USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
China Political Memo: May 6, 2011 | STRATFOR
Dispatch: U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue | STRATFOR
Taiwan: U.S. Defense Procurement Delayed
May 9, 2011
Taiwan is delaying the procurement of 60 Blackhawk helicopters until 2019 and six Patriot air-defense systems until 2017 from the United States due to a tight defense budget, member of the ruling Nationalist Party Lin Yu fang said, AP reported May 10..
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Iran: Bushehr Nuclear Plant Operational May 9, 2011
Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant became operational May 8, following many efforts and tests, but it will not generate electricity until July, Fars News Agency reported May 9. The nuclear plant will remain in its present operational state for two weeks and then will be connected to the power grid within two months.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel: $1 Billion To Be Invested In Iron Dome May 9, 2011
In addition to a U.S. investment of $205 million, Israel plans to invest nearly $1 billion in the development and production of Iron Dome missile defense system, Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Udi Shani said, Haaretz reported May 9. Shani said Israel plans to move beyond initial capabilities, finalizing delivery dates in terms of schedules and funds to produce 10-15 Iron Dome batteries. He added five countries have expressed interest in the system. Another $1 billion will be invested from 2011-2015 to continue the development of Magic Wand, the medium-level missiles interception system, Shani said, adding Israel hopes for operational capabilities by 2012 and a close to procurement contracts within months.
AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan: U.S. Has Alternate Supply Routes To Afghanistan - Official May 9, 2011
The United States has alternate supply routes for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and is not entirely dependent on land routes through Pakistan, according to Ashton Carter, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, Reuters reported May 9. The Pentagon is confident that it is not dependent on any particular thread and can continue supplying the war effort in Afghanistan, Carter said. The U.S. military’s logistics system was capable of shifting modes when floods hit Pakistan in 2010, he said.
Afghanistan: Taliban Release Video Of Captured CanadianMay 8, 2011
The Taliban released a video May 8 of a Canadian citizen captured in 2011 in Ghazni, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, for allegedly spying for the Canadian government, Reuters reported. A Taliban spokesman said the man would be put on trial unless the Canadian government accepted unspecified demands for his release. The Canadian government said the man had traveled to Afghanistan as a tourist, and authorities have requested that his identity not be disclosed while negotiations to secure his release take place.
MIDDLE EAST
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: 13 Killed In Gunbattle Between Marines, Los Zetas May 9, 2011
A gunbattle broke out May 8, killing 13 people, when marines found a Los Zetas camp on an island in Falcon Lake along the Texas border, according to a statement from the Mexican navy, AP reported. One marine and 12 Zetas gunmen were killed, the statement said, adding that marines collected more than 20 guns, including assault rifles, after the battle. The Zetas were smuggling marijuana by speedboat into Texas from the lake, the statement said.
Mexico: Thousands Protest War On Drugs May 8, 2011
Thousands of Mexican citizens marched in Mexico City to protest the government’s war on drugs, Reuters reported May 8. There were reportedly 20,000 protesters gathered at Zocolo square, though AFP reported that police counted asm many as 24,000 at midday.
Colombia: Makled Extradited To Venezuela May 9, 2011
Suspected Venezuelan drug trafficker Walid Makled was extradited from Colombia to Venezuela on May 9, El Espectador reported. Makled was transferred by helicopter from La Picota prison to the Catam airport in Bogota, where he boarded a Venezuelan aircraft.
MISC
Cuba: Details Of Economic Changes Published May 9, 2011
Cuba officially released a 313-point guideline that will bring major changes to the country’s economic system, AP reported May 9. Among them, the state will legalize the sale of real estate, though there is no mention of how the system would work. Cubans also are encouraged to form private cooperatives to function as mid-sized companies that could directly sell products to consumers or business owners without state mediation. These cooperatives would be allowed to decide pay scale for each worker. Other points include legalizing the sale of automobiles, converting public buildings into residential property and continued cuts in subsidies.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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