USA
U.S. Naval Update Map: May 4, 2011 | STRATFOR
May 3, Government Computer News – (Louisiana) New Orleans jazz fest hosts DHS test of multiband radios. First responder teams in New Orleans, Louisiana will be part of the DHS test of new multiband radios during the city’s annual jazz and heritage festival. DHS’ Science and Technology Directorate is launching a 30-day pilot of the technology, which will allow police, firefighters, and other emergency response workers from multiple jurisdictions to communicate with one another. Police and emergency radios typically operate on only one frequency, which makes communication among multiple organizations difficult. Multiband radios can switch frequencies, allowing for better on-site collaboration. The festival, which began April 29, spans two weekends and attracts hundreds of thousands of people, which made it a good candidate for the latest tests. DHS is conducting 14 tests nationwide at events that draw large crowds and involve responders from multiple jurisdictions. The tests began in July 2009. Other tests have been conducted at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and at a NASCAR race in February. Source: http://gcn.com/articles/2011/05/03/new-orleans-jazz-fest-multibandradios.aspx
EUROPE
Two Tales of European Disharmony | STRATFOR
May 4, BBC News – (International) Sellafield nuclear site terror suspects released. Five men arrested close to the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, England, under Britain’s Terrorism Act have been released without charge. The men, all from London and in their 20s, were arrested May 2 after a stop check on a vehicle close to the Sellafield site, in Cumbria. The BBC understands the men were taking photographs near the site. The North West Counter Terrorism Unit led the investigation. It was supported by Cumbria Constabulary. The men, all thought to be of Bangladeshi origin, were held in Carlisle overnight May 2 and then moved to Manchester May 3. Under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, a police officer can arrest anyone they “reasonably suspect” of being a terrorist. The Sellafield site is responsible for decommissioning and reprocessing nuclear waste and fuel manufacturing on behalf of England’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13284968
ASIA
China Security Memo: May 4, 2011 | STRATFOR
China's Post-bin Laden Relationship with Pakistan | STRATFOR
Islamist Militancy in Indonesia, Part 1: Origins | STRATFOR
Hmong Protests in Vietnam | STRATFOR
RUSSIA
Russia, Norway: Joint Naval Drills Will Begin May 11 May 6, 2011
Russia and Norway will hold the Pomor 2011, a large-scale naval exercise, from May 11 to May 16, a spokesman for Russia’s Northern Fleet said May 6, RIA Novosti reported. The exercise in the Barents and Norwegian seas will involve Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate Helge Ingstad, Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Vice Adm. Kulakov from the Northern Fleet, naval aircraft and coast guard vessels. Drills will involve artillery firing at surface and air targets, an anti-piracy mission, anti-submarine warfare, and freeing of a commercial ship or an oil platform from armed groups.
IRAN
Iran: Absolute Obedience To Leadership Required - IRGC Chief May 5, 2011
Iranian Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said the path of revolution requires absolute obedience to Velayat-e-Faqih (a body led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and any member of any rank, post or authority who does not bow to this leadership does not understand the meaning of the Islamic Revolution and Velayat-e-Faqih, Fars News Agency reported May 5. Speaking at a meeting of military officials, Jafari said the Iranian nation will not tolerate any deviation from the leadership.
IRAQ
U.S.: New Plan For MeK Camp In Iraq May 5, 2011
The United States has devised a new plan for Camp Ashraf, the base for Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MeK), calling for its residents to be temporarily moved to a new location in Iraq before resettling in a third country, Reuters reported May 5, citing an unnamed senior State Department official. This is a humanitarian crisis that has the potential to worsen in the future, the official said. The nearly 3,400 residents will be moved to a location to be chosen and maintained by Iraq, and the United States would work with the Iraqi government and other international partners to guarantee the security of the residents if they agree to the move, the official added.
Iraq: Car Bomb Explodes Near Police Station May 6, 2011
A car bomb exploded near a police station south of Baghdad on May 6, in the same location a suicide attacker killed 24 policemen on May 5, a security official said, AFP reported. No casualties were reported as a result of the explosion that occurred 165 feet from the location of the May 5 bombing, an AFP reporter said.
ISRAEL
Israel: IDF Deploys Logistic Equipment, First Time Since 2006 May 6, 2011
For the first time since 2006, Israel Defense Forces has deployed all the logistic equipment needed for battle on the northern front, Israel News reported May 6. Within the framework of an extensive military exercise, it has established a stationary logistics center designed to supply troops with all necessary equipment, including food and ammunition. Lt. Col. Ronen Cohen, deputy commander of the Northern Command logistics support unit, said the goal of the logistics center is to enable soldiers to carry out their duties at the front without ever lacking anything. He said the unit has carried out extensive exercises over the past few days.
EU: Additional 85 Million Euros Approved For Palestinians May 6, 2011
The European Commission on May 6 approved an additional 85 million euros ($120 million) in financial assistance for the Palestinian territories under the 2011 budget, the European Union announced, BNO News reported. Of the additional aid, about 45 million euros will go toward salaries and pensions for vital workers, especially doctors, nurses and teachers, and the rest will be set aside for social allowances for needy families. The package comes on top of a 100 million euro financial package approved from the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument.
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST
Who Was Hiding bin Laden in Abbottabad? | STRATFOR
Hiding in Plain Sight - The Problem with Pakistani Intelligence | STRATFOR
Pressure Builds on Pakistan, Post-bin Laden | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: Gunmen Set Roadblocks In Tamaulipas May 5, 2011
Unidentified gunmen used vehicles to set up roadblocks in Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, on May 5, following a firefight between Mexican naval forces and a group of gunmen at 7:00 a.m. local time, Milenio reported. Roadblocks were reported on Pedro Cardenas, Sendero Nacional, Canales, Sixth and Portes Gil streets. Roadblocks were also reported on the Ignacio Zaragoza International Bridge between Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros.
May 3, Washington Times – (Arizona; International) Mexicans plead guilty in scheme of drugs for arms. Two Mexican nationals have pleaded guilty in a conspiracy to trade drugs and cash for military-grade weapons — including anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons, grenade launchers, and M-60 machine guns — for use by the Sinaloa drug cartel, the largest drug-smuggling gang in Mexico. A third defendant in the case was convicted last week in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona following his arrest by U.S. drug agents while attempting to deliver nearly 12 pounds of methamphetamines as a partial down payment for military-grade weapons. The Sinaloa cartel is thought to be responsible for bringing multiton quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States through distribution cells in this country and Canada, operating primarily out of Mexico’s west coast. “Through the well-coordinated effort of all involved agencies, dangerous weapons have been kept out of the hands of those who could turn those weapons against the United States,” said a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives special agent in charge, who heads the agency’s Phoenix office. Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/3/mexicans-plead-guilty-inscheme-of-drugs-for-arms/?page=all#pagebreak
MISC
Intelligence Guidance: Week of May 1, 2011 | STRATFOR
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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