Wednesday, November 10, 2010

What's going on in the World Today 101108

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USA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ASIA

Japan: Intelligence Documents Leaked November 2, 2010

Intelligence documents from the Japanese Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Security Bureau, National Police Agency and the Aichi prefectural police dating 2004 through 2010 containing information on foreigners who have cooperated with Japanese anti-terrorism efforts were leaked to the internet via file sharing software the Asahi Shimbun reported Nov. 2. Sources said the highly confidential material included names, addresses, phone numbers, and records of suspected terrorists and their acquaintances as well as records of information provided by informants. Other documents include information on bank accounts of individuals connected to foreign embassies and requests by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for intelligence cooperation. A roster of police officers as well as the names and address of investigators were also leaked.

RUSSIA

U.S.: Russia To Favor Iran – Source November 5, 2010

The Russian return towards Iranian engagement highlighted by President Dmitry Medvedev planned appearance at the inauguration of the Iranian Bushehr reactor comes ahead of doubt surrounding Russian/ U.S. Relations in light of the Democratic defeats in the mid-term elections and the prospects of the Presidential election in 2012, a source told Iranian newspaper Javan Nov. 1, adding the Russians think several obstacles will be created in the approval of the START II agreement with the U.S. Congress being controlled by the Republicans. The Russians hope to retain the Iran card by devising strategies to bypass Resolution 1929 and consider how to reconsider the sale of S-300 to Iran as a bargaining tool with the United States, the source stated.

Russia: NATO Offers Cooperation On Missile Shield November 3, 2010

NATO and Russia could begin cooperation immediately on a missile shield in Europe, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Nov. 3, Xinhua reported. At a meeting in Moscow, Rasmussen said Russia and NATO could set up a joint fund to finance the delivery of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan, and that the invitation is open to Ukraine and Russia to participate in the missile defense system. He added that NATO did not expect a response on the issue at the Nov. 19-20 NATO summit in Lisbon, and that NATO will not change its policy on non-recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

IRAN

Iran: Jundallah Threatens U.S. Over Terrorism Designation November 4, 2010

Iran’s Jundallah militant group on Nov. 4 condemned the United States for adding the group to its list of international terrorist entities, Al Arabiya reported. In a statement, the group threatened to “cause problems and damages” in the Balochistan region as well as in Afghanistan and criticized U.S. support of what it called “criminals and murderers” in Israel and Iran.

IRAQ

Tactical Breakdown of the Baghdad Church Attack STRATFOR


ISRAEL

Iran: Hezbollah Provided UAVs, Attack Aircraft November 6, 2010

Iran provided Hezbollah with a complete aerial array, including an attack aircraft and at least three different kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles, Haaretz reported Nov. 6 citing Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Seyassah. The aircraft can reach long distances and attack specific ground targets, according to sources close to the Hezbollah military leadership. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised “surprises” that his organization would use in any future Israeli conflict, sources said. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is reportedly responsible for the transfer of the aircraft and dozens of Iranian experts allegedly arrived in Lebanon to help build the aerial array and train militants.

AFGHANISTAN

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

MIDDLE EAST

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Mexico Security Memo: Nov. 1, 2010 STRATFOR
Mexico: Drug Cartel Leader Killed November 6, 2010

Mexican Gulf drug cartel leader Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen, also known as “Tony Tormenta,” was killed in a shootout between members of the Gulf Cartel, the Zetas and Mexican federal police and military forces in northeastern Mexico, public security spokesman Alejandro Poire stated, AFP reported Nov. 6. A total of 47 people were killed during the Nov. 5 firefight, including three cartel members and two security force staff, in the border city of Matamoros, across from the U.S. city of Brownsville, the Brownsville Herald reported.

Mexico: Suspected Supplier For Drug Cartel Captured November 5, 2010

Mexican police before dawn on Nov. 5 arrested a man believed to be the primary cocaine supplier for the Beltran Leyva drug cartel, Reuters reported. Harold “The Rabbit” Poveda supplied Beltran Leyva with roughly 150 metric tons of cocaine from 1998 to 2008, according to a police statement. Poveda’s business was affected by the weakening of the cartel, causing him to seek other clients.

Mexico: 6 Tons Of Marijuana Seized In Nuevo Laredo November 4, 2010

Mexican soldiers seized approximately six tons of marijuana and three vehicles at a recycling center in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas state, El Universal reported Nov. 4. The soldiers reportedly found the drugs during a routine patrol.

U.S.: Authorities Seize Drugs, Money In Cartel Distribution Investigation November 4, 2010

Federal and local U.S. law enforcement agent have arrested 45 individuals and seized cash, guns and more than two tons of drugs as part of an investigation into the Atlanta, Ga., distribution hub of a major Mexican drug cartel, authorities said Nov. 4, AP reported. Operation Choke Hold began in May 2009, targeting the La Familia Michoacana cartel’s operations in Atlanta. Specifically, authorities seized 1,869 kilograms (4,120 pounds) of marijuana, 46 pounds of methamphetamine, 94 pounds of cocaine, 20 guns, six vehicles and about $2.3 million in cash.

Mexico, U.S.: Drug Smuggling Tunnel Discovered November 3, 2010

U.S. and Mexican authorities have discovered a tunnel used for drug smuggling that stretches from a warehouse in Tijuana to a warehouse in the Otay Mesa region of San Diego, San Diego television station KPBS reported Nov. 3. Twenty tons of marijuana has been found in the warehouse in Otay Mesa, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said. Four and a half tons of marijuana has been found on the Mexican side of the tunnel, Mexican soldiers said. The warehouse in Tijuana is a two-story cement block building, the soldiers said, adding that the tunnel reaches a depth of about 5.5 meters (18 feet) underground.

Venezuela: 15,000 More Troops Deployed To Border With Colombia November 2, 2010

Venezuela will deploy 15,000 soldiers to the border with Colombia to reinforce an existing security initiative dubbed Operation Sentinel, according to armed forces commander Maj. Gen. Henry Rangel Silva, Globovision reported Nov. 2. Under the plan, patrols will be increased at bases along the border to counter drug smuggling, kidnapping and extortion.

MISC

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT



Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com

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