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USA
U.S: 1,200 National Guard Troops Ordered To Border July 19, 2010

The United States will send 1,200 National Guard troops to states along the U.S.-Mexico border to assist with border protection, CNN reported July 19, citing Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin. Bersin said 300 additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, technology and six aircraft will also be added. National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Craig McKinley said the Guard will aid in criminal and intelligence analysis and entry identification, Fox News reported July 19. He said the Guard will be in placed in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California by September. Unnamed officials described the deployment as a “bridge” to keep border security strong while 1,000 CBP agents are added over the next year.

AP- (Florida) Thousands of laptops stolen during nine-hour heist. July 13,
Thousands of laptops have been stolen from the Tampa, Florida office of a private contractor for the U.S. military's Special Operations Command.
Surveillance cameras caught up to seven people loading the computers into two trucks for nine hours. U.S. Special Operations Command coordinates the activities of elite units from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. A spokeswoman said July 13 that none of the stolen laptops contained military information or software.


BBC - (National) US government lifts lid on alleged leak to WikiLeaks. July 14,

The U.S. state department has told the BBC it believes an alleged whistle-blower obtained secret diplomatic data despite being at a field base in Iraq. The suspect, 22, faces two charges related to the illegal transfer and transmission of classified information from a U.S. military network. The U.S. said he was suspected of downloading from SIPR Net. He reportedly then passed on the data, including army videos and diplomatic messages, to the WikiLeaks Web site.

San Antonio Express-News - (International) Safety concerns, shortage of pilots slow use of aerial drones along borders. July 16,

Safety concerns and a shortage of drone pilots has slowed the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into security plans for the U.S.-Mexican border, officials told a House Homeland Security panel July 15.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials said the UAVs operated in U.S. airspace were initially designed for military applications. While the technology has advanced, "their safety record warrants careful review."
There are six Predator B UAVs operated by civilian agencies along the northern and southern borders.

Tech Herald - (International) Criminals pushing Rogue anti-Virus disguised as scanned documents. July 16

E-Mail messages claiming to be scanned documents are the latest attempt by criminals to push rogue anti-virus malware to the masses. The messages, which claim to come from a Xerox WorkCentre Pro, come with a Zip file that will immediately infect the system if accessed.

"Millions" of home routers vulnerable to web hack. July 13, Forbes

A researcher . . . plans to release a software tool at a conference later this month that he says could be used on about half of the existing models of home routers, including most Linksys, Dell, and Verizon Fios or DSL versions. Users who connect to the Internet through those devices and are tricked into visiting a page that an attacker has set up with the researcher's exploit could have their router hijacked and used to steal information or redirect the user's browsing.

(New York) A 2nd Christmas attack in NYC? July 16, Fox News -

The failed bombing attempt over Detroit on Christmas Day may not have been the only attack that extremists planned for the 2009 holiday, with intelligence from overseas three weeks earlier indicating that a plot targeting New York City on the same day may have been in the works. . . .
"The final target of the attack was not known, but extremist members had allegedly discussed restaurants and night clubs located in New York City,".

EUROPE
NSTR

RUSSIA
Russia: The End of Bashkir and Tatar Independence | STRATFOR

Russia: The ICJ's Kosovo Opinion | STRATFOR
IRAN

Iran: U.S. Supports Anti-Iran Militants - President July 18, 2010

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said July 18 that the United States, NATO and Israel provide financial and material support to anti-Iran militants, Iran’s state-run IRNA reported. Ahmadinejad said U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan sponsor acts of terror like the July 15 bombing in Zahedan, Iran, which killed at least 27 people. He said Iran is an ally of Pakistan but Islamabad must be held accountable for the attack, and asked the Iranian Foreign Ministry to follow up with the Pakistani government. He also said Iran will file a complaint with international bodies over the bombing, but did not say whether it would be lodged specifically against the United States.

Iran: Submarines To Be Delivered In Mid-August July 19, 2010

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said Iran will see new domestically produced submarines delivered in mid-August, Press TV reported July 19. On the Russian S-300 defense system, Vahidi said the agreement has not been canceled and the issue is in negotiations.

Iran: Bank Does Business For Blacklisted Firms July 19, 2010

European-Iranian Trade Bank AG (EIH) has conducted more than $1 billion in business for Iranian companies blacklisted by the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, The Wall Street Journal reported July 19. Companies include units of Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, the Aerospace Industries Organization and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Western officials. German banking oversight agency BaFin said EIH is not mentioned in the U.N. Security Council resolutions, so it can operate under German banking law. A spokesman for the German Economics Ministry said discussions are under way at the European level about which other institutions should face sanctions.

Iran: U.S. Senator's Request For Talks Denied July 19, 2010

The Iranian government turned down an offer from U.S. Senator John Kerry * to hold talks with the country’s officials, IRNA reported July 19, citing a statement from the head of the Iranian parliament’s Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, Alaeddin Boroujerdi. The decision not to meet with Kerry is final, Boroujerdi said. The offer was conveyed to Iran by the Swiss ambassador in Tehran.

* The Hauty French Looking Democrat, who by the way served in Vietnam

Iran: Hamas Threatens Legal Action Against News Agency July 19, 2010

Hamas threatened to take legal action against Iran’s Fars News Agency for falsely reporting that Hamas senior official Ismail Haniyeh would reshuffle the government in Gaza, Xinhua reported July 19, citing a press release from the group. According to the statement, the report is a rumor aimed at embarrassing Hamas officials, and the news agency bears full responsibility for the consequences. The journalist who wrote the report has refused to reveal their sources.


IRAQ

Iran: Majlis Approves 20 Percent Uranium Enrichment July 20, 2010

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization was approved by the Majlis to enrich uranium up to 20 percent for research nuclear reactors, IRNA reported July 20. The reactors will use the uranium to aid the fields of medicine, industry and agriculture, according to IRNA. The government was also instructed to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s safeguards agreement.

Iran: IRGC Withdraws From Gas Project July 19, 2010

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will not participate in the development of the South Pars natural gas field, Mohammad Hassan Mousavizadeh said July 19, Reuters reported. Khatam al Anbiya, the engineering and construction arm of the IRGC, withdrew from the project for unspecified reasons. Mousavizadeh said financial problems are not to blame and that the withdrawal will not delay development, adding that “any company that cannot finish the project on time will be replaced.”


ISRAEL
Israel: Hamas Cell Broken Up July 19, 2010

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet have arrested Hamas cell members who were operating in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post reported July 19. The agencies said the cell was linked to a June shooting attack in the southern Hebron Hills. Shin Bet arrested alleged Hamas operatives who were living in Dir Zamat village. The cell was several years old and weapons were hidden in nearby mountains, according to Shin Bet. Weapons included Kalashnikov rifles that were reportedly used in the June attack. The cell also had plans to kidnap an Israeli citizen or soldiers, according to the agencies. Surveillance missions in the Gush Etzion settlement area were carried out and a kippot and wig were allegedly bought to be used in the kidnapping.



Israel: New Missile Defense System Completed July 19, 2010

The final tests of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system have been completed, Haaretz reported July 19. The Israeli Defense Ministry issued a statement saying the tests, including the interception of simultaneous rocket salvos, were successful. Two Iron Dome systems — manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd. — will become operational in November and will be installed in the Israeli air force’s anti-aircraft division. However, the Defense Ministry has yet to determine how many systems it will purchase.

Afghanistan: Russia Writes Off $12 Billion In Debt July 20, 2010

Afghanistan: Japan Dedicates $1.1 Billion July 20, 2010

Afghanistan, Iran: Joint Border Patrol Undertaken July 20, 2010

Afghan and Iranian border security forces, in coordination with counternarcotics forces from Afghanistan’s Herat province, launched a 48-hour joint patrol along the provincial border, Noor TV reported July 20, citing a Herat Security Command press release. The release said the goal of the operation is to identify points along the border vulnerable to drug smuggling, and that special counternarcotics police from the Afghan Interior Ministry will continue the patrol alongside Iranian border personnel.

Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on July 20 announced that Tokyo will dedicate $1.1 billion to Afghanistan in 2010, Kyodo reported. Speaking at the international conference in Kabul, he said the aid is for improving security, integrating former Taliban members into the mainstream and development projects.

Russia has written off $12 billion in Afghan debt and is committed to aiding in training and equipment for the Afghan army and police, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on July 20, The Voice of Russia reported. Speaking at the international conference in Kabul, he said Moscow expects a tougher crackdown on Afghanistan’s drug business and that the U.S.-led international force must fulfill its U.N. mandate.

AFGHANISTAN


Afghanistan: Taliban Leader Orders Fighters To Kill Civilians July 18, 2010

Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has called on his fighters to capture or kill any Afghan working for foreign forces operating in Afghanistan, according to a letter sent by Omar to his commander obtained by NATO, Reuters reported July 18. A NATO spokesman said the letter, obtained in early June, instructs Taliban commanders to recruit anyone with access to foreign military bases in order to gain information on international forces. The letter also ordered Taliban militants to fight foreign forces to the death, capture foreign soldiers whenever possible, and obtain more heavy weapons.

Afghanistan: Jailbreak In Farah Province, Attack In Kabul July 18, 2010

Militants conducted a series of attacks outside a prison in western Afghanistan’s Farah province, killing one policeman and enabling at least 20 Taliban prisoners to escape, The New York Times reported July 18, citing Afghan security officials. Police and security forces are searching for the escaped detainees, according to the officials. In Kabul, a suicide bomber killed at least 3 people and injured 45 others on a road near a housing complex for Afghan lawmakers and government workers.

Afghanistan: Long-Term NATO Support Needed NATO Chief July 19, 2010

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said July 19 that Afghanistan will require long-term NATO support long after the Afghan army takes control over security, Der Spiegel reported. As operations in Taliban strongholds get under way, there will be more intense fighting and more casualties, Rasmussen said. The operations weaken the Taliban politically and militarily and encourage them to seek reconciliation, Rasmussen added.

Afghanistan: President Meets With Clinton July 19, 2010

Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Presidential Palace to discuss the Afghan governments plans for the Kabul Conference, Pajhwok reported July 19. Clinton told Karzai that the United States would help Afghanistan in its plan to increase security and revitalize its economy, a statement from Karzais spokesman said.

Dispatch: The Sidelines of the Kabul Conference | STRATFOR


SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Mexico: Suspected Cartel Operatives Kill 17 At Party July 18, 2010

Suspected drug cartel assassins killed at least 17 people, including five women, at a private party July 18 near Torreon, Coahuila state, according to Mexican police, Reuters reported. The suspected cartel operatives drove five SUVs to the house, broke through the door after midnight, and fired on people attending the party, according to an unnamed official at the Coahuila state prosecutor’s office. Those responsible for the attack have not been identified.

Mexico Security Memo: July 19, 2010 | STRATFOR

Colombia: Military Pursuing FARC Leader July 19, 2010

Colombian security forces are undertaking coordinated operations in the departments of Huila, Tolima and Cauca in order to limit the movement and escape routes of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) head Alfonso Cano, Caracol Radio reported July 19, citing the commander of the Colombian army’s 5th Division, Brig. Gen. Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan. Barragan also said that the head of FARC’s 66th front, identified as “Araceli,” was arrested July 18 in Honduras de Paez, Cauca department, El Espectador reported July 19. Araceli is believed to have been responsible for monitoring travel routes for Cano.

Mexico: Grenade Deactivated Near Shopping Center ````````July 20, 2010

Mexican security forces deactivated a grenade discovered in a bag with wires and a clock near a shopping center in the municipality of Tonala, Jalisco state, El Informador reported July 20. No arrests were made in the incident.

MISC

South Korea: General Indicted For Military Leaks July 20, 2010

A two-star South Korean general — identified only by the surname Kim — was indicted July 20 for allegedly leaking military secrets to a North Korean agent, South Korean military prosecutors said, Yonhap reported. The indictment is the first of its kind for an active-duty general. According to the prosecutors, Kim is suspected of disclosing classified information on “Operational Plan 5027,” a U.S.-South Korean contingency plan for North Korean invasion. Kim has been cleared of espionage charges, as he did not know the military secrets would be relayed to North Korea, the prosecutors said.

Prisons and Terrorism Radicalisation and De-radicalisation in 15 Countries

SUMMARY: "Based on a survey of prison policies in 15 countries, the report offers the most comprehensive study to date of the role prisons can play in radicalising people -- and in reforming them. The report identifies trade-offs and dilemmas but also principles and best practices that will help governments and policymakers spot new ideas and avoid costly and counterproductive mistakes."

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