America's Future Military Allies in Asia

America’s Future Military Allies in Asia

By MOHAN SAHAY

America has taken a step forward to broaden its operational military base in Asia by signing the Hyde Act of Nuclear treaty with India. The US President George W. Bush appended his signature on Monday the 18th of December 2006.

Future historian would concur at latter years of 21st Century that the move to placate India was aimed at getting yet another military ally in South Asia. No matter who the ruler of Pakistan would be in future, the country can’t afford to rebuff Washington, though present Pakistani President Gen. Parvez Musharraff and the US President George Bush enjoy best of diplomatic and personal equation and both overcame worst phase of history during the first 12 months of post 9 / 11 global war on terror.

Afghanistanistan depends on the US not only for military aide but also to crush the terrorists Al Qaida and Talibans who are regrouping to overthrow the Karzai government in Kabul. America would never allow the return of Talibans in that country. The presence of the US forces in Afghanistan are there to stay and would be reinforced in future as the military challenges grow in the region.

Iran is raising its ugly heads threatening America with its plan to acquire nuclear strike capability. Ruled by radical Islamic political groups, Teheran shares its borders with Afghanistan. The US can only hope to strengthen its military presence in the region by gaining some military operational base in India – a border state of Afghanistan.



Already, Islamabad has permitted limited operational facilities to the US defence forces in Pakistan though there is no declared military alliance between the two countries..
Strategically, Pentagon need active military support of Pakistan and Afghanistan to keep under check Iran.

The US also needs some contingency military back up to check Russia and other smaller countries of the subcontinent despite Moscow and Washington sharing a friendly relation. So is the case with China vis a vis US economic interests. Besides, America can never trust the two Asian Super Powers.

Given the power equation in Asia, India is the only country that is growing economically at faster pace and is in a position to emerge as a military power in the region in future. As of now, though, India lacks military strength desired to dominate in the region. Its army is devoid of funds. Inventories are poor and there are fewer replacement of strike weapons. Manpower suffer due poor perks and salaries to not only Indian Army but also to Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Lack of Political will on part of the Indian rulers who are elected heads of the government to strengthen the Indian defence apparatus is the root cause of the weakening strike power of the country.

Apprehensions in India about the US treaty that might restrict development of our nuclear strike capability in future appear based on unsound logistics. The question of India going for another nuclear explosion for military purposes would arise only when the country reaches the stage of optimization of its already developed nuclear technology in making nuclear bombs and develop further laser guided strike capability whether on cruise missiles warheads or on warheads of aerial strikes.
Sadly, it may take a decade or more before India is able to exploit its military gains of being a nuclear power.

Washington may be well informed about India’s military prowess specially nuclear strike capability than any other country in the world. Hence, George Bush was able to convince his own critics back home who too had objected to White House making special concessions to India in acquiring nuclear fuel supply from America and other countries.

It is in Washington interest that India grows not only as an economic power but also as a military power in the region. Since it is India, a democratic power in the world that can stand by America – be it containing terror in Pakistan or fighting Talibans in Afghanistan or keeping the two super powers – Russia and China from spreading their tentacles in India and South Asia.

Time is not far off when next step of Washington would be to provide military aides to India and instead ask for some operational space in the region on Indian soils.
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...and ' James Bond' will Never Return

The writer created only one James Bond. May be, Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent codenamed - 007 was born 1930 much before the author penned his first book in 1952.

By MOHAN SAHAY

THE REAL BOND SEAN CONNERY

Film viewers world over owe thanks to Star Movies for screening all 2o James Bond films that enters into 44 years of existence since the first Bond film Dr No was released in 1962. It gave a glimpse of other leading actors who stepped into the shoes of Sean Connery as James Bond in the latter years after the real Bond bid adieu to the title in 1983 - Connery's last title as Bond in film Never Say Never Again.

The viewers caught the glimps of the latest avatar of Bond in Casino Royale released recently to watch Daniel Craig as James Bond.

It is a rare coincident that the fictional image of the character found a perfect match in Sean Connery who played the first Bond in Dr. No released in 1962. Since then the spy thriller has lived to see the day despite some film observers and critics saying that Bond has outlived his life. Not really.

Look at the bursting box office charts of the latest Bond film Casino Royale released in November 2006 which has proved to be one of the biggest grosser in recent times world over. The lead role played by Daniel Craig has been appreciated. But tell me one thing; those who have watched Sean Connery as James Bond, do you think that Daniel was able to erase the image of the real Bond from your mind – when I say real Bond I mean Sean Connery. Moreover, Craig looks more like a Russian agent than a Briton - resemblance is remarkable with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.

This is not to undermine the performance or look of Daniel but to live another life of Bond in its real image and form is a different matter. Here neither Daniel Craig nor his predecessors like Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Pierce Brosnan could fit in the reincarnation of James Bond.

I take you to a few expressions and performance of Sean Connery as Bond just to refresh your memories. First, Sean Connery’s gait. His smiles and his frowns or the tense moments when death stalked him when surrounded by deadly enemies ought to eliminate him - tense lines on forehead. None of other Bonds could bring facial expressions as demanded by the situation on the screen. The other Bonds looked rather reassured if not relaxed in situation when surrounded by enemies.

In Dr. No Bond slips into his bed when he suddenly notices something creeping up his body …… a black spider known for his deadly venom that can kill a man in matter of seconds popped out of the sheet and was crawling on his body… Sean Connery facial expression was true to the situation when someone sees death coming too soon… his face is stretched , eyes popped out and persipiring….. it ends with Bond killing the spider with slipper on the ground.

In all of his Bond films right from Dr. No to Never Say Never Again that was his last appearance as Bond, Sean Connery lived to the image of Bond. His style remained inimitable whether Bond was entering Casino, driving cars or having flings with charming girls – all looked real on screen. It is here that a film leaves lasing impression on mind. Not only Bond films. Any film that is directed and played well by the actors have a true to life image on the celluloid. Again it was for this reason that Sean Connery who played in many other films after saying good bye to James Bond could never excel his first role – that was Bond. Little wonder, at a London restaurant when Sean Connery entered, a young lad asked his father – Dad who comes there… the reply was ‘ He is the real Bond’. It was Roger Moore who had just stepped into the shoes of Bond after Sean Connery.
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