Thursday, August 19, 2010

What's going on in the World Today 100818

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USA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

RUSSIA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

IRAN

Iran: Air Defense System Unveiled August 17, 2010

Iran plans to inaugurate the production line of the Karrar anti-aircraft defense system on Aug. 22, Press TV reported on Aug. 17. The long-range defense system will counter any likely air attack on the country, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi stated, adding that a high-speed Seraj blade runner and the new generation of Zolfaghar missile launcher blade runner are produced domestically and will be launched during Iran’s “Government Week” held on Aug. 24-31.

Iran: High-Flying Jet Drone Unveiled August 17, 2010

Iran will launch its first high-flying jet drone during “Government Week” on Aug. 24-30, Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Aug. 17, IRNA reported. He said a special library for space tests, the third generation of the Fateh 110 missile, and 28 other electronic and telecommunication projects will also be launched.

Iran: Three Plans For Enemy Attacks August 17, 2010

Iranian Commander Ali Shadmani, head of the armed forces Department of Operations, outlined three plans that Iran could carry out in the event of an act of aggression from the United States, Iranian news website Tabnak reported Aug. 17. First, Shadmani said Iran would take over complete control of the Strait of Hormuz. Second, he said Iran is closely monitoring U.S. military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq and would “paralyze the forces in these bases” and “not let them make any moves.” The last plan Shadmani articulated is to “destroy the peace” in Israel.

IRAQ

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ISRAEL

Israel: Details Emerge In Turkish Embassy Incident | STRATFOR

Israel: Tanks Shell Gaza Homes August 17, 2010

Israeli tanks and heavy machine guns shelled Abbasan al Jadida town, east of Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip, Petra-JNA reported on Aug. 17. A Palestinian source stated that Israeli tanks targeted Palestinian houses in Abbasan, but no injuries were reported. Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and bulldozers rolled into al Farahin, located east of Khan Younis, amid heavy gunfire.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Russia To Supply Small Arms, Possibly Helicopters  August 18, 2010

Russia will soon supply Afghanistan with small arms and ammunition without charge, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, Interfax reported Aug. 18. Also, law-enforcement training will be stepped up. There was also a discussion on Aug. 18 with Afghan President Hamid Karzai about supplying Russian helicopters. Proposed several months ago to NATO, Russia awaits an answer on the suggestion, according to Lavrov, who added that details of financing need to be resolved.

Afghanistan: Militia Members Recruited August 18, 2010

The Afghan government has begun recruiting thousands of militiamen, following approval in July by President Hamid Karzai, AFP reported on Aug. 18. The U.S.-backed move is under way in Wardak and Uruzgan provinces, according to Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Munir Mangal, and will soon expand to the rest of the nation with a force of about 10,000 men. Recruitment will focus on areas with violence linked to the Taliban, and recruits, paid about 60 percent of a regular police salary, will fall under the Interior Ministry’s purview.


A Week in the War: Afghanistan, Aug. 11-17, 2010


Afghanistan: Private Security Firms To Be Disbanded August 17, 2010

Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered on Aug. 17 a four-month deadline to disband private security firms, Reuters reported. The move was designed to “prevent irregularities” in the use of materiel, according to a decree. Security contractors working in Afghanistan will have to either join the Afghan police force or cease operations by the deadline, according to AP. There is an exemption for firms’ guards who work inside compounds that house international groups, including embassies, businesses and non-governmental organizations, according to AP. The guards must remain in the compounds and will have to register with the Interior Ministry. Afghan forces will provide security outside the compounds, as well as security for international troops’ supplies convoys. Unlicensed contractors’ weapons and equipment will be seized, according to the decree.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Mexico: Body Of Kidnapped Mayor Discovered  August 18, 2010

Mexican security forces found the body of Edelmiro Cavazos, the mayor on Santiago, Nuevo Leon, on a rural road after Cavazos was kidnapped on Aug. 15, Reuters reported Aug. 18. The attorney general of Nuevo Leon confirmed that the body was Cavazos and said he was killed by drug cartel forces.

Dispatch: Colombia Suspends Military Deal With U.S. STRATFOR

Colombia: Constitutional Court Suspends U.S. Military Base Deal August 17, 2010

Colombia’s Constitutional Court suspended a deal giving U.S. troops more access to Colombian bases until Congress approves it as an international treaty, Reuters reported Aug. 17. The court said it was not ruling on the legality of the agreement, but had only analyzed the manner in which the pact was approved.


MISC

Dispatch: The Significance of the Caucasus | STRATFOR


Above the Tearline: VBIED vs. IED | STRATFOR

Japan: Suspect Ship Seen Before Tanker Blast August 17, 2010

The radar of a Japanese supertanker that was damaged by an explosion near the Strait of Hormuz last month showed a small ship making suspicious movements near it at the time of the incident, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Aug. 17, Reuters reported. Checks of the radar showed the suspicious ship left the area at high speed immediately afterward, NHK stated, adding that Japan’s Transport Ministry believes there is a possibility the small ship launched an attack.

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