USA
Dispatch: Pakistan Releases CIA Contractor | STRATFOR
U.S.: National Guard Troops To Leave Mexico Border As Scheduled March 16, 2011
National Guard troops that have helped increase security along the southwestern border since the summer of 2010 will leave as planned by the second week of June, the commander of the Arizona Guard told a House panel March 15, USA Today reported March 16. Maj. Gen. Hugo Salazar, adjutant general of the Guard in the state, said the mission has gone well. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said March 15 that she was disappointed that the deployment was ending on schedule.
EUROPE
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
ASIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
RUSSIA
Russia: S-300V4 Air Defense Systems To Arrive 2011 March 15, 2011
The Russian army will receive the modernized S-300V4 air defense systems in 2011, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Sergei Vlasov said, adding the S-300V4’s new tactical-technical characteristics exceed the previous S-300V3 model by 1.5-2.3 times, Interfax reported March 15. Vlasov said the S-300V4 are capable of hitting aerodynamic targets and medium-range operational-tactical and ballistic missiles at distance of around 1,500 miles.
IRAN
Iran: No Protests Amid Heavy Security March 15, 2011
Anti-government protests in Tehran on March 15 failed to materialize due to a heavy security presence, DPA reported. The call to protests, initiated by the Green Wave movement, was aimed at securing the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. A large number of police and other security forces were deployed throughout Tehran, which the opposition characterized as “unofficial martial law.” Police banned motorcycles from the streets of Tehran, and none of the opposition websites posted reports about the protests. The opposition instead said a special ceremony would be held March 17 to commemorate those killed since the protests began.
IRAQ
Iraq: Al-Sadr Supporters Rally In Support Of Bahraini People March 16, 2011
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr demonstrated March 16 in various parts of Iraq in support of Bahraini Shiite protesters, Middle East Online reported. About 2,000 gathered in Sadr City in eastern Baghdad carrying Bahraini and Iraqi flags and banners reading, “Bahrain is free, free, oppressor, get out.” Two hundred demonstrators from the al-Sadr Trend marched in An Najaf, south of Baghdad, condemning violence against unarmed Bahrainis. About 500 al-Sadr supporters marched from the Tamimiya area of Basra carrying Iraqi flags and pictures of al-Sadr and his father. Tens of protesters rallied in Ad Diwaniyah, near An Najaf, in support of the Bahraini people, Alsumaria reported.
ISRAEL
Israel: Seized Weapons Are From Iran - PM March 15, 2011
Weapons seized from a Gaza-bound ship by the Israeli navy early March 15 were from Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, Haaretz reported. Authorities are collecting information, but the one certainty is that the weapons are from Iran by way of Syria, Netanyahu said.
Israel: Captured Ship Had Missiles, Radar On Board March 15, 2011
At least four surface-to-sea missiles with a range of 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) were found on board the Victoria, a ship that was intercepted March 15 by the Israel Defense Forces, Ynet reported. The ship also carried a radar system capable of recognizing ships before they can launch shore-to-sea missiles.
AFGHANISTAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST
Libya: Government Warships Off The Coast Of Misurata March 16, 2011
Libyan warships have taken position near the port of Misurata, Al Jazeera reported March 16. The ships are reportedly preparing for a military strike on — and naval landing in — the city.
Saudi Arabia: Shiite Protesters Support Bahraini Shia March 16, 2011
About 300 Saudi Shiite protesters on March 16 took to the streets in the eastern city of Qatif, demonstrating against the violence against the Bahraini Shia, AFP reported, citing an unnamed witness. The witness said that the protesters were carrying Bahraini flags and that there was a heavy police presence, with helicopters flying overhead. Similar protests took place in Saihat, Tarut, Safwa and al-Awamiya, where police fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse demonstrators, the witness said.
Libya: 2 Major Tribes Support Gadhafi March 16, 2011
Tarhuna and Warfalla, two major tribes in Benghazi, have confirmed their support for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Al Jazeera reported March 16, citing Libyan state television.
History Repeats Itself in Eastern Arabia | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: U.S. UAVs Gather Cartel Intelligence March 16, 2011
In February 2011, the United States began sending high-altitude unarmed Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deep into Mexican territory to gather intelligence on major drug traffickers and their networks and the information was turned over to Mexican law enforcement agencies, according to American and Mexican officials, The New York Times reported March 16. U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon formally agreed to the UAV surveillance flights March 3, as the flights had previously been kept secret due to Mexican legal restrictions and political sensitivities about sovereignty. Obama administration officials said a U.S. Homeland Security UAV helped Mexican authorities locate several suspects linked to the Feb. 15 killing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata. Obama and Calderon agreed to open a counternarcotics “fusion” center to facilitate coordination between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies
Mexico: U.S. UAV Operations Under Mexican ControlMarch 16, 2011
The Mexican government is under control of U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations to fly over Mexico to gather intelligence on drug traffickers, AP reported March 16, citing a Mexican National Security Council statement. The UAVs have flown at the request of the Mexican government, and have mainly been done along the U.S.-Mexico border, the statement said. The operations are being done with the authorization, oversight and supervision of Mexican national agencies, including the Mexican air force, the statement said, adding that Mexico defines the objectives, the information to be gathered and the tasks for which the UAVs will be used
MISC
Above the Tearline: Emergency Evacuation Plans | STRATFOR
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