces. 
• The above graphic shows the progress made by new countries using 6 key indicators (GDP per capita, life expectancy, under 5 mortality, press freedom, corruption perception, and debt as percentage of GDP).

{Education} Infographic: Laos approves Mekong River dam

• Laos – the long, skinny Asian country squashed between Vietnam to the right and Thailand to the left – has given the go-ahead for the construction of a massive dam on the Mekong River. 
• Laos plans to harness the power of the river to generate electricity, which in turn it can sell to its neighbours.
• The problem is that those same neighbours are already unhappy about the potential disruption the dam might cause to their fishing and rice production. 
• The Mekong snakes hundreds of miles all the way from China, through Laos, into Cambodia and out to the sea, with close to 60 million people reliant on the Mekong for their way of life. Not to mention the critically endangered giant catfish. That’s one freakin’ big catfish.

{Infographic} South Korea’s multi-billion dollar warplane deal

• As if China’s stealth fighter developments wasn’t enough Far East military action for one day, let’s give the South Koreans a hand as they roll out their $7.2 billion contract for 60 next-gen fighter jets. 
• Someone, somewhere is getting immensely wealthy from all this national insecurity, but it’s not us, that’s for darn sure. Oh well!

{Infographic} China’s new J31 stealth fighter

{Infographic} UK drone force in Afghanistan to be doubled

{IRA} The Gaza conflict in numbers

• After seven days of fighting between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamists who run Gaza, and Israel, a ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, is expected by the evening of November 20th. 
• Israel has not yet confirmed the ceasefire but has put plans for a ground invasion on hold. 
• Diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed are intensifying. 

1. Ban Ki-moon, the UN's secretary-general, arrived in Israel on November 20th after meeting the head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, in Cairo. 
2. Hillary Clinton, America's secretary of state, is also set to arrive in Israel. 

• A ceasefire may bring an end to the violence, in which over 100 Palestinians and three Israelis have died since November 14th, but the challenge for both sides will be whether they can translate a renewed informal understanding into something more lasting.

{IRA} Hu was best for China's economy?

International Organization: Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Communique and India's commitment

Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Communique: At this Seoul Summit, we agree that we will make every possible effort to achieve further progress in the following important areas.

• ·         Global Nuclear Security Architecture: We recognize the importance of multilateral instruments that address nuclear security, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). We therefore encourage the universal adherence to these Conventions. We urge states in a position to do so to accelerate their domestic approval of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, seeking to bring the Amendment into force by 2014. Further, We recognize the contributions since the 2010 Summit of international initiatives and processes such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, within their respective mandates and memberships. We welcome the wider participation in the GICNT and the Global Partnership and value its extension beyond 2012.
• ·         Role of the IAEA: We reaffirm the essential responsibility and central role of the IAEA in strengthening the international nuclear security framework, and recognize the value of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013.
• ·         Nuclear Materials: Recognizing that highly enriched uranium (HEU) and separated plutonium require special precautions, we encourage States to consider the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them, as appropriate, and consistent with national security considerations and development objectives. We also encourage States to take measures to minimize the use of HEU, including through the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, where technically and economically feasible, taking into account the need for assured supplies of medical isotopes, and encourage States in a position to do so, by the end of 2013, to announce voluntary specific actions intended to minimize the use of HEU.
• ·         Radioactive Sources: Taking into account that radioactive sources are widely used and can be vulnerable to malicious acts, we urge States to secure these materials, while bearing in mind their uses in industrial, medical, agricultural and research applications. In addition, we encourage continued national efforts and international cooperation to recover lost, missing or stolen sources and to maintain control over disused sources.
• ·         Nuclear Security and Safety: Acknowledging that safety measures and security measures have in common the aim of protecting human life and health and the environment, we welcome the convening of the High Level Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security initiated by the UN Secretary-General, held in New York on 22 September 2011. Noting that the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials also includes spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, we encourage States to consider establishing appropriate plans for the management of these materials.
• ·         Transportation Security: Recognizing the importance of a national layered defense against the loss or theft of nuclear and other radioactive materials while transpotation from country to countru, we encourage the establishment of effective national nuclear material inventory management and domestic tracking mechanisms, where required, that enable States to take appropriate measures to recover lost and stolen materials.
• ·         Combating Illicit Trafficking: We underscore the need to develop national capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and prosecute illicit nuclear trafficking. Noting that several countries have passed export control laws to regulate nuclear transfers, we encourage further utilization of legal, intelligence and financial tools to effectively prosecute offenses, as appropriate and consistent with national laws. In addition, we encourage States to participate in the IAEA Illicit Trafficking Database program and to provide necessary information relating to nuclear and other radioactive materials outside of regulatory control.
• ·         Nuclear Forensics: We recognize that nuclear forensics can be an effective tool in determining the origin of detected nuclear and other radioactive materials and in providing evidence for the prosecution of acts of illicit trafficking and malicious uses.
• ·         Nuclear Security Culture: Recognizing that investment in human capacity building is fundamental to promoting and sustaining a strong nuclear security culture, we encourage States to share best practices and build national capabilities, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We also encourage States to promote human resource development through education and training. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of Centers of Excellence and other nuclear security training and support centers since the Washington Summit, and encourage the establishment of new centers.
• ·         Information Security: We recognize the importance of preventing non-state actors from obtaining information, technology or expertise required to acquire or use nuclear materials for malicious purposes, or to disrupt information technology based control systems at nuclear facilities. We therefore encourage States to enhance cyber security measures.
• ·         International Cooperation: We encourage all States to enhance their physical protection of and accounting system for nuclear materials, emergency preparedness and response capabilities and relevant legal and regulatory framework. In particular, we welcome the intent by the IAEA to continue to lead efforts to assist States, upon request.
• ·         We will continue to make voluntary and substantive efforts toward strengthening nuclear security and implementing political commitments made in this regard. The next Nuclear Security Summit will be held in [the Netherlands] in 2014.

Nuclear Security Summit National Progress Report India

• ·         International Legal Instruments: India is party to all the 13 universal instruments accepted as benchmarks for a State’s commitment to combat international terrorism. India is party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and is amongst the few countries which have also ratified the 2005 amendment to the Convention. India is also Party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
• ·         International Atomic Energy Agency: India is a member of the IAEA Commission on Nuclear Safety Standards and the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security. India has actively contributed to IAEA’s Action Plans on Nuclear Security, including third plan for 2010-2013. India as a partner to the IAEA-US Regional Radiological Security Partnership (RRSP) has been organizing international training courses in India under the aegis of the IAEA. India offered assistance through the IAEA for search and recovery of orphan radioactive sources in countries which were unable to effectively deal with them and had sought such assistance. India commends the Agency’s efforts to develop a Nuclear Security Information Portal and its efforts in developing a comprehensive set of guidance documents under the Nuclear Security Series. India is a participant in the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB), which was established in 1995 and disseminates information on confirmed reports about illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities and events involving nuclear radioactive materials to the States. India has been supportive of the 2003 IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and voluntarily adopted its provisions. Conclusion of Practical Arrangements between GCNEP and the IAEA would reinforce India’s cooperation with the Agency.
• ·         UN and other mechanisms: Since 2002, India has piloted a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on measures to prevent terrorists gaining access to Weapons of Mass Destruction. India is also a party to Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and has participated in its working groups on nuclear detection, nuclear forensics and response and mitigation. We also cooperate with the Interpol’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit and the World Customs Organization.
• ·         National legal framework: The Indian Atomic Energy Act 1962 provides the legal framework for securing nuclear materials and facilities. In June 2005, India enacted the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005. India has adhered to NSG Guidelines and has expressed interest in full membership of the NSG and other international export control regimes. The Government has introduced a bill in Parliament for the establishment of an independent Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority which will also enhance oversight of nuclear security and strengthen synergy between safety and security.
• ·         Reducing Nuclear Material: With regard to minimization of use of civilian HEU, the enriched uranium based fuel in the APSARA reactor was placed in a safeguarded facility in December 2010. APSARA will use indigenous fuel which is not high enriched uranium. However, there is a growing demand for large-scale production of isotopes for a range of applications- healthcare, industry, food and agriculture. India’s three stage nuclear programme is based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle, the principle of ‘reprocess-to-reuse’ and ensuring control over nuclear material at all stages. We have recently developed an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor based on Low Enriched Uranium and Thorium with new safety and proliferation-resistant features.
• ·         International Cooperation: India has close cooperation with the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). India has signed tripartite Agreements with IAEA and Sri Lanka and Namibia to donate our indigenously developed Cobalt teletherapy machine (Bhabhatron II) to these two countries as a step towards affordable treatment of Cancer. A similar machine was donated to Vietnam in 2008.
• ·         Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP): At the first Nuclear Security Summit, India announced that it would establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. To begin with, the Centre will consist of four Schools dealing with Advanced Nuclear Energy System Studies, Nuclear Security, Radiation Safety, and the application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology in the areas of healthcare, agriculture and food. The Centre will carry out research and development in radiation monitoring including development of detectors and nuclear emergency management. We are interested in development and conduct of courses in association with interested countries and the IAEA.
• ·         Nuclear Security Summit Process: India supports implementation of the Washington Summit Communiqué and Work Plan. India contributed to the NSS process, including by hosting a meeting of the Sherpas in New Delhi 16-17 January 2012.

Photic News: Arms race - India Vs. China

SOUTH ASIA: PAKISTAN: IndoPak Trade Issues

• Undeterred by the Pakistan's decision to defer the issue of pruning the negative list for trade with India, Mr. Sharma said he would be discussing the issue of grant of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India as well the issue of pruning the negative list to give a fillip to trade.

  • While officials from both the sides are still at work to put together a “comprehensive package”, indications are the deal this time may have to be limited to agreements on customs cooperation and redressal of trade grievances along with a mutual recognition agreement that will enable a regime with common standards.

• The three MoUs are 

  • Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters Agreement, 
  • Bilateral Cooperation Agreement on Mutual Recognition between Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority and Bureau of Indian Standards, and 
  • Agreement on Redressal of Trade Grievances between Pakistan and India.

• Pakistan commerce department had finalized a negative list of 636 items and it is likely to be implemented in three phases starting June 30 and ending by 2012.

  • But differences within the cabinet have meant that the Indian delegation led by commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma may return without any substantial gain from the visit, the first bilateral trip by an Indian trade minister.
  • Sharma hasn’t given up just yet. He intends to discuss the MFN status and the negative list issue with his Pakistani counterpart
    • India indicated that it was ready to put in place a liberal multiple visa regime in place if Pakistan reciprocated on the issue.
    • India and Pakistan are holding talks not only to opening up another border trading point at the Wagah Border but also at Mona Bao in Rajasthan.
• Analysts said the political instability in the country had cast its shadow on trade. Analysts said any decision on the MFN issue would have to wait until there was more clarity on the political situation.
• Sections of Pakistan’s domestic industry are worried that Indian goods would swamp the Pakistan market once trade ties return to normal.

 

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