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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What's going on in the World Today 110112

I needed a laugh so I called on Married with Children

Marcy: Oh, it's too bad some men don't know how to give up their sports gracefully instead of lingering on like big babies.

Al: Yeah, doggone it. If we could only be comfortable with our age like you darn gals. You know, I mean, in the morning you go into the bathroom, a little blush, a little mascara and voila. You got an old woman scared of rain. Then you try and clean and jerk your breasts into a bra, ease some exercise pants over that front and back belly, go down to the market and flirt with the bag boy. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's just pretty pathetic when we guys try to cling to our youth


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USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE
Dispatch: Western Focus on Belarusian Opposition | STRATFOR

ASIA
Satellite Imagery of China's Fifth-generation Combat Aircraft STRATFOR

RUSSIA
Russia: Duma To Amend New START Treaty January 12, 2011

The Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee has approved an initiative to amend parts of the New START treaty, Interfax reported Jan. 12. The amendment will be presented to the council of the chamber on Jan. 13, according to International Affairs Committee Chairman Konstantin Kosachev. Any change or different interpretation of the treaty should be examined by a bilateral Russian-U.S. consultation commission in accordance to provisions in the treaty, Kosachev said. In the third reading of the bill’s ratification, the Duma will adopt two statements, the texts of which will be examined during the next meeting of the International Affairs Committee on Jan. 20, Kosachev added.

IRAN
Iran: Security Task Force Set Up For Scientists January 12, 2011

Iran has set up a special security task force to protect its scientists, according to Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Nasrin Soltankhah, Fars News Agency reported Jan. 12. All scientists registered by the National Foundation for Elites will be covered by the new security measures, which she said would provide scientists with information and advice on avoiding potential threats and contact by foreign spy agencies.


Iran: Army Focused On Asymmetric Warfare - Commander January 12, 2011

Iranian army commander Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi on Jan. 12 emphasized his army’s focus on asymmetric tactics in ground, air and naval drills, Fars News Agency reported. For instance, Salehi said, when the army carries out classic air exercises it also does “similar asymmetric exercises based on the same air lessons and experiences.” Iran sees all military developments and the occupation of its neighbors as a lesson and a war game, Salehi added. Separately, the commander of the country’s Southern Air Defense Zone, Qanbar Ali Salahian, said his troops were prepared to repel potential air strikes on the southern regions, particularly the Persian Gulf. Salahian said his forces were defending the southern air space with personnel, radar and five missile defense systems in Bushehr and Khark, as well as hundreds of monitoring centers, electronic systems and fighter jets.

IRAQ
Iraq: President Calls For Christian Affairs Office January 11, 2011

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani ordered the establishment of a special office to follow the affairs of Iraqi Christians in a statement on Jan. 11, Aswat al Iraq reported. The office will meet the needs and demands of Iraqi Christians and form a campaign against “plans and conspiracies aimed at breaking the Iraqi society to pieces,” the statement said, adding “Talabani shall demand the religious authorities in Najaf, the Sunni and Shiite Endowments, to issue religious Fatwas prohibiting aggression against Christians.”

ISRAEL
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

AFGHANISTAN
A Week in the War: Afghanistan, Jan. 5-11, 2011 | STRATFOR

Germany: Forces Requested To Stay In Afghanistan January 12, 2011

The German Cabinet requested parliament to authorize German soldiers to remain in Afghanistan for an additional year, and request that a draw-down of the force begin by the end of 2011, DPA reported Jan. 12.


Afghanistan: Taliban Accepts German Withdrawal Initiative - Source January 11, 2011

According to an anonymous source, a section of the Afghan Taliban expressed readiness to accept a German initiative for phased withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, the Pakistan Observer reported Jan. 11. The Taliban leadership was not interested in continued bloodshed and wanted a peaceful settlement and stressed the need for a guarantee foreign troops will end foreign intervention and withdraw, the source said.

Afghanistan: Iran Fuel Delay Being Addressed January 12, 2011

Afghan companies lost about $500,000 each day because of Iran’s delay of fuel tankers going into the country, but the delay has not damaged political relations, the Afghan Finance Ministry said, Reuters reported Jan. 12. The slowdown will not harm the economy because the majority of Afghanistan’s fuel comes through Pakistan, ministry spokesman Aziz Shams said. The issue is currently being resolved and is not a major problem, he said, adding that no explanation was given by Iran for the delay. The number of fuel tankers crossing the border with fuel from the United Arab Emirates and Iraq fell from about 70 each day to about 15, but the figure is gradually rising, Shams said.

U.S.: General Proposes Increasing Afghan Army, Police Recruits January 12, 2011

The commander of the U.S. Central Command proposed to U.S. President Barack Obama an increase in the number of recruits for the Afghan army and police, Afghan Islamic Press reported Jan. 12. Gen. James Mattis proposed adding 37,000 to the army and 40,000 to the police force by 2012.

MIDDLE EAST
Mexico Security Memo: Jan. 10, 2011 | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: Tijuana Suspect Identified As LFM Operator January 12, 2011

Mexico’s National Defense Secretary identified a suspect arrested four days ago in Tijuana, Baja California state, as Rigoberto Andrade Renteria, a principal drug trafficker for cartel La Familia Michoacana (LFM), El Universal reported Jan. 12. Andrade Renteria acted under direct orders from LFM leaders Servando Gomez Martinez and Jesus Mendez Vargas and was responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States from clandestine laboratories in Michoacan state, according to El Universal.

MISC
Above the Tearline: The Arizona Shooting and Congressional Security | STRATFOR


Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com

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