France Orders Battle Management Systems For VBCI Vehicles / 800 SIT V1 BMS Ordered For The French Army

France Orders Battle Management Systems For VBCI Vehicles / 800 SIT V1 BMS Ordered For The French Army

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has placed an order on Nexter for 800 SIT V1 Battle Management Systems (BMS) in order to equip 400 Infantry Combat Vehicles (VCI).

The VBCI infantry fighting vehicles will be equipped with the SIT terminal information system, a version of the FINDERS computerised battle management system.

This contract includes a new version of the software which increases the interoperability of the SIT V1 with the other information systems in use by forces through the "SIC TERRE" joint operations. This contract also includes technical control and maintaining in operational condition (MCO) of the SIT V1 systems for 10 years.

The VCI infantry fighting vehicle version has a combat weight of 26t and accommodates two crew and a combat team of eight troops and commander. The troops can rapidly embark or disembark from the power operated ramp door at the rear of the vehicle.

The qualification of the SIT V1 BMS was pronounced by DGA in August 2007 following operational evaluation trials, which were conducted successfully by the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, equipped with modernized AMX 10 RC tanks, VB2Ls and VBLs. The engagement in external operations by the regiment in Ivory Coast in 2007 and now in Afghanistan has additionally confirmed the excellent behaviour of the SIT V1, and in particular its ease of use and the operational benefits of this command system.

This new contract signed by DGA raises to over 1 200, the number of combat vehicles fielded by the French Army, which will be equipped with the SIT V1 information system.

To date, 400 systems are already deployed by the French forces on the Leclerc tank, the AMX10RC, the VCI and the VBL.

Swedish Navy To Commission Upgraded Minehunters / New Modern MCMV For The Swedish Navy

Swedish Navy To Commission Upgraded Minehunters / New Modern MCMV For The Swedish Navy

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: Minehunting is one of the Swedish Navy’s specialities. The introduction of the upgraded Koster-series provides the Swedish Navy with new vessels at the cutting edge of technology. It is Kockums that has been entrusted with the upgrade of five former Landsort-class MCMVs.

The Landsort class mine countermeasures vessel is built by Swedish shipbuilding company, Kockums (formerly Karlskronavarvet) for the Swedish Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Aforementioned photo taken in Singapore of Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Bedok class (Landsort class)MCMVs berthed at Changi Naval Base during the Navy Open House 2007.

The key elements of this new MCMV concept are new combat management systems, search radar and fire control systems, as well as new sonar and new ROVs.

HMS Koster and HMS Vinga have already been handed over to the end customer, FMV (the Swedish Defence Matériel Administration). The next step is when they are commissioned for service with the Swedish Navy.

At the same time, HMS Landsort has been decommissioned and mothballed. Her fate is uncertain. She will either be sold or employed in some other capacity. Whatever her fate, her former commanders – who had gathered for a small farewell ceremony – were unanimous in their opinion that HMS Landsort had proved herself to be a fantastic vessel during her 25-years service in the Swedish Navy.

Now HMS Koster will head this newly upgraded series of five vessels, which are designed to meet today’s most stringent requirements. It means that the Swedish Navy has acquired a modern mine countermeasures system with a new generation of subsea ROVs, advanced air defence capability and extended mission capability.

Kyrgyzstan Says U.S. Ready For Airbase Pullout / Russian Are Coming, They Are King Maker In Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Says U.S. Ready For Airbase Pullout / Russian Are Coming, They Are King Maker In Kyrgyzstan

(NSI News Source Info) BISHKEK - March 5, 2009: Washington has informed Kyrgyz officials of its readiness to start withdrawing its military contingent from the Manas airbase, the Kyrgyz foreign minister said on Thursday. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed on February 20 a decree to close the U.S. Manas airbase in the north of Kyrgyzstan. The base had been used since 2001 to support NATO operations in nearby Afghanistan. "We have met with the U.S. ambassador, who handed us notification from Washington that they were ready to start the withdrawal," Kadyrbek Sarbayev said during a meeting of parliament's defense committee. The U.S. is to pull out its troops from the base by mid-August. President Bakiyev linked the decision to Washington's refusal to pay more for the base and to the conduct of U.S. military personnel, including the killing of a Kyrgyz national by a U.S. soldier in December 2006. Kyrgyz officials have rejected any connection between the decision and a recent Russian financial aid package under which Russia will write off Kyrgyzstan's $180 million debt and grant the country a $2 billion soft loan and $150 million in financial assistance. Moscow has likewise denied any link. The defense committee in the Kyrgyz parliament approved on Thursday the termination of an agreement with 11 coalition countries on the deployment of their military contingents at Manas airbase.

Why Is Pakistan So Screwed Up?

Why Is Pakistan So Screwed Up?

*Why is Pakistan so screwed up? By Creative Loafing Atlanta

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: Over the years, I have developed several poorly reasoned theories to help me understand the world. It's a habit I probably picked up from my dad, who 20 years ago suggested to me that the Nation of Islam movement, led by Louis Farrakhan, exists so people with bad credit could change their last names to "Muhammad" or "X" and more easily get car loans. At the time he expressed the idea, Dad was having a rough week at work. He managed loans for a car dealership. I tend not to discuss my pet theories outside the house because, like my dad, I worry people might think I actually believe them. Nevertheless, in attempting to answer the question above, I can't help but recall one of my first world-explaining theories: The nicer an immigrant, the shittier his or her country of origin. This idea came to me in 1991, during dinner atZed's Ethiopian Cuisine in Washington, D.C. The restaurant was filled with Ethiopian immigrants, all of whom were kind, warm and genteel. I felt like I was dining in the living room of a happy, functional family. How was it possible, I wondered, that a country whose people are so nice could be synonymous with human suffering? In the 18 years since that meal, my notion became a full-blown equation. Nice people = crappy country. Everyone I've met from screwed-up countries like Bosnia, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iraq, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Albania and Nigeria has been memorably nice. Conversely, the most consistently prickish foreigners I know come from one of the most stable, prosperous democratic countries in the world: France. I only know two nice French people, and one of them left France for the United States when she was a toddler. Pakistan is a gurgling fecal stew of violence, militarism, thuggery, corruption, poverty and religious extremism. Nevertheless, the only three Pakistanis I know are great people. One's a doctor. One's a nurse. The other is a college student. After several hours of pondering this, I think I have an explanation for my equation. Crappy countries produce no more or fewer nice people than other countries. However, crappiness drives the nice people to places like the United States, where it's easier for people like me to meet them. Craptasticness is, unfortunately, part of Pakistan's DNA. The nation's founding was an orgy of panic and violence. When the Brits surrendered colonial rule of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, many of India's Muslims feared they'd be politically, economically and culturally dominated by India's majority-Hindu population.Muslim leaders demanded, and received, their own majority-Muslim country called Pakistan. Fleeing sectarian violence, 14 million Muslims and Hindus up and left their ancestral homes to make sure they lived in the country that corresponded to their religion. One million of them died in the process. It was one of the 20th century's greatest tragedies. Unfortunately, instead of forging the nation together in struggle, the violence accompanying Pakistan's birth bred instability. Members of Pakistan's largest ethnic groups shared neither a common language nor culture when the country was founded. And many of Pakistan's leaders came from other parts of India. Few even had a constituency in their own country. Not surprisingly, Pakistan has been falling apart since its founding. Bengalis, who comprised nearly half of Pakistan's population at independence, broke away from Pakistan in 1971 with India's help. Located 1,000 miles away from the rest of Pakistan, on the other side of India, Bengalis felt as much national kinship with the rest of Pakistan as Catholic Bavarians do with Catholic Sicilians. Just because they share a religion never made them BFF. The war for Bangladesh's independence reinforced Pakistani paranoia (not entirely unjustified) that Hindu India was an existential threat to the subcontinent's Muslims. That paranoia, in turn, has inspired Pakistan to pour the lion's share of its economic resources into its now nuclear-armed military. The country is so consumed with defending itself against India that it has sacrificed tens of billions of dollars that would have been better spent on schools, infrastructure and health care. Pakistan is too busy staying independent to devote any time to not being a shithole. That's probably why so many of the nice people leave.

World Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Sudan's Bashir / Arrest Warrant Will Harden Sudan Regime / Sudan Leader Appeals For Calm Ahead Of ICC Verdict

World Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Sudan's Bashir / Arrest Warrant Will Harden Sudan Regime / Southern Sudan Leader Appeals For Calm Ahead Of ICC Verdict

*Omar al-Bashir is the first sitting president to be indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Critics worry the move could destabilize the country.

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday became the first sitting head of state to be charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. At a press conference held at The Hague, Netherlands, The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its indictment of Mr. Bashir for a range of crimes, including the deliberate attempt to destroy ethnic groups deemed to be supporting rebel factions in Sudan's troubled Darfur region. In this Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 file photo, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, foreground left, gestures as he arrives for an EU Africa Summit in Lisbon. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant Wednesday, March 4, 2009, for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. He is the first sitting head of state the court has ordered arrested. "He is suspected of being criminally responsible ... for intentionally directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, Sudan; murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing, and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property," said ICC spokeswoman Laurence Blairon. The three-judge panel said there was insufficient evidence to support the more controversial charges of genocide, however. Nearly 300,000 Darfuris have died in the past six years of conflict, either in combat or through starvation and premature death due to displacement. The United Nations estimates that nearly 2.5 million Darfuris have been forced to flee their homes because of the fighting. Bashir's government denies ordering the deliberate murder of civilians in Darfur, and says that the death toll is much lower than the UN and the ICC estimates. "This is a significant step for the hundreds of thousands of victims of conflict in the past six years," says Ariela Blatter, senior director for international programs at Amnesty International in Washington. "The fact that the ICC issued an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state is a signal to Bashir that there is no 'get out of jail free card here.' " The indictment comes at a time of great political instability in Sudan. Darfur rebels are expanding their operations into neighboring states as the country prepares for crucial national elections this year. And relations between Khartoum and the semiautonomous southern portion of Sudan are coming under increasing strain. Campaigning for his National Congress Party (NCP) outside Khartoum on Tuesday, President Bashir discounted the importance of the ICC's looming decision, saying that the Court could "eat" the indictment. Vice President Salva Kiir, a former southern rebel leader who now shares power with Bashir in a coalition government, struck a more conciliatory line. "In the event of the court agreeing with the chief prosecutor," Mr. Kiir said on Tuesday, "the [Sudan People's Liberation Movement] will work with its partners in the NCP on how to politically and diplomatically handle the decision of the court." He urged the international community to remain engaged in Sudan, whatever the decision, warning, "The collapse of peace in Sudan shall not only hurt the Sudan itself, but shall also have serious repercussions in the region." Beset by a north-south civil war for nearly 20 years, which claimed millions of lives, Bashir ended it in 2003 by signing a comprehensive peace accord and agreeing to share power in a coalition government with the southern rebel movement, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army. Despite Mr. Kiir's reassuring words, some experts worry that the peace deal could be dealt a fatal blow, as well as similar peace talks with Darfur rebels, if SPLA leaders deem Bashir's government to be on its way out. For this reason, leaders of the African Union and the Arab League have been working furiously to persuade the United Nations Security Council to encourage the international court to delay its indictment and arrest warrant for at least a year. This, many African leaders believe, would give enough time for current peace talks with Darfur-based rebels to begin to bear fruit. But human rights groups insist the world should support the ICC's ruling. "The international community should affirm its support for the court and insist that Sudan and other countries cooperate with it as required by the UN Security Council," says Nick Grono, deputy president of the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

Asia Pacific Aerospace & Defense Industry To Maintain Moderate Growth In Spite Of The Global Meltdown

Asia Pacific Aerospace & Defense Industry To Maintain Moderate Growth In Spite Of The Global Meltdown

(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - March 5, 2009: Frost & Sullivan today hosted the inaugural Asia Pacific CEO Technology summit in Singapore . The main theme of the summit was technological best practices within the industry that contribute significantly to increasing productivity and efficiency in a bid to survive during these difficult times. Over 100 key industry leaders and C-level executives from the region's top-notch corporations, along with government officials from the Airlines, Airports, Manufacturing, MRO, Information Technology, Finance, Aviation Training, Defense, General Aviation and Homeland security sectors, gathered at the summit. The guest-of-honour at the summit, Dr. Su Guaning , President of the Nanyang Technological University, made opening remarks to kick-start the day-long summit. Organised in partnership with the Association of Aerospace Industries ( Singapore ), or AAIS, keynote was delivered by Dr. Aloysius Tay , Chief Executive at AAIS. Addressing the 'Paradigm Shift in Aviation Dynamics for 2009', Dr. Tay commented, "The increase in global flight demand has been nothing short of phenomenal, but challenges that the aviation industry faces at present with the increasing cost of operation and decreasing revenues are calling for major restructuring of their business models. Companies with a model that can offer value at competitive pricing to customers, while keeping a lean cost structure, will be able to capture a good share of the global pie." The summit progressed to include in-depth discussions on the market dynamics and technological perspectives of the industry. While the core focus of the summit was Frost & Sullivan's insights on the CEO 360 degree perspective of the Asia Pacific aerospace industry, topics emphasising the technological and financial play within the aviation market were widely discussed throughout the summit. Topics included - The emerging technology trends in MRO, information technology adoption in airline industry, cutting edge technology in aid to improve airport security, financial strategies in Asia Pacific aviation market - along with many other insightful discussion topics relevant to the aviation industry. Mr. Subhranshu Sekhar Das, Director of Asia Pacific Aerospace & Defense at Frost & Sullivan, says, "Air traffic growth is expected to reduce below 6.0 percent for 2009 with air cargo experiencing the highest decline. Consequently, the Airlines industry has been the most affected resulting in capacity cut and aircraft orders being canceled or delayed. "However, Asia-Pacific region, will be leading in aviation growth as compared to Europe and US despite the current economic situation. Major green-field airport developments shall continue to be pursued mainly in India , China & Middle East owing to domestic air travel markets. Nevertheless, there will be continued demand for economical air travel and good customer service that will keep only the smarter airline thriving in times to come," Mr. Das added. Aimed to promote intra-industry sharing and cross learning that allow exchange of knowledge and experience between all participating delegates, the sessions were held in the form of direct learning presentations and interactive panel discussions. Heightening the expertise exchange were the pool of reputable thought leaders presenting these sessions. They included senior industry analysts from Frost & Sullivan and industry luminaries such as, Mr. Ho Yuen Sang , Deputy President Operations and Chief Operating Officer, ST Aerospace, Mr. Aminuddin Zakaria , Regional Director, GE Engine Services, Mr. Jonathan Asherson , Regional Director, Rolls Royce and Mr. Sebastian Groeger , Senior VP & Head of Asean, Jet Aviation, amongst others. Held in collaboration with the AAIS, the summit was supported by IE Singapore, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau and held in Uniquely Singapore. Aerospace Singapore , Asian Airlines & Airports, Asian Defense & Diplomacy and Asian Military Review were the supporting media partners while PR Newswire was the official wire for the summit. For complete information on the summit please visit www.frost.com/aeroawards2009 Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 31 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com/.

China Increases Defense Budget Part # 2 / China Announces Double-Digit Rise In Defense Spending / China To Increase Defense Spending By 15% In 2009

China Increases Defense Budget Part # 2 / China Announces Double-Digit Rise In Defense Spending / China To Increase Defense Spending By 15% In 2009

(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING - March 5, 2009: China announced its latest double-digit rise in defense spending Wednesday but sought to soothe concerns in Asia and the US by insisting its expanding military posed no threat.

The defense budget will grow 14.9 percent for 2009, a Parliament official said, maintaining a string of double-figure annual increases, despite a punishing slowdown in the Chinese economy as worldwide demand for its exports sags. Military delegates arrive at Tiananmen Square, ahead of the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress (NPC), outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 5, 2009. China's parliament, the National People's Congress, opened its annual session on Thursday, with China's Premier Wen Jiabao giving his work report and spelling out broad policy goals for 2009. The defense budget has been set at 480.7 billion yuan ($70.2 billion), up 62.5 billion yuan from the previous year, said Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for the National People's Congress. "China's defense expenditure for the year will increase modestly," Li, a former foreign minister, told reporters. Although the rise is slightly smaller than last year's increase of 17.9 percent, it marks a doubling of China's stated defense spending since 2006. The United States, Japan and their allies have long expressed concern about China's military build-up and what they see as a lack of transparency about the intent behind the expansion. Many experts also say China's official figure vastly downplays actual spending. But Li, speaking at a parliamentary news conference ahead of Thursday's opening of the annual legislative session, said such concerns were misplaced. "China's limited military powers will be solely used for the purpose of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "This will not pose a threat to any country." Li emphasised the spending was small for the size of China's population and national territory, accounting for 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product. This compared to 4 percent for the US and 2 percent for the Britain and France, he said. Li said the increase was aimed in large part at ensuring that living standards for its estimated 2.3 million servicemen and women rise with the rest of society. However, it would also be used to upgrade the military's information technology and its ability to engage in disaster response and anti-terror missions, he said. Military facilities damaged by a massive earthquake last May in southwest China must also be repaired, Li added. "There is no such thing as a hidden military expenditure in China," he said. However, the budget figure has "little association with reality," said Ralph Cossa, head of the Honolulu-based Pacific Forum of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He said actual spending could be three to four times larger. "What's included in the figure? The transparency of what China is spending this money on is what is really hard to gauge," he told AFP. The US has raised concerns in recent years about China's development of cruise and ballistic missiles, its 2007 test of a satellite-killing weapon, an apparent rise in cyber-espionage by China's military, and other issues. "The real question is: Where is China's military development going?" Cossa said. "What are its objectives? How many nuclear missiles does it have now and does it plan to have? Things like that." The general in charge of China's strategic missile force said last month that China would accelerate the build-up of its nuclear and conventional arsenal to form a credible deterrent capable of "winning a war."

FBI Agrees To Assist Bangladesh In Inquiry / Bangladesh To Rename BDR / Police Arrest ‘Ringleader’ Of Bangladesh Mutiny

FBI Agrees To Assist Bangladesh In Inquiry / Bangladesh To Rename BDR / Police Arrest ‘Ringleader’ Of Bangladesh Mutiny

(NSI News Source Info) Dhaka - March 5, 2009: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has "agreed to help" Bangladesh in carrying out forensic investigations into the Bangladesh Rifles troopers’ mutiny, a media report said.

Acting deputy state department spokesman Gordon Duguid told a press briefing in Washington that he believed that the FBI would agree to help Bangladesh in investigating the BDR revolt, the Daily Star reported on Wednesday. Mr Duguid said that they have received a request from Bangladesh for FBI help in forensic investigation into the mutiny. "I believe the FBI has agreed to do that," the report quoted Mr Duguid as saying. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had sought help from the FBI to look into the uprising.

Additional Info/ Related News

Bangladesh To Rename BDR

To wash away the stigma of Bangladesh Rifles mutiny, Bangladesh will rename and reorganise its paramilitary force. The mutiny by the rifles killed most of its officers.

Director of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Ashish Kumar Mitra (2nd R) inspects a Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) guard of honour at the BDR headquarters in Dhaka October 25, 2007. Five-day long bilateral talks between India and Bangladesh began on Thursday on border issues.

“The government in principle has decided to rename Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) as soon as possible,” Army’s Chief of General Staff of Army Sinha Ibne Jamali told reporters on Monday, Mar 2 night at the army headquarters.

The Bangladesh Rifles was earlier know as Eastern Rifles. It is a 215-year old force set up during the British rule to guard the countries eastern frontiers. Decision is yet to be taken on what would be the new name.

Former President and army chief General HM Erashad earlier demanded the dismantling of the BDR in line with military practices of abolishing units after mutinies.However, the country’s top brass want to continue with the force with the strength of over 40,000, but with a new name and a fresh orientation.

Additional Info/ Related News

Police Arrest ‘Ringleader’ Of Bangladesh Mutiny

Bangladeshi police said they arrested the suspected ringleader of a deadly insurrection by border guards, an attack the prime minister cited as proof of ‘a conspiracy” against her fledgling government. The army meanwhile continued to search for more than 1,000 border guards who fled after last week’s mutiny at their headquarters in Dhaka in which the guards ambushed their commanding officers, leaving at least 69 people dead. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who came to power two months ago, has suggested the border guards had outside help in plotting their uprising, although she has not specified from whom. She told supporters Tuesday night that the attack proved there was ‘a conspiracy” against her. ‘We must remain alert so no one can take away the rights of the people,” Hasina said. Parallel military and civilian investigations were launched Tuesday to determine the details of and reasons for the two-day mutiny that began Feb. 25. The alleged ringleader, Syed Tauhidul Alam, was arrested in a Dhaka slum Tuesday along with four other border guards, all of whom have been charged with murder and arson, according to A.K. Azad, a spokesman for the elite police unit that carried out the raid. Two soldiers (2nd L and 3rd R) of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), who were held as hostages by mutinous soldiers, walk with locals after they were released by their captors from the BDR headquarters in Dhaka February 26, 2009. Mutinous members of the Bangladesh paramilitary unit have completed laying down their weapons at their headquarters in the capital Dhaka after an uprising that began on Wednesday, a government official said on Thursday. Police paraded the suspects before reporters Tuesday night but the guards were not allowed to speak. Television footage showed them, dressed in sarongs and dirty shirts, slumped and limping before the cameras. Alam wore a signboard around his neck with his name spelled out. There was confusion over when and how Alam was arrested. Hasina said Sunday that Alam had surrendered and was in custody. Police insisted he was arrested Tuesday; Hasina’s office declined to comment. One of the suspects, Naik Firoz Ahmed, shouted, ‘Sir, I have surrendered,” before a police official silenced him, according to the United News of Bangladesh agency. The guards say they revolted over long-standing demands for parity in pay and other perks enjoyed by army officers, who command the border forces. During the mutiny, Alam emerged as the lead negotiator with Hasina’s office, winning an offer of amnesty in exchange for surrendering. Hasina later rescinded the offer for those directly responsible for the killings, which included Alam, police said. At least 54 army officers and wives were among the 69 people killed, and six army officers were still missing, authorities said. The insurrection and its aftermath have created a rift between the impoverished country’s civilian and military leadership. The powerful military, which has backed 21 coups in the country’s 38-year history and relinquished power to an elected government only two months ago, is furious over how Hasina handled the crisis, maintaining she should have ordered an immediate army assault to end the mutiny instead of negotiating and offering amnesty. Military investigators interrogated hundreds of border guards and searched ransacked offices and bloodstained sewers at the guards’ compound on Tuesday, according to a panel member who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Military leaders also forced the government to appoint more senior army officials to the parallel civilian probe, another concession won from Hasina’s rattled government. The government said senior army officials occupied five of the civilian investigation panel’s 11 seats. Hasina and the military share a long, bitter history. A 1975 military rebellion killed her father, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of their family. Political analysts said the mutiny threatened to damage relations further and shifted the balance of power toward the military.