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

Reaching Out: Obama's Ambitious Mideast Diplomatic Offensive -- Dieter Bednarz, Matthias Gebauer and Holger Stark, Spiegel Online

Barack Obama is moving his foreign policy course toward diplomacy and away from military intervention. Suddenly the Iranian nuclear issue and Israeli-Palestinian conflict are back on the table -- but is the Middle East ready for a breakthrough?

The historic moment was carefully choreographed. The foreign ministers of the five permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council, Russia, China, Great Britain, France and the United States, along with Germany, met at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. After 15 minutes the host, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, called Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif into the recently renovated Security Council Chamber. The Iranians shouldn't feel excluded -- but they shouldn't feel too much a part of the global community either.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Iran´s sanctions-busting tells the true story of Rouhani´s overtures to the West -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph

Charmed by Rouhani, but only to a point -- Doyle McManus, L.A. Times

The Test We're Giving Iran Is Rigged -- James Traub, Foreign Policy

Worries about the Rouhani phone call -- Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post

The Alawites, Ethnic Cleansing, and Syria's Future -- Franck Salameh, The National Interest

The state of al-Qaeda: The unquenchable fire -- The Economist

India and the Rise of the Indo-Pacific -- Vivek Mishra, The Diplomat

When Is it OK to Criminalize a Political Party? -- Joshua Keating, Slate

Russia pressures former Soviet republics to join his economic union. -- Washington Post editorial

What Really Scares Vladimir Putin the Most -- Julia Ioffe, New Republic

Italy: on the brink, once again -- Guardian editorial

Many Saudis don't want women to drive – but it has nothing to do with their ovaries -- Christa Case Bryant, Christian Science Monitor

The Eurozone’s Calm Before the Storm -- Nouriel Roubini, Project Syndicate

Newly Declassified Documents Show How the Surveillance State was Born -- Jeffrey Rosen, New Republic

A World Where No One Listens to America -- Dilip Hiro, Real Clear World

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

Obama Blames House GOP For Imminent Shutdown -- USA Today

President Obama blamed an imminent government shutdown on House Republicans Monday, and said his health care plan is "moving forward" despite GOP efforts to de-fund it.

"You don't get to extract a ransom for doing your job," Obama said.

Obama said Congress has two responsibilities: Passing a budget and -- in a reference to the upcoming battle over the debt ceiling -- pay the government's bills, and the Republicans are shirking both.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria at U.N. compares militant onslaught to 9/11 attacks.

U.N. chemical weapons inspectors leave Syria.

More rebel groups reject Syrian opposition coalition - statement.

Syria conflict: Neighbours plead for international help. With Syria’s neighbours ‘stretched to the limit,’ UN refugee chief urges greater support.

Iranian President Rohani orders study of possible Iran-US flights.

Car bombs kill 54 in Shi'ite districts of Baghdad.

Militants seize army base in Yemen, kill three soldiers.

Netanyahu to Obama - Tighten sanctions if Iran defies West.

Iran nuclear deal could be reached in months: Kerry.

Bahrain unrest: 50 Shia Muslims sentenced to up to 15 years.

Turkish PM unveils reforms after summer of protests.

Turkey frustrated over stalled EU membership bid.

ASIA

4 killed in U.S. drone strike in NW Pakistan.

Powerful typhoon hits Vietnam.

Muslims in hiding in Myanmar after sectarian strife flares.

US Defense Chief: North Korea watching world deal with Syria.

India, Pakistan leaders say they want better ties but reach no concrete agreements. Pakistan-India talks in New York get muted response back home.

Japan PM open to talks - not concessions - with China.

Pakistan condemns latest drone strike in North Waziristan.

Philippines says Zamboanga crisis 'over'.

Australian PM says "united" with Indonesia on migrants.

AFRICA

Smash 'n grab: Big looting during Kenya mall siege.

Kenyan anti-tank rocket ended Westgate siege: soldiers.

Kenya's Westgate siege: Number of missing reduced to 39.

Egyptian jihadist group claims shooting attacks on 'apostates' and 'criminals'.

Mali: 'MNLA rebels' attack soldiers in Kidal. Suicide bombers target northern Mali military camp. Mali soldiers fight Tuareg separatists.

France seeks permanent victory in Mali.

Faced with protests, Sudan's al-Bashir digs in against calls for reform. Sudan protesters call for president Omar al-Bashir to step down.

EUROPE

Exclusive: Vatican Bank likely to close embassy accounts after Iran, Iraq red flags.

Paris prosecutor's office opens investigation into fortune of Syrian president's uncle.

Europe’s record jobless rate seen resisting recovery.

Eurozone inflation falls to lowest rate in three years.

German coalition talks could last into January.

Austria election: 'Grand coalition' can rule again.

Silvio Berlusconi calls for fresh Italian elections 'as soon as possible'.

Russia accuses Greenpeace activists of posing a threat to platform personnel. Russian court orders all Greenpeace activists to stay in jail.

Popes John Paul II and John XXIII to become saints.

Spaniard apologises over Gibraltar 'invasion' video.

AMERICAS

10 things affected by the US shutdown.

US government shutdown looms as Congress fights over spending bill – live.

Senate set to defeat Obamacare delay as government shutdown looms.

Danger to US economy worries experts weighing potential government shutdown, default.

Rising Peronist ready to challenge Fernández.

Venezuela says it expelling three U.S. diplomats for 'stirring violence'.

Venezuela's Sabaneta jail search yields weapons arsenal.

Canadians on hunger strike in Egyptian jail claim they were beaten.

US police obtaining military vehicles to aid hunt for criminals.

Report: Homegrown terrorist plots have surged since 2009.

Cuba athletes 'to keep foreign cash'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Competition between Islamist militants may fuel big attacks.

Africa desert helps breed radicals, from Al Shabab to Boko Haram to Mr. Marlboro.

Terrorists used new tactic to spare some Muslims.

Qaeda plot leak has undermined U.S. intelligence.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple unseats Coca-Cola as World's No. 1 brand of 2013.

Google UK paid £11.2m in corporate tax.

Analysis: New trial for Boeing as Norwegian demands 787 repairs.

US shares hit by the threat of a shutdown.

Afghanistan Prepares For Next Years Presidential Elections

Battle For Political Power Underway In Afghanistan -- Voice of America

KABUL — Elections for a new president to replace Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan are six months away and the battle for power in the country is heating up. Regional analysts say that powerful political alliances are beginning to form, and the result of the vote will determine whether Afghanistan moves forward or stays mired in long-term conflict.

After decades of war and corruption, Afghanistan is a poor country. The hope is that the April 2014 presidential election will change all that, says Noor Agha.

“We are all tired of war. The next president should work toward peace and improve our lives,” Agha said.

Hamidullah Farooqi, a former transportation minister now part of a political coalition of technocrats, warns of the dangers of a failed election.

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My Comment: The elections are slated for April 2014 .... that is when the opium crop is brought in and the Taliban are preparing for their summer fighting season. Will this impact the elections? If I was a betting man I would say yes.

Syria's Refugee Crisis Is Stretching The Limit For Countries Providing Asylum

Thousands of people flowed from Syria across the Peshkhabour border crossing into Iraq's Dohuk Governorate. Photo: UNHCR/G. Gubaeva

Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees Stretched to Limit -- Voice of America

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Participants at a U.N. refugee conference in Geneva are appealing for stronger international support for countries hosting large Syrian refugee populations. They say four neighboring countries of asylum are stretched to the limit.

A U.N. video graphically shows the anguished evolution of Syria’s humanitarian crisis during the past two and one-half years. What began as a series of peaceful protests in March 2011 has developed into a catastrophic situation in which more than 100,000 people have been killed and more than two million Syrians have fled the country.

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More News On How Syria's Refugee Crisis Is Stretching The Limit For Countries Providing Asylum

With Syria’s neighbours ‘stretched to the limit,’ UN refugee chief urges greater support -- UN News Center
Syria's neighbours plead for help in dealing with refugees -- FOX News/AFP
Syria conflict: Neighbours plead for international help -- BBC
UN: Syria refugee crisis hurting region's economy -- Boston.com/AP

Amid Media Blackout Anti-Government Protests Spread In Sudan

Khartoum Under Threat from Protests, Observers Say -- Voice of America

NAIROBI — Over the past week, Sudan has seen its most serious protests in almost three decades. Demonstrations over rising prices after the government decided to lift fuel subsidies have mutated into riots, and dozens of people have died. The streets have calmed, but analysts say that this could be a turning point for the ruling party and longtime President Omar al-Bashir.

The protests started a week ago in one town, but quickly spread to others and the capital, Khartoum, where protesters torched vehicles, gas stations, police buildings and hurled stones at security forces.

The protests are seen as the greatest challenge to Bashir’s rule since he came to power in a 1989 military coup.

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More News On The Growing Protests In Sudan

Sudan defends crackdown as protests enter second week -- AFP
Sudanese protesters call on President Omar al-Bashir to resign -- The Independent
Sudan: Protests Across Sudan -- allAfrica
Tear gas fired at Sudan protest -- Al Jazeera
Sudan Blacks Out Internet to Hide Brutal Suppression of Protests -- allAfrica
Amid heavy media blackout, Sudanese protesters resort to smartphones to defy authorities' ban -- FOX News/AP
Sudan arrests 700 people in week of deadly anti-government unrest -- Reuters
Minister: photos of Sudan protest victims faked -- Al Arabiya

New Images Of Kenyan Mall Attack Aftermath Are Released

Abandoned Trolleys, Dumped Shopping Bags And Shattered Glass: First Pictures Inside Cafes And Shops Of Kenyan Massacre Mall Where 67 People Were Killed -- Daily Mail

* Chilling photographs show businesses in the Westgate Mall after it was targeted by terrorists last week
* Shopping trolleys were abandoned while customers left purses and bags on cafe tables as they fled the violence
* Shattered glass was left on the ground in an eery reminder of the atrocities which took place at the mall
* 39 people are still missing following the attack, the local Red Cross revealed today

Shopping trolleys abandoned, bags dropped on the floor and beer bottles left where they stand, these haunting images show the shops which were deserted in the aftermath of the Nairobi mall massacre which left 67 people dead and dozens more missing.

Carts full of goods were left standing in Westgate Mall as shoppers fled for their lives when jihadi terrorists rushed the building and started gunning down customers.

The photographs show how people apparently dropped bags on the ground as they made their escape, forming a disturbing portrait of the moment chaos broke out.

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Update #1: First images emerge from inside Nairobi's Westgate mall -- The Telegraph
Update #2: Aftermath Of Terror Shown In New Images Of Kenyan Mall -- NBC

My Comment: This is disgusting .... Smash 'n grab: Big looting during Kenya mall siege -- Seattle PI/AP

Last Months Leak Of An Intercepted Al Qaeda Communication Has Resulted In Severe Damage To American Counterterrorism Efforts

Qaeda Plot Leak Has Undermined U.S. Intelligence -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — As the nation’s spy agencies assess the fallout from disclosures about their surveillance programs, some government analysts and senior officials have made a startling finding: the impact of a leaked terrorist plot by Al Qaeda in August has caused more immediate damage to American counterterrorism efforts than the thousands of classified documents disclosed by Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor.

Since news reports in early August revealed that the United States intercepted messages between Ayman al-Zawahri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden as the head of Al Qaeda, and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the head of the Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, discussing an imminent terrorist attack, analysts have detected a sharp drop in the terrorists’ use of a major communications channel that the authorities were monitoring. Since August, senior American officials have been scrambling to find new ways to surveil the electronic messages and conversations of Al Qaeda’s leaders and operatives.

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Update #1: Reports: Al-Qaeda Has Gone Quiet Since Surveillance Leaks -- Atlantic Wire
Update #2: Experts: Media Leaks Make Tracking Al Qaeda Terrorists Harder -- Arutz Sheva

My Comment: My understanding is that Al Qaeda has always worked on the assumption that their communications were always being intercepted by U.S. intelligence .... so for them to all of a sudden stop because of one leak is a surprise.

Why is Twitter Allowing Terrorist Accounts And Suggesting Others To 'Follow Them'

al-Qaeda's own Twitter account has been suspended

Twitter Not Only Allows Terrorist Accounts, But Suggests Terrorists to Follow -- Bridget Johnson, PJ Media

As terrorists increasingly have embraced social media, Twitter has increasingly come under criticism for hosting terror feeds. Al-Shabaab is on it sixth account after getting suspended in the past for tweeting photos of a dead French special ops soldier, and most recently the Somali terror outlet blazed through a few accounts after suspensions for gloating about the Westgate mall massacre. Their latest account, @HSM_PR, has remained active for many days now and has racked up 59 tweets. During the attack and its aftermath, journalists were checking the Shabaab feed for its latest claims and links to statements.

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My Comment: I doubt that Twitter's management are happy with terror groups using their platform to promote violence. With tens of millions of users I suspect that Twitter operates automatically .... and so these groups can easily slip in and use their services.

Commander Of Iran's Elite Revolutionary Guards: Iranian President Rouhani Should Not Have Talked To President Obama

Commander Of Iran's Elite Revolutionary Guards: Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari. Tasmin News Agency

Iran Guards chief: Rouhani should have spurned Obama call -- Daily Star

TEHRAN: The commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said Monday that President Hasan Rouhani should have refused to take last week's historic telephone call from US counterpart Barack Obama.

"The president took a firm and appropriate position during his stay" in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, General Mohammad Ali Jafari said in an interview with the Tasnimnews.com website.

"But just as he refused to meet Obama, he should also have refused to speak with him on the telephone and should have waited for concrete action by the United States."

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More News On The Commander Of Iran's Elite Revolutionary Guards Criticizing recent Talks Between Iran And The U.S.

IRGC Commander Lauds Rouhani’s "Mighty" Stances in New York -- Tasmin News Agency
Iran Guards chief criticises Rouhani-Obama call -- FOX News/AFP
Revolutionary Guards chief: Rouhani should have waited to talk to Obama -- Jerusalem Post
Revolutionary Guards chief decries Rouhani’s talk with Obama -- Times of Israel
Rouhani should have spurned Obama call - Iran Guards chief -- Voice of Russia

My Comment: For the moment .... the Iranian Guards Chief's remarks are a minority .... it appears that after years of anti-Americanism, Tehran’s political establishment signals support for detente -- Washington Post

Update: Even Ahmadinejad is sort of happy about Iran’s opening with Obama -- Max Fisher, Washington Post

Israel PM Netanyahu To Meet President Obama Today. Iran Is On The Agenda

Netanyahu and Obama during a meeting at the White House. Photo by Avi Ohayon, Haaretz

Israel's Netanyahu Meets Obama, Will Urge No Let-Up On Iran -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will warn President Barack Obama in White House talks on Monday that Iran's diplomatic "sweet talk" cannot be trusted and will urge him to keep up the pressure to prevent Tehran from being able to make a nuclear bomb.

While Obama will attempt to reassure Netanyahu that he will not act prematurely to ease sanctions on Iran, growing signs of a U.S.-Iranian thaw have rattled Israel and could make for a tense encounter between the two leaders, who have not always seen eye-to-eye on the Iranian nuclear dispute.

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More News On Today's Meeting Between Israel PM Netanyahu And President Obama

LIVE BLOG: Obama meets Netanyahu at White House in effort to assuage concerns on Iran -- Haaretz
Netanyahu to warn Obama on Iran's 'sweet talk' -- AFP
Israeli prime minister to White House: Don’t be fooled by Iran’s new leader -- National Post/AP
Obama, Netanyahu meeting comes with baggage -- CNN
Netanyahu, Obama confer in Washington -- YNet News
Netanyahu to Obama: Don't be naive about Iran -- Christian Science Monitor
Iran-US 'rapprochement' challenges Israel's Netanyahu -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC

War Returns To Northern Mali

Malian Army Clashes With Tuareg Rebels For Second Day In Kidal -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Malian troops clashed with Tuareg rebels in the northern desert town of Kidal for a second day on Monday, residents said, after the separatists ended a ceasefire with the new government last week.

The fighting began late on Sunday afternoon outside a bank in the center of Kidal, with both sides accusing the other of firing first. After calm returned overnight, shooting re-started early on Monday morning.

"The firing began at around 5 o'clock (1 a.m. ET) this morning between the army and the MNLA," said Mohamed Toure, a trader. "I have not opened my shop today."

The clashes are the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that threaten to derail peace efforts and complicate France's plan to reduce its troop presence in the West African country after a military operation to destroy an Islamist enclave.

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More News On The Escalating Conflict In Northern Mali

Fighting Flares Between Mali Army, Rebels in Kidal -- ABC News/AP
Fresh fighting in Mali rebel bastion -- FOX News/AFP
Mali: 'MNLA rebels' attack soldiers in Kidal-- BBC
Situation in northern Mali deteriorates amid fighting, suicide bomb attack -- Global Times
Rebels clash with Mali troops as violence surges in restive north -- The Telegraph
Malian army exchanges fire with rebels in Kidal -- The Guardian
Al-Qaeda's African branch claims Mali bombing -- FOX News/AFP
Mali Soldiers Fight Tuareg Separatists -- Voice of America
Mali Soldiers Fight Tuareg Separatists -- Voice of America
Resident: Mali Army, Rebels Exchange Fire in Kidal -- ABC News/AP
Tuareg separatists, Malian army clash in northern town -- Reuters
France Seeks Permanent Victory In Mali -- Strategy Page

Al Qaeda Fighters Storm And Seize Major Yemen Military Base

Gunmen Take Over Military Compound In Yemen -- Al Jazeera

Dozens of unidentified gunmen capture Yemeni army compound in port city of al-Mukalla, killing at least three troops.

Dozens of unidentified gunmen have captured a Yemeni army compound in the southeast of the Arabian peninsula country, a military official said.

At least three soldiers were killed and six others wounded in the fighting on Monday as the attackers wrested control of the army compound in the port city of al-Mukalla.

Officials said the gunmen were since holding an unknown number of soldiers hostage.

"Some of the attackers managed to infiltrate into the base," the official said.

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More News On Al Qaeda Fighters Storming And Seizing A Major Yemen Military Base

AQAP fighters storm Yemen Army base in east -- Threat Matrix
Security officials say suspected al-Qaida gunmen take over major military base in Yemen -- Washington Post/AP
Al-Qaeda gunmen seize military base in Yemen -- Arab News/AP/Reuters
Al Qaeda Seizes Yemen Military HQ -- Arutz Sheva
'Qaeda' gunmen seize army HQ in Yemen port city -- FOX News/AFP
Al-Qaida Seizes Military Base in Yemen Taking High-Ranking Officers Hostage -- International Business Times
Suspected Qaeda militants capture Yemen army base: official -- Reuters

World News Briefs -- September 30, 2013

US Government On Verge Of Shutdown -- Voice of America

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to meet on Monday afternoon, allowing itself just hours to reach a compromise with the House of Representatives on a spending bill before a midnight deadline for a partial shutdown of the U.S. government.

Republican lawmakers are insisting that any measure either delays or defunds President Barack Obama's signature health care law intended to provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised that a spending bill passed by the House in the early hours of Saturday morning, which would delay key parts of the Affordable Healthcare Act, known as Obamacare, for one year, will not be approved.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.N. chemical weapons inspectors leave Syria.

More rebel groups reject Syrian opposition coalition - statement.

Syria conflict: Neighbours plead for international help.

Car bombs kill 54 in Shi'ite districts of Baghdad.

Militants seize army base in Yemen, kill three soldiers.

Obama to meet with Netanyahu.

Iran nuclear deal could be reached in months: Kerry.

Bahrain unrest: 50 Shia Muslims sentenced to up to 15 years.

Turkey frustrated over stalled EU membership bid.

ASIA

US Defense Chief: North Korea watching world deal with Syria.

India, Pakistan leaders say they want better ties but reach no concrete agreements. Pakistan-India talks in New York get muted response back home.

Japan PM open to talks - not concessions - with China.

Pakistan condemns latest drone strike in North Waziristan.

Philippines says Zamboanga crisis 'over'.

Australian PM says "united" with Indonesia on migrants.

AFRICA

Kenyan anti-tank rocket ended Westgate siege: soldiers.

Kenya's Westgate siege: Number of missing reduced to 39.

Egyptian jihadist group claims shooting attacks on 'apostates' and 'criminals'.

Mali: 'MNLA rebels' attack soldiers in Kidal. Suicide bombers target northern Mali military camp. Mali soldiers fight Tuareg separatists.

France seeks permanent victory in Mali.

Sudan protesters call for president Omar al-Bashir to step down.

EUROPE

Eurozone inflation falls to lowest rate in three years.

German coalition talks could last into January.

Austria election: 'Grand coalition' can rule again.

Silvio Berlusconi calls for fresh Italian elections 'as soon as possible'.

Russia accuses Greenpeace activists of posing a threat to platform personnel. Russian court orders all Greenpeace activists to stay in jail.

Popes John Paul II and John XXIII to become saints.

AMERICAS

US government shutdown looms as Congress fights over spending bill – live.

Senate set to defeat Obamacare delay as government shutdown looms.

Danger to US economy worries experts weighing potential government shutdown, default.

Venezuela's Sabaneta jail search yields weapons arsenal.

Canadians on hunger strike in Egyptian jail claim they were beaten.

US police obtaining military vehicles to aid hunt for criminals.

Report: Homegrown terrorist plots have surged since 2009.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Africa desert helps breed radicals, from Al Shabab to Boko Haram to Mr. Marlboro.

Terrorists used new tactic to spare some Muslims.

Qaeda plot leak has undermined U.S. intelligence.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google UK paid £11.2m in corporate tax.

Analysis: New trial for Boeing as Norwegian demands 787 repairs.

US shares hit by the threat of a shutdown.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 30, 2013

HQ for the British intelligence agency, GCHQ. Gizmodo

UK Becomes First Country To Disclose Plans For Cyber Attack Capability -- Information Age

Ministry of Defence announces plans for cyber "strike capability", making it the first nation state to do so

The UK has become the first country to publicly commit to the aggressive use of cyber attacks to protect national security.

Over the weekend, the Ministry of Defence announced that it is developing a "full-spectrum military cyber capability, including a strike capability, to enhance the UK’s range of military capabilities".

"For years, we have been building a defensive capability to protect ourselves against ... cyber attacks," defence secretary Philip Hammond said in an interview with the Daily Mail. "That is no longer enough."

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

UK seeks full cyber warfare capability, experts -- Reuters

How Britain’s new cyberarmy could reshape the laws of war -- Washington Post

UK military R&D is aggressive and counter-productive -- The Guardian

Air Defense For The Winter Olympics -- Strategy Page

Iran's Revolutionary Guard unveils attack drone -- SFGate/AP

Concerns Mount Over Turk-China Defense System -- Defense News

Lada submarines: Made to defend and win -- Russia & India Report

Swiss military simulates French attack -- France 24

Airbus A400M military transport plane launched at last -- Euronews

Afghanistan Wants Post-2014 Troops to Battle the Taliban, not al Qaeda -- Defense One

Japan, US to discuss strengthening cyber-security: reports -- Space Daily/AFP

Marine Corps assigns elite units to Pacific, Middle East, Africa -- Marine Times

The Pilotless F-16 -- Strategy Page

Air Force tanker makes emergency landing with suspected fuel leak -- Stars and Stripes

Pentagon in 'triage mode' in preparing for possible shutdown -- The Hill

Shutdown Looms at Midnight; US Military Pay Protection Uncertain -- Defense News

Hagel calls government shutdown threat 'shortsighted' -- AP

New FBI Director James B. Comey stunned by impact of sequestration on agents in the field -- Washington Post

Next scoop from Snowden on NSA assassination program, reporter says -- Stars and Stripes/AP

Sex Assault More Likely for Women in 'Combat' -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

New Army tattoo policy faces opposition from Fort Drum area soldiers, businesses -- Stars and Stripes/Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.

Soldiers and their robots robots: Military bots get awards, nicknames ... funerals -- NBC

WWII airman missing since 1944 buried in Utah -- AP

The Widening Gulf Between Americans and Their Military -- Albert R. Hunt, Bloomberg

Defense Cuts Conundrum: Weighing the Hard Choices Ahead -- Foreign Affairs

South Korean President Park Criticizes Japan During Her Meeting With US Defense Secretary Hagel

BLUE HOUSE

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, center, greets South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2013. The two leaders later met to discuss bilateral defense topics. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Park Urges Japan To Resolve Grievances Over Colonial-Era Atrocities -- Global Post/Yonhap news

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday that Japan should first resolve long-running grievances over its sexual enslavement of Korean women and other colonial-era atrocities if the two neighbors are to build trust and improve ties.

Park made the remark after Hagel talked about the importance of resolving historical problems and other issues between Seoul and Tokyo in order to establish a three-way security cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States, senior presidential secretary Lee Jung-hyun said.

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Update #1: South Korea’s president criticizes Japan during meeting with US defense secretary -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: Japan, S. Korea fail to mend fences -- Japan Times

My Comment: The old bitterness and hatreds are still there .... even though the occupation and war ended almost 70 years ago.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Is In South Korea For Security And Military Talks

DEMILITARIZED ZONE

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, right, and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, second from right, stand at the Ouellette Observation Post at the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea, Sept. 30, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Chuck Hagel In South Korea For Military Talks -- BBC

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel is in South Korea for talks, where the eventual transfer of military control to Seoul is expected to be a key issue.

Under the current alliance, the US has operational control over South Korean troops in the event of war.

Seoul was due to resume control in 2015, but appears to want an extension, given ongoing tensions with the North.

The two Koreas remain technically at war as the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice and not a peace treaty.

Mr Hagel, who is visiting South Korea for the first time since becoming defence secretary, said Seoul's military had become "much more sophisticated, much more capable".

"We're constantly re-evaluating each of our roles," he told reporters on Sunday during his flight to Seoul.

Read more ....

More News On US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Visiting South Korea For Security And Military Talks

Handover of U.S. command of South Korean troops still under debate -- Washington Post
No decision on extending US wartime command of SKoreans: Hagel -- FOX News/AFP
Hagel to Assess South Korea Readiness With Handover Looming -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Hagel in South Korea; will discuss extending US wartime control of South’s forces -- Washington Post/AP
Hagel: US Will Not Cut Forces in Korea -- Voice of America
Hagel Praises 60-year-old U.S.-South Korean Alliance -- US Department of Defense
Hagel tours last Cold War frontier in Korea -- FOX News/AFP
Hagel Watches Training, Tours DMZ During Korea Visit -- US Department of Defense
North Korean soldiers eye, photograph Chuck Hagel during his visit to DMZ -- NBC
U.S. defense chief makes symbolic visit to Korea's truce village -- Global Post/AFP
Dempsey, Hagel arrive in South Korea as part of military pivot to Asia -- Washington Times

A Lightsaber For Every Soldier?

Coming to a store near you … Ewan McGregor with a lightsaber in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith Photograph: Digital work by ILM

Star Wars Lightsabers Finally Invented -- The Guardian

Scientists in America have 'accidentally' found a way forward to the creation of real-life weapons as used by Jedi Knights

Wannabe Jedi Knights rejoice, for scientists have discovered that the famous lightsaber weapon wielded by Luke Skywalker and his ilk in the long-running space opera saga might one day exist beyond the realms of fiction.

Harvard and MIT physicists writing in the new edition of Nature say they have discovered a way to bind photons together in order to form a new molecule which behaves almost exactly like George Lucas's deadly devices.

"Most of the properties of light we know about originate from the fact that photons are massless and do not interact," said Harvard university physics professor Mikhail Lukin. "What we have done is create a special type of medium in which photons interact with each other so strongly that they act as though they have mass, and bind together to form molecules.

Read more ....

My Comment: We are still a long long long way from that reality (of soldiers having lightsabers). But the science is making progress.

Wave Of Car Bomb Attacks Sweep Iraq

Bombings Across Iraq Now Touch On Formerly Safe Havens -- Christian Science Monitor

The rise in bombings across Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan threatens to match levels of violence not seen since the Iraqi insurgency in the late 2000s.

A rash of car bombs killed dozens across Baghdad on Monday, the latest in a series of deadly bombings that have racked Iraq over the past several days. The violence has brought the country's civilian death toll to its worst level since 2008.

Al Jazeera reports that nine car bombs killed at least 24 people and wounded scores more, largely in the Iraqi capital's Shiite neighborhoods.

The bombs hit eight different areas on Monday, the deadliest blast tore through a small vegetable market and its car park, killing seven people including two soldiers and wounding sixteen others, a police officer said.

That was followed by four parked car bombs, which went off in quick succession in the neighbourhoods of New Baghdad, Habibiya, Sabaa al-Bour and Kazimiyah - all striking outdoor markets or car parks.

Media reports put the casualty figures at a minimum of 24 dead and 75 wounded to at least 40 killed and more than 170 injured.

Read more ....

More News On The Latest Bomb Attacks In Iraq

Wave of attacks across Iraq, including relatively safe northern Kurdish area, kills dozens -- Washington Post/AP
Car bombs kill 54 in Shi'ite districts of Baghdad -- Reuters
Wave of car bombs across Baghdad kills 51 -- USA Today/AP
Deadly attacks in Iraq as suicide bombers target security forces in city of Arbil -- Euronews
Wave of bombings kills at least 42 across Baghdad -- NBC
12 car bombs explode across Baghdad during rush hour; 33 killed -- CNN
Baghdad hit by wave of deadly car bombs -- BBC
14 car bombs in Baghdad kill at least 54 -- RT
Over 660 people killed in Iraq in September -- Kurdish Globe

A Bloody Week Of Terrorism In Northwestern Pakistan Ends With A Car Bomb Blast

Pakistan Blast Kills At Least 41 At Historic Centuries-Old Market -- Washington Post

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A car bomb tore through a centuries-old market in Peshawar on Sunday, killing at least 41 people in the third major attack on the Pakistani city in a week.

The midday explosion at Qissa Khawani Bazaar, or the market of storytellers, damaged dozens of shops and injured more than 100 people. The carnage also included 16 members of an extended family who burned to death in a van, making them the latest symbol of Pakistan’s painful struggle to combat terrorism within its borders.

The market in Peshawar’s old city is not far from All Saints Church, where 85 people were killed a week ago in what is thought to be the worst attack on Christians in Pakistan’s history. That attack was followed by a bus bombing Friday on the outskirts of town that killed 18 government workers rushing home for Friday Muslim prayers.

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More News On The Latest Terrorist Attack In Pakistan

Death toll from Pakistan market attack rises to 42 -- Reuters
Pakistan explosion: Peshawar market blast toll rises to 42 -- BBC
A Deadly Week in Northwestern Pakistan Ends With a Car Bomb Blast -- New York Times
Car bomb kills 40 in northwest Pakistan -- USA Today/AP
Car bomb kills dozens at bazaar in Peshawar, Pakistan -- L.A. Times
Twin Blasts Kill Dozens In Northwest Pakistan -- Radio Free Europe
Car bomb kills 41 in third Peshawar blast this week -- Christian Science Monitor

Boko Haram Attack On Nigerian College Results In A Massacre Of 50 Students

Nigeria Attack: Students Shot Dead As They Slept -- BBC

Suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.

The students were shot dead as they slept in their dormitory at the College of Agriculture in Yobe state.

North-eastern Nigeria is under a state of emergency amid an Islamist insurgency by the Boko Haram group.

Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government to create an Islamic state, and has launched a number of attacks on schools.

Classrooms burned

Casualty figures from the latest attack vary, but a local politician told the BBC that around 50 students had been killed.

The politician said two vanloads of bodies had been taken to a hospital in Yobe's state capital, Damaturu.

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More News On The Massacre At A College In Yobe State, Nigeria

Boko Haram kills 40 students in Nigeria college dorm -- AFP
Boko Haram blamed after attack on Nigerian college leaves as many as 50 dead -- Globe and Mail/AP
Gunmen kill students as they sleep in Nigerian college -- Reuters
Nigeria: Gunmen Kill 42 in Attack On Nigerian School -- allAfrica
Night massacre at Nigerian college leaves around 40 students dead -- RT
School where 50 Nigerian students were killed had no security patrol -- UPI
Nigeria to boost school security after deadly attack -- BBC
Four Things You Need to Know About Nigeria’s Boko Haram -- David Stout, Time

Is America Deserting It's Afghan Interpreters?

Has America Abandoned an Afghan Interpreter? -- George Packer, New Yorker

It’s hard to think of anyone more deserving of an American visa than Mohammad Janis Shinwari.

On April 28, 2008, a team of U.S. Army combat advisers left the small base they shared with Afghan troops in Ghazni Province and went out on a mission in Taliban country. Ghazni was then the most violent place in Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Matt Zeller was riding in the second of three vehicles. He had been in Afghanistan for ten days. Zeller’s team had been briefed upon arrival in Afghanistan by Major General Robert Cone, who was in charge of training the Afghan Army and police. “How many of you were in Iraq?” Cone had asked the new arrivals. “This isn’t Iraq. In Iraq, we do everything we must to win. Here, we do everything we can.”

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My Comment: Welcome to the sobering reality of American bureaucracy.

Why Is A U.S. Navy Research Blimp Hovering Over Maryland

Eye In The Sky: Navy Research Blimp Hovering Over Maryland -- CBS

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — You may have noticed an unusual sight over the Baltimore area in the last few days—a Navy balloon hovering in the sky.

Christie Ileto explains what the blimp is doing.

The Navy is conducting aerial mapping over Baltimore, and it’s caught the eye of many residents far below.

If you’ve looked up lately, you may have spotted a U.S. Navy blimp hiding in the clouds, or hovering over Baltimore’s harbor on clear sunny days.

“I’ve been seeing it all week. Like, every day,” said Ashley Bradley.

Almost 200-feet long, it’s flying over Baltimore.

“Me and my friends were actually talking about it and wondering what it was,” Bradley said.

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My Comment: Apparently it is used for aerial mapping operations.

Al-Qaeda's Twitter Account Has Now Been Suspended

al-Qaeda's own Twitter account has been suspended

Terrorist Group Al-Qaeda's Twitter Account Has Been Suspended After Only Five Says -- Daily Mail

* The suspension comes less than a week after the account went live
* It also comes only hours after a media report saying Twitter refused to comment Saturday on why the account was still live
* Followers were mostly journalists and curious onlookers

Al-Qaeda's Twitter account has now been suspended.

After going live Tuesday under the guise of its Shamukh al-Islam website, the official website of the terror organization, the @shomokhalislam account was suspended Sunday after just under 50 tweets.

The account’s suspension came only hours after a report critical of Twitter remaining silent as to why it was allowed to remain online for so long

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My Comment: It was online for five days .... which was a surprised .... these accounts are usually suspended within hours.

Apparently The 'White Widow' Was Able To Escape The Kenyan Mall Massacre During The Confusion Of The Attack

'White Widow' Smeared Her Face In Blood To Flee -- Independent.ie

Irish-born terrorist rented a unit in mall for months before attack that left 67 people dead.

THE Irish-born terror chief dubbed the 'White Widow' slipped out of the Kenyan shopping mall after smearing blood over her face, security sources in the country have exclusively told the Sunday Independent.

They also revealed how Samantha Lewthwaite, the Co Down-born widow of London suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay, rented a unit at the Westgate Shopping mall months ago, in preparation for last week's terror killing spree.

She hung up newspapers around the shop unit to conceal what was going on inside, pretending to be stocking up on goods.

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My Comment: I suspect that her days of freedom will not last long. On a side note .... the 'White Widow's' father .... a decorated British soldier .... is naturally ashamed of her actions.

Update: The ´White Widow´: The new face of terror -- Joe Shute, The Telegraph

Britain's Defence Secretary Says Future Wars Will Be Fought With Cyber Viruses

Hammond's £500m New Cyber Army: As He Reveals Top-Secret Whitehall Bunker For The First Time, Defence Secretary Says Future Wars Will Be Fought With Viruses -- Daily Mail

* Hammond gives interview from MoD's top-secret Pindar nuclear bunker
* Conventional weapons are to be replaced with cyber strike forces, he says
* Attack force being built in conjunction with GCHQ spy chiefs
* But Defence Secretary admits conventional forces face cuts to pay for it

A new ‘cyber strike force’ costing up to £500 million is being secretly built by Britain to wage war with a regiment of computer geeks instead of bombs and bullets.

Fighter planes, warships and regiments face being replaced by futuristic cyber assaults using lethal computer worms and viruses to wipe out enemy targets.

And the Army’s tough fitness tests are to be lowered to allow weedy or overweight ‘computer geniuses’ to join the new front line of ‘keyboard commandoes’.

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My Comment: Future wars will still be fought with bullets and bombs .... but this focus on cyber warfare is not going to be cheap .... and it will be useless against adversaries like the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and any other low-tech military groups or organization.

The NSA Surveillance Scandal Has Resulted In The Rush For Offshore Havens To Provide Data Privacy

NSA Internet Spying Sparks Race to Create Offshore Havens for Data Privacy -- Wall Street Journal

Firms Tout 'Email Made in Germany' as More Secure; Brazil Wants Its Own Servers

Google Inc., Facebook Inc. nd other American technology companies were put on the defensive when Edward Snowden's allegations about U.S.-government surveillance of Internet traffic emerged this spring.

Outside the U.S., some companies and politicians saw an opportunity.

Three of Germany's largest email providers, including partly state-owned Deutsche Telekom AG, DTE.XE -0.28% teamed up to offer a new service, Email Made in Germany. The companies promise that by encrypting email through German servers and hewing to the country's strict privacy laws, U.S. authorities won't easily be able to pry inside. More than a hundred thousand Germans have flocked to the service since it was rolled out in August.

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My Comment: This is only going to grow with time. The NSA surveillance scandal has damaged U.S. web business and reputations .... and with just cause.

Who Would Send $20 Billion In Euros (In Cash) To Moscow And Just Leave It In A Warehouse?

Under armed guard at Sheremetyevo airport in Russia there is £16.75bn in cash stored on wooden pallets

Is Saddam Hussein's Fortune In A Warehouse In Moscow? Mystery Over £16.75bn Piles Of Cash Left At Airport For Six Years -- Daily Mail

* Cash in 100 euro notes is stored on wooden pallets
* Each of the 200 pallets is worth 100million euros
* Money was sent to Moscow from Frankfurt in 2007
* Documents show the sender was a 45-year-old Iranian
* No recipient listed but sources say it could belong to Saddam Hussein
* Other theories are that it belonged to Colonel Gaddafi, a Mafia operation linked to the state, or corrupt officials
* Unsuccessful attempts have been made to claim the fortune that would make the owner richer than Roman Abramovich

A cargo of 20billion euros in cash (£16.75billion) has lain unclaimed at a Moscow airport for six years amid allegations it could be the secret fortune of Saddam Hussein.

The stash, now under high security in a cargo depot, is held on 200 wooden pallets each worth 100 million euros, enough to keep the entire NHS going for almost two months.

Russian customs have demanded the real owner of the booty "presents himself" to claim the fortune, but while a number of bogus and unconvincing attempts have been made to obtain it, no-one has satisfied the authorities that they are the rightful recipient.

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My Comment: There are things going on in this world that we mere mortals have no clue about.

World News Briefs -- September 29, 2013

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves before boarding a plane at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv (file photo).

Iran To Top Agenda During Netanyahu US Visit -- Voice of America

JERUSALEM — Israel’s leader is coming to the United States, hoping to counter media and diplomatic appearances by Iran’s new president that seemed to improve ties with the West.

Iran will top the agenda for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the White House on Monday and addresses the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. His visit follows what many commentators called a "charm offensive" in the United States last week by Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani, who is hailed by some in the West as a moderate.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian air strike targets high school, at least 12 killed.

Syrian violence spills to Lebanese city – Mayor.

Netanyahu to rebut Iran ‘sweet-talk’ in speech to UN.

Deadly suicide bombings hit Iraq. Suicide bomber kills 40 at Iraq mosque.

Rare bombs in Iraqi Kurdistan trigger deadly gun battle.

Egypt proposes Mideast free of destructive weapons.

ASIA

India PM Singh in 'terror' warning to Pakistan ahead of talks. India, Pakistan PMs seek end to Kashmir tension.

Afghans say Taliban take district HQ in North.

Blast kills dozens in Pakistan's Peshawar. At least 37 killed in Pakistan blast.

Indian FM says Pakistan's military undermines diplomacy.

China hopes U.S., N. Korea to hold direct talks on nuclear standoff.

China opens new trade zone in Shanghai, reform plans unveiled.

60 dead in India building collapse as search ends.

AFRICA

Kenya terror attack: the infighting and chaos that allowed deadly siege to drag on.

Kenya government faces questions over siege. Kenya cabinet was 'warned of Westgate style attack'. Kenya 'At War' with al-Shabab, faces security questions.

Gunmen kill students as they sleep in Nigerian college. Gunmen kill 42 in attack on Nigerian school.

Egypt's Foreign Minister says transitional government phase to end by spring.

Polls close in Guinea's first post-coup parliamentary vote.

Tunisia's ruling Islamists agree to stand down.

EUROPE

Russian court jails 8 more Greenpeace activists.

Portugal govt keeps austerity, despite elections.

Austria's 'grand coalition' projected to win election.

Greece arrests neo-Nazi party leader. Golden Dawn deputy Christos Pappas arrested in Greece.

Italian president hopes to solve political crisis without new vote.

Hundreds rally in Spain protesting the monarchy.

Former German foreign minister latest to face plagiarism charge.

Olympic flame lit ahead of Sochi Winter Games.

AMERICAS

House pushes U.S. to the edge of a shutdown.

U.S. spy agency used some Americans' data to map their behavior: NYT.

Mexican president’s agenda enters a decisive phase in push to remake institutions.

Colombia leader rejects Jesse Jackson help in release of U.S. hostage.

Argentina says Iran committed to probing 1994 bombing.

paceX Falcon 9 blasts off from California.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Sinai jihadists release video of recent attacks on Egyptian forces.

Pentagon taking a fresh look at stopping insider attacks.

Shabaab plot to attack London planned to be 'similar to ... Mumbai'.

'White Widow' Samantha Lewthwaite spied on embassies in South Africa.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

France threatens Google over data protection breaches.

Miami's high-end cigar rollers create niche industry for top smokes.

Bill Gates: Ctrl-Alt-Delete was a ‘mistake’.