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USA
U.S. Naval Update Map: March 2, 2011 | STRATFOR
EUROPE
Dispatch: U.S. Airmen Shot in Germany | STRATFOR
Russia, France: Mistral Helicopter Carrier Talks Stall March 3, 2011
Russian and French negotiations over a Moscow deal to buy French-made Mistral helicopter carriers have deadlocked over price with Russia insisting it will only pay $980 million for two Mistral-class ships and France insisting on at least $1.15 billion, AFP reported citing the Kommersant business daily. According to a Russian source involved in the negotiations, the two sides disagree in principle on a number of issues, but the primary dispute involves price.
Germany: Shooter Of Airmen May Have Been Part Of Extremist Network March 3, 2011
Arid Uka, the man accused of killing two U.S. airmen March 2 in Frankfurt, Germany, told German investigators that he was motivated to attack after seeing a video on the Internet the previous day that he claimed showed American soldiers raping Muslim women, CNN reported March 3, citing a German intelligence official who viewed a record of Uka’s interrogation. The official said there are indications Uka was part of a pro-al Qaeda network in Germany but that he had planned the attack without its knowledge. He is Facebook friends with extremists from a group based in Bonn, including Islamic preacher Pierre Vogel and a person named Nessery who was arrested two months ago in Afghanistan. A U.S. official said Uka was unknown to authorities before the attack.
ASIA
Pakistani Federal Minister Gunned Down | STRATFOR
South Korea: Defense Chief Rules Out Possibility Of Redeploying U.S. Nukes March 3, 2011
South Korea’s defense chief March 3 ruled out the possibility that U.S. tactical nuclear weapons could be redeployed in the South amid renewed concerns over North Korea’s nuclear aspirations and repeated provocations, Yonhap reported. Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said the South has no plans to consult the United States now or in the future on the subject of redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.
China: Middle East Protests Criticized March 5, 2011
The Communist Party-run Beijing Daily criticized anti-government protest movements in the Middle East and dismissed the possibility of similar happenings in China, AP reported March 5. Such movements bring nothing but chaos and misery to their countries’ citizens and are engineered by a small number of people using the Internet to organize illegal meetings, a font-page editorial stated, adding the minority becomes a “self-delusional ruckus.” Chinese people support their nation’s political stability, economic development and favorable government policies, but there are always those with ulterior motives that may attempt to incite unrest, according to the editorial.
RUSSIA
Russia: Chechen Militant Calls For Recruits In 'Total War' March 3, 2011
Chechen Islamist rebel leader Doku Umarov called for recruits in a “total war” against Russia, AFP reported March 3, citing a new video message posted on militant website hunafa.com. He also urged women to join the fight, as well as Russian Muslims outside of the Caucasus, such as Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.
IRAN
Iran, Zimbabwe: Work On Uranium Extraction Welcomed March 3, 2011
Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said his country is willing to work with Iran on uranium extraction, and criticized sanctions against the countries, ISNA reported March 3. He said that while his country has rich resources, there are budget and technical-equipment constraints. He said the sanctions are not accidental, adding that the West pursues sanctions on countries that do not yield to domination.
Iran: Warship Deployment Continues March 5, 2011
Iran’s warships dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea and the Syrian coasts were successful and the navy will continue similar missions to confront and defuse the West’s “Iranophobia propaganda,” Iranian navy commander Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said March 5, Fars news reported. The deployment was aimed at sending Iran’s message of “peace and friendship” to the region and strengthening relations with other states, Sayyari said, adding two Iranian military vessels, the 33,000-ton supply vessel Khark and the 1,500-ton patrol frigate Alvand, prove that Iran is ready to defend its interests in any place.
Iran Sees an Opportunity in the Persian Gulf | STRATFOR
IRAQ
Al-Sadr's Iraqi Protests and Iran | STRATFOR
Iraq: Sadr Front Could Form Majority With Iraqiya March 3, 2011
Prince Kanani MP from the Iraqi Al Sadr Front threatened to cease its support of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the basis of performance and suggested it could ally with Iraqiya List leader Iyad Allawi to form a parliamentary majority if the government does not provide better services within the six-month deadline set by Sadr’s referendum, Al Sumaria reported March 3. The six-month deadline is more realistic than the 100-day deadline proposed by al-Maliki, Sadr Front representatives said.
China Political Memo: March 4, 2011 | STRATFOR
Iraq: Baghdad Mayor Resigns March 3, 2011
Baghdad Mayor Sabir al-Issawi resigned from his post early March 3 in response to recent demonstrations in Iraq’s capital city, especially the Feb. 25 protests, Baghdad Municipality announced, Al Sumaria News reported.
ISRAEL
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST
Agenda: Iranian Influence in the Persian Gulf | STRATFOR
Fear of Domestic Unrest in Saudi Arabia | STRATFOR
Stalled Talks in Bahrain and Iran's Growing Assertiveness | STRATFOR
Turkey's Moment of Reckoning | STRATFOR
Saudi Arabia: All Demonstrations Banned March 5, 2011
Saudi Arabia plans to ban all protests and marches, the Interior Ministry stated March 5 on state television, adding security forces would use “all measures” to keep public order, Reuters reported.
Bahrain: Opposition Issues Demands March 3, 2011
Bahraini opposition groups, including Al Weft, have issued demands responding to the crown prince’s call for dialogue, The Wall Street Journal reported March 3. They want the release of all political prisoners, electoral changes and an interim government, and an independent investigation into the deaths of protesters. The groups said the opening of direct talks would depend on the government’s acceptance of the opposition’s framework and protesters’ safety. The regime must agree in principle to abolish the 2002 constitution and a “new assembly on one man, one vote,” an opposition leader said, and the need for an elected parliament and judicial oversight.
Bahrain: Protesters Encircle Manama March 5, 2011
A human chain comprised of thousands of Shiite protesters and some members of the Sunni minority encircled the Bahrainian capital of Manama on March 5, according to protest organizers, AP reported. No police were in sight as men and women held hands to surround the capital.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
The Mexican President Goes to Washington | STRATFOR
MISC
Angola: Anti-Aircraft Weapons Seized From U.S. Ship March 3, 2011
Four 20-foot containers of anti-aircraft weapons were found on the Maersk Constellation by Angolan officials at Lobito Port, Angop reported March 3, citing an unnamed Angolan official. The American ship reportedly left from a U.S. port, traveling to Dakar, Senegal, where goods were uploaded on Feb. 28. The weapons were not recorded on the bill of lading. The crew reportedly said that the materiel was destined for the Armed Forces of Kenya; the goods are being held until the situation is clarified.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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