USA
China: U.S. Could Build Rare Earth Stockpile February 6, 2011
A bill that may require the U.S. military to hold an unspecified amount of rare earth minerals could be introduced to establish a competitive supply chain in the United States, according to Rep. Mike Coffman, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 7. China is creating strategic reserves of rare earths as storage facilities in Inner Mongolia are being built that can house more than the 39,813 tons China exported in 2010, according to Chinese government agencies, state enterprises and local media.
EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
Russia: President Calls For Development In Kuril Islands Region February 4, 2011
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said that Russia should keep sending officials to the disputed Kuril Islands and should boost the region’s development, Xinhua reported Feb. 4. Medvedev said that Russia should put more attention toward its relations with Japan and upgrade the two countries’ strategic relationship. Medvedev’s comments came during his meeting with the Russian Security Council.
Japan, Russia and the Kuril Islands | STRATFOR
RUSSIA
Russia: New Security Measures At Airports Announced February 7, 2011
Russian airports are set to implement new security measures in accordance with laws passed following the Jan. 24 suicide bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, The Moscow News reported Feb. 7, citing Komsomolskaya Pravda. The new laws stipulate that the entire perimeter of an airport will be fenced off, with public access possible only at special checkpoints, the entrances of which will have baggage scanners and guards on duty. Visitors will have to produce identification and explain their reason for visiting, while visitors using driver’s licenses will have to provide details of their vehicle. In addition, checkpoints will have added facilities for inspection and interrogation. It is unclear when and how the new laws will be implemented, and there is no deadline set to install new scanners or create the checkpoints.
Russia: Chechen Militant Vows 2011 Year Of 'Blood And Tears' February 5, 2011
Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov said in an Internet video that “a brother” was traveling to Moscow to carry out a special operation, Reuters reported Feb. 5. Details about the operation were not explained. He said 2011 will be a year of “blood and tears.”
IRAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel: Military Begins Reinforcement Measures In Ghajar Village February 3, 2011
The Israeli military has begun a series of reinforcement measures in the Lebanese section of Ghajar village, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Feb. 3. The reinforcements include an increase in mobile and armored patrols in both the Lebanese and Syrian occupied sections, bolstered surveillance at the western edge of the occupied Syrian section, and mounted cameras along the area’s periphery.
Lebanon: Israeli Pullout Delayed February 7, 2011
The political turmoil in Lebanon has delayed Israeli plans to pull out of northern Ghajaran, a village straddling the countries’ border, AP reported Feb. 7. An Israeli official said Israel continues to discuss withdrawal plans with U.N. forces, but those forces are unable to relay information between the two sides because the previous government in Lebanon was toppled and a new government is not yet fully formed. The Israeli official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the diplomatically sensitive nature of the matter.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Handover To Begin March 21 - Karzai February 6, 2011
The process to transfer security responsibility from international forces to Afghan forces will be announced on March 21, Afghan President Hamid Karzai stated at an international security conference in Munich, Reuters reported Feb. 6. The Afghan government was determined to show leadership, Karzai said, adding this was possible because of an effort to boost the size of the Afghan security forces. “Parallel structures,” including private foreign security firms protecting international interests and Provincial Reconstruction Teams run by foreign military contingents, were hampering efforts to expand the influence of the Afghan government, he stated.
Afghanistan: Pakistan Attacks Eastern Province, Destroys Homes February 3, 2011
Pakistani security forces have conducted ground and air attacks against Ghosta district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, resulting in the destruction of a number of residential homes, Noor TV reported Feb. 3. Gen. Aminollah Amarkhel, commander of Afghanistan’s border police for the eastern provinces, said Pakistan began carrying out attacks in the Anarga area on the border of Sangar-Shamshad districts at 10 a.m. local time Feb. 2, and continued the assault through the afternoon. No casualties have been reported as a result of the attacks, Amarkhel added.
MIDDLE EAST
Egypt: Air Traffic Back To Normal February 7, 2011
Air traffic at Cairo International Airport has gradually returned to normal, KUNA reported Feb. 7, citing Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Ibrahim Manna. He said EgyptAir has reduced the number of its flights due to lower travel pressure, adding that the national airline has also decided to launch 208 overseas flights and 120 domestic flights between Feb. 7 and Feb. 13. Egyptian Minister of Finance Samir Radwan said Egypt would not turn to the International Monetary Fund to make up for financial losses brought about by the country’s ongoing political unrest.
Egypt: Ports Operating But Face Delays February 7, 2011
Cargo shipments to Egypt remain below normal due to port delays and reduced banking services, according to trade and shipping sources Feb. 7, Reuters reported. Operations at the ports of Alexandria, Damietta and Port Said have not returned to full strength, and an Alexandria-based agent for the Lloyd’s of London insurance market said the massive backlog will cause delays. Trucks could enter ports Feb. 6 and pick up cargoes, shipping sources said. Operations at A.P. Moller-Maersk’s Port Said container terminal were “near normal” Feb. 6, the Danish shipping and oil group said. Custom clearance at the port of Alexandria is working half-day, GAC logistics company said. Break bulk operations are allowed only for non-direct delivery cargo, GAC said, adding that discharge operations have slowed and bulk cargo silos are working.
Egypt: Germany Not To Approve New Arms Shipments February 7, 2011
The German Economy Ministry said on Feb. 7 that it will not approve any new arms exports to Egypt until further notice because of concerns about human rights issues during anti-government protests there, AP reported. The ministry added that it will review possible action on arms shipments that have already been approved.
Egypt: Government, Opposition Agree To Form Constitutional Committee `February 6, 2011
Participants in talks between the Egyptian government and several opposition groups including the Muslim Brotherhood, agreed Feb. 6 to form a constitutional reform committee which will include the judiciary and a number of political figures to study and propose constitutional and legislative amendments, according to Egyptian government spokesman Magdi Radi, AFP reported. The committee’s recommendations are due before the first week of March.
NDP Leaders Resign - First Step in Transition | STRATFOR
Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood: A Special Report | STRATFOR
A Breakdown of Egyptian Opposition Groups | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: Armed Forces Request Aircraft Purchases February 3, 2011
Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat has requested the purchase of five used C-130H transport aircraft, while the Navy Secretariat may purchase six military transport aircraft and six helicopters, El Universal reported Feb. 3. The total cost of the aircraft is estimated at 9.888 billion pesos.
MISC
Dispatch: Assassination of Public Safety Official in Mexico
U.S.: 21 Linked To Colombian Cartel Arrested February 4, 2011
The United States has arrested 21 people for allegedly helping the Colombian North Valley cartel collect proceeds from cocaine shipped to Puerto Rico and the United States, AP reported Feb. 4. The suspects were arrested in Colombia, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, New York, Miami and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a statement from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office said. One of the suspects arrested in Colombia was the network’s main money broker, the statement said. U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said the suspects will be extradited to Puerto Rico.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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