USARussia: U.S. To Buy Helicopters January 21, 2011
The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command Contracting Center said in a Jan. 13 statement it would award an exclusive contract to the Russian company, Rosoboronexport, for the purchase of 21 Mi-17 helicopters, adding “This item is restricted to Rosoboronexport.” Sources familiar with the details confirmed that tool kits, spare parts and testing were included in the deal.
EUROPE
France, Russia: Details On Helicopter Carrier Construction Agreement January 25, 2011
Following an agreement between Russia and France, Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation President Roman Trotsenko said 20 percent of the first Mistral class helicopter carrier’s construction will be based in Russia, Interfax reported Jan. 24. Afterward, 40 percent of the second carrier’s construction will be based in Russia; 60 percent of the third carrier’s construction will be based in Russia; and 80 percent of the fourth carrier’s construction will be based in Russia. Trotsenko also said he hopes to sign a contract for this construction by April 30. Each helicopter carrier will cost less than 600 million euros ($815.9 million).
ASIA
Pakistan: Intelligence Reveals Suicide Attack Plans January 26, 2011
Suicide attacks have reportedly been planned on high value targets across Pakistan, including the Iranian embassy, ministers, chief ministers, and prominent Shia leaders, according to two separate intelligence agencies, The Express Tribune reported Jan. 26. Sirajuddin Haqqani (Pakistani Taliban leader), Jundallah (Iranian militants), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (Pakistani militants) and Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami (Kashmiri militants) have reportedly united to carrying out potential attacks, and a joint secret meeting was held in the Kashmiri capital of Muzaffarabad on Jan. 5, 2011 at the residence of Chhota Ilyas to form three groups of suicide bombers, 13 commanded by Hafiz Leiq, 11 led by Hafiz Khursheed while seven suicide bombers will be with Bashir Alam. Another intelligence agency said six bombers have been assigned the task of assassinating three chief ministers and their immediate families. Reports also said Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami chief Qari Saifullah entered Punjab province with two accomplices, Mir Murttaza and ‘Doctor,’ with the intent to attack Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s convoy in south Punjab using an explosive-packed vehicle.
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAN
Iran, Pakistan: Taftan Border Crossing Reopened January 26, 2011
Iran has reopened the “zero-point” at the Taftan border crossing after a formal ceremony, Associated Press of Pakistan reported Jan. 26. The crossing, located along the Pakistani border, had been closed since July 15, 2010, following a deadly blast in Iran’s Sistan province
Iran: Comprehensive Air Defense Plan To Be Implemented January 26, 2011
Commander of the Iranian army Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi said on Jan. 26 that Iran is ready to implement a comprehensive air defense plan to protect the country’s entire airspace, Fars News Agency reported. He said the five-year plan was drawn by the Air Defense Base and completed in the General Staff of the Armed Forces; it will be put into action once approved by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Salehi said.
Iran: Construction Continues On Qom Nuclear Facility January 25, 2011
Construction on Iran’s Qom nuclear facility continues, and the facility will be filled with centrifuges in 2011, Israeli Military Intelligence head Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said, the Jerusalem Post reported Jan. 25. The Bushehr facility is active for civil capabilities and has a symbolic status, Kochavi said, and it can create useful materials with technical expertise. Iran will have a nuclear weapon a year or two after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad orders enrichment to 90 percent, Kochavi said, adding that it would be several more years before a nuclear missile would be built. Tehran does not plan to press ahead with enrichment in 2011 because of instability and religious tension; Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei knows that breaking the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty would open the country to a military strike, Kochavi said.
IRAQ
Iraq: Significant Natural Gas Field Discovered January 26, 2011
Heritage Oil Plc announced the discovery of the largest natural gas field in Iraq in more than 30 years, Bloomberg reported Jan. 26. The Miran West-2 well in the Kurdistan region uncovered a geologic structure that may hold up to 12.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 75 million barrels of oil, according to Heritage.
ISRAEL
Israel: Sanctions Not Affecting Iranian Nuclear Program - Official January 25, 2011
Israeli military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aviv Kohavi on Jan. 25 said sanctions imposed on Iran have not harmed the country’s nuclear program or its military, The Jerusalem Post reported. The regime currently maintains its strength despite the sanctions, Kohavi said. However, the sanctions have imposed an economic burden on Iran, as Tehran can only afford to supply its citizenry with 25 percent of its available gasoline. Though Iran has raised 600 million shekel ($166 million) through gasoline subsidy cuts, it has yet to make up for the losses caused by sanctions, Kohavi added.
AFGHANISTAN
A Week in the War: Afghanistan, Jan. 19-25, 2011 | STRATFOR
U.S.: Afghan Security Forces May Be Expanded January 25, 2011
The United States may expand Afghan security forces by nearly 70,000 above the 306,000 Afghan police and military set to be trained and equipped by 2012, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin stated after a trip to Afghanistan, Yemen and Iraq, AFP reported Jan. 25. U.S. President Barack Obama may announce the decision in the next few days, Levin said. Pakistan may not want to see a larger Afghan army, Levin stated, adding that if Pakistanis want the Afghans to take greater responsibility on their side of the border, then Pakistan should not object to increased Afghan security forces
MIDDLE EAST
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico's La Familia Cartel Disbands | STRATFOR
MISC
Above the Tearline: The Challenges of Investigating Terrorist Attacks | STRATFOR
Mexico: Los Zetas Regional Leader Killed In Nuevo Leon State January 25, 2011
The Mexican Defense Ministry announced Jan. 25 one of the main regional leaders of Los Zetas drug-trafficking organization was shot and killed in Nuevo Leon state during a series of clashes with Mexican soldiers, BNO News reported. The leader, known as “Comandante Lino,” was killed in Escobedo municipality, along with two others Los Zetas members.
Mexico: Cartel Announces That It Is Disbanding January 25, 2011
La Familia announced that is disbanding in Michoacan state, Mexico, because it has been “unjustly blamed,” Reforma.com reported Jan. 25. It called for Mexican President Felipe Calderon to investigate members of his Cabinet, including Public Security Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna, for giving him bad advice. The cartel said it has fought rapists and kidnappers in recent years. Banners appeared early Jan. 25 in Patzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan, Quiroga, Santa Clara del Cobre and Apatzingan. The government had not issued a statement, although the banners were being removed almost immediately after they appeared.
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
No comments:
Post a Comment