HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
The Explosion and Arrest in Copenhagen: Lone Wolf or Plot? STRATFOR
ASIA
India: Nuclear Strike Fighter Force Planned September 12, 2010
The Indian Strategic Forces Command plans to create a fighter force with nuclear capabilities, Press Trust of India reported Sept. 12, citing an official in the Indian Defense Ministry. The Strategic Forces Command has sent a proposal to the Indian Defense Ministry on forming a force of two squadrons of 40 jets, which will be capable of carrying missiles armed with nuclear warheads. It will be the first time India has possessed a nuclear strike force consisting of fighter jets.
China and Japan Dispute Islands in the East China Sea STRATFOR
Dispatch: China's Leadership Transition STRATFOR
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Iran: Naval Presence Is Meant To Show Tehran's Power - Commander September 13, 2010
Iran’s naval presence in the high seas is part of Tehran’s plan to “stage the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the international arena,” Iranian Navy Commander Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said Sept. 13, Fars News reported. Sayyari said Iran’s naval deployment in the Gulf of Aden is meant to fight sea piracy and to maintain preparations to defend Iran’s interests. Iran’s navy is prepared defensively all along the Iranian coast and is fully ready for underwater missions, Sayyari said.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Petraeus Issues Contracting Guidelines September 12, 2010
Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus has issued new guidelines on contracting aimed at improving oversight and ensuring that international funds do not end up in the hands of militants and criminals, worsen corruption or hamper efforts to win the loyalty of the Afghan people, AP reported Sept. 12. The guidelines, issued during the week of Sept. 5, said international contracting can spur economic development and help the NATO campaign, but that if large amounts of money are spent quickly and without sufficient oversight, it may undermine international efforts in Afghanistan by contributing to corruption, militancy and criminal patronage networks.
Afghanistan: U.S. Changes Anti-Corruption Stance September 13, 2010
The United States needs to step back from promoting American-style law enforcement as the key method in its fight against corruption in Afghanistan because of the rift it caused with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. administration officials said, The Washington Post reported Sept. 13. There is a growing consensus that corruption cases against people in Karzai’s government should be resolved with face-saving compromises behind closed doors instead of public prosecutions, or the United States will lose its ability to operate there and achieve principal goals, officials stated, adding Karzai’s cooperation is needed.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Colombia: FARC Supplies Drugs To Mexican Cartels September 13, 2010
The chief of Colombia’s anti-narcotics police, Gen. Cesar Pinzon, said Mexican drug cartels sometimes receive cocaine shipments from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who sell or “lend” drug shipments when cartels are experiencing shortages, Diario Hoy reported Sept. 13. Pinzon said this was possibly due to FARC’s control of Colombian cocaine labs and trafficking routes.
Mexico: Nuevo Leon To Unify Police Forces September 13, 2010
The governor of Mexico’s Nuevo Leon state, Rodrigo Medina, announced Sept. 13 that Nuevo Leon’s police forces would be unified under a single command within 30 days despite the lack of a nationally approved single command for police forces, Milenio reported. Medina approved a preliminary budget of 5 million pesos (approximately $400,000) for the initiative. He also announced additional security measures, including the creation of an anti-kidnapping unit, the purchase of a helicopter, and improved equipment and recruitment programs for police.
MISC
Saudi Arabia: U.S. Arms Deal Advances September 13, 2010
U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration will soon notify Congress that it authorizes a $60 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 13. The Saudis may buy 84 F-15 fighters, upgrade 70 more, and purchase 70 Apache helicopters, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Birds, officials said, adding a potential $30 billion package to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s naval forces is also being discussed. Talks are also underway to expand Saudi Arabia’s ballistic-missile defenses with THAAD — Terminal High Altitude Defense — systems and upgraded Patriot missiles to reduce the threat from Iranian rockets.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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