What's going on in the World Today 130327

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USA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE

Obstacles to Scottish Independence

The European Union's Fraying Ties

ASIA

Xi Jinping's Symbolic Overseas Tour

Malaysia, Philippines: Ethnic Tensions Are at the Center of a Standoff

Reforming Hukou: China's Quest for Inland Urbanization, Part 1

North Korea: Military Hotline With Seoul Cut Off March 27, 2013

North Korea is cutting a military hotline with South Korea, meaning all direct contact between the two countries' militaries and governments has been severed, AFP reported March 27, citing North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. A North Korean official said there was no need to continue military communications in a situation where war may break out at any moment. Pyongyang has effectively declared a return to open hostilities with a number of recent actions.

AFRICA

France: Troops In Violent Fighting In Mali, Minister Says February 26, 2013

French forces are involved in very violent fighting in the mountains of northern Mali, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Feb. 26, AP reported. It is too early to discuss a quick withdrawal from Mali, Le Drian said. The rough geography of the Tigharghar Mountains gives militants an easily defensible

Mali: France Confirms Al Qaeda-Linked Warlord's Death March 23, 2013

The office of French President Francois Hollande "definitively confirmed" the February death of al Qaeda-linked North African warlord Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, AP reported March 23. Abou Zeid was reported killed in combat with French troops in the Adrar des Ifoghas Mountains in northern Mali, though Chad's president claimed Chadian troops killed him. Militants are known to use Mali's mountains to stage a defensive guerrilla-style conflict or conduct illicit trade.

RUSSIA

Russia, South Africa: Countries To Create Trading Bloc In Platinum Metals
March 27, 2013 | 1303 GMT
Russia and South Africa, which combined control about 80 percent of the world's reserves of platinum metals, plan to create a trading bloc to control the flow of exports, Bloomberg reported March 27, citing an interview with Russian Natural Resources Minister Sergei Donskoi. Other producers will be invited to join the bloc, which will resemble the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Donskoi said, adding that working groups are being formed to determine joint actions and mechanisms.
IRAN

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

IRAQ

Iraq: Militants Attack Pipeline March 26, 2013

Insurgents blew up a major oil pipeline in northern Iraq late March 25, a police source said March 26, Xinhua reported. The attackers blew up the pipeline near the area of Tulool al-Baj, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad, halting oil exports via Turkey.
Turkey: 100 PKK Fighters Withdraw To Iraq March 26, 2013

A group of 100 fighters for the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, withdrew from Turkey to Iraq on March 26 as part of ongoing peace talks, Milliyet reported. An accord reached between the Turkish government and the PKK calls for as many as 4,000 PKK fighters to eventually withdraw from Turkey.

ISRAEL

Israel's Insightful Cynicism

Next Steps After Israel's Flotilla Apology

Israel: Deal With Turkey Does Not Call For End To Gaza Blockade, Official Says March 24, 2013

Israel's reconciliation with Turkey did not require an agreement to end Israel's blockade of Gaza, Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror said March 24, Reuters reported. Amidror added that Israel's clampdown on Gaza could even strengthen if regional security is threatened. Though there have been signs that ties between Israel and Turkey are warming, Ankara has indicated that it may need further convincing if more meaningful rapprochement is to take place

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: President, Taliban To Discuss Peace Talks In Qatar March 24, 2013

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will discuss peace negotiations with Taliban officials in Qatar within the coming week, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said March 24, Reuters reported. Talks will include a discussion on opening a Taliban office in Doha. Karzai faces intense domestic pressure on the Taliban issue and has sought to ensure that negotiations involving the Taliban and the United States do not cut him and his allies out of power

MIDDLE EAST

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Argentina Combats Black Market Currency Trading

Mexico Security Memo: Prevalent Propaganda and Promises to Fight Crime
MISC

Challenging the International Economic System

Except where noted courtesy STRATFOR.COM