Headlines:

• The GCC deepens its servitude to America
• Iran, Iraq call for expansion of defence ties
• 2000 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan
• Relationship with Pakistan problematic, says NATO chief

Details:

The GCC deepens its servitude to America

The Foreign Ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, held their second Ministerial Meeting within the framework of ‘The Strategic Cooperation Forum between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and the United States. The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 67th United Nations General Assembly session here in New York, reviewed the workflow of the ‘US-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum' and ways to strengthen its role through enhancing and boosting the strategic cooperation relations between the two sides and the latest developments in the region and issues of common concern. The Ministers condemned in a statement issued at the conclusion of the forum the abusive video of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and stressed their rejection of all attempts aiming at defamation of religions. The statement also stressed the rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism and condemnation of the attacks on the embassies of the United States of America and others in the recent weeks and the resulting loss of life and property. The statement included the following points regarding the strategic cooperation between the two sides:Commitment of both sides in the light of the challenges facing the region to promote political, military, security and economic cooperation between them in order to maintain peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Gulf region and the Middle East and to face the threats against the territory of the GCC countries and maritime security in the Gulf region.

The two sides expressed their deep concern over the continuing Iranian intervention in the internal affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council and called on Iran to respect international principles in this area. Welcome of the formation of a joint security committee between the GCC and the United States, in the framework of the Strategic Cooperation Forum, to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, border security and territorial waters. Welcome of the signing on September 25, 2012 in New York of the Framework Agreement for economic, trade, investment and technical cooperation between the two sides in these areas as support for the work of the Forum. Deepening cooperation between the GCC and the United States in the field of missile defence, as a key element in their efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. Valuation of close cooperation between the two sides in the field of maritime security and encouragement to take additional steps to deepen and coordinate these efforts and welcome of the steps taken by the GCC countries with regard to the establishment of the navigational operations centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the desire of the United States to participate in its works, in order to work on harmonization among the naval forces, match procedures for maritime communications, increase joint maritime operations between the two sides and strengthen cooperation in the fight against piracy and the safety of maritime navigation.

Iran, Iraq call for expansion of defence ties:

During a meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday, Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in various areas, particularly in the area of defence. Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Brigadier General Vahidi arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart Saadoun al-Dulaimi. It is the first time that an Iranian defence minister has visited Iraq since the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979. During the meeting, Maliki said that enhanced defence ties between Iran and Iraq will help promote peace in the region. Vahidi stated that defence and security cooperation between the two countries is exemplary in the region. Upon his arrival in Baghdad, Vahidi told reporters that Iran's principled policy is to expand cooperation with regional countries, particularly Iraq."The country of Iraq has a special status in Iran's foreign policy and defence diplomacy," he added. He also stated that the "new Iraq" that has a democratically elected government has provided an "opportunity" for the Iranian and Iraqi nations to take great steps toward further cooperation based on the principle of "good neighbourliness" and friendly relations.

2000 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan:

The number of American troops killed during the 11-year-war in Afghanistan hit the 2,000 mark over the weekend. And then the number grew some more on Monday, this time with a strike close to home. A suicide bomber identified as a member of the Taliban drove a motorcycle jammed with explosives into a joint U.S.-Afghan patrol, killing 14 people in all. The list includes three members of the 514th Military Police Company, a North Carolina National Guard unit based in Winterville. According to U.S. officials, the latest attack is another burst from inside the unstable bubble of alleged Afghanistan allies. The Associated Press reports that this year more than 50 U.S. forces have been killed in insider attacks by Afghan troops or infiltrating insurgents. The ongoing massacre from within raises serious questions about whether the drawdown of American and international forces while training 350,000 Afghan police and soldiers to ultimately take over security can actually succeed. More than 30,000 U.S. troops have exited Afghanistan under this $22 billion, three-year strategy so far but nearly 70,000 remain. NATO now has 108,000 troops in the country, which includes U.S. forces. NATO had 150,000 troops in Afghanistan last year. How many more will come home, though, will be decided after the presidential election in November. The timeframe for all combat troops to be out of Afghanistan is the end of 2014.

Relationship with Pakistan problematic, says NATO chief:

NATO has said relationship with Pakistan is a bit problematic reason being unresolved issues regarding stepping up fight against terrorists in the border region of the country. "The border region is really a big challenge. Whenever we engage with the Pakistani government and military, we encourage them to step up fight against terrorists and extremists in the region. It remains an unsolved problem," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an interview with Charlie Rose show of PBS News. He, however, pressed for a strong partnership with Pakistan to find a solution to these issues. Undeterred by the recent spurt in insider attacks in Afghanistan, he said, "Taliban will miscalculate the situation if they think their situation will be better by the end of 2014, because they will be faced with a very strong and capable Afghan security force." "They will not be in a stronger position. When we (will) stop our combat mission, a very capable Afghan security force will take over. We are building up the number of Afghan security forces and by 2014, we will have 352,000 Afghan forces. And more importantly, quality-wise they will be very capable," the NATO secretary general said.