As we look around the corner to the year 2009, the world’s crisis points have erupted into uncertain highs. As us, the Maldivians, sceptically go through the honeymoon period of a new government, 2009 doesn’t look so promising with the financial tsunami that has been ravaging the world expected to hit us hard. With the financial crisis at hand the security situation around us and beyond seems to have pressed the collapse button.
As long expected the Sri Lankan capital has been hit with a suicide attack, killing five civil defence personnel. This would, unfortunately, be one of the many attacks which would terrorise the island nation, as the fall of the LTTE is inevitable. The LTTE has opened their war on all fronts it seems. Sri Lanka and the World hope to see an end to this long running civil war in 2009, which could be a great achievement wh2009 closes down.
The two giants of South Asia, India and Pakistan have been flexing their military might since the terror attack on Mumbai. Pakistan has been re-deploying over twenty thousand extra troops from its Afghani war front to its eastern border with India. Pakistani Air Force has also been conducting aggressive air space patrol after an alleged Indian Air Force violation of the Pakistani air space. The two nuclear armed neighbours had fought three wars in the past and 2009 comes as another is imminent.
The world’s longest ongoing conflict has resumed again. The fighting erupted as a fragile Egyptian brokered truce collapsed as Hamas and Israelis started pointing fingers and breaching it since November 4th. The included continuous Gaza blockade which angered the Palestinians, which followed Qassam rocket attacks into the State of Israel. Finally, this has met with aggressive IDF air strikes on selected targets in Hamas controlled Gaza Strip from Saturday.
Since Saturday, IDF air strikes has taken over 270 Palestinian lives and this conflict is expected to further expand as IDF ground troops prepare for an incursion into Gaza. Analysts predict that the mission of this IDF operation is to overthrow the Hamas lead government in Gaza. It could also be high time before Hezbollah slaps IDF troops in support for Hamas. 2009 might open another deja vu of the 2006 summer conflict in Middle East.
It looks like 2009 is a bit hazy in terms of peace, stability and security. Anyway, all we can hope for is a happy new year.
