Headlines:

• Arab League Promises Victory in Yemen; Announces Formation of Joint Force
• Obama Fights to Contain Republican Rebellion over Iran Nuclear Deal
• Agreement Done: Myanmar will buy JF-17 from Pakistan

Details:

Arab League Promises Victory in Yemen; Announces Formation of Joint Force

At the summit, held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby read a final communiqué outlining the leaders' views. "Yemen was on the brink of the abyss, requiring effective Arab and international moves after all means of reaching a peaceful resolution have been exhausted to end the Houthi coup and restore legitimacy," Elaraby said. Speaking at the summit on Saturday, Hadi directly accused Iran of being behind the Houthi offensive, raising the specter of a regional conflict. Iran and the Houthis deny that Tehran arms the rebel movement, though the Islamic Republic has provided humanitarian and other aid. Asked at a news conference to explain vague references to "foreign powers" being behind conflicts in different Arab nations, Elaraby said, "I will answer this question indirectly. There is meddling by some neighbors, Israel on one side, Turkey and Iranian interference in several countries." Speaking after Elaraby, Egyptian President Abdel Fatteh El Sisi said leaders also agreed in principle to creating a joint Arab military force. He said a high-level panel would work under the supervision of Arab Chiefs of Staff to determine the structure and mechanism of the force. Elaraby said the chiefs of staff would meet within a month and have three more months to decide on the structure, budget and mechanism of the force before they present their proposals to a meeting of the Arab League's Joint Defense Council. "It is an important resolution given all the unprecedented unrest and threats endured by the Arab world," Elaraby said. A summit resolution said the force would be deployed at the request of any Arab nation facing a national security threat and that it would also be used to combat terrorist groups. "There is a political will to create this force and not to leave its creation without a firm time frame," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri told a news conference. Egyptian military and security officials have said the proposed force would consist of up to 40,000 elite troops and be headquartered in either Cairo or Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The force would be backed by jet fighters, warships and light armor. [Source: Al Jazeera]

It is ironic how quickly the Arab force was assembled to conduct an invasion of Yemen, but has dithered for decades to liberate Palestine or in recent times to intervene in Syria to topple the brutal Assad. Once again! It is clear how the Arab states can work together to protect the interest of Western powers, but squabble with each other when their masters are divided.

Obama Fights to Contain Republican Rebellion over Iran Nuclear Deal

The White House was desperately trying to contain a congressional revolt against its tentative nuclear deal with Iran on Friday, amid concern that hardliners in Washington could sink the agreement before it has even been finalized. Republicans and some Democrats are demanding a say over the framework agreement, which would drastically cut Tehran's nuclear program in return for relief of sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy. Barack Obama, who has called several key legislators over the last 24 hours to convince them of the merits of the deal outlined in Switzerland, insists it will cut off every pathway that Iran could take to a nuclear weapon, and avoids a military conflict. Speaking from Tehran, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, hailed the deal in a live address on state television on Friday, saying it would lead to a "new page" of cooperation with the international community and insisting his country would fulfil its obligations. But that view was not shared by everyone. The broad agreement, negotiated by the US and other world powers, is facing stiff opposition from Republicans on Capitol Hill and received only a lukewarm reaction from Democrats. There are several bills in the House and Senate that could scupper the deal. The most likely to receive broad bipartisan support - brought by the Republican chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, Bob Corker - would prevent sanctions relief for 60 days, providing Congress space to review the deal, which is due to be completed at the end of June. Corker said the bill will be put to a committee vote on 14 April, giving the Obama administration the two-week Easter recess to persuade Democrats not to support the legislation. Others in his party are demanding language that would effectively render the nuclear agreement a treaty requiring ratification by the Senate. The White House has said Obama would veto Corker's bill, but aides to the president are increasingly alarmed at the prospect of the legislation receiving the two-thirds majority that overrides the presidential veto. Such a scenario would seriously endanger the final stages of the talks. [Source: The Guardian]

While Iran's leadership celebrates the nuclear deal-one which sees Iran cede its nuclear sovereignty after a decade of resistance-Washington's politicians are planning to scupper the agreement to support their alley the Jewish state.

Agreement Done: Myanmar will buy JF-17 from Pakistan

Pakistan has clinched the first export deal for its JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. According to Defence Ministry officials, Myanmar (Burma) has finalized an agreement to purchase JF-17 from Pakistan.  JF-17 Thunder is a multi-role fighter jet jointly produced by Pakistan and China. Various countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Myanmar had shown interest in JF-17 that costs much less than the other fighter jets of the same class such as the F-16 and the Eurofighter. The details regarding the number of planes to be bought by Myanmar and modalities of the agreement have not yet been revealed.  [Source: Daily Capital]

Once again, Pakistan's military top brass is selling weapons to countries that have appalling records of suppressing their Muslim populations.  It is well documented that the government of Myanmar and its security forces are complicit in the mass genocide of Rohingyan Muslims.