USA
Dispatch: Mississippi River Flooding and New Orleans | STRATFOR
U.S.: Government Sharing Intelligence Seized From bin Laden May 11, 2011
The U.S. has shared intelligence from materials seized in Osama bin Laden’s hideout with other unnamed governments, Reuters reported May 11, citing counterterrorism officials. Among the materials is a manual written by bin Laden. The manual has not revealed evidence of new terrorist plots, but may result in adjustments in security arrangements.
U.S.: 2 Arrested In N.Y. Synagogue Attack Plot May 12, 2011
Two men attempting to buy weapons to use in attacking Manhattan synagogues were arrested late May 11 in New York, ABC News reported May 12, citing police. The men, who attempted to purchase AK-47s and grenades, were arrested in Midtown Manhattan and will appear in court May 12 charged under the state’s anti-terrorism laws. One of the men was a Muslim man of North African descent, and had already acquired small arms and a grenade. The men had discussed the attack but no specific synagogue had been targeted.
EUROPE
A Tectonic Shift in Central Europe | STRATFOR
ASIA
China Political Memo: May 13, 2011 | STRATFOR
RUSSIA
Russia, Norway: Joint Military Exercise To Begin May 11, 2011
Russian and Norwegian naval forces departed the Russian Northern Fleet port at Severodvinsk to begin the joint Pomor-2011 military exercises in the Barents and Norwegian seas, RIA Novosti reported May 11. Russian anti-submarine warfare ship Vice Admiral Kulakov and Norwegian frigate Helge Ingstad will participate in the five-day exercises, which will involve practice maneuvers in a variety of conditions, artillery targeting, anti-submarine and counterpiracy operations, and freeing a simulated oil platform from militants.
Russia: Rosatom Did Not Supply Uranium To Iran In 2011 May 12, 2011
Russian nuclear energy agency Rosatom did not supply uranium to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant in 2011, according to an unnamed Rosatom source, BBC reported May 12. The source said Russia supplied the nuclear fuel to Tehran only in December 2008 and January 2009.
IRAN
Iran: Nuclear Fuel Received From Russia May 11, 2011
Iran received from Russia a new shipment of nuclear fuel, weighing 30 metric tons, for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iranian Arabic-language Al-Alam TV reported May 11.
Russia: Iranian Nuclear Plant To Launch In Weeks - Official May 12, 2011
That Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant has been brought to the minimum level of power needed for self-sustainment suggests its final launch will come in a matter of weeks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said May 12, RIA Novosti reported. Russia is working to honor the agreed-upon schedule with Iran following the reported removal of fuel from the reactor’s active zone, Ryabkov said, adding that the final launch will likely come before July.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
The Geopolitics of Israel: Biblical and Modern | STRATFOR
Israel: Shin Bet Reports Increase In Arms Smuggling From Sinai To Gaza May 12, 2011
Shin Bet has reported an increase in arms smuggling from the Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip following the latest events in the Middle East, Ynet News reported May 12. A document published by the organization said that lowered Egyptian governance over the Sinai Peninsula and a preoccupation with domestic issues has allowed smugglers to act almost uninterrupted, including their ability to smuggle anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons.
Israel: Police Search For Syrian Protesters May 16, 2011
Israeli police said hundreds of officers were working in the Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, seeking out protesters who had not returned to Syria, AFP reported May 16. Police went door-to-door looking for protesters and had set up road-blocks, the police spokesman said.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Taliban Attack Northern Village May 11, 2011
One person was killed May 11 when around 100 Taliban fighters on motorcycles attacked the northern Afghan village of Abduraman, which was preparing to join the government-sponsored local police against the insurgency, AP reported. Around 17 militants were killed in the ensuing two-hourlong gunfight, Jawzjan provincial police chief Abdul Aziz Ghyrat said. The Taliban attacked the village upon discovering it was joining the local police force, according to Ghyrat.
Afghanistan: India Offers Up To $2 Billion In Aid May 12, 2011
India has committed about $1.5 billion to Afghanistan for developmental assistance and plans to commit another $500 million over the next five years, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said May 12, AFP reported. Priority areas for the aid will be social programs, agriculture and infrastructure, according to Singh.
MIDDLE EAST
Libya: Rebels Capture Misurata Airport May 11, 2011
Libyan rebels have captured the Misurata airport, driving back forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, BBC News reported May 11. Gadhafi’s forces left behind burning tanks as they fled, according to witnesses. Meanwhile, explosions were heard in Tripoli.
Syria: Mass Grave Found In Daraa May 16, 2011
Residents of the Syrian city of Daraa, permitted by the army on May 16 to venture out from their homes for two hours each day, found a mass grave in the old part of the city, a member of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria told AFP, Ya Libnan reported. The area was immediately cordoned off, and authorities promised to hand over some of the bodies later, the activist said.
Pakistani Taliban Claim Revenge Attack for bin Laden | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Argentina: Oil Refinery Workers Begin Strike May 12, 2011
Argentine oil refinery workers began a nationwide strike May 12, though YPF, which accounts for about half of the country’s approximately 600,000 barrel-per-day refining capacity, said none of its plants are currently affected by the strike, Reuters reported. Federation of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Workers Union Secretary Pedro Milla said the strike has halted operations at such refineries as Esso’s Campana plant, Refinor in northern Salta province, Oil Combustibles’ San Lorenzo refinery and YPF’s Lujan de Cuyo plant. Milla also said strikers are beginning to block access to the plants, rendering supplies and non-striking workers unable to enter.
MISC
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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