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Saturday, August 14, 2010

What's going on in the World Today 100814

I would not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.
Frances Willard (1839 - 1898)


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USA
U.S. Naval Update Map: Aug. 11, 2010 | STRATFOR




U.S.: Air Defense Missiles In Abkhazia Undermine Stability August 12, 2010

U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Bass said Aug. 12 that Russia’s deployment of S-300 air defense missiles in Georgia’s breakaway republic of Abkhazia undermines stability in the region, Trend News Agency reported. Bass said it is not known if the missiles are new or were installed long ago, which highlights the disparate views of Georgia and Abkhazia on arms transparency.

Kazakhstan, U.S., U.K.: Joint Military Exercises To Be Held August 13, 2010

British and U.S. troops will join Kazakh forces for 10 days of military exercises known as “Steppe Eagle,” culminating in mock a peacekeeping operation, Reuters reported Aug. 13, citing a Kazakh Defense Ministry statement. More than 1,000 military personnel, including Kazakhstan’s Kazbrig peacekeeping brigade and a large contingent from the Kazbat air mobile forces infantry battalion, will participate in the exercises, which are aimed at strengthening military cooperation in Central Asia, the statement said. “Steppe Eagle” is also part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, which is intended to assist the Kazakh Defense Ministry generate a NATO-led, interoperable peacekeeping capacity, a NATO spokesman said. Such a capability could be deployed on U.N.-mandated peace support operations, the spokesman added.

EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

RUSSIA



Dispatch: Russian S-300s in Abkhazia

Russia, Georgia: Imagery of Suspected S-300 Battery in Abkhazia | STRATFOR
Russia: Moscow's Military Position in the Caucasus

Russia, Denmark: Warming Relations and Moscow's Intentions

IRAN

Iran, Russia: Bushehr Launch Set August 13, 2010

Russia and Iran announced the Aug. 21 launch of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, Itar-Tass reported on Aug. 13. According to a Russian nuclear energy press center statement, Sergei Kiriyenko, the head of state corporation Rosatom, and Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko will attend the ceremony.

IRAQ
Iraq: Iran Shells Areas Inside Kurdistan Region August 14, 2010

Iranian artillery has resumed shelling Iraqi Kurdistan Region areas in Sidakan Administrative Sub-District, including Lolan, Khnera and Khwakurk, near the border, Peyamner news agency reported Aug. 14. Ahmad Qadir Sor, administrator of Sidakan Administrative Sub-District, said these areas were shelled at 9:00 a.m. local time on the morning of Aug. 14. No casualties have been reported.


Iraq: Iran-Syria Pipeline Facilitated August 12, 2010

Iraq will facilitate extending the Iranian gas pipeline to Syria, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahrestani said on Aug. 12, Aswat al-Iraq reported. He met with Syrian Deputy Oil Minister Jawad Auji and Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaei Danaie-Far to discuss issues, including joint oilfields and the Iran-Syria gas pipeline through Iraqi territory, according to a ministerial statement. Al-Shahrestani urged Iran to initiate meetings of the bilateral committees to settle border issues. He also called on Iranian companies to take part in Basra reconstruction operations.

Iraq: Al-Iraqiya Is United, Insists On Premiership August 12, 2010

Al-Iraqiya List is united and insists on having the premiership, whether or not leader Iyad Allawi relinquishes his nomination for the post, al-Iraqiya member Shakir Kitab said, Al-Watan reported Aug. 12. Kitab listed Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, Usama al-Nujayfi and Tariq al-Hashimi as possible replacements for Allawi. The list reserves the right to form the next Iraqi government and will continue to resist attempts to divide it by offering posts to individual members, Kitab said.

Iraq: Iran Mediated SoL-INA Dispute - Report August 12, 2010

Iraqi political sources said delegations representing the State of Law (SoL) coalition and the Iraqi National Alliance (INA) met in Tehran with the support of Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani, Al-Watan reported Aug. 12. Ali al-Adeeb leads the SoL delegation, while the director of the al-Sadr office in Tehran represents the INA. The al-Sadr movement has reportedly agreed to accept Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister in exchange for the release of all al-Sadr movement detainees, including those with death sentences, and four ministry positions, including the post of interior minister. Al-Iraqiya List Deputy Muhammad Salman al-Tai said Iran is mediating the dispute because it opposes an al-Iraqiya-led government.

Iraq: Iran To Open Bank August 14, 2010
The first Iranian bank will open in Iraq to help improve trade between the two countries, IRNA reported Aug. 14, citing Secretary of Chamber of Cooperatives Hoseyn Rahmaninia.


ISRAEL

Turkey: Panel On Flotilla Raid Launched August 12, 2010

Turkey has established a commission to conduct an investigation into Israel’s raid on Gaza-bound aid ships in which nine died, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 12, AFP reported. Working under the prime minister’s office, the commission will study the attack and the treatment of the activists before writing a report, according to the ministry. Members will come from the foreign, justice, interior and transport ministries and the maritime agency. It was not known when the panel will complete its report.

Israel: Diplomats Cut Off Contact With Mossad August 13, 2010

Israeli diplomats have cut off contact with the Mossad, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the intelligence agency to prepare a visit abroad because of a Foreign Ministry strike, an official said on Aug. 13, DPA reported. The Israeli Embassy in Athens has announced it will not participate in planning Netanyahu’s visit to Greece, which is due to begin Aug. 16. Foreign Ministry staff members are striking for better wages and benefits that would compare to Mossad employees. The blackout includes 100 facilities, with the exception of matters of life and death, the unnamed government source said.

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: Security Forces Kill More Than 20 Militants August 12, 2010

Afghan and coalition security forces killed more than 20 militants during an operation to disrupt the Haqqani Network in Dzadran district of Pakitya province, an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) press release reported Aug. 12. U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operation Center director, said that the Haqqani Network is a prevalent militant threat in Afghanistan and that security forces are committed to fighting the group. The operation is still ongoing.

Afghanistan: Pakistan Floods Cut NATO Supplies August 12, 2010

The NATO supply line through Pakistan was cut because of devastating floods and it is beneficial for the Taliban, Qari Ziaur Rehman, a Kunar-based Taliban commander, said on Aug. 12 from an undisclosed location in Afghanistan, PakTribune reported. He said the Taliban is in a much better position in the ongoing Kandahar operation. Taliban actions will continue unabated, the commander stated, adding that U.S. and NATO troops are targets as well as foreigners working in Afghanistan. Indians are prime targets because they are too close to the Americans and are doing a good business in Afghanistan, he said.



SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Colombia: FARC Leader Could Be Responsible For Car Bomb August 12, 2010

German Briceno, the head of the 10th front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, could be responsible for the car bomb attack in Bogota on Aug. 12, El Espectador reported, citing Administrative Department of Security (DAS) director Felipe Munoz. Munoz said that DAS has not ruled out that the attack could have been a rejection of possible peace talks with the Colombian government.

Colombia: 5 Arrested In Bogota Bombing August 12, 2010

Colombian authorities arrested five suspects with possible links to the Aug. 12 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack on radio station Caracol Radio in Bogota, RCN reported. The suspects had been arrested last week with 194 kilograms (428 pounds) of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, fuses and detonators, but they were released due to procedural errors in their arrests. Separately, Colombian Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera did not rule out the possibility that the attack could be linked to a car bomb deactivated by authorities Aug. 11 in Neiva, Huila department, El Espectador reported.

Colombia: Blast in Bogota | STRATFOR

MISC
China Security Memo: Aug. 12, 2010 | STRATFOR

India: A Possible ISI-Naxalite link? | STRATFOR

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