Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- April 30, 2013

Obama 'Red Line' On Syrian Chemical Weapons Gets A Bit Grayer -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

President Obama has said Syria's use of chemical weapons would be a 'red line.' Evidence is mounting, but Obama's desire for an international response throws prospects for action into doubt.

President Obama on Tuesday appeared to rule out any unilateral US intervention in Syria no matter what the ongoing investigation of chemical weapons use there reveals – a position that conforms to Mr. Obama’s strong preference for collective action in the international arena, but one that could also lower the prospects for intervention.

Speaking at a White House press conference, the president said that not the US alone but the “international community” as well has to be confident in the evidence that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons before action can be taken.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Time running out for Syria as world stands paralyzed -- Kristalina Georgieva, The Daily Star

America Can't End Syria's Civil War -- George Friedman, Real Clear World/Stratfor

Don’t link Syrian crisis to Iran -- Gordon Robison, Gulf News

Revenge, or fear of it, must not lead Syria to chemical warfare -- Christian Science Monitor editorial

Tripoli on Edge as Fears of Additional Bombings in Libya Escalate -- Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast

North Africa Is Becoming The New Afghanistan, And Only President Obama Can Stop It -- Richard Miniter, Forbes

As South Korea and US end military drills, how will North Korea react? -- Steven Borowiec, Christian Science Monitor

Looming Clash Between Seoul and Washington Over Nuclear Technology -- Audrey Yoo, Time

Can This Alliance Be Saved? Salvaging the U.S.-Pakistan Relationship -- C. Christine Fair, Time

Musharraf framed by his past -- Abid Mustafa, The Nation

China's Militant Nationalism -- Gordon Chang, Real Clear World

The Myth of Dirty Russian Money -- Fraser Cameron and Maria Ordzhonikidze, The Moscow Times

Is the Franco-German union heading for divorce? -- France 24

A ‘hard hand’ in Venezuela -- Washington Post editorial

World News Briefs -- April 30, 2013 (Evening Edition)

Hezbollah Is Helping Assad Fight Syria Uprising, Says Hassan Nasrallah -- The Guardian

Leader of Lebanese group hints that Russia and Iran would intervene militarily, declaring that Syria has 'real friends' in region

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has confirmed for the first time that members of the powerful Lebanese Shia organisation are helping President Bashar al-Assad fight the uprising against his rule – and will stand by him.

Nasrallah – a close ally of Assad – also hinted that Russia and Iran, Syria's principal supporters, would intervene militarily to prevent his defeat.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Obama moving toward sending lethal arms to Syrian rebels, officials say.

Hezbollah warns of possible Syria intervention.

Huge explosion rocks Damascus. Central Damascus 'hit by bomb explosion'. Syria blast kills 13 as Russia bans civilian flights.

Activists: 15 Syrian rebels die in battle for base.

Syrian rebels to get 1st direct U.S. support as $8M in medical supplies, rations set for delivery.

Already unable to cope with refugees, Syria’s neighbors brace for more.

Exclusive: Sources say senior Iranian diplomat detained in March.

Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 1 Palestinian. Israel: 'Key terror figure' killed in Gaza; father-of-five settler stabbed to death.

Car bombs cap week of violence that underscores Iraq's fragility.

Arab states back Israel-Palestine land swaps. Israeli chief negotiator welcomes Arab peace plan.

ASIA

China steps up customs checks, but North Korea trade robust.

Mobs in Malaysia torch Rohingya homes. Mosque, Muslim shops attacked near Myanmar's biggest city.

Bangladesh building collapse death toll approaches 1,300. Many bodies still in collapsed Bangladesh building.

North Korea halts missile launch preparations.

Pakistani court bars ex-president from elections for life. Musharraf remanded over Bhutto assassination.

Russia, Japan agree to try to resolve islands row so they can end WWII.

U.S. official: American detained in North Korea had proper visa.

Sherpas who attacked Everest climbers angry at 'luxury adventurers'.

AFRICA

Military push not sole way to end Congo conflict: U.N. envoy.

South African army deaths from Central African Republic rise to 14.

Gunmen surround Libyan justice ministry. Libya gunmen surround justice ministry in Tripoli.

Congo's M23 rebels threaten new UN brigade.

Roadside bomb kills French soldier in Mali.

AU calls for ceasefire in Sudan .

Botswana President Ian Khama wounded by cheetah.

ANC criticised for Nelson Mandela footage.

EUROPE

Parliament in Cyprus passes international bailout deal.

Germany accuses France of being 'Europe's biggest problem child'.

Eurozone unemployment at record high as inflation drops.

Bank Chief: 'There will be more wealth confiscation, without a doubt'.

Spain's economy contracts for seventh consecutive quarter.

Italy's new premier to push growth agenda in Europe after winning vote.

Netherlands welcomes King Willem-Alexander. Willem-Alexander becomes Dutch king as Queen Beatrix abdicates.

Hungary bans far-right protest ahead of Jewish Congress.

Ukraine violated Tymoshenko's rights - European court.

AMERICAS

Chile to be Latin America's only candidate to U.N. Council.

As FBI expands Boston investigation, Obama defends law enforcement efforts.

Skepticism rises about bombing suspects acting alone; little evidence to help divided lawmakers.

Boston bombing probe: What female DNA may mean.

Mexico seeks new security, economic agenda with US.

Mexico ends open access for US security agencies.

Venezuela election: Maduro victory margin narrows.

Colombia tops IDMC internally displaced people list.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Russia had elder Boston suspect under surveillance.

The 10 stupidest Islamic terrorists.

A terrorist cell dismantled in Mali, official says.

Extra medical staff sent to Guantanamo. Extra medics in Guantanamo Bay for hunger strike.

Italian police arrest four suspected Islamist militants.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Twitter warns news organisations over hacking amid Syrian attacks.

Apple wows market with record $17 billion bond deal.

S&P 500 ends at record high on Apple, economic data.

Paul Allen gaining respect with sports, real estate moves.

Why Sudanese rebel advance spells trouble for Coca-Cola.

US expects first cut in debt since 2007.

Hezbollah Commits Itself To Support Syrian President Assad

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah waves to the crowd in Beirut, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. (The Daily Star/Hasan Shaaban)

Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah In Syria Pledge -- BBC

The head of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has declared that Syria has real friends who will not let it fall to the US, Israel or Islamic radicals.

Hassan Nasrallah said Syria's opposition was too weak to bring down Bashar al-Assad's regime militarily.

He was speaking in an address broadcast on Hezbollah's TV station al-Manar.

BBC Arab affairs analyst Sebastian Usher says the speech tacitly confirmed the group has been involved in fighting in neighbouring Syria.

Read more ....

More News On Hezbollah Committing Itself To Support the Syrian Regime Of President Assad

Hezbollah chief suggests militant group would intervene in Syria on Assad side if need arises -- Washington Post/AP
Syria allies will prevent fall of Assad regime: Hezbollah -- Daily Star
Hezbollah: Assad's 'real friends' won't let Syrian opposition win -- Global Post
Hezbollah says opposition won't topple Assad with force -- Reuters
Hezbollah hints at possible intervention in Syria if Assad needs help -- FOX News/AP
Hezbollah taking part in Syria fighting: Nasrallah -- AFP

President Obama Vows To Close Guantanamo Prison (Again)

Obama Vows New Push To Close Guantanamo Detention Camp -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama vowed on Tuesday to make a new push to close the Guantanamo detention center, where about 100 inmates are on hunger strike, saying it was damaging to U.S. interests to keep holding prisoners there in legal limbo.

Human rights groups have long been critical of the 12-year-old camp for foreign terrorism suspects, and their concern has intensified in recent weeks. Some of those on hunger strike are being force-fed at the camp at the U.S. Naval Base in Cuba.

Obama, who repeatedly vowed to close the camp, which now holds 166 detainees, when he was campaigning for a first term and when he first took office in 2009, said he would re-engage with lawmakers to find a way to shut the facility and make good on an unkept promise.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama's Vow To Close Guantanamo Prison

Obama vows to try to close Gitmo again -- Washington Post
Obama to Seek Closing Amid Hunger Strike at Guantánamo -- New York Times
Obama pledges to 're-engage' on Gitmo amid hunger strike -- NBC
Obama promises (again) to close down Guantanamo Bay -- National Post/Bloomberg
Guantánamo Bay: Obama Reiterates Need To Close Detention Center -- FOX News
Barack Obama says Guantanamo Bay prison must close -- BBC
Obama pledges renewed push on Gitmo -- Politico
Obama: We need to close Guantanamo Bay -- USA Today
Obama: Guantánamo prison 'not in the best interests of the American people' -- The Guardian
Obama renews pledge to close Guantanamo -- ABC News (Australia)

My Comment: I mentioned at the beginning of his first term (January 2009) that President Obama's vow to close Guanatanmo prison in 100 days was not realistic .... and I will say the same thing again today. The problem with many of these inmates is that while some can probably be repatriated to their country of origin .... many cannot. The inmates that cannot be released are simply too dangerous .... but because of how they were captured and interrogated .... doubts that they can be convicted in a standard U.S. court of law are legitimate .... the evidence will probably be thrown out.

I have always said that the best way to handle these detainees is through a military court .... but this White House has made it abundantly clear that this is not their preferred option. Hence .... we are now in that no-mans land of legal limbo .... and dangerous inmates who are now realizing that they are not going to be released.

PEW Poll: Modest Support for Military Force If Syria Used Chemical Weapons

Survey: Some public support for US military action in Syria -- The Hill

There is more public support than opposition for U.S. military action in Syria if the reports of chemical weapons are confirmed, according to a new poll from Pew Research.

The survey found 45 percent of respondents supported military action against Syria, while 31 percent were opposed. Nearly a quarter of respondents, 23 percent, did not have an opinion or did not know.

President Obama has warned that the used of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad would be a “game changer,” although Obama has proceeded cautiously after the White House said there was some evidence a chemical attack occurred.

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WNU Editor: The PEW poll results are here. What's my take on these poll results .... I am actually surprised. After Iraq and Afghanistan you would think that the American public would be overwhelmingly hostile to any foreign military intervention in the Middle East ..... especially on the scale of Syria. Apparently not .... even though no one has made the case politically on why the U.S. should intervene.

Is President Obama Kicking The Syrian Chemical Weapons Can Down The Road?

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U.S. Kicks Syria Chemical Weapons Can Down The Road -- Charles P. Blair, Special To CNN 

Syria’s civil war is the first to engulf a country armed with weapons of mass destruction. Understandably, the unfolding cataclysm precipitated by that country’s collapse has prompted new levels of uncertainty and risk.

But where exactly does the Obama administration stand on managing the various threats posed by Syria’s chemical weapons?

 An April 25 letter from the White House to members of Congress included the Obama administration’s seventh notice threatening unspecified but “significant” action if the al-Assad regime crossed the “red line” on chemical weapons activity.

But by remaining mute on what specifically constitutes a chemical weapon in the context of its “red line,” and by characterizing the mounting evidence of chemical weapons use by Syrian military forces as requiring “credible and corroborating facts” validated by the United Nations, the administration clearly wants to avoid (or at least delay as long as possible) substantive action against the regime. Yet there are obvious risks to this “wait and see” approach.

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My Comment: Getting involved in the Syrian conflict .... without sending in ground troops .... will still involve thousands of soldiers .... naval and air force resources that are already stretched .... tens of billions of dollars .... a national and international political push for support .... laying the groundwork and marshal;ling the massive resources that will be needed for the post-Assad era .... and more important for President Obama .... a dramatic shift away from his own national agenda.

President Obama is not only kicking the "can down the road" .... he is trying his best to kick the "can OFF the road".

President Obama Comments On Syria

Obama: Need All Facts on Syria Chemical Weapons -- Voice of America

U.S. President Barack Obama says he needs more facts on chemical weapons use in Syria before ordering any American response.

Speaking to reporters at the White House Tuesday, Obama said the United States has evidence that chemical weapons were used inside Syria, but does not know who used them or how they were used. He said until that "chain of custody" is established, the U.S. would not rush to judgment.

Last week, the White House told lawmakers it believes "with varying degrees of confidence" that the government of President Bashar al-Assad has used a small quantity of sarin gas, a chemical weapon, in Syria’s civil war.

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More News On President Obama's Comments On Syria

Obama signals won't rush to act against Syria over chemical arms -- Reuters
Obama Declines to Outline Plan for Syria in White House Press Conference -- US News and World Report
Obama cautions against rush to action in Syria -- NBC
Obama cautious but hints at eventual action on Syria -- AFP
Obama: U.S. must be certain before intervening in Syria -- CTV/AP
Obama Says U.S. Needs Hard Evidence on Syria Chemical Arms Use -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Obama: US unsure who used chemical weapons in Syria -- YNet News
Obama claims the US is 'deeply engaged' in Syria but he 'isn't sure who used the chemical weapons' -- Daily Mail
Obama says he's rethinking 'range of options' against Syria -- FOX News
Obama: There is 'some evidence' Syria's Assad used chemical weapons -- NBC
Obama says there is evidence of chemical weapon use in Syria -- RT

President Obama: Denies Knowing Benghazi Terror-Attack Survivors Have Been Forbidden From Talking To Congress

In Rare Public Q-and-A With Reporters, Obama Denies Knowing Benghazi Terror-Attack Survivors Have Been Forbidden From Talking To Congress -- Daily Mail

* At least four career officials have hired lawyers as they prepare to share sensitive information with Congress
* Would-be State Department whistle-blowers claim harassment, intimidation
* Obama: I'm not familiar with this notion that anybody's been blocked from testifying'

President Barack Obama said during a rare public session answering reporters' questions that he was unaware of any efforts to prevent survivors of the 2012 Benghazi, Libya terror attack from testifying before Congress about what they experienced.

'I'm not familiar with this notion that anybody's been blocked from testifying,' the president said Tuesday in response to a question from Fox News Channel correspondent Ed Henry.

'They’ve hired an attorney,' Henry told Obama, 'because they're saying that they've been blocked from coming forward.'

'What I'll do,' the president offered, 'is I will find out what exactly you're referring to.'

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More News On President Obama Denying Knowing That Benghazi Terror-Attack Survivors Have Been Forbidden From Talking To Congress

Obama On Benghazi: "I'm Not Familiar With This Notion That Anybody Has Been Blocked From Testifying" -- Real Clear Politics
Obama ‘not familiar’ with intimidation of Benghazi whistleblowers -- Washington Times
Obama ‘not familiar’ with Benghazi gag order -- Daily Caller
Obama administration officials threatened whistle-blowers on Benghazi, lawyer says -- FOX News
Obama administration threatening Benghazi whistleblowers: Report -- Washington Times
Fox News Says Obama Muzzled Benghazi Whistleblowers -- Atlantic Wire

America's Intelligence Chief Orders A Review Of The Boston Marathon Bombing Case

U.S. Intelligence Chief Orders Review Of Boston Marathon Case -- NBC

The nation's top intelligence official has ordered a review of the Boston Marathon bombing case amid questions about whether the U.S. should have known one of the suspects posed a threat.

Retired Gen. James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, has asked the inspector general who oversees the intelligence community to take a broad look at various agencies' handling of information they received long before the bombing.

“Based on what I've seen so far, the FBI performed its duties, Department of Homeland Security did what it was supposed to be doing, but this is hard stuff,'' President Obama said at a Tuesday news conference.

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More News On America's Intelligence Chief Ordering A Review Of The Boston Marathon Bombing Case

Top US intelligence chief launches review of information sharing ahead of Boston attacks -- Star Tribune/AP
Nation’s top spy orders broad review into US government handling of intelligence information before Boston Marathon bombings -- Boston.com
Officials to review intelligence on Boston bombings -- L.A. Times
Spy Chief Already Knows How Boston Intel Probe Will End -- Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room

My Comment: I expect nothing will be learned from this review .... and if something is found .... it will be classified.

Did North Korea Just Blink?

North Korea Halts Missile Launch Preparations -- Asahi Shimbun

North Korea has stopped work on preparing for the launch of a medium-range Musudan ballistic missile, according to government sources in Japan, the United States and South Korea.

Although the U.S. military has also temporarily eased back from being on high alert, the three nations will continue to keep a wary eye on Pyongyang as it is deemed likely that it will continue with its provocative actions in the medium to long term.

The sources said that from about April 20, intelligence units have been unable to intercept radio signals that North Korea had been transmitting on a test basis in preparing for a missile launch. The signals include telemetry signals transmitted by the Musudan missiles to ground bases that would track its course, as well as radar waves used for communications control within the ground base.

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Update: Sources: North Korea pauses ballistic missile preparations -- Japan Daily Press

My Comment: If true .... this is a surprising development. Is it because of China? Internal North Korean politics? Technical problems? Your guess is as good as mine .... but I am not going to read too much into this (for now). On the ground .... North Korea is still going to launch their large-scale air and land exercises.

Update: North Korea's missile capabilities -- CNN

USS Freedom Breaks Down On First Deployment

USS Freedom. Wikipedia

USS Freedom Breaks Down, But Not Going Down -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy

Stand down, Twitterverse, the littoral combat ship USS Freedom isn't going down, flooding, or even leaking, really. But she's not going anywhere, either.

Ten days after arriving in Singapore for her maiden deployment, the Freedom is dead in the water, awaiting repairs to her propulsion system, according to Navy officials at Pacific Fleet in Hawaii.

A tweet on Monday caused a bit of alarm when it suggested the Freedom was taking on water.

"Over the weekend USS Freedom started taking in seawater, port side," wrote Raymond Pritchett, author of the maritime-focused blog Information Dissemination, known widely online as "Galrahn."

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My Comment:  To say that this is embarrassing is an understatement.

CIA Money In Afghanistan (Updated)

CIA And MI6 Ghost Money May Fuel Afghan Corruption, Say Diplomats -- The Guardian

Failure of peace initiatives raises questions over whether British eagerness for political settlement may have been exploited

The CIA and MI6 have regularly given large cash payments to Hamid Karzai's office with the aim of maintaining access to the Afghan leader and his top allies and officials, but the attempt to buy influence has largely failed and may have backfired, former diplomats and policy analysts say.

The Guardian understands that the payments by British intelligence were on a smaller scale than the CIA's handouts, reported in the New York Times to have been in the tens of millions, and much of the British money has gone towards attempts to finance peace initiatives, which have so far proved abortive.

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More News On Afghan President Karzai Receiving Millions In CIA Money

CIA: Buying peace in Afghanistan? -- Al Jazeera
White House mum on bags of cash for Karzai -- Politico
CIA cash To Afghanistan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
CIA cash wrecks Afghan president's image -- Global Post/AFP
Karzai Responds to 'Bags of CIA Money' Allegations -- Voice of America
Afghan President Says CIA Cash Payments Were Small And Legit -- NPR
Afghan confirms the US has made payments to his national security team for a decade -- Washington Post/AP
Hamid Karzai confirms CIA payments to Afghan government -- The Telegraph
With Bags of Cash, C.I.A. Seeks Influence in Afghanistan -- New York Times
CIA gave tens of millions of dollars to Afghan president in suitcases and sacks ‘for access to Karzai’s inner circle’ -- Daily Mail
Millions in CIA 'ghost money' paid to Afghan president's office: New York Times -- Chicago Tribune/Reuters
CIA gave millions in cash to Karzai -- The Australian
Afghan president confirms receiving CIA cash -- Global Post/AFP
CIA-funded corruption: Top Afghan officials on secret US payroll – report -- RT
The CIA Gave Karzai Bags Full of Cash for Over a Decade -- The Atlantic
CIA 'ghost money': Millions in bribe money paid by U.S. to Afghanistan leaders -- Examiner
Report: CIA cash to Afghans hasn't always gained desired results -- UPI
How the CIA’s Bags of Cash Undermined the Afghanistan War -- Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room
CIA “Ghost Money” to Afghan Regime Yields Phantom Returns -- Michael Tennant, The New American
Do bags of cash ever help the CIA get what it wants? -- Elias Groll, Passport/Foreign Policy
A Brief History of CIA "Ghost Money" -- Asawin Suebsaeng, Mother Jones

Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 30, 2013

Officials: Seven Died In US Cargo Plane Crash In Afghanistan -- NBC

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Seven people were killed when a U.S.-run civilian cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff at Bagram Airfield outside of Kabul, officials said on Tuesday.

A spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) added that the cause of Monday's crash was unknown, but dismissed Taliban claims of responsibility, saying there were no reports of "enemy activity" around the base.

ISAF did not release details on the nationalities of those killed, referring questions to National Air Cargo, the company running the flight.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, April 30th -- ISAF
Roadside bombs kill 8 in Afghanistan, including 3 NATO soldiers -- FOX News
NATO: Bomb kills 3 troops in Afghanistan -- AP
Roadside bomb kills three NATO soldiers in Afghan south -- Reuters
3 coalition troops killed in Afghanistan -- CNN
Afghan forces suffer heavy casualties during opium eradication -- Khaama Press
Loss of U.S. air power a worry in Afghanistan -- USA Today
US Cargo Plane Crash in Afghanistan Kills 7 -- ABC News/AP
Afghanistan's Dangerous Bagram Airfield Just Had Its Deadliest Crash -- Atlantic Wire
US forces in Afghanistan nearly destroyed vital airfield -- The Guardian
37 more missiles fired from Pakistan in Kunar province -- Khaama Press
Pakistan’s failing relationship with Afghanistan -- Al Arabiya
US commission: Religious freedom in Afghanistan remains ‘exceedingly poor’ -- Washington Post/AP
As Afghans search for loved ones, hope comes over the airwaves -- Stars and Stripes
A Fake Apple Store In Afghanistan Is Selling The iPhone 5 For $700 -- Forbes
Game changer: Maj. Gen. Abrams on the “homegrown” rejection of Taliban in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News

World News Briefs -- April 30, 2013

White House Press Secretary Carney Says More Work Needed To Verify Syria Chemical Use -- Bloomberg

President Barack Obama’s spokesman said “much more” work needs to be done to verify intelligence assessments that Syria’s regime used chemical weapons against the opposition in that country’s civil war.

The U.S. needs to investigate whether there is direct evidence that Bashar al-Assad’s regime used the poison sarin in its fight against rebels, White House press secretary Jay Carney said today at a White House briefing.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Huge explosion rocks Damascus. Central Damascus 'hit by bomb explosion'. Syria blast kills 13 as Russia bans civilian flights.

Activists: 15 Syrian rebels die in battle for base.

Syrian rebels to get 1st direct U.S. support as $8M in medical supplies, rations set for delivery.

Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 1 Palestinian. Israel: 'Key terror figure' killed in Gaza; father-of-five settler stabbed to death.

Car bombs cap week of violence that underscores Iraq's fragility.

Arab states back Israel-Palestine land swaps. Israeli chief negotiator welcomes Arab peace plan.

ASIA

Bangladesh building collapse death toll approaches 1,300. Many bodies still in collapsed Bangladesh building.

North Korea halts missile launch preparations.

Mosque, Muslim shops attacked near Myanmar's biggest city.

Pakistani court bars ex-president from elections for life. Musharraf remanded over Bhutto assassination.

Russia, Japan agree to try to resolve islands row so they can end WWII.

U.S. official: American detained in North Korea had proper visa.

Sherpas who attacked Everest climbers angry at 'luxury adventurers'.

AFRICA

Gunmen surround Libyan justice ministry. Libya gunmen surround justice ministry in Tripoli.

Congo's M23 rebels threaten new UN brigade.

Roadside bomb kills French soldier in Mali.

AU calls for ceasefire in Sudan .

Botswana President Ian Khama wounded by cheetah.

ANC criticised for Nelson Mandela footage.

EUROPE

Eurozone unemployment at record high as inflation drops.

Bank Chief: 'There will be more wealth confiscation, without a doubt'.

Spain's economy contracts for seventh consecutive quarter.

Italy's new premier to push growth agenda in Europe after winning vote.

Netherlands welcomes King Willem-Alexander. Willem-Alexander becomes Dutch king as Queen Beatrix abdicates.

Hungary bans far-right protest ahead of Jewish Congress.

Ukraine violated Tymoshenko's rights - European court.

AMERICAS

Skepticism rises about bombing suspects acting alone; little evidence to help divided lawmakers.

Boston bombing probe: What female DNA may mean.

Mexico seeks new security, economic agenda with US.

Mexico ends open access for US security agencies.

Venezuela election: Maduro victory margin narrows.

Colombia tops IDMC internally displaced people list.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

The 10 stupidest Islamic terrorists.

A terrorist cell dismantled in Mali, official says.

Extra medical staff sent to Guantanamo. Extra medics in Guantanamo Bay for hunger strike.

Italian police arrest four suspected Islamist militants.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Paul Allen gaining respect with sports, real estate moves.

Why Sudanese rebel advance spells trouble for Coca-Cola.

US expects first cut in debt since 2007.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 30, 2013

Land-based missiles may force US aircraft carriers and fueling tankers to stand off so far that F-35s might not reach their targets.

Beyond F-35: Rep. Forbes & Adm. Greenert on Cyber, Drones & Carriers -- AOl Defense

WASHINGTON: What homemade roadside bombs could do to Army and Marine ground vehicles was the ugly surprise of the last decade. What sophisticated long-range missiles could do to Navy aircraft carriers could be the ugly surprise of the next. "I think it would almost follow like the night to the day," Rep. Randy Forbes told me in a recent interview. "The last decade... we asked a disproportionate sacrifice from the Army and Marine Corps," he went on. "The next decade's going to be the decade of seapower and projection forces, [and] some of those ugly surprises we see bits and pieces of already."

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Pentagon steps up planning for potential military intervention in Syria -- CNN

Hagel: No rush to judgment on Syria's chemical weapons -- The Hill

Survey: Some public support for US military action in Syria -- The Hill

Israeli Air Force struck SSRC facility without entering Syrian airspace -- Threat Matrix

US Says Syria Has Beefed Up Air Defenses -- Defense News

Talking to Syria’s rebel leader about chemical weapons, jihadi rebels, and the day after Assad falls. -- Afsin Yurdakul, Foreign Policy

North Korea halts missile launch preparations -- Asahi Shimbun

RAF's role in US drone attacks that killed hundreds of Iraqis: MoD admits for first time that Britain helped pilot the aircraft from American bases -- Daily Mail

Crisis-Hit France To Cut Armed Forces By 10 Percent -- Defense News/AFP

Grim Economics Shape France’s Military Spending -- New York Times

First Project 11356 Frigate to Join Russian Navy Next Year -- RIA Novosti

Up to 20 new ships, boats to join Black Sea Fleet in near future -- Russia & Inida Report

NATO Inspectors to Fly Over Russia -- RIA Novosti

Amos Yadlin: The Israeli intelligence picture -- Jerusalem Post

Israel Inaugurates 5th Dolphin-Class Sub -- Defense News

Can Foreign Sales Of The F35 Breathe Life Back Into The Struggling Program? -- Defense World

Pentagon Downplays Comment On F-35 Cyberthreat (More news here) -- Aviation Week

There Could Be As Many As 10,000 Drones Above US Skies By 2020 -- Business Insider/Real Clear Politics

Pentagon using China satellite for US-Africa Command -- Stars and Stripes/Bloomberg News

Pentagon Paying China — Yes, China — To Carry Data -- Danger Room

South Korea: Joint military drills with U.S. over, but vigilance on North remains -- CNN

Leaving Asia, Dempsey Discusses Combined Defense, China Engagement -- US Department of Defense

US sending more Ospreys to Okinawa -- Stars and Stripes

Should cyber warfare be elevated to highest command structure? -- Chris Carroll, Stars and Stripes

Activists, UN put 'killer robots' in the crosshairs -- NBC

Marine Corps Commandant: sequester cuts could force out more Marines -- Marine Times

As the Insurrection Feebly Continues, Odierno Takes a Budget Bullet -- Mark Thompson, Battleland/Time

Maj. Gen. H.R. McMaster on the big hole in the COIN and security forces manuals -- Thomas E. Ricks, Best Defense/Foreign Policy

U.S. Defense Department becomes a wildlife protector -- L.A. Times

Boston terror suspects uncle was married to CIA officer's daughter and even shared a home with the agent -- Daily Mail

Expert: Intelligence system made 'mistakes' ahead of Boston -- CNN

Grassley calls for 'true leadership' in US intel, law enforcement -- The Hill

Biden Backs Public Disclosure of Torture Report -- Roll Call

1st female Iraq war resister to be court-martialed -- Army Times

Obama administration threatening Benghazi whistleblowers: Report -- Washington Times

These Two Companies Are Leading Obama's Challenge To Hire 100,000 Veterans -- Business Insider

NBA, fine, but where are all the gay military officers? -- Kevin Baron, The E-Ring/Foreign Policy

Can the rush in gaming help overcome the stress of combat? -- Matthew M. Burke, Stars and Stripes

U.S. Navy To Deploy Rail Guns And Lasers

Navy Set To Deploy Rail Guns, Laser Prototypes -- DoD Buzz

The U.S. Navy’s Science and Technology community is deploying prototypes of electromagnetic rail guns, solid-state laser weapons and underwater unmanned vehicles in operational units with sailors and Marines, senior service leaders said April.

“These prototypes are shifting the game in our favor. We can no longer spend huge dollars on systems — they must be very reliable, very affordable and very effective. It is about developing disruptive technologies that can be hugely effective and hugely affordable,” Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder, Chief of Naval Research, Office of Naval Research (ONR), said at the National Defense Industrial Association’s 14th Annual Science & Engineering Technology Conference/Defense Tech Exposition, National Harbor, Md.

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My Comment: The above two videos describe both U.S. Navy weapon systems.

Some North Korean Spies Still Believe In The Kim Family And Communism

Trapped In South Korea, Veteran Spies Still believe In The North -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Park Hee-sung, a 78-year-old North Korean former agent who has been held in the enemy South for close to half a century, remains staunchly loyal to his homeland, the ruling Kim family and its Juche ideology of economic self-reliance.

A trim, neat man, Park is one of around two dozen North Korean operatives trapped in exile in affluent South Korea. He lives in a charity house in central Seoul with another former agent, 79-year-old Kim Young-sik, and dreams of the day he can return freely to the northern part of a unified Korea.

For Park and Kim, North Korea, which for several weeks has threatened the United States and South Korea with nuclear war, is no menace to world peace, rather a plucky nation that single-handedly stands up to American bullying.

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My Comment: My nationality is Russian .... so I have had my fill of meeting old Russians who still believe in Stalin. When I listen to them .... my eyes just roll around. I suspect in South Korea .... many Koreans are reacting the same way when they hear these two old North Korean spies.

Update: Here is a good post on North Korea .... 7 Things North Korea Is Really Good At.

A Close Terror Call In England

Six Islamic Terrorists Facing Lengthy Prison Sentences After Admitting Plot To Bomb EDL Rally Causing Mayhem And Mass Injuries -- Daily Mail

* They arrived at rally at 4pm - only to find it had finished at 2pm
* Extremists' car stopped on their way home because it had no insurance
* Vehicle is towed with a cache of weapons hidden inside
* They had a nail bomb, two shotguns and swords - but they weren't found at the compound for TWO DAYS
* Group didn't take mobiles with them on day of the attack to avoid detection
* Jewel Uddin was involved in another bomb plot which could have been 'bigger than the 7/7 atrocities'

Six Islamic extremists who plotted a bloody bomb attack on a far-right rally only failed because the gathering finished early - even though they were under surveillance, a court heard.

The group admitted planning a murderous attack at the English Defence League (EDL) event in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, when they appeared before a judge today.

Five members of the gang travelled to the rally with an arsenal of weapons - including a nail bomb which contained 458 pieces of shrapnel, a partially assembled pipe bomb, two shotguns, swords and knives.

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My Comment: Talk about luck and a very close call.

Who Is More Likely To Sell Guns To Dictators?

In constant 1990 U.S. dollars. Source: 2012 SIPRI Arms Transfers Database

Gun Runner No. 1 -- Joshua Keating, War & Ideas

One of the most infamous moments of the bloody uprising that followed Zimbabwe's disputed 2008 election was the so-called "ship of shame" -- a Chinese freighter discovered carrying small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars to Robert Mugabe's landlocked regime. Zimbabwe's neighbors denied the ship docking rights, but the incident only reinforced the perception that China has become the arms dealer of choice for Africa's most brutal thugs, whether aged tyrants like Mugabe or the genocidal dictatorship in Sudan.

But this image may not be entirely fair: When it comes to selling guns to shady regimes, the United States is still firmly No. 1.

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My Comment: And they put Viktor Bout in jail for doing far less.

President Obama's Prudence On Syria Has Become A Strategic And Moral Failure

Red Lines As Red Herrings In Syria -- Richard Cohen, Washington Post

Watching PBS’s “NewsHour” the other night, I caught a debate between two academics about whether the United States should intervene in Syria. The British, French and Israelis say that Damascus has used chemical weapons, although Washington is not as sure. (Do you think George Tenet could find out?) So in the meantime the president will adhere to his policy of doing next to nothing and thus ensure that the war continues. One of the academics wanted America to intervene while the other did not. He kept saying, “We don’t need another war in the Middle East,” having apparently not noticed that one is already underway in Syria. In the movie, he will play Barack Obama.

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My Comment: A brutal editorial from (of all places) The Washington Post. And Richard Cohen is right .... the money quote from his commentary is the following ....

.... Obama’s policy regarding Syria has been a strategic failure. More perplexing and more alarming, it has also been a moral failure. It has permitted — or at least not impeded — the deaths of upward of 70,000 people and created a humanitarian calamity with more than 1 million refugees. The region is being destabilized. People are living in misery. I can assure them that Washington is studying the problem.

A New Kalashikov Assault Rifle For The Russian Military

Russian Military May Soon Adopt New Kalashikov Assault Rifle -- RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, April 30 (RIA Novosti) – The fate of a new Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle developed for the Russian army will be decided during the state acceptance trials due to begin in June 2013, Russia's largest firearms manufacturer, Izhmash, said.

“In the interests of the Defense Ministry, Izhmash is working on the modernization of the AK-74 and AK-100 assault rifles in service with the Russian army, as well as developing a [new] standard assault rifle on the AK-12 platform which will undergo state acceptance trials in June 2013,” Izhmash’s chief designer, Vladimir Zlobin said on Monday.

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My Comment: On my last visit to Russia I had the opportunity to test fire the AK 100 series. Wow .... a terribly effective weapon.

Japan And Russia Agree That They Should Formally End World War II

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (r.) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a signing ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. Many new circumstances are driving Moscow and Tokyo to take a fresh look at one another, despite the debate that has raged since the end of World War II about the rightful ownership of the Kuril Islands. Kirill Kudryavtsev/Reuters

Japan And Russia Want To Finally End World War II, Agree It Is 'Abnormal' Not To -- Christian Science Monitor

Today's summit between Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin comes at an opportune moment but may founder on the old problem of the Kuril Islands, which Japan still wants back.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the first top-level Russo-Japanese summit in almost a decade.

The two wrestled for hours with the problem that has stymied Russian and Japanese leaders for almost 70 years: how to find a mutually acceptable and hopefully profitable way to finally end World War II.

"The leaders of both countries agreed that the situation where, 67 years after the conclusion of [World War II], we have still been unable to conclude a bilateral peace treaty, looks abnormal," said a joint statement at the meeting's end Monday.

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My Comment: The issue that prevents such a signing are the Kuril islands. More to the point .... the Russians administer the islands, but Japan claims that the islands belong to them.

Update: Japan and Russia agree to resolve island dispute -- BBC

Picture Of The Day

LONE RUNNER

A U.S. sailor runs on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush during sunset in the Atlantic Ocean, April 26, 2013. The Bush is conducting training operations. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis

How China's Foreign Policy Is Changing The World

China’s Ruthless Foreign Policy Is Changing The World In Dangerous Ways -- Jonathan Kay, National Post

Are we witnessing the end of the “American age”? It depends whom you ask. But one thing is certain: Thanks to the near-bankruptcy of the American welfare state, Washington is losing both the means and desire to project power across the world. Inevitably, nations with deeper pockets — China, most notably — will fill the void.

This process already is underway in many parts of the world. That includes large swathes of Central Asia, where Beijing’s billions are beginning to revolutionize regional infrastructure and alliances — in dazzling but potentially dangerous ways.

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My Comment: Jonathan Kay may call China's foreign policy .... I call it realistic. The U.S. got bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan at great cost in blood and treasure .... but it is China that is now positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. Such a policy is not dangerous .... it is realpolitik.

One Third Of Mexico Would Migrate To the U.S. If They Had The Chance

Fewer See Better Life North of the Border, but 35% Would Migrate -- PEW Research

U.S. Image Rebounds in Mexico.

On the eve of President Barack Obama’s visit to Mexico, the United States is enjoying a resurgence of good will among the Mexican public, with a clear majority favorably inclined toward their northern neighbor and more now expressing confidence in Obama.

A national opinion survey of Mexico by the Pew Research Center, conducted March 4-17 among 1,000 adults, finds that roughly two-thirds (66%) of Mexicans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. – up from 56% a year ago and dramatically higher than it was following the passage of Arizona’s restrictive immigration law in 2010, when favorable Mexican attitudes toward the United States slipped to 44%.

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My Comment: Only 1/3 would migrate to the U.S. if they had the chance .... I thought that the number would be higher.

Mexico Changes How it Cooperates With The U.S. In Combating The Drug Cartels

U.S. Role At A Crossroads In Mexico’s Intelligence War On The Cartels -- Washington Post

MEXICO CITY — For the past seven years, Mexico and the United States have put aside their tension-filled history on security matters to forge an unparalleled alliance against Mexico’s drug cartels, one based on sharing sensitive intelligence, U.S. training and joint operational planning.

But now, much of that hard-earned cooperation may be in jeopardy.

The December inauguration of President Enrique Peña Nieto brought the nationalistic Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) back to power after 13 years, and with it a whiff of resentment over the deep U.S. involvement in Mexico’s fight against narco-traffickers.

The new administration has shifted priorities away from the U.S.-backed strategy of arresting kingpins, which sparked an unprecedented level of violence among the cartels, and toward an emphasis on prevention and keeping Mexico’s streets safe and calm, Mexican authorities said.

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My Comment: A comprehensive look at U.S. - Mexican efforts to combat the Mexican drug cartels .... and the changes that the new Mexican government are now implementing.

New Claims That U.S. Forces Could Have Responded To The Benghazi Attack In Time

A protester reacts as the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames during a protest by an armed group said to have been protesting a film being produced in the United States September 11, 2012. REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori

Inside Source: Military Forces Could Have Responded To Benghazi Attack In Time -- FOX News

The source contradicts the Obama administration's claim that no help was available.

The Obama administration has insisted from the start that there was no help available for the Americans under assault in Benghazi on September 11. The first in three exclusive reports alleging that that claim is false aired on tonight’s Special Report.

Because the special operator in the video above is fearful of reprisal, his identity was concealed. The man, who watched the events unfold and has debriefed those who were part of the response, told Fox News’ Adam Housley that the C110 special forces group “was doing a training exercise not in the region of Northern Africa but in Europe. And they had the ability to react and respond.”

The operator believes that the force would have been able to be travel from Croatia to Benghazi within four hours – in time for the second attack.

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Previous Post: ‘Explosive’ Benghazi Hearings ‘Coming?

My Comment: This is a story that refuses to die.

Did U.S. Taxpayers Finance The Boston Marathon Bomb Attack?

Tsarnaev Family Received $100G In Benefits -- Boston Herald

The Tsarnaev family, including the suspected terrorists and their parents, benefited from more than $100,000 in taxpayer-funded assistance — a bonanza ranging from cash and food stamps to Section 8 housing from 2002 to 2012, the Herald has learned.

“The breadth of the benefits the family was receiving was stunning,” said a person with knowledge of documents handed over to a legislative committee today.

The state has handed over more than 500 documents to the 11-member House Post Audit and Oversight Committee, which today met for the first time and plans to call in officials from the Department of Transitional Assistance to testify.

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My Comment: When I read stories like this one ..... my blood boils. They come to a country that accepts them and gives them help unconditionally .... and they abuse this with murder and mayhem.