USA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
EUROPE
Russia, France: Mistral Purchase Deal To Be Signed June 16, 2011
The Russian-French purchase agreement on two Mistral helicopter carriers will be signed June 17 as a key event in the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to a Russian government source and a source close to the deal, Interfax reported June 16. The contract will be signed by representatives of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the French naval defense company DCNS .
ASIA
India: Air Force Buy 10 Boeing GlobemastersJune 16, 2011
India’s purchase of 10 Globemaster - III strategic airlift aircraft, costing $4.1 billion was approved in addition to an agreement between India and U.S. governments that the manufacturer, Boeing, also establish a high-altitude engine test facility and a trisonic wind tunnel facility at the Indian Defense research and Development Organization, the Times of India reported June 16. The agreement will also require Boeing to invest $1 billion back into the Indian economy though subcontracting with Indian public and private defense industries, an Indian official said. India will consider purchasing an additional six Globemasters after the first ten are inducted and evaluated, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said.
China: Maritime Forces To Be Increased June 16, 2011
China will bolster its offshore surveillance force, Xinhua reported June 17, citing China Daily. The China Maritime Surveillance (CMS) will increase its numbers from 9,000 to 15,000 by 2020, a CMS official said. The CMS will also increase its number of planes to 16 and its fleet will have more than 520 vessels by 2020.
Pakistan: U.S. To Replace P-3C Orion Aircraft June 17, 2011
The United States will supply Pakistan with two P-3C Orion aircraft to replace the aircraft destroyed in the May 22 militant attack on Pakistan Naval Station Mehran, diplomatic sources said, Dawn News reported June 17. The United States will also supply Pakistan with F-16 aircraft and its spare parts. The sources said U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen will visit Islamabad soon to convey U.S. President Barack Obama’s message.
RUSSIA
Russia, France: Mistral Helicopter Carrier Sale A Success - DMs June 20, 2011
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet agreed during a June 20 meeting in Paris, that the sale of French Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia was a success, Serdyukov’s press secretary said, Interfax reported. The sale opens the door to additional military and technology cooperation in the future, Serdyukov said. Serdyukov and Longuet also discussed regional security issues, particularly in Libya and Afghanistan, but they focused on issues related to the European missile defense system issue.
IRAN
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
IRAQ
Iraq: $18.7 Billion Of Iraqi Money Unaccounted For June 19, 2011
About $18.7 billion of Iraqi money is unaccounted for by the United States — close to three times more than the $6.6 billion that was reported, Iraqi parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi said June 19, Al Jazerra reported. Audits indicate that more money was withdrawn from a fund from oil proceeds than was reported. The documents of expenditure are also missing, and the issue will soon be discussed, al-Nujaifi added. The administration of U.S. President George Bush injected a total of $20 billion in Iraq in 2004, which came from Iraqi oil sales, surplus funds from the U.N. oil-for-food program and seized Iraqi assets, and Iraqi officials were supposed to disburse the funds to Iraqi ministries and U.S. contractors for reconstruction projects.
Iraq: Political Factions Discuss U.S. Troop Presence June 20, 2011
Iraqi political parties discussed June 20 the extension of the U.S. military presence beyond the 2011 deadline, Xinhua reported. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and top Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political leaders attended the three-hour meeting at Iraqi President Jalal Talabani’s home in Baghdad. Talabani said the meeting was a success. They discussed whether the U.S. military should leave Iraq by the deadline and whether Iraqi troops will need new trainers if the U.S. military leaves, he said. According to Talabani, another meeting would take place soon to make a unified political decision.
ISRAEL
Israel: Nationwide Civil Defense Drill To Begin June 19 June 16, 2011
The Israel Defense Force will begin a nationwide civil defense exercise called Turning Point 5 on June 19 that will include the largest simulation of missile interceptions ever held by the air force, The Jerusalem Post reported June 16. The exercise will involve all the air force’s missile defense systems - David’s Sling, Iron Dome and Arrow. Hundreds of “missiles” will be fired into Israel from Iran, Gaza, Syria and Lebanon. The week-long drill will test the responses of the Home Front Command, the Israel Police, the Defense Ministry’s National Emergency Administration and other emergency services to bombardment of missiles. The exercise will reach its peak June 22. Eighty municipalities and local authorities will participate.
Turkey: Gaza Flotilla To Sail With Or Without IHH June 16, 2011
Organizers of the Gaza flotilla said they will set sail even if the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) does not participate, Haaretz reported June 16. Israel Defense Forces staged a naval drill June 15 focusing on intercepting and boarding foreign ships, AFP reported. The Israeli navy has implemented new methods for overtaking ships rapidly while minimizing casualties as well as improving its techniques for monitoring combatants on the boats and intelligence gathering.
AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan: Tribesmen Block NATO Supplies At Afghan Border June 17, 2011
About 300 Pakistani tribesmen blocked NATO supplies and other traffic at an Afghan border crossing, AP reported June 17. The blockade comes in protest to a recent clash between border guards and Pakistani and Afghan tribesmen as they were being searched. Residents say Afghan guards opened fire and injured eight people. Border guard spokesman Saeed Ahmed said the officers asked the tribesmen to end their protest as thousands of people on both sides of the border were suffering.
MIDDLE EAST
Agenda: With George Friedman on Turkey | STRATFOR
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Mexico: La Linea Chief Arrested In Chihuahua June 16, 2011
Mexican federal police officers arrested Marco Antonio Guzman Zuniga, the suspected head of criminal organization La Linea, in Chihuahua, Chihuahua state, Milenio reported June 16. Guzman Zuniga is believed to be responsible for detonating an improvised explosive device in a vehicle in Ciudad Juarez on July 15, 2010.
Mexico: Nearly 1 Million Barrels Of Oil Stolen From Pemex In 4 Months June 16, 2011
A report by Mexican state-run energy firm Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) said 969,120 barrels of fuel were stolen through illegal connections to company pipelines between January and April, El Universal reported June 16. The theft has cost Pemex more than 3 billion pesos ($250 million) in 2011.
MISC
Dispatch: The Financial Positioning of Ukraine and Belarus | STRATFOR
Above the Tearline: Fallout from the bin Laden Operation | STRATFOR
Except where noted courtesy www.stratfor.com
No comments:
Post a Comment