USA
June 16, 2010
Anthony Todd Saxon, a civilian arrested while impersonating a master sergeant at Fort Gordon, was in possession of several grenades, night vision devices, a laser targeting device and a land mine, AP reported June 16. A military spokesman said authorities did not consider the case to be a terrorist threat and federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint stating the Saxon was trying to steal Army-issued laser sights for military rifles.
EUROPE
Ethnic Uzbeks seized the largest oil depot in southern Kyrgyzstan and have threatened to blow it up unless the interim government allows for their safe departure, The Telegraph reported June 16. The Uzbeks have constructed barricades around the depot, which stores most of the oil distributed to the region. Kyrgyz military forces, including armored personnel carriers, were positioned to retake the facility. The Uzbeks have requested Russian or international security forces to escort them, claiming they do not trust Kyrgyz security forces
A rifle battalion of 300 Kyrgyz reservists has been deployed “to ensure a state of emergency regime in Osh,” according to a statement from the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry, Interfax reported June 16. The troops are from Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken regions and will replace interior troops guarding strategic facilities. The statement says the battalion will also conduct patrols during the curfew and secure roadblocks.
June 17, 2010
About 400,000 people have been uprooted as a result of ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan, U.N. Humanitarian Office spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said June 17, AP reported. Byrs said roughly 300,000 people have left their homes but remain inside Kyrgyzstan, a nation of 5.3 million. About 100,000 people have fled to Uzbekistan, she added.
IRAN
June 16, 2010
Iran is designing a new nuclear reactor to make radio isotopes that will be “more powerful” than those from its existing Tehran research facility, atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi said, AFP reported June 16. Iran’s plan is to commission several reactors in the north, south, east and the west of the country to produce radio isotopes for sale and export to the regional and Islamic countries that need them, Salehi said.
IRAQ
June 16, 2010
Iran is estimated to have deployed thousands of soldiers to the border region between Iraq, Turkey and Iran, according to a STRATFOR source in Iraq on June 16. The source said Iranian forces, along with heavy weapons and helicopters, have been spotted in the Kurdish villages of Bardu Naz, Xrna and Tapai Kurdina, Iraq, for more than a week, and that noticeable numbers of additional troops have been deployed to the area on a near-daily basis.
ISRAEL
June 16, 2010
Turkish group the Foundation for the Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Aid (IHH) has told European Parliament members that another aid flotilla will be sent to the Gaza Strip, Haaretz reported June 16. International media has been invited to inspect the ships’ goods prior to departure in the second half of July to “demonstrate their commitment to total transparency,” according to the group. The IHH has assembled six ships and encouraged others to join.
June 17, 2010
Lebanon will be responsible if a “violent and dangerous confrontation” occurs between Israel and an aid ship expected to depart from Lebanon for Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said June 17, AFP reported. Barak said Beirut must prevent the loading of “weapons, ammunition, explosive materials” and other things that could lead to confrontation. Lebanon is responsible for ships leaving its ports “which have the clear and stated intention of trying to break the naval blockade on Gaza,” Barak said.
AFGHANISTAN
June 17, 2010
Afghan Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani said Afghanistan’s untapped mineral wealth is worth at least $3 trilllion, as opposed to the $1 trillion previously estimated, Pajhwok news agency reported June 16. The Afghan Mines Ministry conducted a study alongside the United States Geological Survey, the results of which will be used to establish an information center after they are given to the Afghan government. The Ministry of Mines has completed a strategic plan that will be discussed during Shahrani’s weeklong U.K. trip the week of June 20.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
MISC
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