USA
The Influence of U.S. Domestic Politics on BMD Negotiations | STRATFOR
U.S.: Treasury Targets Al Qaeda, Taliban, Haqqani Network Leadership February 9, 2011
The U.S. Treasury Department targeted the financial and support networks of al Qaeda, the Taliban and Haqqani network by designating two Afghan leaders, Said Jan ‘Abd Al-Salam and Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, the Treasury Department said in a news release on Feb. 9. The release alleged that Al-Salam has acted on behalf of al Qaeda and provided support to the Taliban and that Haqqani has acted on behalf of the Taliban and Sirajuddin Haqqani and provided support to al Qaeda.
U.S.: 2011 National Military Strategy Released February 8, 2011
The 2011 national military strategy by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff will continue to redefine how the United States counters violent extremism and deter aggression, according to Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, Reuters reported Feb. 9. The strategy also emphasizes that the U.S. military is most effective when a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach is employed, featuring security, diplomatic and non governmental forces, Mullen said, adding the strategy seeks to enhance global security through regional and international partnerships and aims to reshape the military force to meet future challenges. The strategy calls for forging deeper military ties with China and other Asia-Pacific countries, a senior military officer said. The U.S. military must “achieve its mission” in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also recognize what else in the strategic environment needs to be dealt with, the officer said.
EUROPE
Georgia: Stalin Statue To Be Replaced With War Monument February 8, 2011
The Georgian Culture Ministry on Feb. 8 announced it would replace a statue of Russian dictator Joseph Stalin in his hometown of Gori with a monument to victims of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, RIA Novosti reported. The six-meter (20 foot) statue, erected on a nine-meter pedestal, was built in 1952 but was demolished in June 2010. It will be replaced by a monument comprising 11 naked walking figures representing both war victims and victims of Soviet-era repression under Stalin.
ASIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
RUSSIA
Russia, Belarus: Medvedev Signs Wartime Supplies Law February 9, 2011
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed a federal law Feb. 9 to ratify a wartime supplies agreement with Belarus, Itar-Tass reported. The agreement, originally signed in Moscow on Dec. 10, 2009, provides for the mutual supply of military, civil and dual-purpose goods during times of war and creates the legal groundwork for bilateral economic and military-technical cooperation.
IRAN
Iran: IRGC Warns Opposition Against Protests February 9, 2011
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned opposition leaders against staging their rally planned for Feb. 14, NOW Lebanon reported Feb. 9. The rally is a ploy undertaken by Iran’s enemies, as is usually the case around Feb. 11, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, IRGC commander Hossein Hamedani said during an interview with IRNA.
China, Iran: Railway Network Deal Signed February 8, 2011
China has signed a contract with Iran’s Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company to build a $13 billion, 5,300 kilometer (3,293 mile) railway network in Iran, AFP reported Feb. 8. The transportation company said the deal was signed when a Chinese delegation visited Tehran, though it did not specify when the delegation was actually there.
IRAQ
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ISRAEL
Israel, Palestinian Territories: NATO Offers Peacekeeping Services February 9, 2011
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has offered the group’s peacekeeping services to the Israelis and the Palestinians if both request them in a peace deal, AP reported Feb. 9. During a security conference in Israel, Rasmussen said NATO would intervene if a future peace treaty was broken, or if the two sides needed assistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not said whether Israel will accept the offer.
Israel: Border Barrier With Egypt To Be Done By End Of 2012 February 8, 2011
Construction on a barrier between Egypt and Israel will be finished by the end of 2012, six months sooner than expected, Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Udi Shani said while touring the area, Ynet reported Feb. 8.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: France Not To Increase Troop Commitment In 2011 February 9, 2011
France does not intend to send additional forces to the current 4,000 in Afghanistan in 2011, but will redeploy some of its soldiers from areas turned over to Afghan security forces, according to French Defense Minister, Alain Juppe, AFP reported Feb. 9. “This is already a considerable effort by France,” Juppe said, adding, “we have been in Afghanistan from the beginning.” When asked about U.S. requests to increase troop numbers, Juppe said he stated clearly that France does not have that capacity. A transition process will begin in 2011, France will withdraw from Sarobi when it is secure and Afghan officials decide so, and redeploy to secure Kapisa, Juppe said.
Afghanistan: U.S. Seeking To Establish Permanent Bases - Karzai February 8, 2011
The United States is seeking to establish permanent bases in Afghanistan to target al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the region, Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, announced during a press conference on Feb. 9, DPA reported. Afghanistan and the United States are still negotiating the legal and strategic features of the agreement, Karzai said, adding, he believes a long-term relationship with the United States is in the interest of Afghanistan. Any long-term partnership will need approval by the parliament and Loya Jirga and U.S. bases would not be used against other countries, Afghanistan is not a place from where our neighbors could be threatened, Karzai said.
Kyrgyzstan, U.S.: Air Base Fuel Deal Signed February 8, 2011
Kyrgyz Energy Minister Askarbek Shodiyev and U.S. representative to Kyrgyzstan Larry Memmott signed an agreement to supply jet fuel to a U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan, Reuters reported Feb. 8. Speaking in Russian, Memmott said the agreement enables the United States to purchase fuel with money going directly to the Kyrgyz state budget. He said the process will be completely transparent, adding the agreement will be in force as long as the transit center exists. Kyrgyz state-run Manas Refuelling Complex will supply up to 50 percent of the fuel, according to Manas deputy chief Tilek Isayev, with the rest to be supplied by Mina Corp, a Gibraltar-based company awarded a contract by the United States in November 2010.
MIDDLE EAST
Syria: Ban On Facebook, YouTube Gradually Lifted February 9, 2011
A ban on Facebook and YouTube in Syria is being lifted gradually, Internet users and an Internet monitor said, AFP reported Feb. 9. Syrians were able to access the websites without using proxy servers abroad for the first time since 2007, Internet users said. The Internet monitor said it could take “hours or days” to lift the ban because of technical reasons and the use of several service providers.
Egypt: Suez Canal Workers Call Sit-in February 8, 2011
More than 6,000 Suez Canal Co. workers from Suez, Port Said and Ismailia began an indefinite sit-in Feb. 8, Ahram Online reported. The workers will not go home when their shifts end and will remain in front of the company headquarters until their demands are answered. Economic losses and shipping disruptions are expected if the sit-in continues.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: Chamber Of Deputies To Vote On Security Law February 8, 2011
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies will vote on the Federal Private Security Law, El Universal reported Feb. 8. The law requires that private security firms provide information about their employees, arms and telecommunications equipment to the National Public Security System, El Economista reported. In addition, firms that provide alarm or electronic monitoring systems will automatically report information to a central monitor.
Brazil: President Seeks Better Terms From Boeing February 9, 2011
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said U.S. aircraft firm Boeing’s F-18 is the best jet among three finalists in a multi-billion dollar Brazilian Air Force fighter tender, but she still wants better terms on transfers of proprietary technology, Reuters reported Feb. 9. According to knowledgeable sources, Rouseff raised the jet tender issued with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Feb. 7 in Brasilia, saying she considered the purchase of three dozens jets a modernizing move as well as an opportunity to strengthen strategic and trade ties with the United States. She said she wants better terms from Boeing as well as the U.S. government’s guarantees that it will allow sensitive military technology to change hands.
MISC
U.S., Kuwait: Oil Tanker Seized By Pirates February 9, 2011
A Very Large Crude Carrier, Irene SL, was seized by armed pirates while carrying Kuwaiti crude off the coast of Oman to the United States, Greek operator Enesel said Feb. 9, Reuters reported. The oil tanker was carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, worth approximately $200 million at market prices. The attack had been previously reported by shipbrokers. There was no communication with the ship, according to Enesel. According to BBC, the Irene was sailing 650 kilometers (400 miles) southeast of Muscat.
Intelligence Guidance: Week of Feb. 6, 2011 | STRATFOR
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