Something to motivate you on this short week...
Moff Jerjerrod: Lord Vader, this is an unexpected pleasure. We are honored by your presence -
Darth Vader: You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander. I'm here to put you back on schedule.
Moff Jerjerrod: I assure you, Lord Vader. My men are working as fast as they can.
Darth Vader: Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them.
Moff Jerjerrod: I tell you, this station will be operational as planned.
Darth Vader: The emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.
Moff Jerjerrod: But, he asks the impossible. I need more men!
Darth Vader: Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives.
Moff Jerjerrod: The Emperor's coming here?
Darth Vader: That is correct, Commander. And, he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.
Moff Jerjerrod: We shall double our efforts!
Darth Vader: I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.
Monday, May 27, 2013
What's going on in the World Today 130527
HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:
USA
Rethinking U.S. Drone Strategy
U.S. Naval Update Map: May 23, 2013
May 17, Associated Press – (Kentucky) 1 SEAL dead, 7 injured in training crash at Kentucky fort. Seven were injured and a Navy SEAL was killed during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky May 15. The seven injured were taken to a hospital for treatment and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
May 19, KUSA 9 Colorado Springs– (Colorado) Homemade bomb found near Colorado Springs park. The Colorado Springs Bomb Squad is investigating an incident where a homemade bomb, comprised of commercial fireworks and using the same materials as the Boston Marathon bombs, was found near a park and elementary school.
May 15, News 12 Long Island – (New York) Cops find bomb-making materials in Roselle Park apartment. Authorities found bomb-making materials, disassembled firearms, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines when they conducted a consented initial search of a man’s apartment after he was arrested at a traffic stop allegedly with a handgun, hollow-point ammunition and possession of cocaine and narcotics. Police are continuing the investigation into other criminal activity.
EUROPE
After Grisly Death, Scrutiny on British Security Agency
LONDON — Pressure mounted on Friday for MI5, Britain’s domestic security agency, to explain how two men with years of involvement with extremist Islamic groups were left free to kill an off-duty soldier this week, striking him with their car in a London suburb and then hacking him repeatedly with butchers’ cleavers....
In Sweden, Riots Show Societal Tensions
Germany: Merkel Vows To Try To Block EU Tariffs On Chinese Goods May 27, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to try to ensure that the European Union does not impose any permanent anti-dumping tariffs on China, Bloomberg reported May 27. Merkel's comments, which came during a May 26 joint press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, refer to the ongoing EU investigation into complaints that China is flooding the global market with below-cost solar products. Germany is the only EU country Li plans to visit during his first foreign trip abroad as premier, and he has said he wants China's relationship with Germany to be a model for its ties with the wider European Union.
Sweden: Cars, Schools, Police Station Set Ablaze In Stockholm May 24, 2013
At least nine vehicles, two schools and a police station were set on fire early May 24 as unrest continued in Stockholm, firefighters and police said, AFP reported. Eight people were arrested and no injuries were reported, police told Sweden's TT news agency. In Sweden, the economic crisis seems to have aggravated the differences between foreigners and nationals.
ASIA
China, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Transition
Mali: China Commits 500 Soldiers to U.N. Mission
Support in China for Japanese Separatists
Malaysia's Demographics as a Threat to Stability
Georgia: The West Reacts to a New Political Orientation
India: Japan To Sell Military Aircraft To New Delhi May 27, 2013
India and Japan are set to finalize plans for New Delhi's purchase of Japanese US-2 amphibious aircraft during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's four-day visit to Tokyo, which begins May 27, AFP reported. The deal would be the first sale of Japanese military hardware since rules were imposed restricting the export of weapons systems and other equipment. India's growing military coordination with Japan is just one of many recent signs that New Delhi is trying to revitalize its role in regional and global affairs.
North Korea: Leader Apparently Names New Military Chief May 22, 2013
A dispatch by North Korean state media showed that leader Kim Jong Un has named Kim Kyok Sik, a hardline general, as military chief, AP reported. The general's new title appeared in a dispatch from the state-run Korean Central News Agency that listed a delegation at Pyongyang's airport that was seeing off an envoy on a trip to China.
AFRICA
The African Union at 50: National Sovereignty Still Prevails
Ethiopia: African Union To Create Rapid Response Force May 27, 2013
The African Union will create a military rapid reaction force, to be known as the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, to handle regional coups, rebellions and wars, African Union Chairman and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said May 27, Reuters reported. According to Desalegn, the new force will help reduce the continent's reliance on foreign assistance for defense. Though African countries are generally supportive of the African Union, the organization will remain relatively powerless since none of its members are willing to cede power and cooperate across borders in a manner that jeopardizes their positions domestically.
Niger: Jihadist Threats Persist After the Malian Intervention
The French Withdrawal from Mali
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
The Challenges for Iran's Next President
More centrifuges fitted at Iran's Natanz plant, says UN
Iran has installed hundreds of new centrifuges at its Natanz plant, the UN's atomic agency says in a report.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had installed almost 700 advanced IR2m centrifuges at the plant, compared with 180 in February.
It again expressed concern about the "possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear programme.
But it said there had not been much growth of the most sensitive nuclear material - uranium enriched to 20%....
The new centrifuges at Natanz are not yet in operation, the IAEA said in a confidential report obtained by media organisations.
And it noted that no new equipment was being operated at Iran's Fordo plant - which is of more concern to Iran's critics, as it enriches uranium to a higher level of 20% than Natanz, which enriches to 5%.
There had not been much growth in the amount of the most sensitive, 20% enriched uranium. Uranium enriched to 90% is required for a nuclear weapon.
But the IAEA expressed concern about the Parchin site, saying Iran had asphalted over areas of the site in recent months - seriously undermining the agency's ability to conduct effective verification.
The IAEA said it had not been able to reach agreement with Iran on answering outstanding issues about its nuclear programme, "including those related to possible military dimensions".,,,
Iran: Military Has Many New Long-Range Missile Launchers, Defense Minister Says May 26, 2013
Iran's military has a large number of new long-range missile launchers that will allow them to "crush the enemy," Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, AP reported May 26, citing state television. Video footage showed Vahidi inspecting two dozen launch trucks, but details were not given on the type of missiles able to be fired or the number of launchers.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel: Rocket Fired From Lebanon May 27, 2013
A rocket was fired toward Israel from the Lebanese border town of Marjayoun on May 26, the Jerusalem Post reported May 27. Israel Defense Forces have begun searching for the rocket's blast site, though none has been found yet and no reports of damage have been filed.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Security Forces, Taliban Battle In Kabul May 24, 2013
Afghan security forces and the Taliban have been battling in the center of Kabul, BBC reported May 24. A large explosion was followed by several hours of gunfire. The Taliban said they were targeting CIA trainers
Taliban attack international compound in Afghan capital
(Reuters) - Taliban militants launched a large-scale attack involving the United Nations in the center of the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, sparking a five-hour battle with security forces.
A plume of smoke hung over Kabul after the attack was launched, with the sound of .50 caliber heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire clearly audible throughout the city center as night fell...
The Significance of the Tajik-Afghan Border
MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon: Hezbollah's Next Battle After Al-Qusayr
U.K.: EU Should Allow Weapons To Be Sent To Syrian Rebels, Foreign Secretary Says
May 27, 2013
The European Union should be prepared to amend its arms embargo on Syria to allow EU countries to supply Syrian rebel groups with weapons and to send a clear signal to the al Assad regime, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said May 27, Reuters reported. Hague added that if this amendment is not possible, each country could form its own sanctions policy. Though providing direct lethal aid to the rebels is one of the West's main options in affecting the outcome of the conflict, there is a concern that such weapons could have negative repercussions in a post-al Assad Syria.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico's Major Mining Municipalities
Panama, Costa Rica: Magnitude-5.6 Earthquake Strikes Border Region May 27, 2013
A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck the Panama-Costa Rica border region May 27, the U.S. Geological Survey said, Reuters reported. The earthquake's epicenter was 12 kilometers (7 miles) southwest of Guabito, Panama, and 79 kilometers southeast of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.
MISC
Global Food Supplies: Slow Increases vs. a Single Breakthrough
Geopolitical Calendar: Week of May 27, 2013
Except where noted courtesy STRATFOR.COM
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