What's going on in the World Today 100904

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USAU.S. Naval Update Map: Sept. 1, 2010 


Dispatch: U.S. Pressure Drives Middle East Peace Talks


EUROPE


NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT


RUSSIA


Russia: Decisions for Stability in the Caucasus STRATFOR



Russia: Bulava Missile Tests Resume September 3, 2010


Russia will resume test launching the Bulava ballistic missile between Sept. 9 and 12, a defense industry source said on Sept. 3, adding that postponement is unlikely, RIA Novosti reported. If the launch is successful, at least three other test launches will be conducted before the end of the year, the source stated.


IRAN


Israel, Palestinian Territories: A Possible Iranian Hand in Attacks STRATFOR


Iran: Forces Surround Karroubi's Home September 3, 2010


For the second straight day, Iranian Basij and Revolutionary Guard forces surrounded the home of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi on Sept. 3 to prevent him from joining an annual government-sponsored Palestinian solidarity rally, Karroubi’s website stated, AFP reported. Forces gathered in front of Karroubi’s home reciting mourning prayers that are usually recited on the day of Ashura, the Shiite religious commemoration, samahnews.org said. Karroubi’s guards fired in the air when Basij forces entered the building, the website stated, adding that attackers opened fire, threw Molotov cocktails and injured Karroubi’s chief bodyguard.

Iran: To Conduct Anti-Air Force Exercise Next Spring September 4, 2010


A high-ranking Iranian military commander said Sept. 4 that his country is scheduled to conduct a large military anti-air force exercise next spring, Fars news agency reported. Iranian Brigadier Ahmad Miqani said the training exercise will be conducted at the beginning of spring in various parts of the country.


IRAQ


Iraq's Security Forces After the U.S. Withdrawal STRATFOR


Iraq: Leader Disowns Those Harming Iraqi Security Forces September 3, 2010


Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr said he would disown anyone who harms Iraqi security forces and called on the forces to unite in defense of the country, Aswat al-Iraq reported Sept. 3. Al-Sadr also warned against helping the “occupation forces” and stressed the importance of preserving Iraq’s dignity.

ISRAEL


Israel: Hezbollah Puts 15,000 Rockets On Lebanese Border September 3, 2010


Hezbollah has located some 15,000 rockets along the Lebanese border with Israel in violation of U.N. resolutions, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said Sept. 3, AFP reported. Oren said the rockets, numbering four times more than during the 2006 Lebanon war, could strike any Israeli city, including Eilat. The weapons are also more accurate and contain larger payloads, Oren said.


Israel: Tactics in the West Bank Attack STRATFOR




Israel: Political Motivations and the West Bank Attack STRATFOR




AFGHANISTAN


A Week in the War: Afghanistan, Aug. 25-31, 2010 STRATFOR


Afghanistan: Why the Taliban are Winning STRATFOR




Afghanistan: ISAF Captured 500 Insurgents In August September 1, 2010


Hundreds of Taliban and Haqqani network leaders were rounded up by Afghan and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops in August, the ISAF said Aug. 30 in a news release. The release said more than 500 insurgents were detained and 160 were killed, including the capture or death of 23 Haqqani network and 53 Taliban leaders. These leaders included shadow governors, commanders, sub-commanders and weapons facilitators. U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director, said August was “extremely successful” for coalition forces.


SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Mexico: 32 Suspected Zetas Killed  September 3, 2010

Mexican soldiers killed 32 suspected members of Los Zetas in two firefights in the municipalities of General Trevino and Juarez, Nuevo Leon state, El Universal reported Sept. 3. Soldiers killed 27 gunmen in the first incident, which occurred on a farm in the municipality of General Trevino on Sept. 2, and freed three hostages. Five suspects were killed in the second firefight, which occurred on the highway between Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and Reynosa, Tamaulipas state.




MISC

Dispatch: Succession and Economics in North Korea STRATFOR


Kuwait: Patriot Missile Purchase Planned September 1, 2010


Kuwait plans to buy U.S. Patriot missiles for $900 million but will not allow its territory to be a launch pad for attacks, Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah said in statements published on Sept. 1, Middle East Online reported. The purchase is aimed at boosting the Kuwaiti military’s capability and should not be “misunderstood,” he stated, adding Kuwait does not purchase arms to launch attacks on others and does not accept attacks to be launched from its territories against other countries.

Turkmenistan: Converging Crises STRATFOR

Source:  http://www.stratfor.com/