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USA

U.S.: 3 Taliban Associates Targeted - Treasury July 22, 2010

The U.S. Treasury Department said June 22 it designated three men for financing and acting on the behalf of the Taliban and the Haqqani network and supporting acts of terrorism. The men were added to the United Nations 1267 Consolidated List on July 19 for association with al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden or the Taliban. They are Amir Abdullah, former treasurer to senior Taliban leader Mullah Berader; Gul Agha Ishakzai, head of the Taliban’s financial commission; and Nasiruddin Haqqani, an emissary for the Haqqani network.

U.S.: Plan To Move Marines From Japan By 2014 Dropped July 23, 2010

The U.S. government has abandoned a plan to move 8,000 U.S. Marines from a base on the Japanese island of Okinawa to the U.S. territory of Guam by 2014, Reuters reported July 23, citing Japanese media. The plan is part of a larger agreement between Japan and the United States that also includes relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to another part of Okinawa, and the likely delay in troop movement could also push back Futenma’s relocation, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri reported. Yomiuri reported that the delay was disclosed in a U.S. briefing to the government of Guam.

U.S. Naval Update Map: July 21, 2010 | STRATFOR

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EUROPE

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said July 21 that Germany and France should align their tax policies as part of greater economic integration. Analyst Marko Papic examines that hypothetical alignment, possible reasons for Sarkozy’s statement and its context in the wider Franco-German alliance.

RUSSIA

Russia: Arms Smuggling Ring Busted July 23, 2010

The Russian Criminal Investigation Department and Federal Security Service uncovered a Northern Caucasus crime group that was smuggling arms and ammunition from the United States and selling them to other organizations, the Russian Interior Ministry’s press service announced July 23, Interfax news agency reported.

Russia: France To Build Amphibious Assault Ships For Moscow July 23, 2010

France plans to build at least two amphibious assault ships for the Russian navy, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on July 23, while visiting the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, AFP reported. The contract is under negotiation, but the decision to move forward is certain, he said. Russia and France have been in negotiations for Moscow to buy up to four Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

Russia: NATO Officials Discuss Cooperation July 22, 2010

A NATO delegation will visit Russia on July 22-24 to discuss cooperation on the fight against sea piracy and Russia’s assistance to NATO’s contingent in Afghanistan, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, RIA Novosti reported July 22. NATO officials, led by the chairman of the NATO Military Committee Adm. Giampaolo di Paola, will meet with Russian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Nikolai Makarov and other senior military officials to review the preliminary results of Russia-NATO cooperation in 2010 and discuss future interaction, the ministry stated.

Russia: U.S. Objections Will Not Stop Arms Sales July 20, 2010

Russia reserves the right to supply military products to Venezuela, Libya and Algeria despite U.S. objections, Russian Federal Service First Deputy Director for Military-Technical Cooperation Alexander Fomin said July 20, Itar-Tass reported. Russia has never supplied military products to countries subject to U.N. sanctions, and sanctions imposed individually by the United States have no bearing in international law, Fomin said. Fomin added that Russia is not selling arms to countries engaged in warfare.

Russia: Coordinated Attacks in the Caucasus | STRATFOR



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IRAN

Iran: Research To Begin On Nuclear Fusion Reactor July 21, 2010

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said it plans to conduct scientific studies and start tests with the goal of building an experimental nuclear fusion reactor, and will have a ceremony July 24 to mark the beginning of research, AP reported July 21, citing IRNA. The report did not specify where the tests would be conducted.

Iran, China: Use Of Yuan For Oil Trade Discussed July 23, 2010

Iran and China are discussing the use of yuan to settle sales and purchases of crude oil, IRNA reported July 23. Iran is China’s third-largest source of crude oil. A yuan account could be created in a Chinese bank for the arrangement.

Iran, China: Details On Yuan For Oil Trade Proposal July 23, 2010

Iran and China are discussing using yuan for oil transactions in response to U.S. and EU sanctions on Tehran, unnamed sources said, India’s The Economic Times reported July 23. The China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. proposed the idea several months ago, and Iran has since made formal proposals, industry sources told Reuters. Under the plan, Iran would create a yuan account in a bank in China and receive payment for its crude oil sales, which can be partly offset by Iranian purchases of Chinese fuels, equipment and other oil projects. China is considering the proposal, an unnamed official said, adding that China has “encountered difficulties in trade with Iran.”

IRAQ

U.S.: Iran Supporting Iraqi Shiite Extremists July 21, 2010

The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, said Iran funds, trains and provides weapons and ammunition to Shiite extremist groups in Iraq who attempt to attack U.S. bases, AFP reported July 21. Odierno said Iran has shifted its agenda in Iraq to focus primarily on three groups: Ketaib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous), and the Promised Day Brigade. He said it is difficult to draw direct connections between the Iranian government and the extremist groups, but that many the groups’ members live in Iran and get training and weapons from Iran.

U.S., Kyrgyzstan: Resumption Of Aerial Refueling Discussed July 23, 2010

Kyrgyzstan and the United States are continuing discussions on the possibility of resuming aerial refueling for aircraft flying to Afghanistan, the commander of the Transit Center at Manas said July 23, Interfax news agency reported. The interethnic conflict in Kyrgyzstan has not impacted activities at Manas, and the center continues to refuel aircraft and transport cargo and military personnel, U.S. Col. Dwight Sones said. The amount of cargo and personnel transiting the center has increased, Sones added.


ISRAEL
Turkey: Hackers Launch Cyberwar On Israel July 21, 2010

Turkish hackers circulated user names and passwords belonging to more than 100,000 Israelis, including those from major financial corporations, government ministries and data security companies, Haaretz reported July 21. Many of the user names were seized in an attack on Homeless.co.il, a real estate classifieds website. Among the Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo e-mail addresses were 17 belonging to Israeli Justice Ministry employees, 10 belonging to Bank of Israel employees, as well as a handful of employees at Israel’s Interior Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Securities Authority.

U.S.: PLO's Diplomatic Ranking Upgraded July 22, 2010

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was upgraded on July 20 to “Delegation General” by the United States, Haaretz reported July 22, citing Maen Rashid Areikat, the PLO’s U.S. representative. Areikat said the decision was a result of talks over the past year with the Obama administration. Although not full diplomatic recognition, the new status upgrades the PLO to the same position as the organization’s diplomatic level in many European countries and Canada.


AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: U.K. Troops May Withdraw Soon July 21, 2010

Britain could start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as early as next year, according to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Reuters reported July 21. Withdrawal should be based on the conditions on the ground, Cameron said. The faster the transition of districts and provinces to Afghan control, the faster that some forces can be brought home, he stated. Cameron said he does not want to raise expectations because that transition should be based on how well the security situation is progressing.

Pakistan: 100 NATO Tankers Stopped July 22, 2010

Pakistani security forces stopped at least 100 NATO oil tankers in the Khyber tribal agency, The Nation reported July 22. The tankers were stopped from moving into Afghanistan at Takhtabai in the Jamrud area for safety reasons, as the sluggish customs clearance on the Afghan side of the border at Torkham created a long line of trucks, officials said.

Tajikistan: New Customs Complex At Afghan Border July 22, 2010

U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Kenneth Gross oversaw the ceremonial opening of a commercial customs complex at the Panji Poyon checkpoint of the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, Asia-Plus reported July 22. The $7.6 million project, which includes scanning equipment, was funded by the U.S. Central Command to counter drug trafficking.

Dispatch: China Factors in U.S.-South Korean Relations | STRATFOR



SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Venezuela: President Breaks Relations With Colombia July 22, 2010

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he is breaking off relations with Colombia and accused Colombia of violating Venezuelan sovereignty, Reuters reported July 22. Chavez also said he would go to war with Colombia if it came to that, El Nacional reported.

Venezuela: Colombia Given 72 Hours To Close Embassy July 22, 2010

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said that Colombian diplomatic authorities have been given 72 hours to close the Colombian embassy in Caracas and leave the country, Globovision reported July 22. Maduro said other political decisions were being evaluated and confirmed that the Venezuelan ambassador to Colombia has been recalled to Caracas.


Mexico: Grenade Deactivated Near Shopping Center July 20, 2010

Mexican security forces deactivated a grenade discovered in a bag with wires and a clock near a shopping center in the municipality of Tonala, Jalisco state, El Informador reported July 20. No arrests were made in the incident.

Argentina: Cocaine Shipment Seized July 21, 2010

Argentine Federal Police arrested two suspects and seized 1,200 kg of cocaine hidden in furniture for export to Spain, Clarin reported July 21. Police sources stated that the shipment was discovered in a storage area belonging to Avellaneda, a company located in the southern zone of the Buenos Aires province. FARC-like logos were detected on the drug packaging and authorities are trying to determine if the drug shipment is linked to the guerrilla group.

Cuba: Labor Force To Be Reorganized July 20, 2010

Cuba is reportedly planning a reorganization of its labor force in which up to 20 percent of its labor force could be relocated to different jobs, Reuters reported July 20. Approximately 200,000 jobs could also be eliminated yearly in the reform, including 100,000 in Havana during 2011. Workers targeted for relocation will be given three offers of alternate employment and older employees without specialized technical training could be forced into retirement.

Mexico: Heightened Security After Juarez Car Bomb July 21, 2010

The Mexican army has launched “Operation Barrido” in Juarez, Chihuahua state, following a car bomb used to attack security forces in the city, Milenio reported July 21. The operation requires military personnel to search cars, businesses and homes for weapons, drugs and explosives. The 250 soldiers assigned to the operation will receive auxiliary assistance from federal agents and trained dogs, as well as aerial helicopter support. Also in response to the car bomb attack, Federal Police in Juarez pledged to maintain 24-hour patrols in the city as part of its strategy to fight organized crime, Milenio reported July 21. The nine most violent sectors in Juarez will be subject to the constant patrols, which consist of GPS-enabled cars and two helicopters.

Colombia: Evidence Of Guerrilla Camps In Venezuela July 22, 2010

Colombian Ambassador to the Organization of American States Luis Alfonso Hoyos presented evidence of alleged camps belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Venezuela, Caracol Radio reported July 22. Hoyos called for urgent measures to combat guerrillas in Venezuela and said Colombia had the right to ask Venezuela to prevent the FARC and ELN from planning attacks on Colombia from its territory. He said evidence of guerrilla activity in Venezuela had been presented before but was “met with insults and mocking” from Venezuelan authorities, El Espectador reported July 22.

Colombia: Military Presence On Ecuador Border Increased July 22, 2010

Colombian Armed Forces Commander Gen. Freddy Padilla said that Colombia has increased its military presence along the border with Ecuador, EFE reported July 22. Padilla said that new bases are being constructed and that airspace control and troop strength in the region has been increased. Ecuador had previously requested that Colombia build bases along the border to control criminal activity.


MISC
Turkey: 4 More Israeli UAVs To Be Delivered July 21, 2010

Four Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be delivered to Turkish armed forces in Batman province in August as part of a $180 million deal with Israel, Turkish military sources said July 21, Anatolia news agency reported. The deal includes six additional UAVs — which have already been delivered — as well as ground control systems and support equipment. A group of Israeli UAV-maintenance experts has arrived in Turkey, while a larger group of military personnel is scheduled to arrive early August.

Dispatch: Implications of the ICJ Opinion | STRATFOR

China: Manufacturing Strikes Continue | STRATFOR