USA
June 9, Associated Press – (National) U.S. reaches plea deal in classified leaks case. The Justice Department June 9 reached a plea agreement in the leak case against a former National Security Agency (NSA) official. In court papers, the government said the man will plead guilty to exceeding authorized use of a computer, a misdemeanor. The suspect had been charged with obstruction of justice, lying to the FBI, and illegal possession of classified NSA documents under the seldom-used Espionage Act of 1917, even though he was not charged with spying. If he had been convicted of those crimes, he could have faced up to 35 years in prison. The court documents in the plea deal contain no recommendation on sentencing for the man, but misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail. The documents filed June 9 by federal prosecutors said the government and the suspect agreed that if the case had gone to trial, the government would have proved that from February 2006 through about March 2007, the suspect intentionally accessed a system called NSANet, obtained official NSA information, and provided it orally and in writing to another person who was not permitted or authorized to receive it. The suspect “knew that NSA restricted the use of and access to its computers and NSANet to official use only,” the court papers said. Source: http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/06/09/us-reaches-plea-deal-in-classifiedleaks-case/
EUROPE
Dispatch: German-Russian Security Cooperation | STRATFOR
ASIA
The AKP's Victory and Challenges Ahead for Turkey | STRATFOR
North Korea: Cargo Vessel Turns Back After U.S. Navy Interception June 12, 2011
The U.S. Navy intercepted the North Korean cargo vessel, M/V Light, flagged as Belizean, under suspicion it was carrying missile technology to Myanmar, The New York Times reported June 13. The vessel was believed to have been involved in previous illegal shipments and the U.S. destroyer McCampbell was dispatched to track it. Belize gave permission for the vessel to be inspected and on May 26, south of Shanghai, the McCampbell hailed the vessel four times to be boarded. The North Koreans refused and turned back to its home port. The missiles aboard were believed to have a range of 350 miles.
RUSSIA
Russia: Concerns Over U.S. Warship Deployment In Black Sea June 12, 2011
The Russia Foreign Ministry has voice concerns over the deployment of the USS Monterrey, a U.S. guided missile cruiser equipped with the AEGIS air defense system, into the Black Sea for the Sea Breeze 2011 naval exercises with Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported June 12. According to a ministry statement, it is unclear why a warship with this type of weapons system would be deployed if it were an ordinary visit. The role of the ship’s weapons in the exercises — primarily anti-piracy — is likewise unclear, the statement said.
IRAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST
Syria: Iran Helping Put Down Protests - U.K. June 13, 2011
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Iran is helping the Syria government put down protests by providing equipment and logistical support, the Daily Telegraph reported June 13. During an interview with Sky News, Hague said Iran’s role demonstrates Tehran’s hypocrisy in world affairs. He also said there is no prospect of the United Nations passing a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Syria as it did for Libya.
Libya: UAE Recognizes NTC As Legitimate June 12, 2011
The United Arab Emirates has recognized the Libyan rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, Foreign Minister Shiekh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nuhayyan said June 12, UAE state news agency WAM reported. The United Arab Emirates will open a representative office in Benghazi soon, al-Nuhayyan said.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Venezuela: Power Prices To Be Raised By Up To 200 Percent June 13, 2011
Venezuela will hike electricity prices by up to 200 percent to fight rising demand after a blackout affected the western state of Zulia, Bloomberg reported June 13. Venezuelan Electricity Minister Ali Rodriguez said bills would triple for residential users who consume 20 percent more power compared to 2009 levels after a July 15 deadline. Bills will increase 10 percent in the first month and 5 percent each month after that for industrial users that do not lower usage by a 10th, Rodriguez said. Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua said on state TV that industrial users with their own generators and labeled high energy consumers by Caracas must use the generators for as much as nine hours per day. High consumers without generators must purchase them by year’s end, Rodriguez added. Oil, food and media companies as well as embassies, airports, hospitals, police stations and schools will be exempt.
MISC
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
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