The Baloch House

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/23/south-china-sea-the-companies-and-assets-hit-hardest-by-a-crisis.html

Shipping companies and several Asian currencies will take a hit if conflict arises in the South China SeaMaritime insurance rates, oil prices, copper and iron ore are seen rising higherA few assets would likely rise in value, howeverNyshkaChandran | @nyshkacPublished 2 Hours Ago | Updated 2 Hours AgoCNBC.comPLAY VIDEOSeveral industries are trying to assess what open confrontation in the South China Sea would cost them, and a lot of them don't like what they're finding.The world's second-largest economy is getting more wary — and more vocal in its opposition — about increased U.S. naval patrols along the vast body of water, which holds some of the world's busiest trade routes.The U.S. Navy has sailed close to South China Sea reefs, atolls and other areas claimed by Beijing several times in recent months, under the pretext of freedom of navigation operations. In late May,…

http://thediplomat.com/2017/08/intelligence-gathering-in-the-maritime-domain-is-china-using-double-standards/


Appraising the existence of a Chinese “double standard” on EEZ surveillance requires a close look at the evidence.By Mark J. ValenciaAugust 22, 2017Lieutenant Commander Tuan N. Pham, a serving U.S. Naval Officer with considerable experience in ‘intelligence,’ has published a critique of my recent article “The China –US Spying Debate” (IPP Review, August 4; republished in the Diplomat on August 4 as “The US-China Maritime Surveillance Debate”). Pham’s article –written in his personal capacity and entitled “Chinese Double Standards in the Maritime Domain”– appeared in the Diplomat on August 16. In it he critiques an article by an author he does not identify that in his words “tries to explain and justify [China’s] AGI (maritime intelligence gathering) activities.” I am that author.While I am flattered that Pham tries to interpret Chinese policy from my opinion piece, I am sorry t…

https://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-activity-disputed-sea-challenges-sino-philippines/3996992.html


August 23, 2017 2:43 AMRalph JenningsThitu, in the Spratly IslandsShareTAIPEI, TAIWAN — Reports that Chinese vessels came close to a major Philippine holding in the disputed South China Sea this month have touched off a tough debate in Manila that could disrupt a fragile, year-old friendship between the two sides.A vessel from China planted a 3-meter-high flag on Sandy Cay, which lies in a Philippine-controlled area of the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, during or before the third week of July, Congressman Gary Alejano said Facebook. Chinese naval and coast guard vessels passed near there Aug. 12, he added.South China Sea Territorial Claims​Chinese activity in the South China SeaImages collected by the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative, under the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, show nine Chinese fishing ships and two naval or law enforcement vessels p…

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1488628/gwadar-port-will-competitive-ambassador-khalid/


By APPPublished: August 23, 2017

PHOTO: AFPBEIJING: The development work is in progress on Gwadar Port and it will be fully functional in three to four years, said Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid on Tuesday.A power plant is being set up there to provide electricity to the city and the port, existing airport and highways are being expanded and more are being built.“In three to four years, Gwadar will become a different city and Gwadar Port will be fully operational,” he said during an interview with China.org.cn.ADVERTISEMENTAdPakistan signs 40-year deal with China for Gwadar port operation“In fact, ships have now started arriving and they are bringing cargo and equipment for work on the port. All in all, the progress is good. We need to work faster on the airport. We need the airport as soon as possible as well as the roads,” he added.Gwadar would contribute to the region’s economy and securi…

http://pakobserver.net/balochistan-development/


8Balochistan is the largest province of the country area-wise with its population located at long distances and very rich in natural resources. But still its people keep complaining about lack of basic essential facilities and developmentalactivities. It is good to note that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in his maiden day long visit to Quetta after assuming the high office has held out firm assurance that the priority objective of the incumbent government is to address and solve the problems of Balochistan and bring it at par with other provinces and removing the feelings of deprivation and helplessness among its people.
According to the reports in the media, the PM said that development projects already initiated in the province are going to be completed, gas will supplied to all district headquarters of the province during current year, solar-powered tube wells as requested by the provincial government will be provided under a pro…

http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/22/the-strategic-truth-about-the-war-in-afghanistan/
LAWRENCE SELLINRetired Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve12:11 PM 08/22/2017
The U.S. is actually fighting Pakistan in Afghanistan and, ultimately, the outcome will be determined by the Chinese.The so-called U.S. “alliance” with Pakistan in the fight against radical Islam is a farce because, long ago, Pakistan decided to use radical Islam as one pillar of its security policy, the others being nuclear weapons and China as its chief geopolitical patron.The Taliban are simply Pashtun cannon fodder that Pakistan uses to maintain Afghanistan as a client state. President Trump’s 4,000-man troop increase is matched by a greater number of potential Jihadis currently being brainwashed in Pakistani-sponsored Deobandi madrasas and awaiting deployment to Afghanistan.Pakistan not only controls the battle tempo in Afghanistan, it controls the supply of our troops. In the past, when pressure was exerted by the U.S. on Pakistan…