Geopolitical Monitor - Topic: Military

Over 43 people have been killed in the Somali capital of Mogadishu in two days of fighting between Shabab (al-Shabaab) insurgent forces, who on March 10 advanced to within one mile of the nation’s presidential palace, and troops of the U.S.-backed Transitional Federal Government. The fighting has just begun.

Mar. 12th (Montreal Gazette) - A day after the U.S. Coast Guard's top commander declared the Arctic a region of "extreme focus" for the U.S. — by announcing plans to bolster the American icebreaker fleet by bringing an aging icebreaker out of retirement — a Liberal senator and a leading Arctic expert are calling for stronger commitments from the Canadian government to project the country's presence in the polar realm.

MOGADISHU, Mar. 12th (All Africa) - Sheik Ali Mohamud Raghe (Sheik Ali Dere), the spokesman of Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen has Thursday held press conference in Mogadishu claiming victory over bitter fighting that left 35 dead, injuring more than 80 in north Mogadishu.

Mar. 12th (BBC News) - Two suicide bombers have killed at least 45 people in the Pakistani city of Lahore, officials say.

This backgrounder will examine the international nuclear nonproliferation regime; specifically the origins, benefits, and drawbacks of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).  Increasingly obvious loopholes and a looming NPT review conference in May are coming together to make 2010 a watershed year for the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

BEIJING, Mar. 11th (China Daily) - A stronger Chinese navy will not seek to build military bases overseas, a retired senior officer has said amid media reports that the country harbors such "ambitions".

ISLAMABAD, Mar. 11th (Dawn) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Pakistan on Thursday his country did not want to become a battle ground for proxy wars and welcomed an offer from Islamabad to help with peace efforts.

Mar. 9th (BBC News) - US Vice-President Joe Biden has condemned Israel's approval of 1,600 new homes for ultra-Orthodox Jews in East Jerusalem.

Mar. 9th (BBC News) - The governor of Nigeria's Plateau state has accused military commanders of ignoring warnings of an attack on Sunday near the city of Jos.

March 9th (BBC News) - A Pennsylvania woman in her late 40s has been charged with terror offences including using the internet to recruit militants for deadly attacks abroad.