HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
The U.S. and Europe Face Off on Military Spending STRATFOROctober 18, 2010
The EU Threatens Gazprom's Monopoly in Europe STRATFOR
ASIA
Agenda: With Matt Gertken STRATFOR
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Namibia: Mine Considers Moves On Iranian Stake
Namibia’s Rossing Uranium Limited mine, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, said it is considering how to proceed on a stake held by the Iranian government in light of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran, Reuters reported Oct. 18. A company spokesman said in a letter dated Oct. 15 that the company is in communication with the Namibian government on how to deal with the sanctions. Iran has owned a 15 percent stake in the mine since 1975. An unnamed U.N. Security Council official said Resolution 1929 would only apply to new stakes, but another diplomat said mining firms are under pressure to distance themselves from Iran.
Iran: Domestically Made Destroyer To Be Deployed October 18, 2010
Iran is due to deploy its first domestically made destroyer, Jamaran, in international waters as part of its strategy to defend the country’s interests abroad, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said, Fars News Agency reported Oct. 18. The destroyer will be deployed 10 degrees north of international waters soon, Sayyari said.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel: Forces Move Toward South Gaza October 18, 2010
Israeli forces supported by three tanks, three bulldozers and reconnaissance aircraft moved from Kissufim military base toward the border with Al-Qarara in southern Gaza, KUNA reported Oct. 18.
Syria: IDF To Monitor New Flotilla October 17, 2010
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is monitoring a Syrian aid flotilla expected to depart Syria for the Egyptian port of al-Arish, The Jerusalem Post reported Oct. 17. The flotilla is not expected to attempt to reach Gaza, but the IDF has made preparations for the flotilla, according to an IDF source.
Egypt: Israeli Settlements May End Peace Talks October 16, 2010
Israeli building permit approval for 238 new housing units in East Jerusalem is a provocative step and a sign the direct peace talks could collapse, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Oct. 16, Haaretz reported. If Israel does not respect the freeze and continues West Bank settlement building, Arab nations may seek U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, AP reported.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: NATO Restricting Taliban Supplies October 18, 2010
Afghan and foreign forces have choked supply routes for the Taliban, leading them to increase illicit taxation on civilians to supply their operations, a NATO spokesman said Oct. 18, AP reported. Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz said insurgents are getting faulty weapons and ammunition and have begun to blame NATO. The Taliban are extorting money from farmers in the northern province of Kunduz to fund the insurgency, Blotz said.
Afghanistan: Iran Joins High-level Discussions October 18, 2010
Iran has joined senior Afghan, U.N. and NATO officials in high-level talks on Afghanistan, unnamed officials said Oct. 18, AP reported. U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said Washington has no problem with Iranian participation in the talks as Iran and Afghanistan share a long and porous border. Iran’s participation in the discussions will be limited to Afghanistan; anything discussed will neither affect nor be affected by other bilateral issues, Holbrooke said.
MIDDLE EAST
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico Security Memo: Oct. 18, 2010 STRATFOR
MISC
Dispatch: Bin Laden, al Qaeda and Pakistani Intelligence STRATFOR
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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