Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.
Clark: Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?
Yes, my updates have been off the net for a while. Between the holidays, getting ready for the wedding and other crazy stuff, I've been slacking off. But one of my resolutions has been to keep up. One, because I want to. I've missed doing this. Two, I'm starting a master's program today on intelligence, focusing on homeland security. So I'm gonna be back on the ball (I hope!)
Hope the holidays were great, your football was good (Saints will be back next year!) and he's to a great 2013!
HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 2, 2013
EUROPE
France: The Growing Popularity of Nationalism?
Europe in 2013: A Year of Decision
ASIA
U.S.-Myanmar Relations and the Threat to Chinese Interests
China: Foreign Trade Will Likely Rise To 8 Percent In 2013, Officials Say December 30, 2012
China's foreign trade volume in 2013 will likely rise to 8 percent from the estimated 6 percent growth in 2012, officials said Dec. 30, Yonhap news agency reported. This growth will likely occur as a result of rising demand for Chinese exports and greater domestic consumption. Because China's Fourth Generation leaders failed to fulfill many of their core mandates -- including shifting away from overreliance on exports and investment and toward domestic consumption and equity between the country's regions -- Beijing's new leadership faces the daunting task of rebalancing the economy.
China: Hong Kong Protests Continue January 1, 2013
Protests continued Jan. 1 against Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying, who has been tied to an illegal construction scandal since he took office in July, Reuters reported. Protest organizers said around 60,000 marched toward government headquarters, but police said only 17,000 participated.
China: Officials To Discuss Compensation Improvements For Expropriated Land
December 24, 2012
Chinese officials will meet the week of Dec. 24 to discuss a draft amendment that would improve compensation for expropriated farmland, Reuters reported, citing Xinhua. According to the report, future compensation will be expanded to include rural residences, planted crops, a relocation allowance and social security fees. A series of rural protests over the government's land seizures have swept across the country over the past few years, highlighting deep-seated conflicts over economic development in rural China
AFRICA
Central African Republic: France Deploys Troops To Protect Its Embassy December 26, 2012
France deployed troops stationed in the Central African Republic to secure its embassy in Bangui as protesters threw stones and entered the compound, the French Defense Ministry said Dec. 26, Reuters reported. Earlier in the day, a Central African Republic official called on the French troops to intervene against Seleka rebels' advance on the capital
RUSSIA
India and Russia: Chances for Closer Cooperation
Russia, India: Weapons Deals Worth Billions Signed Dec. 24 December 24, 2012
Russian and Indian officials signed two weapons deals worth a total of $2.9 billion on Dec. 24 as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh held talks on the security situation in Afghanistan and strengthening ties, AP reported. The first deal (worth $1.6 billion) was for 42 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to be built in India with Russian components, while the second deal (worth $1.3 billion) was for 71 Mil Mi-17 helicopters. India is an important export destination for Russian weapons, and the two countries' cooperation will play an important role in post-NATO Afghanistan.
IRAN
Iran: Velayat 91 Naval Drills To Begin Dec. 28 December 25, 2012
Iran will hold Velayat 91 naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Dec. 28-Jan. 2, an Iranian naval commander said Dec. 25, Reuters reported. The drills are meant to showcase Iran's military capabilities. The commander said the drill would test combat ships, patrol and reconnaissance methods, submarines and the navy's missile systems. One of Iran's most important deterrents to an attack on its territory is its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital choke point in the shipping of crude oil from the Persian Gulf into the open sea.
IRAQ
Iraq: Tens Of Thousands Block Trade Route With Protest December 26, 2012
Tens of thousands of Sunnis blocked Iraq's main trade route to Syria and Jordan as they staged a protest -- the fourth major demonstration in less than a week -- against Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Anbar province, Al Jazeera reported Dec. 26. The string of protests began after the Dec. 20 arrest of more than 100 of Sunni Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi's bodyguards and staff.
Iraq: Northern Kurdish Region Halts Oil Exports, Official Says December 25, 2012
Iraq's Northern Kurdish region has suspended oil exports over a payment dispute with the government in Baghdad, an Iraqi Kurdish official said Dec. 25, AP reported. The official said Baghdad did not pay the full 1 trillion Iraqi dinars ($848 million) to oil companies in the region. Tensions between Arbil and Baghdad have been rising, and on Dec. 20, Reuters reported that oil shipments from the region had dropped significantly.
ISRAEL
Israel: Fence Along Syrian Border Needed, Prime Minister Says January 6, 2013
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to build 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) of fortified fence along the Golan Heights in response to concerns over the Syrian regime's instability and chemical weapons capabilities, AP reported Jan. 6. Netanyahu added that as Syrian forces withdraw from the Israel-Syria border, jihadist forces have moved into the area. Syria's conflict has spilled over its borders with neighboring countries as the fighting between regime troops and rebel forces steadily intensifies.
Israel: Army Augmenting Troops On Egyptian Border December 26, 2012
The Israeli army will establish a third brigade to bolster its southern division as the army adapts and expands its operations along the Egyptian border, Israel Defense Forces Southern Command chief Tal Russo said Dec. 26, Xinhua reported. The army will also increase patrols and electronic monitoring on the border, similar to the systems Israel has in place on its borders with the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria. The expansion of operations is meant to deal with a growing array of new threats including cross-border raids and rocket attacks from militants in Sinai.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Security in 2013 and Beyond
MIDDLE EAST
Coping with the Islamist Threat
Considering an Amnesty for al Assad
Azerbaijan's Interest in Georgia's Political Transition
The Changing Role of the Courts in Arab States
Turkey: U.S. Troops Arrive To Man Patriot Missiles January 5, 2013
U.S. troops began arriving in Turkey on Jan. 5 to man the Patriot missile systems that NATO is deploying to the country, AP reported, citing the U.S. military. The missile systems are set to become operational before February. Turkey is facing a growing challenge from Syria and its allies, and it requested the missiles to defend against possible Syrian missile attacks.
Russia: Marines To Stage Drills Off Syrian Coast December 27, 2012
Russian marines stationed off Syria's coast will hold a series of anti-terror drills, Russia's Defense Ministry said, RIA Novosti reported Dec. 27. The drills will involve anti-submarine, anti-ship and air defense exercises in the Mediterranean, where a group of vessels from Russia's Black Sea Fleet are being deployed. Russia wants to maintain a stake in post-al Assad Syria.
Pakistan: 21 Kidnapped Soldiers Found Dead December 30, 2012
According to Pakistani authorities, 21 of the 23 paramilitary soldiers kidnapped Dec. 27 by Taliban militants were found shot dead Dec. 30 in the Jabai area near Peshawar, a regional spokesman said, Voice of America reported. The Pakistani Taliban continue to undermine Pakistan's government and military establishment, raising questions over the security of the country's nuclear arsenal.
Syria: Turkish Foreign Ministry Denies Reports Of Arrested Pilots December 31, 2012
Sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied reports that four Turkish pilots were arrested at the Syrian military airport in Aleppo, Hurriyet reported Dec. 31.
Syria: Forces, Rebels Clash In Damascus Suburb, Activists Say December 31, 2012
Syrian forces clashed with rebels as they fought to retake the Damascus suburb of Daraya, opposition activists said Dec. 31, Reuters reported. Five people died from rocket fire that hit the suburb, the activists said.
Syria: Turkish Foreign Ministry Denies Reports Of Arrested Pilots December 31, 2012
Sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied reports that four Turkish pilots were arrested at the Syrian military airport in Aleppo, Hurriyet reported Dec. 31.
Syria: Forces, Rebels Clash In Damascus Suburb, Activists Say December 31, 2012
Syrian forces clashed with rebels as they fought to retake the Damascus suburb of Daraya, opposition activists said Dec. 31, Reuters reported. Five people died from rocket fire that hit the suburb, the activists said.
Syria: 2 Air Force Generals Reportedly Defect December 28, 2012
Two Syrian air force generals defected and crossed the border into Turkey, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said, AP reported. The generals were regional air force commanders, the officials said. This week has seen a sharp increase in diplomatic activity surrounding the fate of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
Egypt: Prosecutor Orders Probe Into Opposition Leaders December 27, 2012
The Egyptian public prosecutor ordered a probe into three senior leaders of the opposition National Salvation Front on suspicion of inciting their followers to overthrow Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, a legal source said Dec. 27, AFP reported. The National Salvation Front had led demonstrations against adopting the new constitution. The three leaders are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and the leader of the nationalist left wing, Hamdeen Sabbahi. Executive branches in Arab goverments are now turning to their judiciaries more frequently to manage popular dissent.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Examining Venezuela's Potential Leadership Transition
After a Peace Deal, Opportunity for Colombia's Leftists
Leftism in Latin America After Chavez
An Uncertain Venezuela Prepares for an End to Chavez's Rule
Mexico Security Memo: Los Zetas' Strategy in a Sinaloa Attack
MISC
Geopolitical Calendar: Week of Dec. 31, 2012
The Benghazi Report and the Diplomatic Security Funding Cycle
Except where noted courtesy STRATFOR.COM
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