What's going on in the World Today 100804

Intelligence, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Middle East,

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USA

U.S.: Treasury Department Names Iranian-controlled Entities, Terrorism Supporters
August 3, 2010

The U.S. Treasury Department on Aug. 3 identified 21 entities in Iran’s banking, insurance, investment, mining and engineering industries determined to be owned or controlled by the Iranian government, according to a Treasury Department news release. By identifying these entities, U.S. persons and others will be better able to identify and protect themselves against risks posed by such entities, the release said. In a separate Aug. 3 news release, the Treasury Department announced a set of designations targeting Iranian governmental support of terrorism and militant organizations, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command and the Taliban. According to the statement, the designations expose Iran’s use of its state apparatus — specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force — and state-run social service organizations to support terrorism under the guise of providing reconstruction and economic development assistance or social services.

U.S.: WikiLeaks Did Not Contact Pentagon August 4, 2010

The Pentagon said it had not been contacted by WikiLeaks, despite claims that the whistle-blowing website sought its help reviewing thousands of classified Afghan war documents ahead of their release, Reuters reported Aug. 4. A WikiLeaks spokesman said he wanted the Defense Department’s help reviewing 15,000 additional U.S. documents ahead of their potential release, according to The Daily Beast news website. Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said WikiLeaks had not contacted the Defense Department. He declined to speculate on what might happen if they did request assistance.

EUROPE

Germany: Berlin To Focus On Latin America's Market August 4, 2010

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Latin America is “still very underestimated,” both politically and economically, DPA reported Aug. 4. The Cabinet, which Westerwelle chaired, decided to engage more actively with Latin America; a 64-page guideline stated that the continent has a growing sales market, as well as being an important production region. Mexico and Brazil were noted, and Germany plans to stay abreast of activities by other industrial countries in the region, such as China.

RUSSIA

Russia: A Militant Leader Steps Down | STRATFOR

Russia: Anthrax Outbreak Reported In Omsk Region August 3, 2010

Seven people have been diagnosed with anthrax and one has already died in Russia’s Omsk region, Russian television channel NTV reported. Another 130 are being examined after being in contact with those who were already ill. The spread of the disease in the region became public knowledge last week.

IRAN
Japan: New Sanctions Imposed On Iran August 3, 2010

The Japanese government said it will impose additional sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment and other nuclear development programs, including a freeze on assets, Kyodo reported Aug. 3. The Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan approved a set of additional measures, including a freeze on the assets of 40 organizations and an individual involved in nuclear and missile development programs. The new measures also include steps aimed at preventing money transfers related to supplying Iran with large conventional weapons.

Iran: Fuel Swap Talks Held Soon August 3, 2010

Fuel swap talks should be held soon and the Vienna group members are getting ready for them, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Aug. 3, IRNA reported. Talking to reporters during his weekly briefing, he noted that talks between Irans chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton are scheduled for September.

Iran: Tehran Claims To Have 4 S-300 Missiles August 4, 2010

Iran obtained four S-300 surface-to-air missiles, AP reported Aug. 4. The Fars news agency said Iran obtained two missiles from Belarus and two others from an unspecified source.


Iran: Russia Denies Sale Of S-300 Systems August 4, 2010

Russia did not sell four S-300 air defense missiles to Iran, Rosoboronexport said on Aug. 4, RIA Novosti reported. There had been reports that Tehran had taken delivery on four S-300 systems.

Belarus: Committee Denies Sale Of S-300s To Iran August 4, 2010

The Belarusian Military-Industrial Committee has denied that it held negotiations with or sold to Iran S-300 missiles and spare parts, Interfax reported Aug. 4, citing a spokesperson for the committee.

Syria: Iranian Transport Minister Visits August 4, 2010

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji al-Otari on Aug. 4 reiterated the importance of boosting relations with Iran, SANA reported. The remarks came during a meeting with Iranian Road and Transport Minister Hamid Behbahani in Damascus. In addition to economic and trade cooperation, the two leaders specifically discussed enhancing cooperation in the field of transportation, including the development of road and railway links, the improvement of train equipment and the increase of flights between the countries. The leaders also addressed the activation of agreements signed by Syria and Iran.

IRAQ
NSTR


ISRAEL

Israel: Single Officer Caused Border Skirmish - IDF August 3, 2010

Analysts from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) believe the incident at the Israel-Lebanon border Aug. 3 was an ambush planned by a commanding officer in the Lebanese army, Haaretz reported Aug. 3. The IDF gathered evidence that suggests sniper fire was ordered by an officer, but they believe the decision was his alone because there is no indication that he had received an order to open fire. The IDF said the officer was influenced by recent remarks that Lebanese top commanders had made against Israel.

Libya: Gaza-bound Aid Convoy Arrives In Egypt August 3, 2010

A Libyan aid convoy bound for Gaza arrived early Aug. 3 at the Egyptian port city of El Arish, Xinhua reported. According to an unnamed security source, the convoy is comprised of 16 trucks carrying medical aid and food supplies, and is accompanied by 65 people, including 11 doctors and 12 media personnel. The remaining passengers on board are activists, chief of the north Sinai branch of the Egyptian Red Crescent Osama El-Sergany said. El-Sergany said the aid shipments will be transported to Gaza from El Arish according to “the mechanism of transporting aid to the strip.”


AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Taliban Updates Code August 3, 2010

An Afghan Taliban code of conduct now directs fighters to avoid killing civilians and forbids them from seizing weapons and money, AP reported Aug. 3. However, the code allows rebels to view people working for international forces or the Afghan government as “supporters of the infidels” and says they can be killed. Distribution of the 69-page document began about 10 days ago; AP obtained the booklet on Aug. 3 from a member of the Taliban in Spin Boldak town. The code, published at the end of May, updates a similar document released in 2009.

(COMMENT: Code of Conduct from the Taliban....kindy like virginity in a brothel)

Afghanistan: France To Continue Mission August 3, 2010

France will not withdraw from Afghanistan despite an annual cost of half a billion euros because the NATO mission there is preventing Afghanistan’s collapse, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said on Aug. 3, Reuters reported. Morin said his ministry would make about 3 billion euros ($3.92 billion) in savings up to 2013 to help France bring its public finances under control, but Afghanistan would not be part of the savings. The French army must stay because there is no other solution, he said. The 3,500-strong French contingent makes up about 2 percent of NATO’s U.S.-dominated force in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Taliban Attack Base - Update August 3, 2010

A Taliban suicide squad armed with bombs and rockets attacked the largest U.S. military base in southern Afghanistan on Aug. 3, sparking an hour-long gun battle, AFP reported. One soldier and two civilians were wounded in an initial rocket attack on Kandahar airfield. Two suicide bombers detonated explosives outside the base perimeter to clear the entrance for the rest of the group, a Kandahar provincial spokesman said. Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack and told the Afghan Islamic Press that the attack was carried out by seven Taliban, adding that fighting continues at the airport.

Mexico: President Open To Drug Legalization Debate August 3, 2010

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Mexico should have a national debate on drug legalization, El Universal reported Aug. 3. Calderon said that given the plurality of public opinion in Mexico, such a debate should take place.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Mexico Security Memo: Aug. 2, 2010 | STRATFOR

Brazil, Argentina: Presidents Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement August 3, 2010

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner signed a declaration at the Common Market of the South summit to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation, EFE reported Aug. 3. Fernandez announced that she will meet with da Silva later this month to reinforce this cooperation, which could result in the integration of the two nations’ nuclear energy sectors.

Cuba: Fidel Castro To Address National Assembly August 4, 2010

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is expected to address Cuba’s National Assembly on Aug. 7 for the first time in four years, AFP reported Aug. 4. Cuban state media reported Aug. 4 that Castro requested the session be held.

Venezuela: Troops Face Low Morale - U.S. Ambassador August 4, 2010

U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Larry Palmer warned late Aug. 3 of the low morale in the Venezuelan Armed Forces and increasing influence of Cuba in the former’s activities, Globo Vision reported late Aug. 3. According to Palmer, there are reports indicating that the low morale stems from politically motivated designations and problems maintaining equipment; however, the primacy of political loyalty does not appear to be questioned. He added that Cuban influence in Venezuela’s Armed Forces has been on the rise, given the training of Venezuelan forces in Cuba as well as Cuban officers in Venezuela training troops there.

MISC
The Geopolitics of Turkey: Searching for More | STRATFOR

Syria: IAEA-led Probe Considered - U.S. Official August 3, 2010

Member nations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will likely consider a special investigation of Syria to answer questions over its nuclear activities, U.S. chief representative to the IAEA Glyn Davies said Aug. 3, AP reported. A number of countries are considering whether to push the agency to investigate, Davies said.

Somalia: Pirates, Saudi Firm Agree On Ransom August 3, 2010

Somali pirates and the owners of the Saudi ship al-Nisr have agreed on a ransom of about $2-3 million, Reuters reported Aug. 3. The ship has been held by the pirates since March, as have the 14 crewmembers on board. A Somali pirate, known as Said, told Reuters the ship’s owners agreed to a $3 million ransom, rather than the $20 million ransom that was initially demanded by the pirates. Munir Gondal, head of operations at Saudi firm International Bunkering Co., which owns the ship, said the agreed ransom was slightly less than $2 million.

Pakistan: U.S. Army Transportation Chief Visits August 3, 2010

U.S. Transportation Command chief Gen. Duncan J. McNabb met with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Kayani on Aug. 3 to discuss matters of professional interest, APP reported. The meeting took place at the Pakistani army’s General Headquarters.

Kuwait: 7 Charged With Spying For Iran August 3, 2010

A Kuwaiti court charged six men, including a Kuwaiti soldier, and one woman with spying for Iran, Middle East Online reported Aug. 3. The accused have denied the allegations, and their attorney said their confessions were extracted through torture. Of the defendants, there are three Iranians, one Kuwaiti, one Syrian and two of unknown nationality. The seven have been charged with spying for Iran, passing on confidential military information to a foreign nation and taking pictures of Kuwaiti military installations. The alleged spy cell was arrested in May.

Above the Tearline: Hostage Rescue Debriefing | STRATFOR