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U.S.: Evidence Ties Leaks To Soldier July 30, 2010

Investigators found concrete evidence on computers used by PFC Bradley Manning that link him with the leak of classified Afghanistan war reports, a U.S. defense official said, The Wall Street Journal reported July 30. Defense officials said the FBI was investigating whether civilians aided Manning in providing the information to WikiLeaks. Defense officials said Manning used his “Top Secret/SCI” clearance to tap into documents around the world. A search of the computers yielded evidence he had downloaded the Afghanistan war logs, the defense official said.

U.S.: Report On START Compliance 'Biased' - Russia July 29, 2010

Russia is displeased with U.S. State Department assessments on Moscow’s compliance with the provisions of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Interfax reported July 29, citing a statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry website. A July 28 U.S. State Department report entitled “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments,” labeled Russia a violator of nonproliferation agreements without providing any facts, the statement said. The statement called the U.S. State Department report “biased,” adding that such reports are incongruous with the new “spirit of trust” between the two countries.

U.S.: Man On Plane Claims To Be Terrorist July 29, 2010

STRATFOR sources have indicated July 29 that a man claiming to be a terrorist on a flight out-bound to Boston at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was removed from the aircraft while it was taxiing. The suspect has been detained and the airplane has returned to its gate. STRATFOR has confirmed that US Airways flight 2038 scheduled to depart DCA to Boston has been canceled.

USA

US Airline Flight Cancelled

EUROPE
Czech Republic: Missile Shield Participation Confirmed July 30, 2010

The United States officially confirmed that the Czech Republic will participate in its European ballistic missile defense system, CTK reported July 30, citing Hospodarske Noviny. Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said Washington proposed the construction of an early warning center in the country, adding that the United States will be responsible for funding the project’s pilot phase. The U.S. Defense Department has requested funds from Congress to build the facility, the report said. Czech Defense Minister Alexander Vondra called the announcement the “first, small, symbolic step.”

U.S.: Slovakia Willing To Join Missile Defense Program July 30, 2010

Slovakia is willing to join the U.S. missile defense project in Europe should Washington offer, Slovakian Foreign Minister Mikulas Dzurinda said July 30, CTK reported. Dzurinda added that Bratislava backs the Czech Republic joining the project.

RUSSIA
Russia: Special Forces Detain Plane Hijacking Suspect July 29, 2010

Russian special forces foiled a plane hijacking at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, Reuters reported July 29, citing an Itar-Tass report. A police spokesman told Itar-Tass that a man took control of a domestic flight to Moscow, demanding a meeting with the news media and law enforcement agencies. All passengers on the plane were freed after special forces dressed as doctors boarded the plane at the airport and detained the suspect. The flight originated in Russia’s North Caucasus, BBC reported.

Russia: No S-300 Deal With Azerbaijan July 29, 2010

Russia does not have a contract to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Azerbaijan, a spokesman for Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said July 29, RIA Novosti reported. Russia’s Vedomosti reported earlier July 29 that in 2009, Rosoboronexport signed a deal with the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry to supply two S-300 PMU-2 Favorit battalions to the country.

Russia: FSB Power Increase Approved July 29, 2010

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev approved amendments expanding Federal Security Service (FSB) powers aimed at preventing crimes, the Kremlin’s press service said on July 29, RIA Novosti reported. The Russian domestic security agency was given the right to make official warnings to a person within 10 days after obtaining information that could lead to a possible crime because of the person’s actions. Russians may face up to 15 days behind bars for inobservance of FSB orders or hindering the agency from carrying out its official duties. Amendment sponsors said the new rules will allow more efficiency in combating terrorism.


IRAN

Iran: Enrichment Will Suspend If Uranium Imports Allowed July 29, 2010

Iran will halt its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent if it is allowed to import uranium from other countries, according to Atomic Energy Organization of Iran chief Ali Akbar Salehi, AFP reported July 29. Salehi told Al-Alam Arabic news channel that if Tehran’s needs are met, it will not need to enrich uranium to 20 percent. He added that Iran does not want to tap its reserves of 3.5 percent enriched uranium to produce 20 percent enriched uranium.

(PERSONAL COMMENT: IF YOU BELIVE THAT.....)

Iran: Al-Maliki Backed As Next Iraqi PM July 29, 2010

Iran has no choice but to accept Iraqi State of Law coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki as the candidate to head Iraq’s next government, an unnamed Iraqi National Alliance (INA) member told Asharq al-Awsat, citing a letter from Iran to the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council and the al-Sadr Trend. According to the source, the letter told INA chief Ammar al-Hakim that he should accept al-Maliki “even if he hits you on your heads.” A leading member of the al-Sadr Trend said the group does not object in principle to accepting al-Maliki as Iraq’s next prime minister, provided he guarantees changes in his government’s policies; that he has not done so makes him an unacceptable candidate for the al-Sadr Trend.

EU: China Opposes Unilateral Sanctions On Iran July 30, 2010

China opposes the European Union’s unilateral sanctions on Iran and welcomes Tehran’s proposal to recommence talks on a nuclear fuel swap without conditions, Reuters reported July 30. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu expressed hope that the Iranian nuclear issue can be resolved through negotiations.

Iran: 7000 New Basij Bases To Be Built July 29, 2010
The head of Irans Basij Resistance Force, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, said that 7000 new Basij Resistance bases will be built, including 100 bases in Zanjan Province, Fars News Agency reported July 29. Naqdi said that funds for the bases have been allocated to the provinces and the budget for the bases will be increased between two- and seven-fold.

IRAQ
NSTR


ISRAEL
NSTR


AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: U.K. Troops Launch Operation In Helmand July 30, 2010

Hundreds of British soldiers have launched an air and land operation called Tor Shezada against Taliban militants in Helmand province, Afghanistan, BBC reported July 30. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment are trying to clear the area of militants in Nad Ali district. The operation is reportedly an attempt to seize Saidabad town, which is controlled by the Taliban.

Afghanistan: Taliban Hunts Down Informers July 30, 2010

The Taliban issued a chilling warning to Afghans alleged to have worked as informers for the NATO-led coalition, telling Britain’s Channel 4 News on July 30 that “U.S. spies” will be hunted down and punished. Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the insurgent group will investigate the named individuals before deciding on their fate. The report is being studied, he said, confirming that the insurgent group already has access to the leaked 92,000 intelligence documents and field reports. He said the Taliban will investigate through its own secret service whether the people mentioned are really spies working for the United States.

Afghanistan: Former Taliban Commander Assassinated July 29, 2010

Taliban commander Mullah Abdullah, who joined the Afghan government two months ago, was killed at his home in northern Kunduz province, provincial governor Mohammad Omar said July 29, Xinhua reported. Unknown armed men, possibly Taliban militants, entered his house in Imam Sahib district on the night of July 27 and shot him dead, Omar stated.

Afghanistan: Karzai Questions Strategy July 29, 2010

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Western allies had the ability to strike at Taliban bases in Pakistan, but questioned their willingness to do so, Reuters reported July 29. The war against terrorism is not in the villages or houses of Afghanistan but in the sanctuaries, sources of funding and training of terrorism and they lie outside Afghanistan, Karzai stated. It is questionable whether Afghanistan has the ability to tackle this, but the country’s allies have this capability, he said, adding that the question now is why they are not taking action.


SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Colombia Venezuela

Mexico: U.S. Closes Consulate In Ciudad Juarez July 30, 2010

The U.S. government indefinitely shut its consulate in Ciudad Juarez to evaluate security conditions, Reuters reported July 30. The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that the consulate would remain closed until the security review is completed.

Mexico: Army Kills Drug Kingpin July 30, 2010

Mexican soldiers killed drug boss Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel of the Sinaloa cartel on July 30, Reuters reported. Nacho Coronel wounded some military personnel as he tried to escape from the residential area of Zapopan, and he died as fire was returned, Edgar Villegas, a senior army official, told a news conference in Mexico City.

Colombia: FARC Operative Arrested July 29, 2010

Colombian soldiers arrested the head of the 66th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), identified as “Didier” or “Victor,” in the municipality of Neiva, Huila department, along with two other FARC guerrillas, the Colombian army announced in a July 29 press release. “Didier” is believed to be a close associate of FARC leader Alfonso Cano.

Brazil: Government Posts Surplus July 29, 2010

The Brazilian government posted a primary surplus of 24.8 billion reais ($14 billion) in the first half of 2010, up 34 percent from the same period last year, according to the Treasury Department, Xinhua reported July 29. The amount is equivalent to 1.46 percent of the Brazilian gross domestic product (GDP), compared to a surplus of 1.24 percent of GDP in the same period of 2009. The Treasury Department accumulated a primary surplus of 47.7 billion reais in the first half of 2010, a year-on-year increase of 9.25 percent.

Mexico: Police Capture Drug Lieutenant July 29, 2010

Rogelio Segovia Hernandez, a leader of La Linea gang that works for the Juarez cartel, was captured and detained in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua on July 29, AP reported. Police said they seized a pistol, a grenade and envelopes of cocaine from Segovia Hernandez when he was arrested.

MISC
China: South China Sea Internationalization Opposed July 30, 2010

China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the surrounding waters, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said July 30, Zhongguo Xinwen She reported. Geng also said China advocates resolving issues involving the islands through peaceful negotiation and friendly consultation. While China opposes the internationalization of the South China Sea, it will respect international laws that allow some countries to utilize its waters and airspace, Geng said. The remarks follow statements made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that designate the South China Sea as an area of U.S. national interest.

Kazakhstan: China To Participate In Military Exercise July 30, 2010

More than 1,000 army and air force officers and soldiers from China’s People’s Liberation Army will participate in an anti-militancy exercise, Peace Mission 2010, in Kazakhstan in the fall, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on July 30, Xinhua reported. The seventh of its kind, the drills will be held under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a ministry spokesman said. He said the intention is to show the SCO members’ ability to fight militancy and protect the region, and their ability to cooperate with each other.

Kyrgyzstan: OSCE Deployment Plans Rejected July 30, 2010

Deputies of the Osh city council adopted a decision to reject Kyrgyzstan’s planned deployment of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) police and consultative forces, AKIpress-Fergana reported July 30. Kyrgyz Interim President Roza Otunbayeva, who is in Osh, met representatives of local youth organizations and discussed the need to deploy OSCE police forces, 24kg reported. They are to provide consultative assistance in stabilizing the situation in southern Kyrgyzstan, she stated. Osh youth organization representatives were not satisfied with Otunbayeva’s responses and handed her an appeal.

China Security Memo

Dispatch: The Meaning of Military Exercises in East Asia | STRATFOR

Philippines: U.S. To Provide Precision-Guided Missiles July 29, 2010

The United States will provide the Philippines with $18.4 million-worth in precision-guided missiles, Reuters reported July 29, citing a military document provided to the news agency by an unnamed U.S. Department of Defense official. According to the document, the United States will provide a precision-guided missile capability with fiscal year 2010 aid to help the Philippines combat militant groups Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf. Philippine defense officials did not say what type of missiles would be provided. A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman confirmed funds would be provided, but did not specify how they would be spent.

Somalia: An Impetus for an Insurgent Alliance? | STRATFOR