Wednesday, November 30, 2011
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Majority Of Americans See Pakistan As An Enemy
Most Americans See Pakistan As Enemy -- DAWNWASHINGTON: A majority of Americans do not see Pakistan as a friend to the United States, says an opinion survey released on Monday.
The survey, conducted on Nov 27, a day after a Nato air strike killed 25 Pakistani soldiers, asked US citizens: Do you consider Pakistan to be a friend or enemy of the United States?
An enemy to the US was the choice of 55 per cent respondents. Only seven pc said they considered Pakistan a friend, 26 pc did not consider Pakistan a friend or enemy and 12 pc did not have an opinion.
The surveyors, a US polling agency called Poll Positions, noted that the relationship between the United States and Pakistan had been up and down over the past years.
Read more ....
My Comment: Finding Osama bin Laden in a compound that was literally next door to Pakistan's top military academy and 35 miles north of their capital city did more to destroy U.S. trust in Pakistan .... than any other Pakistani action. Couple this with Pakistani actions after Bin Laden's killing, nuclear proliferation, support (and protection) of terror groups that are targeting Afghan/U.S. forces, and artillery strikes in Afghan proper .... it is now very hard for most Americans to believe anything that now comes out of Pakistan's government/military/intelligence departments.
President Obama's Silence On Pakistan's Military Is Costing The Lives Of American Soldiers In Afghanistan
The Generals Have No Clothes -- Kapil Komireddi, Foreign Policy
Islamabad's generals have been sponsoring the deaths of Americans for years, and yet Obama does nothing. Why?
Pakistan is indignant about the killing of 25 of its troops in a NATO air raid on Saturday. The circumstances that led to the assault are still unknown, but Washington and Europe have expressed contrition and promised an investigation. Pakistan has every reason to feel angry. But after a suitable period of mourning, shouldn't the United States, in the interests of fairness if nothing else, ask the Pakistani army if it plans ever to apologize for -- or, at bare minimum, acknowledge -- its role in the deaths of hundreds of coalition forces and many more Afghan civilians?
Read more ....
My Comment: Bottom line .... President Obama wants US Soldiers out of Afghanistan .... if it means making a deal with Pakistan's ISI and Generals to speed this up .... so be it.
Egypt’s Brotherhood Poised To Win In Egypt
Leading In Vote, Egypt’s Brotherhood Seeks To Form Gov’t In Possible Collision With Military -- Washington Post/AP
CAIRO — Partial results Wednesday showed the Muslim Brotherhood emerging as the biggest winner in Egypt’s landmark parliamentary elections, and leaders of the once-banned Islamic group demanded to form the next government, setting the stage for a possible confrontation with the ruling military.
The generals who took power after the February fall of Hosni Mubarak have said they will name the government and the parliament would have no right to dissolve it. They have also sought to wrest from the new parliament the more long-reaching and crucial role of running the process for writing the new constitution.
Read more ....
More News On Egypt's Parliamentary Elections
Islamist parties on course to dominate Egypt's parliament -- The Telegraph
Egypt election results put Muslim Brotherhood ahead -- The Guardian
Muslim Brotherhood takes lead in Egypt vote count -- Haaretz
Unofficial Egypt Tally Points to Strong Islamist Lead -- Wall Street Journal
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood wins votes though organization, promises to poor in Egypt vote -- Washington Post/AP
Muslim Brotherhood's machine helps in Egypt vote -- CBS/AP
Cairo calm as voters await results -- CNN
Egypt's Brotherhood feels its time has come -- Reuters
Egypt To Announce Election Results Thursday -- Voice of America
Who Was Behind The British Embassy Attack In Tehran?
British Embassy Attack Was State-Sponsored, Experts Claim -- Deutsche Welle
A day after Iranian protesters stormed the British embassy in Tehran, Britain has said it is withdrawing its diplomats, and closing Iran's embassy in London . The question that remains is - who was behind the attack?
Images broadcast on Iranian state television on Tuesday showed an angry crowd of mostly men gathered in front of the British embassy in Tehran. Women enveloped in black stood at the back.
Chanting "death to England," a group of protesters stormed the embassy compound and a diplomatic residence while the security forces simply stood by.
Read more ....
More News On Iran's Attack On The British Embassy, And It's Aftermath
Britain evacuates all embassy staff after Iran protesters storm compounds -- CNN
Britain evacuates its diplomats from Iran; Norway shuts embassy -- Miami Herald/Christian Science Monitor
UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack -- BBC
Britain orders Iran's diplomats to leave UK -- AP
Iran faces increased isolation after attack on British Embassy -- Washington Post
Trouble in Tehran -- Financial Times
Time for a geography lesson, Mr President? Obama blunders as he condemns attack on the 'English' Embassy in Tehran -- Daily Mail
Iran and UK - centuries of mistrust -- Olivia Lang, BBC
Expelling Iran's diplomats: a dangerous showdown -- Mark Malloch-Brown, The Guardian
Iran's mullahs come out fighting -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph
Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- November 30, 2011
Don't Take On Iran Unless You're Prepared To Face The Consequences -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph
The violent attack on the British Embassy in Tehran is Iran's entirely predictable response to the tough line the British government has taken in recent weeks in response to the ayatollahs' controversial nuclear programme.
Britain became public enemy number one in Tehran after it decided to ban all Iran's banks from trading in London, thereby dealing a major blow to Iran's access to Europe's financial markets.
Read more ....
Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials
Iran and UK - centuries of mistrust -- Olivia Lang, BBC
Expelling Iran's diplomats: a dangerous showdown -- Mark Malloch-Brown, The Guardian
Iran's mullahs come out fighting -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph
Tehran embassy seizure, as in 1979, highlights rift with West -- William Branigin, Washington Post
Why an Undemocratic Party Is Going to Win Egypt's First Democratic Election -- Eric Trager, Real Clear World
U.S. Policy on Egypt Needs a Big Shift -- Marc Lynch and Steven A. Cook, New York Times
The Arab Awakening and Israel -- Thomas Friedman, New York Times
Fallible: Infiltrated by up to a dozen CIA spies, Hezbollah, the official party of God, is taking hits to its prestige—and revealing its weakness -- Lee Smith, Tablet
How Can Europe Possibly Save Itself? -- Megan McArdle, The Atlantic
Germany’s Denial, Europe’s Disaster -- New York Times editorial
Blame It on Berlin: The euro bailout caucus wants the Germans to write a blank check. -- Wall Street Journal editorial
Why Defense Cuts Could Doom Obama's Re-election Bid -- Loren Thompson, Forbes
World News Briefs -- November 30, 2011 (Evening Edition)
Anatomy Of A Deadly NATO Airstrike: The Pakistani Version -- Time
The NATO air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last Saturday, sparking a fresh crisis in U.S.-Pakistan relations, started with a mysterious report of firing from the Pakistani side of the border, according to the Pakistan army's account of the incident.
Soon after midnight on Nov. 26, at approximately 12:05 a.m., a NATO sergeant called a Pakistani major at one of the border control centers that the two sides use to coordinate their efforts to complain that U.S. Special Forces had received "indirect fire" from a Pakistani border checkpoint at Gora Parai, in Pakistan's Mohmand tribal agency. Seven minutes later, the NATO sergeant got back in touch with the Pakistani major to say that NATO forces had engaged a different location, the Volcano border checkpoint, some 15 km south of Gora Parai.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Iranian influence seeping into Iraq.
Pressure mounts on Syria, government raids continue.
Northern battle flares as Yemen seeks interim government.
Biden: US troop exit marks new beginning with Iraq.
First suicide blast since '07 hit Iraq's restricted Green Zone.
Turkey imposes sanctions on Assad's Syria.
ASIA
Afghan President urges Pakistan to attend Bonn conference. Afghan officials voice scant remorse to Pakistan.
North Korea supplying Syria, Iran with prohibited nuclear technology, report says.
NKorea claims progress in uranium enrichment, light-water reactor, raising nuclear bomb worry.
Clinton in Myanmar to urge reform.
Internet freedom in Central Asia worsens say human rights groups.
AFRICA
Islamist leader Abdelilah Benkirane named Morocco PM.
Egypt Islamists on collision course with Army. Egypt’s Brotherhood claims lead in polls, challenges military rule.
Egypt: Tahrir Square violence marrs closing of polls.
Ivory Coast: Gbagbo faces murder and rape charges. Plane believed carrying ex-Ivory Coast President Gbagbo arrives in Netherlands.
DR Congo's Vital Kamerhe leads calls to annul vote.
EUROPE
EU monetary chief sees 10 days to rescue euro zone.
EU Defense Ministers may endorse pooling resources.
Britain withdraws diplomats from Iran after embassy attack. UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack.
Norway closes embassy in Iran after Brits attacked.
UK Strikes hit services as millions heed unions' call to fight pension cuts.
AMERICAS
Honduras turns to army to battle drug gangs.
Police arrest more than 200 in raid of 'Occupy L.A.' camp.
Chile seeks extradition of ex-U.S. military officer in 1973 death.
Latin America poverty level lowest in 20 years, says UN.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
'I thought my life would end in a tent': ex-envoy.
Senate defies threat of veto in terrorist custody vote. Indefinite military detention of citizens on US soil still in Pentagon spending bill.
Obama orders government to clean up terror training.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks surge after central banks’ action on debt crisis. Stocks rocket 4%, Dow closes above 12,000.
Fed, ECB offer aid for global financial system.
S&P downgrades dozens of global banks.
Study: Cyber Monday was biggest online shopping day ever in U.S.
American Airlines' Boeing and Airbus order is 'rock solid' despite bankruptcy.
F-22 News Updates -- November 30, 2011
Photo: Two of the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptors, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., fly above Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. Credit: Associated Press / U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt
F-22 Upgrades in Deficit Crosshairs -- Military.com
The deficit-reduction stalemate in Washington has put the Pentagon on a collision course with $500 billion in "automatic" budget cuts over the next 10 years.
But even before last week's failure of Congress' "supercommittee" to find an alternative solution, the Defense Department faced potential cuts of as much as $400 billion over 10 years. Any chance that might trigger some "rush orders" to get a jump on the historic budget ax that's likely to fall?
Read more ....
More News On The F-22
F-22 oxygen report delayed for months -- Flight Global
F-22s Uneasily Fly Again -- Strategy Page
Raptor pilots to conduct nighttime training -- Las Cruces Night Time Training
Friday Evening's Furtive F-22 Fix -- Time
Lockheed clarifies latest F-22 fighter upgrade deal -- Reuters
Air Force issues potential $7.4 billion contract for F-22 upgrade -- L.A. Times
Lockheed Gets Potential $7.4B F-22 Upgrade -- Aviation Week/Reuters
$US7.4b Spent On Upgrading The Never-Used F-22 -- Gizmodo
F-22 Pilot Flies 1,000 Hours -- KTUU.com
World Aid Donors Gather In South Korea To Plot Strategy Amid Economic Crisis
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at opening session of Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan. UN News Centre
Global Leaders Gather In SKorea Amid Financial Jitters For World’s Premier Aid Forum -- Washington Post/AP
SEOUL, South Korea — Thousands of government and private aid officials converge this week on the port city of Busan for a summit aimed at making sure billions of dollars in global aid money gets to the people who need it most.
The world’s premier development aid forum — the fourth of its kind since 2003 — starts Tuesday and comes at a sensitive time for those pushing to better coordinate efforts to help the poor.
Read more ....
More News On The World Aid Forum In South Korea
At aid forum, Ban urges countries to not turn their backs on the world’s poor -- UN News Centre
International Conference in South Korea to Assess Effectiveness, Impact of Aid -- Voice of America
World aid donors plot strategy amid economic crisis -- Reuters
From rags to riches, South Korea hosts forum on international aid -- L.A. Times
Global donors plot better ways to spend aid billions -- AFP
Clinton: Aid for world’s poor is national security priority even during economic turmoil -- Washington Post/AP
China pulls out of aid partnership -- The Guardian
Rwanda demands end to tied aid -- The Guardian
The Future Of Aerial Warfare
Drone Pilots: The Future Of Aerial Warfare -- NPR
To understand how important remotely piloted aircraft are to the U.S. military, consider this: The U.S. Air Force says this year it will train more drone pilots than fighter and bomber pilots combined.
And that's changing the nature of aerial warfare — and the pilots who wage it.
Steve, a lieutenant colonel, grew up wanting to be in the Air Force. And that meant one thing: wanting to be a pilot.
To him, flying is physical: the pull of gravity, the sounds inside the cockpit.
"You hear those things, you feel those things, and you react to them as you need to," he says.
Steve joined the Air Force in 1997 and started out flying F-15s. But he quickly started to see signs that his world was changing. When he was given a chance to fly drones, he took it.
Now, he is at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico helping the Air Force build a different kind of pilot.
Read more ....
My Comment: Another indication that the UAV program is becoming important .... the US Air Force is now raising the "secrecy bar" for their drone program.
U.S. And Iraq Discuss The Future Role Of American Forces
U.S., Iraq Discuss Future Role of American Forces -- Wall Street Journal
BAGHDAD—U.S. and Iraqi leaders signaled Wednesday that the two governments are working toward expanding efforts for American forces to continue training and cooperating with Iraqi soldiers after completion of next month's troop withdrawal.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said there is "no doubt the U.S. forces have a role in providing training of Iraqi forces." Vice President Joe Biden, who arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday night to meet with Iraqi leaders and salute American troops as the war winds to a formal close, said the U.S. will provide security assistance to the Iraqis at Baghdad's request.
Read more ....
More News On U.S. - Iraq Relations
Iraq Would Accept U.S. Soldiers as Trainers -- New York Times
Biden, Maliki hail ‘new phase’ in U.S.-Iraq relations -- Washington Post
After war in Iraq, Biden heralds new era of US involvement -- Christian Science Monitor
Biden says U.S. pullout brings new phase with Iraq -- Reuters
In Baghdad, Biden sees ‘new path’ after U.S. pullout -- Washington Times
Biden sees rosy U.S.-Iraq relationship -- UPI
VP Biden: US troop departure marks new beginning with Iraq; Sadrists protest his presence -- Washington Post/AP
Biden says US, Iraq in new phase as troops go -- AFP
Joint Statement Affirms Strong U.S.-Iraq Partnership -- US Department of Defense
After U.S. Troops Leave, What Happens To Iraq? -- NPR
U.S. Air Force Extends Space Mission Of The Super Secret X-37B
The unmanned X-37B space plane built by Boeing's Phantom Works division is undergoing orbital flight tests for the U.S. Air Force. Boeing
Air Force Says It's Extending Mission Of Mysterious X-37B -- L.A. Times
The Air Force is extending the mission of an experimental robotic space plane that’s been circling the Earth for the last nine months.
The pilotless X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, which looks like a miniature version of the space shuttle, was launched in March from Cape Canaveral, Fla. At the time, Air Force officials offered few details about the mission, saying that the space plane simply provided a way to test new technologies in space, such as satellite sensors and other components.
Read more ....
More News On The Air Force's X-37B Program
Secretive Air Force space plane nears orbital record -- MSNBC
Secretive X-37B Robotic Space Plane Receives Prolonged Mission -- Daily Tech
Secretive Air Force space plane sets endurance record -- CBS/AP
Mystery Robot Space Plane Still Flying, 7 Months Later -- FOX News/Space.com
New Mission for Secret Spaceplane? -- Discovery News
Military space shuttle receives mission extension -- Spaceflight Now
How Many Troops Will Be Needed To Stabilize North Korea If It Collapses?
How Many Troops If North Collapses? 300K+ -- Wall Street JournalImagine North Korea collapses. How many soldiers would be needed – in the best case assuming North Koreans don’t put up a resistance – to stabilize the country so that food and medicine can get in and other work can start to be done?
Jennifer Lind, a political scientist at Dartmouth College, and research partner Bruce Bennett of Rand Corp. have been crunching the numbers and come up with a surprisingly large figure: 300,000 to 400,000.
Read more ....
My Comment: What is my take on North Korea's future .... I foresee a Romanian type/style of revolution in which (in a span of a few days) the military and security forces .... coupled with massive civilian unrest .... will topple the regime in a brief but violent confrontation.
Why North Korea Is Dangerous
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il acknowledging applause from soldiers as he inspects the Korean People's Army Unit. WAToday
The Real North Korea Threat -- Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, The Diplomat
A year has passed since North Korea conducted its unexpected shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. Yet, while tensions between the two Koreas seem less intense now, the threat posed by North Korea’s military continues to be as complex and diversified as ever. Indeed, even as the North Korea looks like it is edging toward collapse, there are signs of dangerous military changes, including the further politicization of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and the diversification of its military capabilities.
Read more ....
My Comment: A sobering assessment on North Korea's military capabilities.
North Korea Claims Progress In It's Nuclear Program
North Korea Claims Progress In Uranium Enrichment -- The Telegraph
North Korea said on Wednesday that it is making rapid progress on work to enrich uranium and build a light-water nuclear power plant, increasing worries that the country is developing another way to make atomic weapons.
An unidentified spokesman at Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the construction of an experimental light-water reactor and low enriched uranium are "progressing apace".
The statement, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, said that North Korea has a sovereign right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and that "neither concession nor compromise should be allowed".
Read more ....
More News On North Korea's Nuclear Program
NKorea claims progress in uranium enrichment, light-water reactor, raising nuclear bomb worry -- Washington Post
North Korea Reports Progress on New Reactor -- New York Times
N.Korea says work on uranium enrichment moves briskly -- Reuters
North Korea: Uranium Enrichment Progress -- Time/AP
N. Korea says progress made on uranium production -- AFP
North Korea “Progressing Apace” on Uranium Enrichment -- Voice of America
North Korea claims nuclear plant progress -- The Guardian
North Korea Nuclear Reactor Construction ‘Progressing Apace’ -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea says nuclear plant is 'progressing apace' -- BBC
N. Korea claims LWR progress -- UPI
NK claims progress in uranium production -- Korea Times
Another Violent Border Incident Between NATO And Pakistani Forces On The Border
Clash Between NATO and Pakistani Forces Defused -- New York TimesKABUL, Afghanistan — A cross-border incident involving NATO and Pakistani forces was quickly defused early on Wednesday with no loss of life, according to Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, the spokesman for the American-led international coalition here.
Few details of the incident were immediately available but it apparently involved heavy artillery fire across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
The firing broke out at a time of Pakistani anger over the killing of 24 of its soldiers in a United States air strike on Saturday. Pakistan closed its border to NATO supply convoys and pulled out of an international conference on Afghanistan next week in Bonn in protest at the killings.
Read more ....
Update: NATO: Pakistan Cooperates on New Border Incident -- FOX News/AP
My Comment: If there was loss of life in this incident today .... and after the loss of 2 dozen Pakistani soldiers on the weekend ..... I can only imagine how heated the rhetoric would have been on both sides of the border.
Pakistan Escalates Tensions With NATO And The U.S.
Pakistan Hardens Stance On Nato Attack -- The Telegraph
Pakistan stiffened its public stance on a Nato attack on Wednesday, accusing commanders of deliberately targeting two border posts and killing 24 of its soldiers.
But the prime minister also offered a glimmer of hope that Pakistan could still attend a crucial conference on the future of Afghanistan.
The deaths have provoked daily demonstrations in Pakistan where much of the population cannot believe the attack was an accident.
The US military insists a joint patrol with Afghan forces was first upon first and only attacked the posts – which a commander mistakenly identified as Taliban training camps – after checking there were no Pakistani forces nearby.
Read more ....
More News On The Aftermath Of A NATO Border Strike On A Pakistan Border Outpost
Pakistan Steps Up Anti-US Rhetoric After Attack -- New York Times/AP
Pakistan army says NATO attack was blatant aggression -- Reuters
Pakistani general calls NATO airstrike deliberate -- L.A. Times
Pakistan accuses Nato commanders of deliberately targeting soldiers -- The Telegraph
Pakistan calls NATO raid 'act of aggression' -- Al Jazeera
Pakistan to evaluate all options after NATO attack: PM -- Associated Press Of Pakistan
Pakistan releases first images of border posts attacked by NATO -- MSNBC
Pakistan and US offer different versions of border post attack -- Christian Science Monitor
US scrambles to contain Pakistan fallout -- Seattle PI/AP
After NATO attack, truckers face hard times-- Al Jazeera
What really happened at the bombed out Pakistani military post? -- Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor
Still time to prevent a U.S.-Pakistan meltdown? -- Robert Dreyfuss, CBS
Afghanistan War News Updates -- November 30, 2011
NATO: Communication Lines Open Between Coalition And Pakistan During Recent Border Incident -- Washington Post/AP
KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO says Pakistan is showing signs it might be willing to cooperate with the coalition again in the wake of NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani troops.
NATO spokesman in Kabul, German Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, said Wednesday that Pakistani security forces fully cooperated with NATO during a cross-border incident the night before in Paktia province along the border. He says details about who was firing at whom are still being collected and that no one was injured in the incident.
Read more ....
More News On Afghanistan
US scrambles to contain Pakistan fallout ensure no new rifts on Afghanistan strategy -- Washington Post/AP
Afghan officials voice scant remorse to Pakistan -- Washington Post
Afghan President Urges Pakistan to Attend Bonn Conference -- Voice of America
Pakistan Dismisses Calls to Attend Afghan Conference -- Voice of America
Pakistan Boycotts Afghanistan Conference -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistan says decision on Afghanistan conference is final -- DAWN/Reuters
Pakistan to Boycott Next Week’s Meeting on Afghanistan After NATO Strike -- Bloomberg
Pakistan urged to rethink Bonn Afghan talks boycott -- BBC
Pakistan sets conditions for Bonn peace conference -- AFP
Combined Force Captures Haqqani Network Leader -- US Department of Defense
NATO Service Member Dies in Afghanistan -- ABC News/AP
Terrorist attack foiled in Kabul -- New Kerala
Afghanistan: 40 000 troops exit next year -- News24
Bulgaria to Make Major Withdrawal of Afghanistan Troops by 2014 -- Novinite
Dempsey Makes Case for Progress in Afghanistan -- US Department of Defense
Transfer of security responsibility will test Afghan National Security Forces -- Long War Journal
Survey: Afghans Living Longer, Fewer Infants Die -- New York Times/AP
Afghanistan maternal mortality drops, survey suggests -- BBC
Afghanistan life expectancy rising as healthcare improves, survey shows -- The Guardian
One in ten Afghan children die before age 5 - survey -- Reuters
Kabul doles out mineral mining rights -- UPI
How to win in Afghanistan -- Ronald E. Neumann, Washington Post
Road to recovery in Afghanistan goes through the countryside -- Edward Girardet, Christian Science Monitor
Afghanistan's Bonn Conference: 4 things you need to know -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghanistan Conference 'Doomed to Failure' -- Spiegel Online
At least 1,724 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 -- Washington Post/AP
World News Briefs -- November 30, 2011
The US Federal Reserve Building
Central Banks Take Joint Action to Ease Debt Crisis -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve moved Wednesday with other major central banks to buttress financial markets by increasing the availability of dollars outside the United States, reflecting growing concern about the fallout of the European debt crisis.
The central banks announced that they would slash by roughly half the cost of an existing program under which banks in foreign countries can borrow dollars from their own central banks, which in turn get those dollars from the Fed. The banks also said that loans will be available until February 2013, extending a previous endpoint of August 2012.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Pressure mounts on Syria, government raids continue.
Northern battle flares as Yemen seeks interim government.
Biden: US troop exit marks new beginning with Iraq.
First suicide blast since '07 hit Iraq's restricted Green Zone.
Turkey imposes sanctions on Assad's Syria.
ASIA
Afghan President urges Pakistan to attend Bonn conference. Afghan officials voice scant remorse to Pakistan.
North Korea supplying Syria, Iran with prohibited nuclear technology, report says.
NKorea claims progress in uranium enrichment, light-water reactor, raising nuclear bomb worry.
Clinton in Myanmar to urge reform.
Internet freedom in Central Asia worsens say human rights groups.
AFRICA
Egypt’s Brotherhood claims lead in polls, challenges military rule.
Egypt: Tahrir Square violence marrs closing of polls.
Ivory Coast: Gbagbo faces murder and rape charges. Plane believed carrying ex-Ivory Coast President Gbagbo arrives in Netherlands.
DR Congo's Vital Kamerhe leads calls to annul vote.
EUROPE
EU monetary chief sees 10 days to rescue euro zone.
EU Defense Ministers may endorse pooling resources.
Britain withdraws diplomats from Iran after embassy attack. UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack.
Norway closes embassy in Iran after Brits attacked.
UK Strikes hit services as millions heed unions' call to fight pension cuts.
AMERICAS
Honduras turns to army to battle drug gangs.
Police arrest more than 200 in raid of 'Occupy L.A.' camp.
Chile seeks extradition of ex-U.S. military officer in 1973 death.
Latin America poverty level lowest in 20 years, says UN.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Indefinite military detention of citizens on US soil still in Pentagon spending bill.
Obama orders government to clean up terror training.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Fed, ECB offer aid for global financial system.
S&P downgrades dozens of global banks.
Study: Cyber Monday was biggest online shopping day ever in U.S.
American Airlines' Boeing and Airbus order is 'rock solid' despite bankruptcy.
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 30, 2011
Butter Beats Guns At Creating Jobs, Profs Say -- Aol Defense
WASHINGTON: As the election campaign heats up, so does the debate over guns and butter. Defense Secretary Panetta and his crew, joined by the GOP, say we must fund the Pentagon. Our security is at stake in a highly uncertain world. Jobs -- good paying, high-tech jobs -- are at risk, they say.
Some Democrats and other observers -- including the neo-isolationist wing of the GOP now known as the Tea Party -- want foreign bases cut and wonder why we pour so much treasure into the military at a time when we are pulling out of our two biggest wars.
Read more ....
MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
A Look Behind the U.K.'s JSF, Carrier Decision -- Ares/Aviation Week
Iran Gets 'Serious' With Naval Expansion -- Aol Defense
China Builds Up Submarine Fleet -- Chosun Ilbo
Photos: China’s Carrier Back at Sea -- Defense Tech
China military denounces U.S.-Australia defense upgrade -- Reuters
South Korea Develops World’s Fastest Unmanned Aerial Vehicle -- Unmanned
French Senate's Call: Buy Reaper, Not Heron UAV -- Defense News
French UAVs: Who is Up, Who is Down? -- Ares/Aviation Week
Germany now major Mideast arms supplier -- UPI
U.S. Prepares to Vacate Pakistan Air Base -- New York Times/Reuters
Soldiers in Iraq Pack Gear for Departure -- US Department of Defense
Today's Military: The Most Top-Heavy Force in U.S. History -- Defpro
F-22 oxygen report delayed for months -- Flight Global
Drone Pilots: The Future Of Aerial Warfare -- NPR
Secretive Air Force space plane nears orbital record -- MSNBC
Survey Shows Growing Gap Between Civilians, Military -- US Department of Defense
DOD Works with Congress on Dover Review -- US Department of Defense
House votes to ease airport screening for troops -- Stars and Stripes/AP
US Services Announce First Fiscal 2012 Recruiting Numbers -- US Department of Defense
Key lawmakers support Obama military pay review -- Air Force Times
Defense on the chopping block -- Emily Miller, The Washington Times
Army judge to rule whether Fort Hood shooting suspect gets funding for 2 defense experts -- Washington Post
After losing fed loan, military solar project a go -- AP
Declassified Memo Hinted of 1941 Hawaii Attack -- US News And World Report
Euro Debt Crisis Delayed For 10 More Days
Europe Delays Major Debt Decisions For 10 Days -- Myway News/AP
BRUSSELS (AP) - Under pressure to deliver shock treatment to the ailing euro, European finance ministers failed to come up with a plan for European countries to spend within their means. Such a plan is needed before Europe's central bank and the International Monetary Fund consider stepping in to stem an escalating threat to the global economy.
The ministers delayed action on major financial issues - such as the concept of a closer fiscal union that would guarantee more budgetary discipline - until their bosses meet next week in Brussels.
Read more ....
My Comment: In the meantime .... the people with money are getting ready for the downgrades and the chaos that will follow.
U.S. Vice President Biden: New Relationship With Iraq
Vice President Joe Biden meets with Commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq General Lloyd Austin and U.S. ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Nov. 29, 2011. (Saad Shalash / Reuters)
Biden: Pullout Ushers New Phase In US-Iraq Relations -- Voice of America
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has told Iraqi leaders in Baghdad that the two countries are embarking on a "new path" as the United States prepares to complete a troop pullout by the end of December.
Biden was speaking Wednesday in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The vice president said the United States is keeping its promise under a 2008 agreement with Iraq to withdraw U.S. forces before an end-of-2011 deadline. The pullout will end a military presence that began with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein.
Read more ....
More News On U.S. Vice President Biden's Trip To Iraq
Biden Says U.S. Seeks 'New Beginning' With Iraq During Surprise Visit to Baghdad -- FOX News/AP
Biden says U.S. 'stands ready' to help Iraq -- CNN
Biden says US, Iraq in new phase as US troops go -- AFP
Biden marks "new beginning of a relationship" in Iraq -- USA Today
Biden in Iraq: A new beginning -- Politico
Biden in Iraq to Prepare for Postwar Relations -- New York Times
My Comment: I am surprised by this visit of the Vice President .... I expected the President instead.
In the meantime .... 13,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq as drawdown continues.
Pakistan Blocks The BBC World Service
Pakistan's cable TV association has taken BBC World News off air after screening of a documentary that it deemed anti-Pakistan. Photograph: BBC
BBC World News Blocked In Pakistan -- BBC
Channel taken off air after showing documentary on accusations that country was failing to meet commitments in 'war on terror'
The BBC's World News has been taken off the air in Pakistan after broadcasting a documentary that was deemed to be critical of the country. Secret Pakistan, which was screened last Wednesday, explored accusations by CIA officials and western diplomats that Pakistan was failing to meet its commitments in the "war on terror". Khalid Arain, president of the country's cable TV association, said operators had blocked the BBC service as a result.
Read more ....
More News On Pakistan Blocking Western News Media
Pakistani cable TV operators block BBC because of critical documentary -- Washington Post/AP
Cable operators to shut down ‘anti-Pak’ foreign news channels -- International News
Pakistan cable TV operators block BBC -- AFP
BBC blocked in Pakistan over documentary -- IBN Live
Threat to foreign TV channels issued -- The Nation
U.S. Air Force Looking For Allies
Air Force Seeks Allies Support As Budget Crunch Looms -- Aol DefenseWASHINGTON: The Air Force is turning to its allies for help as it looks to maintain a viable global presence in the face of coming budget cuts, a top Air Force general said today.
The service expects to get much smaller as the Pentagon's struggles to meet the White House deficit reduction goals and possible fallout from the Super Committee's failure to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal budget, Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton said at an Air Force Association-sponsored event this morning. The assistant vice chief of staff wouldn't say how small the service may end up being. But Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently said the Air Force may end up being the smallest its been since its creation after World War II,
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My Comment: In the Pentagon today .... it's every service and program for himself.
Mexico's Drug Cartel War Is Now Down To 2 Major Players
Mexico's Top 2 Crime Gangs Engaged In Turf War -- McClatchy News
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico's two most powerful criminal gangs are locked in a titanic battle for control of the country's heartland in a struggle that's redrawn Mexico's map of violence.
Violence has dropped along the U.S. border, with Ciudad Juarez, once considered the most violent city in the world, seeing a 35 percent decline in homicides this year.
That good news is balanced by bad news in Guadalajara, Culiacan and Veracruz, where the Sinaloa cartel, whose bulwark has always been Mexico's Pacific coast, and the Zetas, a violent gang that originally was created to protect the Gulf cartel along the Gulf of Mexico coast, are locked in a spiraling struggle that's seen each gang invade the other's territory.
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My Comment: This conflict is now coming down to two major players .... in short .... expect 2012 to be Mexico's worse year in casulaties and homicides as a result of this drug turf war.
A Wearable Power System That Will Power A Soldier's Radios And Electronics
A Marine gears up for a patrol in March in Northern Marjah, Afghanistan. The Corps is looking for a wearable power system that could provide energy to radios and other electronics. Sgt. Jesse Stence / Marine Corps
Corps Seeks Wearable System To Power Equipment -- Marine Times
The Corps has launched a new effort to find a wearable power system that provides energy to radios and other electronics that Marines carry with them in the field.
The service zeroed in on researching the systems as part of its next Expeditionary Forward Operating Base event, Marine officials said. The ExFOB team, based at the Pentagon, will evaluate the most promising systems at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in an exhibition from April 30 to May 4, said Maj. Sean Sadlier, a logistics analyst in the Corps’ Expeditionary Energy Office.
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My Comment: It sure beats lugging around batteries or fuel to power the generators.
Picture Of The Day
An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron 147 launches from the USS Ronald Reagan in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 31, 2011. The Ronald Reagan, which is homeported in San Diego, is conducting routine training in the eastern Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony W. Johnson
Russian Nuclear Threats Are No Longer Believed In The West
A Russian Topol-12M mobile nuclear missile. Photo: REUTERS
Russia And The Nuclear News That Wasn't -- Daniel McGroarty, Real Clear World
Imploding Europe, nuclear Iran, American cities under 'Occupation' the end of the NBA lockout - whatever it is we think of as defining the world in the last week of the second-to-last month of 2011, it’s clear what won’t make the cut: This won’t be remembered as the week Russia threatened Europe with nuclear missiles.
And yet, that's just what happened. In a blast from the Cold War past, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that if the U.S. and its NATO allies proceed with plans for a regional missile defense system, Russia will put the European anti-missile installations in its nuclear cross-hairs.
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My Comment: I was young when I first realized that the West was never going to launch a nuclear strike against the Soviet Union .... and I also knew that the Soviet Union was not going to launch an attack against the West even though many in the West believed that there was a slight possibility of such an action.
Jumping to 2011 .... no one in Russia now believes that the West is going to attack them .... and more to the point .... no one in the West now take Russian threats seriously.
The Cold War is (finally) truly over.
The U.S. Military Continues To Focus On The Asia-Pacific Region
Photo Credit: US Navy
How Much Defense Is Enough In The Asia-Pacific Region? -- Walter Pincus, Washington Post
We need more transparency about the post-Iraq, post-Afghanistan Defense Department that can accept budget cuts over the next 10 years of $460 billion. And if the sequester of an additional $600 billion or more takes place beginning in fiscal 2013, would it “hollow out the force” and create “risks” because of threats we won’t be able to deter?
More sensible than much of the rhetoric was Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s Nov. 14 plea attached to a letter to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for flexibility rather than across-the-board reductions, which are part of the sequestration law.
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My Comment: Much of the world's population resides in Asia, as well as it becoming the world's fastest growing economic/political/military powerhouse. With such a development, this Pentagon/State Department/White House focus should not surprise anyone.
Who Is Sabotaging Iran?
Satellite images of Iran explosion. CNN
Who’s Blowing Up Iran? -- Michael Ledeen, PJMedia
Another week, another explosion at or near an Iranian military installation (or is it a nuclear research facility?). As usual, the regime doesn’t know what to say. The mullahcracy is so intensely divided that different “spokesmen” from different ministries/news outlets/cults/mafias put out different versions. There was an explosion, or at least “the sound of an explosion.” This goes out on the wires. Then, no, there was no explosion, it was just the sound of our fierce military training. Then again, yes, there was something, but not to worry, just go home and shut up. And so it goes in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as our president so loves to call his intended international partners.
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My Comment: In short .... the usual suspects .... which I suspect is a very long list.