HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
China's Diesel Shortage STRATFOR
Agenda: With Rodger Baker STRATFOR
Vice President of Strategic Intelligence Rodger Baker examines how Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea and Russia’s renewed interest in the Asia-Pacific region has Japan and Southeast Asia concerned.
Thailand: PM Proposes Yuan As Regional Trade Currency November 12, 2010
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed using the Chinese yuan as a major trading currency in the region to lessen the impact of currency volatility caused by the weakening U.S. dollar, the Bangkok Post reported Nov. 12. Abhisit proposed the idea to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and said the issue must be discussed at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting Nov. 13-14 because no progress was made at the G-20 summit. ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda and Abhisit met earlier to discuss the proposal and the upcoming meeting of finance ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea. ASEAN could create an office to handle currency issues and cooperate with the ADB to advance the regional trade currency proposal, Abhisit said.
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Dispatch: Nigeria Taking Iran to the U.N. Security Council? | STRATFOR
Iran: Air Defense Exercises Planned November 14, 2010
Iran plans to conduct air defense drills for five days during the week of Nov. 14, AP reported, citing Iranian state television. During the exercises, Iran plans to unveil a domestically produced radar system with a range of 2,900 kilometers (about 1,800 miles), state-run Mehr news agency reported. Iran has already conducted tactical defense drills at its nuclear plants in Fordo, Tehran, Natanz, Bushehr and Esfahan, air force chief Gen. Ahmad Mighani said Nov. 14, but did not say when the exercises at the nuclear plants had occurred.
Iran: Seized Arms Intended For West Africa - FM November 15, 2010
An arms shipment from Iran, seized in Nigeria’s port of Lagos, was destined for a West African country, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Nov. 15, AFP reported. A private company that sells conventional weapons was transferring the arms to the unnamed West African state via Nigeria, which raised concerns from Nigerian officials, Mottaki said.
Nigeria's Seizure of an Iranian Arms Shipment | STRATFOR
http://www.blogger.com/%3CA%20href= Progress in Iraq and Sunni Threats STRATFOR
ISRAEL
U.S.: Israeli-Palestinian Resolution Deadline May Be Missed November 15, 2010
A U.S. deadline to resolve all major conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians by August 2011 may be missed, a U.S. State Department spokesman said Nov. 15, Reuters reported. The conflict regarding settlements could delay resolution, the spokesman said, adding that forward progress can be made once negotiations restart.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: U.S. Taskforce Recommends Downsize November 12, 2010
The 25- member taskforce led by former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and former national security advisor Samuel Berger said it saw “hopeful signs” in Afghanistan such as training of security forces but stated the costs of the U.S. military presence and current strategy cannot be justified unless there are signs of greater progress, Reuters reported Nov. 12. The taskforce, sponsored by the Council on Foreign relations think tank was comprised of former government officials, military leaders, academics and journalists and produced the December 2010 review of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan that recommends a shift to a more limited mission with far fewer military personnel.
U.S.: New Plan Ends Afghan Combat Mission By 2014 November 15, 2010
The U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan will end by 2014, according to a phased four-year plan which begins transferirng security duties in select areas of Afghanistan to Afghan forces over the next 18 to 24 months, The New York Times reported Nov. 14, citing officials from the office of U.S. President Barack Obama. Details of the plan will be presented at the NATO summit meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. According to one U.S. official, the American troop withdrawal from Iraq will be the blueprint for the Afghan transition with emphasis placed on constructing a capable Afghan security force to take the lead.
MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon: Hezbollah Could Seize Power - IDF Chief November 15, 2010
The findings of the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon could lead Shiite militant group Hezbollah to violently seize control in Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said Nov. 15, the Jerusalem Post reported. The U.N. tribunal, which is investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, could implicate senior Hezbollah operatives, Ashkenazi said during talks with his Canadian counterpart. Radicals are growing stronger in Lebanon, Ashkenazi said, and although the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon is disrupting Hezbollah’s activities in the country’s south, it has failed to prevent the group from building up its military capabilities.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico Security Memo: Nov. 15, 2010 | STRATFOR
Chavez Shores up His Military Support STRATFOR
MISC
The G-20, the United States, China and Currency Devaluation STRATFOR
Nigeria: Gunman Attack Exxon Offshore Facility November 15, 2010
Gunmen attacked a deep offshore facility operated by U.S. energy firm Exxon Mobil located off the southern coast of Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state late Nov. 14, Reuters reported Nov. 15, citing an unnamed security source. It is not known whether any injuries or damages were sustained.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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