Buford T. Justice: [speaks to Junior] Put the evidence in the car.
Junior: But Daddy...
Buford T. Justice: Put the *evidence* in the *car*!
[shouting to trucker again]
Buford T. Justice: I'm gonna barbeque yo' ass in molasses!
Yes, I've been off the net with this for a while. Between the promotion test and a few other items things have been crazy. An early New Year's resolution is to keep up with this. And I'm starting a Master's Degree in Intelligence (no snickering please! :<) ) so this kinda ties into it. So here we go again:
Standard Orbit, Phasers on Stun, Kirk Out!
HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
The Next U.S. Foreign Policy Team
U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 7, 2012
EUROPE
Hints of Disunity Among Greece's International Lenders
Italy's Political Fragmentation
ASIA
Japan: Defense Talks With U.S. Wanted November 9, 2012
Japan wants talks with the United States to update mutual defense guidelines, Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto said Nov. 9. Morimoto cited China's expanding naval power, terrorism and cybercrime as concerns. Japan is not only Asia's second-largest economy, but it has arguably Asia's most capable military as well. In recent years, due to the military rise of China, Japan's leadership has felt emotionally the need to move closer to Washington
Japan: Taiwan Proposes Joint Maritime Area November 7, 2012
Taiwan has proposed to Japan the establishment of a jointly controlled area in the East China Sea that would allow both sides to fish in each other's overlapping exclusive economic zones, Taiwanese Foreign Minister David Lin said Nov. 7, Kyodo reported. Lin said he hopes a preparatory meeting could take place in November to discuss technical issues related to the proposal. Taiwan has taken a more assertive stance toward maritime territorial disputes.
The Middle East Distraction
Syria: Shipment Of Missile-Related Materials From North Korea Reportedly Stopped November 14, 2012
South Korean authorities at the port of Busan in May stopped a ship carrying graphite cylinders usable in a missile program and suspected to have come from North Korea and being en route to Syria, diplomats said Nov. 13, Reuters reported Nov. 14. The shipment appears to be a violation of U.N. sanctions, which Chinese authorities have said they will investigate, a diplomat said.
AFRICA
Mali: ECOWAS Agrees To Intervene In North November 12, 2012
The Economic Community of West African States will deploy 3,300 soldiers to Mali after leaders during a summit agreed to a six-month plan, the BBC reported Nov. 12. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said soldiers would be deployed when the United Nations approves the plan, which he hopes will happen by late November or early December. A preparatory phase will involve training and base establishment in Mali's south, followed by combat operations in the north. Jihadists in northern Mali have been preparing for such an intervention.
Mali: France Will Not Provide Air Support, Defense Minister Says November 13, 2012
France will not intervene militarily, even with air strikes, to fight Islamist militants in northern Mali, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Nov. 13, AP reported. France could gather intelligence or provide training for African forces set to begin a mission in the country's north, Le Drian said
Mali: Up To 400 European Troops To Help Intervention, Diplomats Say November 12, 2012
European armies expect to send between 200 and 400 special forces troops to Mali's north to support an African-led mission against Islamist militias, Nigerian newspaper Punch reported Nov. 12, citing diplomats. The soldiers would mostly train local forces and would not join in fighting, one diplomat said
RUSSIA
Russia: Private Companies May Join Nuclear Production Chain November 12, 2012
Russia will expand the role of private companies in its defense sector, including the participation of up to 300 or 400 contractors in the production chain for strategic nuclear missiles, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin said, RIA Novosti reported Nov. 12. Private contractors could develop and produce electronics and materials for missiles, and should account for 30 to 35 percent of Russia's defense and related industrial sectors, Rogozin said. Russia is seeking to pursue privatization programs in various sectors.
IRAN
Iran: Air Defense Drills To Begin Nov. 12 November 11, 2012
Iran's air defense forces will begin their annual air defense drills Nov. 12, Fars News Agency reported Nov. 11. An Iranian Air Defense official said that different units, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and airborne units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Army Ground Force, the Iranian navy, volunteer forces and border guard units will participate. The official said that participating units will practice defending hypothetically sensitive sites. The drills come days after Iranian warplanes fired on a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle.
Iran: New Air Defense System A Success, Officials Say November 13, 2012
Iranian military officials say Iran has successfully tested a new air defense system modeled after the U.S. Hawk system, AP reported Nov. 13. State television showed footage purportedly from a drill of the system in the eastern half of the country. In the footage, a Hawk missile was seen being launched and striking a mock aircraft. According to earlier reports, the new surface-to-air system is called "Mersad," or Ambush. Regardless of the reports' veracity, any airstrike on Iran would present a number of challenges.
Iraq: No U.S. Pressure On Russian Arms Deal November 13, 2012
Iraq was not pressured by the United States to suspend a $4.2 billion arms deal with Russia, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Nov. 13, RIA Novosti reported. The spokesman added that the deal, which was suspended Nov. 10 over the alleged corruption of the Russian officials negotiating it, would be continued with a new committee. Russia is looking to improve ties with Iraq to give Moscow more influence in the Middle East and allow it to build leverage against the United States
IRAQ
Iraq: Attacks Target Officials November 14, 2012
Vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices that detonated Nov. 14 in Kirkuk and Baghdad targeted officials, security sources said, Shafaq News reported. The Diyala governor survived an assassination attempt when an explosion targeted his convoy southwest of Kirkuk, a source in the Kirkuk police said. Nine people were wounded when a similar attack targeted the convoy of the commander of facilities protection for the municipality of Baghdad, a security source said
Iraq: Turkish Firm Excluded From Oil Exploration Deal November 7, 2012
Iraq has expelled Turkish energy firm TPAO from a potential exploration deal in Block 9 in Iraq's south, an Oil Ministry said Nov. 7, AFP reported. The block had been awarded in May to a consortium involving TPAO, Kuwait Energy and the United Arab Emirates' Dragon Oil. The move comes amid cooling relations between Ankara and Baghdad.
Iraq: ExxonMobil Wants To Sell Share In Oilfield November 7, 2012
ExxonMobil informed the Iraqi government that it wants to sell its share in the West Qurna-1 oilfield, Iraqi officials said Nov. 7, Reuters reported. Baghdad will reply to the request by Nov. 11, an official said. It is still unclear who could replace ExxonMobil in the oilfield, which pumps around 400,000 barrels per day of crude and is also worked by minority partner Royal Dutch/Shell. Iraq depends on international investment to develop its vast oil reserves.
ISRAEL
Palestinian Territories: Abbas To Ask For U.N. Membership November 12, 2012
The Palestinian National Authority will request non-state U.N. member status on Nov. 29, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Nov. 12, AFP reported. Abbas made the statement after meeting with Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby in Cairo. He added that the Palestinians do not want any confrontations with the United States or Israel, and would like to open peace talks the day after the vote on non-state membership. In the past, the United States has threatened to use its U.N. Security Council veto to block Palestinian requests for statehood at the United Nations.
Egypt: Cairo Threatens To Recall Tel Aviv Ambassador November 13, 2012
Egypt threatened to recall its ambassador to Tel Aviv if Israel began a ground operation in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported Nov. 13, citing Maariv. The current round of cross-border violence in Gaza has ended, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner forum of ministers said.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Haqqani Network Could Join Talks With Washington, Commander Says November 13, 2012
The insurgent Haqqani network would join peace talks with the United States if the Taliban, headed by leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, decided to do so, an unidentified Haqqani commander said, Reuters reported Nov. 13. Still, the Haqqanis will continue attacking Western forces and pursuing their goal of establishing an Islamic state, the commander said. Anti-Taliban factions in Afghanistan have begun to take unilateral actions.
Afghanistan: Jihadist Group Illegally Distributing Weapons, Provincial Officials Say November 8, 2012
A group calling itself the Council of Jihadi Commanders has over the last few weeks begun to illegally distribute weapons in Herat province, a spokesman for the province's governor said, Tolo News reported Nov. 7. A spokesman for the group denied the allegations, saying that the serial numbers and cards on the weapons show they are not distributed by the group.
Afghanistan: Missiles Fired From Iran Land In Border Area, Officials Say November 7, 2012
Missiles fired from Iranian soil hit the border areas in the Chahar Borjak district of Afghanistan's Nimroz province on Nov. 7, the Afghan Islamic Press agency reported, citing senior provincial government officials. More than 10 missiles were fired from Iran overnight, an official said. Afghan officials discussed the issue with Iranian officials, who said a military exercise was ongoing in the area and a missile could have been fired toward Afghanistan by mistake.
MIDDLE EAST
Syria: New Opposition Group May Herald Change
Egypt: EU Approves Aid Package, Presidency Says November 14, 2012
The European Union has approved a 5 billion euro ($6.36 billion) aid package for Egypt, a statement from Egypt's presidency said Nov. 14 after a meeting between Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, AFP reported. The European Investment Bank will contribute 2 billion euros, as will the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; EU countries will come up with 1 billion euros. Cairo needs help dealing with dueling fiscal and political pressures.
Syria: Opposition Creates New Coalition November 11, 2012
Syrian opposition groups have signed an initial deal to create a new coalition to fight against Syrian President Bashar al Assad, Reuters reported Nov. 11, citing delegates at talks held in Doha, Qatar. The new group will be called the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces and comprises groups from inside and outside of Syria. A Muslim Brotherhood delegate to the Doha talks said the body's president and deputy will be elected in an evening session.
Syria: France Recognizes Opposition Coalition November 13, 2012
France officially recognized the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people and the future government of a democratic Syria, French President Francois Hollande announced Nov. 13 at a news conference in Paris, BBC reported. France is the first European country to recognize the opposition coalition, which was created Nov. 11 and has been recognized by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Syria: Gulf Cooperation Council Recognizes Opposition Coalition November 12, 2012
The Gulf Cooperation Council has officially recognized the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, created Nov. 11, as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said Nov. 12, Al Arabiya and AFP reported. If the Syrian opposition is successful in uniting and fulfilling the requirements outlined by the West, it is likely that the anti-Assad movement inside Syria will receive an increase in funding and weaponry necessary to accelerate the fall of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
Syria: Army Targets Area Along Turkish Border November 11, 2012
Syrian helicopters fired rockets into the Ras al-Ain area near the Turkish border Nov. 11, Reuters reported, citing Syrian opposition activists. Shells reportedly hit a border crossing in Syria's Hasaka province, an oil-producing region and home to many of Syria's Kurds. Rounds fired from tanks appeared to hit western Ras al-Ain, and some artillery appeared to land just inside the Turkish border.
Kuwait: Two Members Of Ruling Family Arrested November 9, 2012
Two members of Kuwait's ruling Al-Sabah family have been arrested for posts to Twitter criticizing the government and supporting the opposition, AFP reported Nov. 9, citing the Kuwait Human Rights News Center and a lawyer. Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Sabah and Sheikh Nawaf Malek Al-Sabah were arrested for the political statements. Political tensions will continue ahead of the Dec. 1 parliamentary elections.
Saudi Arabia: Authorities Tell U.N. Iran Has Trespassed On Saudi Territory November 12, 2012
Saudi authorities in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon accused Iran of trespassing on Saudi territory near oil and natural gas fields, Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi said Nov. 12, Reuters reported, citing Okaz newspaper. Al-Mouallimi said the breaches included Iranian helicopters flying over a natural gas field as Hasba and Iranian navy boats intercepting a Saudi Arabian Oil Co. vessel. The ambassador added that Saudi Arabia is considering its response options. This incident, in addition to Iran's attack on a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle Nov. 1, could indicate Tehran's growing unease following several geopolitical setbacks
Turkey: NATO Preparing To Deploy Missiles To Syrian Border - Foreign Minister November 7, 2012
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Nov. 7 that NATO is preparing to deploy Patriot missiles to Turkey's border with Syria, Today's Zaman reported. This could change the dynamic of the Syrian crisis, Davutoglu said. The conflict in Syria presents both a threat and an opportunity for Turkey.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: U.S. Marijuana Legalization Could Change Anti-Drug Strategies November 9, 2012
The decision by voters in Colorado and Washington state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana has left Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto and members of his incoming administration needing to reformulate their anti-drug strategies in light of what one senior aide said was a referendum that “changes the rules of the game,” The Washington Post reported Nov. 8. A top aide said Peña Nieto and his team will discuss the issue with U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders in Washington this month. The legalization votes are expected to spark a debate in Mexico about the direction and costs of the U.S.-backed drug war there. During Mexico's presidential election, Pena Nieto pledged to reduce the drug cartel-related violence that has plagued Mexico for years.
Mexico Security Memo: Federal Police Under Attack in Coahuila
Mexico Security Memo: Tamaulipas Turf Wars
Colombia: Rebels Will Not Demobilize - Negotiators November 12, 2012
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym, FARC, will not demobilize but will agree to surrender its weapons, senior FARC negotiators said Nov. 12, according to Colombia Reports, citing El Telegrafo newspaper. Demobilization has been a point of contention since peace talks began Oct. 18.
MISC
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
Except where noted courtesy STRATFOR.COM
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