Suicide bombings rock Pakistan; South Korea and EU agree $28 billion trade deal; Dow Jones rallies to 10,000; British government forces banks to reform bonus system; and more

Top of the Agenda: Pakistan Attacks Accelerate

Gunmen attacked three security sites Thursday in the Pakistani city of Lahore, and a suicide bomber blew up part of a police station in the northwestern city of Kohat in a streak of escalating violence (WashPost) there. Thirty-seven people died from the four attacks, according to wire services.

In Lahore, ten militants in three separate attacks stormed a Federal Investigation Agency building (WSJ), an Elite Force police center used for anti-terrorist training, and a police academy. The attacks came in response to the planned offensive into the militant stronghold of South Waziristan and demonstrated the sophistication of militants (Dawn) to carry out coordinated strikes against secured facilities despite heightened security across the country. All militants involved in the Lahore attacks were eventually killed (News International).

According to private TV news channel GEO News, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility (WSJ) for the Lahore attacks.

Analysis

The Associated Press says the attacks underscore the growing threat of the Punjab province next to India, where the Taliban are believed to have paired up with local insurgents.

In a Washington Post op-ed, CFR's Richard Haass says a stable Pakistan is essential to a successful U.S. strategy on Afghanistan and that U.S. efforts should aim for Pakistan to exercise total control over terrorists within its borders.

Background

A CFR backgrounder on discusses Pakistan's weak political institutions.

A CFR interactive timeline explores the history of U.S.-Pakistan relations.

 

PACIFIC RIM: US-China Military Ties

US President Barack Obama hopes to strengthen relations with China's military during his first trip to China next month, due to concerns that China's rapidly modernizing forces may bump up against U.S. forces without formal agreements, the Washington Post reports.

The White House hopes to allay Chinese fears about the United States selling weapons to Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.

South Korea: The European Union and South Korea have signed a trade deal (BBC) that would remove duties for exports to South Korea and is worth up to $28 billion. The agreement would help fight the economic downturn and create new jobs, according to EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton.

 

ELSEWHERE:

The Dow Jones reaches landmark ten thousand
U.K. government forces pay reform on foreign banks

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org