angelburst29
The Living Force
What Putin says and what Putin does
http://katehon.com/article/what-putin-says-and-what-putin-does
On July 24th, Tashkent will host the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The largest military-political organization on the Eurasian continent is preparing to become even greater. In this year, SCO will include India and Pakistan, while Syria and Israel are also ready to start cooperation. Russia also intends to accelerate Iran’s accession to the SCO. In fact, Russia is creating a bloc of countries centered around it and China which will inevitably challenge US hegemony. And if the US is now trying to win over India, then Russia, through the SCO, is trying to find a compromise between Iran and Syria on the one hand and Israel on other. The SCO is becoming not only a Central Asian, but a Pan-Eurasian entity. And this organization is not only tying itself to the Middle East. Earlier, it was stated that applications for membership in the SCO had also come from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
A week ago, while speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is beginning the construction of "greater Eurasia":
Now we are proposing to consider the prospects for more extensive Eurasian partnership involving the EAEU and those countries with which we already have close partnership - China, India, Pakistan and Iran - and certainly our CIS partners, and other interested countries and associations.
The updated SCO is to become a military-political union providing security to a large space of Eurasia. Thus, this common security space will be built where the US has no place.
At the same time, for the first time ever, Putin declared the USA to be the sole superpower:
America is a great power, today perhaps the only superpower. We accept this. We want to work with the United States and we are prepared to. No matter how these elections go, eventually they will take place. There will be a [new] head of state with extensive powers. There are complicated internal political and economic processes at work in the United States. The world needs a powerful country like the United States, and we also need it.
Is there a contradiction between Putin's words on the USA and the trend of creating extended Eurasian partnership? In fact, there is. The change in Putin's rhetoric demonstrates the changing balance between word and deeds in Russia’s stance on multipolarity. In the late 1990’s, when Evgeny Primakov became the Russian foreign minister and then prime minister, the term 'multipolarity' was introduced into the Russian political language for the first time. Putin inherited this concept and although he declared the course towards multipolarity, in the first years of his presidency Russia was not very opposed to the USA. Moreover, Russia participated in the American “war on terror” and assisted the US in Afghanistan. Russia spoke about multipolarity while acting as if the USA were the sole superpower. Things started to change after the American invasion in Iraq and the color revolution in Ukraine in 2004.
Then the balance between more independent Russian foreign policy and the multipolar discourse of Russian leadership was established. Russia dared to blame the US and at the same time gradually built a network of multipolar persuasion, albeit not challenging directly US hegemony ...
After 2008 and the war with Georgia over North Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia demonstrated that it had become a solid regional power. But the most structural change occurred only after 2014. Crimea, the war in Ukraine, and especially Russian engagement in Syrian war showed that Russia was becoming global power. This greatly increased the weight of this struggle.
Now we are seeing a situation in which Russia’s positions are the exact reverse of what they were in the 2000’s. In the field of realpolitik, Putin’s Russia is acting more and more independently, but is compensating this with a decrease in anti-American rhetoric paired even with a verbal recognition of the United States’ status as the sole superpower. If in the 2000’s, Russia combined multipolar rhetoric with pro-American policies in the spirit of peripheral realism, then nowadays it is merging the realization of a completely changing world with more moderate rhetoric. The results of the SCO meeting reveal that Russia is not changing its ultimate goal, but is merely moderating its rhetoric the more dangerous steps it takes.
Earlier, we pointed out a combination of two trends of Russian foreign policy under Putin: one of “peripheral realism” and the other one of global proportions.
The specificity of Russian peripheral realism is the exploitation of the pulses and the initiatives of global realists. Since 2008, Russia has put critical challenges before itself, overcome them, and then used this opportunity to trade up for a more favorable place in the US-centric world.
But now the game is changing. Due to geopolitical circumstances, Russia has been forced to opt for a worsening of relations with the West, but in order to preserve its hegemony the West cannot opt for a total worsening of relations with Russia. Russia is not challenging the ideology of the West and is not fighting hegemony in the field of public discourse. As an old school realist, Putin primarily believes in hard power, not in ideology or the promotion of multipolar discourse. Therefore, if Russia’s position will be strengthened by hard power, this may very well be accompanied by concessions in the field of discourse, which the Russian government considers to be least significant. Thus, the rhetoric of peripheral realism may be used in order to promote the agenda of global realism.
Syrian Moderate Opposition Leader to Discuss Crisis Settlement in Moscow
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041907356/syria-moderate-opposition-moscow.html
Jarba announced the formation of the Syria's Tomorrow movement in Cairo in March on a platform of decentralized rule in Syria. He previously headed the Syrian National Coalition opposition group. Syria’s Tomorrow emerged in March in a new bid to unite liberal opposition forces under one umbrella organization.
"Ahmad Jarba, head of the Syria’s Tomorrow, will visit the Russian capital in the end of this month under the official invitation to meet Russian officials," el-Khatib said.
He added that the upcoming meeting was of utmost importance as Russia "controls Syrian dossier on the international arena."
El-Khatib specified that Jarba and the Russian counterpart would discuss the political settlement in Syria and the necessity to protect the civilians from the horrors of war.
Race for Raqqa: What is Behind US-Backed Rebels' Plan to Seize Manbij
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041889492/raqqa-manbij-syria-rebels-daesh.html
The two separate advances launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Army against Daesh's northern foothold in Syria have stalled: the SDF are yet to expel the terrorist group out of Manbij, Daesh's strategic gateway to the Turkish border, despite the US-led coalition's air support, while the SAA was forced to retreat along the Raqqa-Ithriya highway in western Raqqa province.
According to Lebanese Al-Mayadeen broadcaster, the Syrian government forces came under chemical attack launched by Daesh as part of the jihadists' blitz-offensive against the SAA on June 20-21.
Al-Masdar News wrote Friday that Daesh has reportedly captured the Palmyra Grain Silos and is now "at the eastern fringes of Palmyra (Tadmur) which is within striking distance of the imperative military airport [the T-3 Military Airport] that was just reopened by the Syrian Air Force."
Commenting on the issue, Russian journalist and political analyst Eugeni Krutikov noted in his analytical report for online newspaper Vzglyad that the retreat of the SAA in western Raqqa province was caused by a series of tactical errors.
"This [Daesh] attack aimed at the government forces' front stretched along the highway was predictable," Krutikov writes, adding that by June 20 jihadists accumulated enough military force in the region to launch a counterattack against the SAA.
The analyst narrates that Daesh used its "basic tactic": a number of suicide bomber trucks attacked the SAA and allied militias' checkpoints; although some trucks were destroyed while approaching their targets, the SAA's defense positions were dismantled. As a result, in about 24 hours Daesh has retaken 15-20 kilometers of territory gained by the Syrian Army in the course of its advance towards Tabqa airbase in Raqqa province.
Krutikov remarks that the assistance of Russia's Aerospace Forces had not saved the day for the Syrian Army: in addition to suicide bomber trucks, Daesh used a very limited number of tanks during the attack, making airstrikes against the elusive military vehicles unproductive.
In this light the SAA's decision to retreat was right, as the Syrian armed forces faced the encirclement threat from the terrorist group.
Suffering from the lack of manpower, Daesh, however, jumped at the opportunity to attack the SAA's excessively stretched front, Krutikov explains.
In addition, jihadists have kicked off a simultaneous strike in the direction of Palmyra. However, according to the analyst, jihadists' alleged gains in eastern fringes of Palmyra "are not critical" and pose no threat to the city.
"With Manbij fully besieged for two weeks, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are yet to wrestle the city from the Islamic State despite extensive US coalition air support," Al Masdar News reported Thursday.
"Manbij is strategically important as it represents a gateway for ISIS [Daesh] into its last border areas with Turkey, a country often used by ISIS to smuggle foreign fighters and weapons into the Islamic State caliphate," the media outlet emphasized.
On Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC), supported by the US-led coalition, is determined to retake Manbij from Daesh.
"Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) elements have consolidated their position around Manbij in anticipation of the next phase of operations to secure the city," CENTCOM stated.
Earlier, some analysts assumed that there could have been coordination between the Syrian government forces and the US-backed SDF, which launched two separate offensives against Daesh's northern foothold in Syria.
However, according to Semyon Bagdasarov, Director of the Moscow-based Center for Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, the US-backed SDF, comprising mostly Kurdish militants, is pursuing its own geostrategic goals in the region. The offensive on Manbij is part of a plan aimed at eventual division of Syria, the expert told Russia's Svobodnaya Pressa media outlet.
Bagdasarov called attention to the fact that after announcing its advance on Raqqa, the SDF suddenly changed its plan, marched towards Manbij, and encircled the city. The expert believes that it is a neither deceptive maneuver nor a dramatic strategic shift: the SDF's advance on Raqqa continues, while the upcoming takeover of Manbij's is part of a comprehensive US-Kurdish plan.
"Apparently, they decided to capture Manbij first, then [to seize] a border city of Jerablus [Jarabulus] that lies within a few dozen kilometers away [from Manbij]. Then they would be able to move to another border city — Azaz — and so far they would gain access to Afrin, in alliance with the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups," Bagdasarov suggested.
According the expert, in the result of these maneuvers, a large territory in northeastern and northwestern Syria would be carved out of the country. Two stumbling blocks lying in the way of the rebels and their Western backers are Aleppo and Idlib provinces, he added.
Timur Dzhukayev of Vzglyad newspaper echoes Bagdasarov's stance.
If Kuridish militants liberate Raqqa it will most likely become part of Rojava, or so-called Western Kurdistan, the journalist suggests, adding that the SDF and the People's Protection Units (YPG) may also become Washington's proxies in the country.
"One cannot rule out that support for Greater Kurdistan could be one of the key components of Washington's strategy in the Middle East. In this context, the Syrian Kurdistan will become a driving force of Syria's federalization, a process that the US will benefit from," he believes.
Russia Welcomes Colombia-FARC Ceasefire Deal Ending 50 Years of War
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041894630/colombia-farc-ceasefire-russia.html
Russia welcomes the ceasefire deal between Colombian authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and believes this agreement is a decisive step toward a final peace treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"We consider the signing of this important document by Colombian President J.Santos and FARC leader T.Jimenez to be a decisive, historical step on the path to signing a final peace agreement in the near future, which will put an end to five decades of armed conflict," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia is ready to provide "any necessary assistance," including through the UN Security Council, the ministry said.
On Thursday, Colombia's government and the FARC group signed a ceasefire deal at an official ceremony held in Havana.
FARC is one of the world’s oldest Marxist insurgencies, formed in 1964 when it launched a war to overthrow the government of Colombia and install a revolutionary regime.
The latest effort to end the conflict in Colombia began with negotiations between the two parties in November 2012. Since then, the government and FARC have reached a number of agreements, including a plan to remove landmines, redistribute land to peasants as well as remove fighters under the age of 15 from jungle bases.
Colombian authorities and rebels sign a ceasefire agreement
http://katehon.com/agenda/colombian-authorities-and-rebels-sign-ceasefire-agreement
The meeting between Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and leader of the neo-Marxist group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) Timoleon Jimenez took place in Cuba. The process lasted for more than three years.
According to the agreement, after 180 days the rebels would have to completely disarm and return to civilian life, and ordinary soldiers can expect full amnesty. However, for those who have committed serious crimes, there will be a tribunal procedure. It is likely that because of this part, the insurgents will be forced to flee to the forests or to create an autonomous structure, which will refuse to submit to the current leadership of the FARC.
FARC was established in 1964 as the military wing of the local Communist Party. In its ranks are up to 20,000 people. The group acts mostly in remote mountainous areas, carrying out attacks on public infrastructure. FARC is also are suspected of having links to drug cartels. During the years of conflict, which is the longest in Latin America, more than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia.
South Korea, Japan, US, Coordinate Response to North Korea's Missile Test
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160624/1041923170/korea-us-missile-test.html
On Thursday, South Korean media reported that Pyongyang carried out a successful launch of the medium long-range strategic ballistic missile named Hwasong-10. North Korea claimed that the test-firing, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was successful.
"The three nations shared the view that North Korea's provocations will further strengthen the international community's resolve to press the North to stop such behavior," the South Korean Defense Ministry said, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.
US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Kelly Magsamen reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defending South Korea, while all three officials condemned North Korea's violation of the UN Security Council resolution prohibiting the country from using ballistic technology, according to the news outlet.
In early January, North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, putting a satellite into orbit a month later, in violation UN Security Council resolutions.
In March, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that imposes additional sanctions on North Korea, aiming to affect multiple sectors of the country’s economy. The same month, North Korea conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches.
Last month, Pyongyang urged Seoul to accept its offer to hold military talks and called for joint steps to carry out measures for national unity, citing the need to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula. South Korea rejected the proposal, demanding "a real turn" toward denuclearization.
http://katehon.com/article/what-putin-says-and-what-putin-does
On July 24th, Tashkent will host the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The largest military-political organization on the Eurasian continent is preparing to become even greater. In this year, SCO will include India and Pakistan, while Syria and Israel are also ready to start cooperation. Russia also intends to accelerate Iran’s accession to the SCO. In fact, Russia is creating a bloc of countries centered around it and China which will inevitably challenge US hegemony. And if the US is now trying to win over India, then Russia, through the SCO, is trying to find a compromise between Iran and Syria on the one hand and Israel on other. The SCO is becoming not only a Central Asian, but a Pan-Eurasian entity. And this organization is not only tying itself to the Middle East. Earlier, it was stated that applications for membership in the SCO had also come from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
A week ago, while speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is beginning the construction of "greater Eurasia":
Now we are proposing to consider the prospects for more extensive Eurasian partnership involving the EAEU and those countries with which we already have close partnership - China, India, Pakistan and Iran - and certainly our CIS partners, and other interested countries and associations.
The updated SCO is to become a military-political union providing security to a large space of Eurasia. Thus, this common security space will be built where the US has no place.
At the same time, for the first time ever, Putin declared the USA to be the sole superpower:
America is a great power, today perhaps the only superpower. We accept this. We want to work with the United States and we are prepared to. No matter how these elections go, eventually they will take place. There will be a [new] head of state with extensive powers. There are complicated internal political and economic processes at work in the United States. The world needs a powerful country like the United States, and we also need it.
Is there a contradiction between Putin's words on the USA and the trend of creating extended Eurasian partnership? In fact, there is. The change in Putin's rhetoric demonstrates the changing balance between word and deeds in Russia’s stance on multipolarity. In the late 1990’s, when Evgeny Primakov became the Russian foreign minister and then prime minister, the term 'multipolarity' was introduced into the Russian political language for the first time. Putin inherited this concept and although he declared the course towards multipolarity, in the first years of his presidency Russia was not very opposed to the USA. Moreover, Russia participated in the American “war on terror” and assisted the US in Afghanistan. Russia spoke about multipolarity while acting as if the USA were the sole superpower. Things started to change after the American invasion in Iraq and the color revolution in Ukraine in 2004.
Then the balance between more independent Russian foreign policy and the multipolar discourse of Russian leadership was established. Russia dared to blame the US and at the same time gradually built a network of multipolar persuasion, albeit not challenging directly US hegemony ...
After 2008 and the war with Georgia over North Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia demonstrated that it had become a solid regional power. But the most structural change occurred only after 2014. Crimea, the war in Ukraine, and especially Russian engagement in Syrian war showed that Russia was becoming global power. This greatly increased the weight of this struggle.
Now we are seeing a situation in which Russia’s positions are the exact reverse of what they were in the 2000’s. In the field of realpolitik, Putin’s Russia is acting more and more independently, but is compensating this with a decrease in anti-American rhetoric paired even with a verbal recognition of the United States’ status as the sole superpower. If in the 2000’s, Russia combined multipolar rhetoric with pro-American policies in the spirit of peripheral realism, then nowadays it is merging the realization of a completely changing world with more moderate rhetoric. The results of the SCO meeting reveal that Russia is not changing its ultimate goal, but is merely moderating its rhetoric the more dangerous steps it takes.
Earlier, we pointed out a combination of two trends of Russian foreign policy under Putin: one of “peripheral realism” and the other one of global proportions.
The specificity of Russian peripheral realism is the exploitation of the pulses and the initiatives of global realists. Since 2008, Russia has put critical challenges before itself, overcome them, and then used this opportunity to trade up for a more favorable place in the US-centric world.
But now the game is changing. Due to geopolitical circumstances, Russia has been forced to opt for a worsening of relations with the West, but in order to preserve its hegemony the West cannot opt for a total worsening of relations with Russia. Russia is not challenging the ideology of the West and is not fighting hegemony in the field of public discourse. As an old school realist, Putin primarily believes in hard power, not in ideology or the promotion of multipolar discourse. Therefore, if Russia’s position will be strengthened by hard power, this may very well be accompanied by concessions in the field of discourse, which the Russian government considers to be least significant. Thus, the rhetoric of peripheral realism may be used in order to promote the agenda of global realism.
Syrian Moderate Opposition Leader to Discuss Crisis Settlement in Moscow
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041907356/syria-moderate-opposition-moscow.html
Jarba announced the formation of the Syria's Tomorrow movement in Cairo in March on a platform of decentralized rule in Syria. He previously headed the Syrian National Coalition opposition group. Syria’s Tomorrow emerged in March in a new bid to unite liberal opposition forces under one umbrella organization.
"Ahmad Jarba, head of the Syria’s Tomorrow, will visit the Russian capital in the end of this month under the official invitation to meet Russian officials," el-Khatib said.
He added that the upcoming meeting was of utmost importance as Russia "controls Syrian dossier on the international arena."
El-Khatib specified that Jarba and the Russian counterpart would discuss the political settlement in Syria and the necessity to protect the civilians from the horrors of war.
Race for Raqqa: What is Behind US-Backed Rebels' Plan to Seize Manbij
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041889492/raqqa-manbij-syria-rebels-daesh.html
The two separate advances launched by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Army against Daesh's northern foothold in Syria have stalled: the SDF are yet to expel the terrorist group out of Manbij, Daesh's strategic gateway to the Turkish border, despite the US-led coalition's air support, while the SAA was forced to retreat along the Raqqa-Ithriya highway in western Raqqa province.
According to Lebanese Al-Mayadeen broadcaster, the Syrian government forces came under chemical attack launched by Daesh as part of the jihadists' blitz-offensive against the SAA on June 20-21.
Al-Masdar News wrote Friday that Daesh has reportedly captured the Palmyra Grain Silos and is now "at the eastern fringes of Palmyra (Tadmur) which is within striking distance of the imperative military airport [the T-3 Military Airport] that was just reopened by the Syrian Air Force."
Commenting on the issue, Russian journalist and political analyst Eugeni Krutikov noted in his analytical report for online newspaper Vzglyad that the retreat of the SAA in western Raqqa province was caused by a series of tactical errors.
"This [Daesh] attack aimed at the government forces' front stretched along the highway was predictable," Krutikov writes, adding that by June 20 jihadists accumulated enough military force in the region to launch a counterattack against the SAA.
The analyst narrates that Daesh used its "basic tactic": a number of suicide bomber trucks attacked the SAA and allied militias' checkpoints; although some trucks were destroyed while approaching their targets, the SAA's defense positions were dismantled. As a result, in about 24 hours Daesh has retaken 15-20 kilometers of territory gained by the Syrian Army in the course of its advance towards Tabqa airbase in Raqqa province.
Krutikov remarks that the assistance of Russia's Aerospace Forces had not saved the day for the Syrian Army: in addition to suicide bomber trucks, Daesh used a very limited number of tanks during the attack, making airstrikes against the elusive military vehicles unproductive.
In this light the SAA's decision to retreat was right, as the Syrian armed forces faced the encirclement threat from the terrorist group.
Suffering from the lack of manpower, Daesh, however, jumped at the opportunity to attack the SAA's excessively stretched front, Krutikov explains.
In addition, jihadists have kicked off a simultaneous strike in the direction of Palmyra. However, according to the analyst, jihadists' alleged gains in eastern fringes of Palmyra "are not critical" and pose no threat to the city.
"With Manbij fully besieged for two weeks, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are yet to wrestle the city from the Islamic State despite extensive US coalition air support," Al Masdar News reported Thursday.
"Manbij is strategically important as it represents a gateway for ISIS [Daesh] into its last border areas with Turkey, a country often used by ISIS to smuggle foreign fighters and weapons into the Islamic State caliphate," the media outlet emphasized.
On Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC), supported by the US-led coalition, is determined to retake Manbij from Daesh.
"Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) elements have consolidated their position around Manbij in anticipation of the next phase of operations to secure the city," CENTCOM stated.
Earlier, some analysts assumed that there could have been coordination between the Syrian government forces and the US-backed SDF, which launched two separate offensives against Daesh's northern foothold in Syria.
However, according to Semyon Bagdasarov, Director of the Moscow-based Center for Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, the US-backed SDF, comprising mostly Kurdish militants, is pursuing its own geostrategic goals in the region. The offensive on Manbij is part of a plan aimed at eventual division of Syria, the expert told Russia's Svobodnaya Pressa media outlet.
Bagdasarov called attention to the fact that after announcing its advance on Raqqa, the SDF suddenly changed its plan, marched towards Manbij, and encircled the city. The expert believes that it is a neither deceptive maneuver nor a dramatic strategic shift: the SDF's advance on Raqqa continues, while the upcoming takeover of Manbij's is part of a comprehensive US-Kurdish plan.
"Apparently, they decided to capture Manbij first, then [to seize] a border city of Jerablus [Jarabulus] that lies within a few dozen kilometers away [from Manbij]. Then they would be able to move to another border city — Azaz — and so far they would gain access to Afrin, in alliance with the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups," Bagdasarov suggested.
According the expert, in the result of these maneuvers, a large territory in northeastern and northwestern Syria would be carved out of the country. Two stumbling blocks lying in the way of the rebels and their Western backers are Aleppo and Idlib provinces, he added.
Timur Dzhukayev of Vzglyad newspaper echoes Bagdasarov's stance.
If Kuridish militants liberate Raqqa it will most likely become part of Rojava, or so-called Western Kurdistan, the journalist suggests, adding that the SDF and the People's Protection Units (YPG) may also become Washington's proxies in the country.
"One cannot rule out that support for Greater Kurdistan could be one of the key components of Washington's strategy in the Middle East. In this context, the Syrian Kurdistan will become a driving force of Syria's federalization, a process that the US will benefit from," he believes.
Russia Welcomes Colombia-FARC Ceasefire Deal Ending 50 Years of War
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160624/1041894630/colombia-farc-ceasefire-russia.html
Russia welcomes the ceasefire deal between Colombian authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and believes this agreement is a decisive step toward a final peace treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"We consider the signing of this important document by Colombian President J.Santos and FARC leader T.Jimenez to be a decisive, historical step on the path to signing a final peace agreement in the near future, which will put an end to five decades of armed conflict," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia is ready to provide "any necessary assistance," including through the UN Security Council, the ministry said.
On Thursday, Colombia's government and the FARC group signed a ceasefire deal at an official ceremony held in Havana.
FARC is one of the world’s oldest Marxist insurgencies, formed in 1964 when it launched a war to overthrow the government of Colombia and install a revolutionary regime.
The latest effort to end the conflict in Colombia began with negotiations between the two parties in November 2012. Since then, the government and FARC have reached a number of agreements, including a plan to remove landmines, redistribute land to peasants as well as remove fighters under the age of 15 from jungle bases.
Colombian authorities and rebels sign a ceasefire agreement
http://katehon.com/agenda/colombian-authorities-and-rebels-sign-ceasefire-agreement
The meeting between Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and leader of the neo-Marxist group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) Timoleon Jimenez took place in Cuba. The process lasted for more than three years.
According to the agreement, after 180 days the rebels would have to completely disarm and return to civilian life, and ordinary soldiers can expect full amnesty. However, for those who have committed serious crimes, there will be a tribunal procedure. It is likely that because of this part, the insurgents will be forced to flee to the forests or to create an autonomous structure, which will refuse to submit to the current leadership of the FARC.
FARC was established in 1964 as the military wing of the local Communist Party. In its ranks are up to 20,000 people. The group acts mostly in remote mountainous areas, carrying out attacks on public infrastructure. FARC is also are suspected of having links to drug cartels. During the years of conflict, which is the longest in Latin America, more than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia.
South Korea, Japan, US, Coordinate Response to North Korea's Missile Test
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160624/1041923170/korea-us-missile-test.html
On Thursday, South Korean media reported that Pyongyang carried out a successful launch of the medium long-range strategic ballistic missile named Hwasong-10. North Korea claimed that the test-firing, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was successful.
"The three nations shared the view that North Korea's provocations will further strengthen the international community's resolve to press the North to stop such behavior," the South Korean Defense Ministry said, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.
US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Kelly Magsamen reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defending South Korea, while all three officials condemned North Korea's violation of the UN Security Council resolution prohibiting the country from using ballistic technology, according to the news outlet.
In early January, North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, putting a satellite into orbit a month later, in violation UN Security Council resolutions.
In March, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that imposes additional sanctions on North Korea, aiming to affect multiple sectors of the country’s economy. The same month, North Korea conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches.
Last month, Pyongyang urged Seoul to accept its offer to hold military talks and called for joint steps to carry out measures for national unity, citing the need to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula. South Korea rejected the proposal, demanding "a real turn" toward denuclearization.
