HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
U.S.: Defense Department Preparing For Release Of 400,000 Leaked Iraq War Reports October 15, 2010
The U.S. Defense Department said Oct. 15 that it was preparing for WikiLeaks to release around 400,000 secret military reports on the Iraq War, AFP reported. The leaked reports were pulled from an Iraq-based “tactical reports database” that contained tactical reports and unit-level reporting, a Pentagon spokesman said, adding that the department does not know how many or which documents will be released. He said a 120-person taskforce was set up several weeks ago to peruse the database of reports and determine the possible impact of their release, saying the department is concerned that the leaked reports compile “significant activities,” such as attacks against coalition troops, or Iraqi security forces, civilians and infrastructure.
U.S.: Turkey In Talks About NATO Missile Defense System - DM October 15, 2010
Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Oct. 15 that Turkey was negotiating over the proposed NATO missile defense system, Anatolia reported. He denied that the United States is pushing Turkey to make a decision, adding that the U.S. project has become a NATO issue. He said one concern is how the NATO missile shield would affect his country’s missile system. He said the multibillion-dollar deal could bring significant cost reductions for Turkey.
U.S. Naval Update Map: Oct. 13, 2010 STRATFOR
EUROPE
Serbia: A Weimar Republic? STRATFOR
ASIA
China Security Memo: Oct. 14, 2010 STRATFOR
Changes Coming at China's Communist Party Plenum | STRATFOR
South Korea, U.S.: Air Defense Exercise Planned October 14, 2010
South Korea and the United States will conduct a regular air force training exercise Oct. 15-22 to increase interoperability among pilots, according to South Korea’s air force, Yonhap reported Oct. 14. About 50 fighter jets, including F-15Ks and KF-16s from South Korea and U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons and KC-135 Stratotankers will take part in the eight-day drill, officials stated. More than 250 pilots will be mobilized for the “Max Thunder” drill to be staged over the western airspace of the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement.
RUSSIA
Russia, Venezuela: Energy Deals Made October 15, 2010
Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement to build and operate a nuclear power station in Venezuela, Interfax reported Oct. 15. The news agency also reported that the Russian energy and Venezuelan oil ministries signed a deal to support TNK-BP acquisition of BP assets in Venezuela. Also, it was reported that Gazprom and Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) signed an agreement to build a liquefied natural gas facility in Venezuela; Rosneft will buy a PDVSA stake in Ruhr oil for $1.6 billion; and Rosneft and PDVSA signed an agreement on Rosneft acquiring 50 percent of Ruhr Oil.
IRAN
Iran: Plans Made For More Nuclear Facilities October 15, 2010
The deputy chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Behzad Soltani has said a special research reactor will be built in Arak in the next three years for the production of radiological medicines, state-run Iranian radio reported Oct. 15. Soltani said Iran intends to develop the ability to produce fuel for a nuclear power plant like Bushehr and to develop another nuclear power plant.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel: Settlement Construction Authorized October 15, 2010
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized construction of 214 housing units in the northeastern Jerusalem neighborhoods of Pisgat Ze’ev and Ramot, Ynet reported Oct. 15. There is no Jerusalem settlement freeze, according to sources who said the Prime Minister’s Office tries to prevent Netanyahu from being surprised by construction when the timing is sensitive. Housing Minister Ariel Atias said the United States will tolerate the tender and not turn it into a crisis. A Jerusalem portfolio holder in Fatah Hatem Addel Kader said Israel’s decision undermined U.S. efforts to avoid peace talk deadlocks and ”hammers the final nail in the negotiations’ coffin.”
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: More Taliban Operatives Want To Talk - Envoy October 15, 2010
U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said an increasing number of Afghan Taliban associates have been reaching out for negotiations about ending the war, but the move has not led to formal talks, AP reported Oct. 15. He attributed Taliban interest in talks to stepped-up military pressure on the militant group.
MIDDLE EAST
Iran: Tehran Voted In As President Of OPEC October 14, 2010
Iran has been elected as the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for the first time in 36 years, Iranian Deputy Oil
Minister Mohammad Ali Khatibi said Oct. 14, citing Mehr news agency. The 12-member cartel voted in Vienna on Oct. 14. Iran holds the post until 2011.
null
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Cartel Shooting at Falcon Lake a Case of Mistaken Identity? STRATFOR
Search Suspended in Falcon Lake Shooting | STRATFOR
Gotta love this quote...." China may also have been wary of having itself grouped with Russia and Iran on this tour. Washington conservatives have created a buzzword for this grouping of countries, VIRUS (short for Venezuela, Iran, and Russia). "
Chavez's World Tour and a Cautious Russia and China STRATFOR
Venezuela: Russia To Deliver 35 Tanks October 15, 2010
Russia will soon supply Venezuela with a shipment of 35 tanks, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at an Oct. 15 meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, RIA-Novosti reported.
MISC
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
No comments:
Post a Comment