What's going on in the World Today 100908

HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:

USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

RUSSIA 

Russia: A Rosneft Leadership Change STRATFOR

IRAN
Iran: China To Build Rail Link September 7, 2010

China’s Railways Minister Liu Zhijun will visit Tehran on Sept. 12 to sign the final document of a contract between Iran and a Chinese company to build a $2 billion rail link to Iran, according to Iranian Transport Minister Hamid Behbahani, the Vancouver Sun reported on Sept. 7. Transport ministers from Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran are expected to gather in Dushanbe in October to firm up a deal for a 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) route. 

Iran: Boosts Nuclear Work September 6, 2010

A U.N. nuclear watchdog report shows that Iran’s total production of low-enriched uranium has risen by around 15 percent since May to reach 2.8 tons, revealing that Tehran is pushing ahead with disputed work despite tougher sanctions, Reuters reported Sept. 6. The confidential report said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remained concerned about the possible activity to develop a nuclear payload for a missile. The IAEA is also concerned about what it called Iran’s “repeated objection” to the agency’s choice of inspectors working in the country.

IRAQ
Iraq: Islamic State Of Iraq Splits September 8, 2010

A new group called the Movement of Renewal and Correction stated that a new page is open with jihadist groups within Iraq, Daralhayat.com reported Sept. 8. The group said it appointed new leaders and called on groups and organizations to stop dealing with the isolated leaders of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). The new group said it isolated leaders outside Iraq because they “marginalized loyal commanders,” spent money illegally and monopolized the ISI’s financial assets, among other reasons.

Iraq: Unable To Meet Power Demand Until 2013 September 7, 2010

Iraq will be unable to meet its current level of electricity demand until at least 2013, according to the U.S. military officer in charge of reconstruction, AFP reported Sept. 7. U.S. Brig. Gen. Kendall Cox said during a press briefing that based on current estimates, Iraq will need until 2013 or 2014 to be able to generate enough power for 24-hour coverage and build the needed transmission infrastructure. He said electricity demand is currently between 12,000 and 14,000 megawatts, while the supply is slightly above 6,000 megawatts, and that demand is increasing as infrastructure is being built.

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

AFGHANISTAN
A Week in the War: Afghanistan, Sept. 1-7, 2010 STRATFOR

Dispatch: Afghanistan's Political Economy and U.S. Strategy STRATFOR
 
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico Security Memo: Sept. 7, 2010 STRATFOR

Mexico: Bodies of Tamaulipas Massacre Investigators Found September 8, 2010

Mexican authorities have discovered the bodies of the San Fernando police chief and a state detective in charge of investigating the massacre of 72 migrants in Tamaulipas state found Aug. 24, El Universal reported Sept. 8. The bodies of the investigators, who were first reported by the media as missing Aug. 27, were found 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) northeast of San Fernando.


MISC
India: Test-Fired BrahMos Creates World Record September 6, 2010

Defense scientists created a world record Sept. 5 when they test-fired the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos off the Orissa coast from the integrated test range launching complex-3 (LC-3) at Chandipur around 11:35 a.m. local time, the Times of India reported Sept. 6. The missile launched successfully, hit the desired target and met all mission parameters. This is the first time that a supersonic dive has been realized. The advanced version of a BrahMos Block-II traveled three times the speed of sound carrying a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kg. (440-660 lbs.).

Dispatch: Temporary Thaw in U.S.-China Relations | STRATFOR

          Above the Tearline: Facebook and Intelligence STRATFOR