What's going on in the World Today 100807

HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
U.S., Russia: Joint Anti-Terror Exercise Scheduled Aug. 8-11 August 6, 2010

The joint Canadian-U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command will participate in joint anti-terror exercises with Russia in the Far East and Pacific from Aug. 8-11, the Voice of Russia and the Ottawa Citizen reported Aug. 5. The main headquarters for the exercise will be in Khabarovsk and Colorado Springs, with auxiliary command posts in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Anchorage. Military fighter jets and radar aircraft will be involved in the exercise, which aims to drill tracking and intercepting a hijacked airliner. Russian and U.S. military officials will discuss the results in Colorado Springs in September.

Iran, U.S.: Momentum Building in Talks on Iraq? | STRATFOR

EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

RUSSIA
.Dispatch: Russian Grain Shortage

IRAN
China, Iran: Existing Projects To Continue August 6, 2010

China will maintain cooperation with Iran on existing projects, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang told Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi in Beijing on Aug. 6, Reuters reported. The statement came following U.S. calls for China to observe sanctions against Tehran. Li said Iran is an important trade partner for China, as well as one of its main oil suppliers. Bilateral trade and cooperation has achieved fruitful results, Li said, adding that China is willing to work with Iran to develop mutual trust, enhance coordination on important international issues and maintain regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Mir-Kazemi likewise said he hopes both sides can create suitable conditions to continue existing projects.

Iran, Cambodia: Oil Deal Expected August 6, 2010

Iran and Cambodia will sign a memorandum of understanding on petroleum cooperation next week, in a visit that will include a meeting between Cambodias Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Phnompen Post reported Aug. 6. Namhong and Vice Chairman of the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority Ho Vichit will form part of a delegation invited to Iran on Aug. 10-11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Bilateral talks between Cambodias foreign minister and Irans foreign, commerce and petroleum ministers will also be held.

Iran: Turkey Continues Petroleum Trade August 6, 2010

Turkey sees no reason to curb trade in petroleum products with Iran, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said on Aug. 6, Bloomberg reported. Turkey believes that commercial companies can carry out this business, Yildiz said in Trabzon, adding that it is a functioning commercial relationship.

Iran: To Unveil Advanced Military Equipment August 7, 2010

Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan announced Aug. 7 Iran’s plans to display a number of its most advanced military equipment on September 22, Fars News Agency reported. He declined to reveal details about these highly advanced military tools and equipment.

India: The Value of an Iranian Friendship | STRATFOR

IRAQ
Iraq: Forces Take Over Combat Duties August 7, 2010

The United States handed over control of all combat duties to Iraqi security forces Aug. 7 in a further sign its withdrawal is on track, Reuters reported. Washington is reducing the number of troops in Iraq to 50,000 by Sept. 1 from just less than 65,000 currently and almost 150,000 during the height of the conflict. By the end of August, after U.S. combat troops leave, there will still be six Advice and Assist Brigades left. They will train and support Iraq’s army and police.


ISRAEL
Israel: Secret Meeting Held With Hamas August 7, 2010

A secret meeting took place between Israeli and Hamas officials earlier this week, Haaretz reported Aug. 7, citing the London-based newspaper Al-Sharak Al-Awsat. According to Palestinian sources, Hamas member and former treasurer for the Ismail Haniyeh government Omar Abed al-Razak was taken from Nablus, in the West Bank, to the Israeli city of Netanya on Aug 3. The meeting was reportedly held to warn Hamas against kidnapping Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Dispatch: The Israeli-Lebanese Border Skirmish | STRATFOR

AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: Car Bomb Explodes August 6, 2010

A car laden with explosives detonated outside a police station in northern Mexico, but no one was injured in the blast, a state police spokesman said on Aug. 6, Reuters reported. The car was in the back parking lot of the rural police building in Ciudad Victoria in the state of Tamaulipas when it exploded, spokesman Hector Walle said.

Cuba: Castro Gives Rare Speech August 7, 2010

Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro addressed the communist country’s National Assembly on Aug. 7 for the first time in four years, AFP reported. Wearing his trademark olive green military uniform, the former leader called for the special meeting to discuss the danger of a nuclear war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Colombia: FARC Lack Command Organization - Military August 6, 2010

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have approximately 7,000 guerrillas, but are divided and lack command-and-control capabilities, according to Colombian army commander Gen. Oscar Gonzalez, Caracol Radio reported Aug. 6. Gonzalez said that the National Liberation Army, also known as ELN, has ceased to be a national security threat.


MISC

Vietnam: No Nuclear Talks With U.S. Yet August 6, 2010

Vietnam and the United States have not begun negotiations on sharing nuclear fuel and technology, a spokeswoman for Vietnam’s foreign ministry said Aug. 6, AFP reported. The spokeswoman denied Washington’s recent statement that talks were ongoing.

UAE: M.Star Leaves Port August 6, 2010

The Japanese tanker M. Star left the Port of Fujairah after repairing damage to its starboard side, Abu Dhabi’s official news agency WAM reported on Aug. 6. A source at the UAE Coast Guard said investigations and an examination carried out by specialized teams confirmed that the tanker was “the subject of a terrorist attack.” The source said UAE explosives experts who collected and examined samples found a dent on the starboard side above the water line and remains of homemade explosives on the hull. The tanker probably encountered an attack from a boat loaded with explosives, the source stated.

Turkey: Taking the Army's Prerogative | STRATFOR