U.S. Suffers Its Deadliest Month In Afghanistan

U.S. troops cross a makeshift bridge in a small village during an operation in the Alingar district of Afghanistan's Laghman province, Aug. 21, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane

U.S. Suffers Its Deadliest Month In Afghanistan After 66 Troops Die In Combat During August -- Daily Mail

Sixty-six U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan in August, making it the deadliest month for American forces in the nearly decade-long war.

Nearly half of that total died on August 6, when the Taliban shot down a Chinook helicopter in eastern Afghanistan.

That was the single deadliest event of the war and sent the monthly total soaring.

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More News On August Being The Deadliest Month For U.S. Troops In Afghanistan

This month America's deadliest in long Afghan war -- AP
August is deadliest month in Afghan war -- USA Today/AP
August deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan -- CNN
August is America's deadliest in Afghanistan war -- ABC News
Deadliest month yet for U.S. in Afghanistan -- CBS News/AP
U.S. Afghan Toll Reaches New High -- Time
August is deadliest month for Americans in Afghanistan -- RT
August Is Deadliest Month for U.S. in Afghanistan, with Caveats -- Atlantic Wire

Are The Taliban Ready To Talk?

Farah in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 28, 2011. Iftar is a meal to break the fast Muslims observe from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Graff is a reconstruction team member. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Hoachlander

Mullah Omar Says The Taliban Are Ready To Talk -- Danger Room

For years, the Taliban’s position about negotiating an end to the decade-long war with Hamid Karzai’s government or the United States has been straightforward: U.S. troops have to leave Afghanistan first. While analysts have long speculated that the Taliban isn’t really as rigid behind closed doors, its leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, now leaves no doubt. The Taliban is already negotiating with the U.S., Omar confirmed.

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My Comment: Yup .... the head of the Taliban is eager for discussions and talks .... talks that will only be focused on our surrender and departure from the region.

More News On Taliban Peace Talks

Mullah Omar statement ignites hopes for Taliban negotiations -- Channel 4 News
Taliban issues Afghan victory manifesto -- The Australian
Afghan Taliban victory predicted in letter -- L.A. Times
Omar letter predicts Taliban victory -- UPI
AP EXCLUSIVE: US-Taliban talks were making headway -- AP
Talks on new US-Afghan pact strains relations -- AP
U.S.-Taliban talks ruined by leak to media -- SFGate/AP
Secret U.S.-Taliban talks were closing on deal to free kidnapped army sergeant before being scuppered by Karzai aides -- Daily Mail
Secret US/Taliban negotiations fall apart -- RT

Mexico Drug Cartel War News Updates -- August 30, 2011

The bodies of gunmen laid out on a road beside their vehicle after a shootout with Mexican soldiers in the municipality of Tacambaro near Morelia on Aug. 16, 2011. The gunmen were suspected members of the Caballeros Templarios, a new spin-off cartel in Michoacan state linked to the Gulf cartel. (Leo Gonzalez /Reuters)

The Cartels Behind Mexico's Drug War -- CBC

Although a specific drug cartel has not as yet been implicated in the recent arson attack on a Monterrey casino that killed 52 people, many observers suspect the incident is a product of the bloody turf wars and extortion rackets involving Mexico's notorious drug cartels.

The ruthless battles among competing cartels and between the cartels and the government forces trying to take them down have claimed at least 40,000 lives since 2006, the year that Mexico's president, Felipe Calderon, launched a crackdown against the cartels that many say has only increased the violence. In 2010 alone, the bloodiest year to date, more than 15,000 people were killed in drug-related violence.

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More News On Mexico's Drug Cartels

Mexican cartels splinter, branch out as drug war rages -- L.A. Times
Mexico's Sinaloa cartel makes big move into meth -- AP
7 More Suspects Sought in Mexico Casino Arson -- Voice of America
Mexico Casino Massacre: Suspects Only Wanted to "Scare" Owners -- FOX News
Mexico casino arson: Five arrested over Monterrey attack -- BBC
Mexico arrests 5 in deadly casino torching -- MSNBC
Burning Down Casino Royale: Mexico's Latest Drug Atrocity -- Time
Casino attacks prompt police force overhaul in Mexico -- National Post
US-Trained Assassin Teams Now Deployed in Drug War -- The Narcosphere
Mexican journalists, blogger murdered by suspected drug cartel -- Examiner
Police Find 3 Bodies in Mass Grave in Central Mexico -- Latin American Herald Tribune
12 Bodies found in clandestine graves in northern Mexico -- FOX News/EFE
Official: 140 Acapulco schools close over threats -- AP
Mexican drug cartel hangs wanted posters of rivals -- SFGate
Factbox: Key facts about Mexico's "Zetas" drug cartel -- Reuters
Inside Mexico's drug war (Photo Gallery) -- Washington Post
Cautious Optimism Toward Mexico's Drug War -- Paul Lubliner, International Affairs Review
Factbox: Worst incidents in Mexico's drug war -- Reuters

Israeli Settlers Being Armed In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest

A Palestinian youth runs away from Jewish settlers during clashes, which according to witnesses, erupted after settlers cut down olive trees belonging to the West Bank village of Asira al-Qibilya near Nablus July 3, 2011. - Reuters/File Photo

Israeli Army Arms Jewish Settlers In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest -- The Telegraph

Jewish settlers across the West Bank are being armed and trained by the Israeli military in anticipation of unrest and violence leading up to a Palestinian demand for statehood at the United Nations in three weeks.

The Israeli Defence Force fears that demonstrations ahead of the UN debate on September 20 will bring violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli settlers living illegally in settlements across territory occupied by Israel.

Leaked documents documents have outlined Israeli plans to arm security guards working on the Jewish settlements with riot gear, including tear gas and stun grenades.

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More News On Israeli Settlers Being Armed In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest

Israeli military arms settlers in preparation for Palestinian protests -- The Guardian
Israeli army trains Jewish West Bank settlers -- AFP
Israeli army, fearing violence, trains settlers -- UPI
Israeli army trains settlers to confront protests -- Reuters

My Comment: Will demands for a Palestinian state result in an explosion of violence and terrorism .... I give it a less than 50% chance. But should the Palestinian Authority and Hamas decide to exploit the situation .... the probably of violence increases to 100%.

Who In Gadaffi's Family is Still Alive, And What Is Their Present Condition

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Rumors Swirling That Gaddafi Has Fled To His Sahara Stronghold Of Sabha

Last stand town? Gaddafi is thought to have fled to Sabha, a desert town 480 miles from Tripoli.

Mad Dog Of The Desert: Gaddafi 'Escaped Rebel Guns And Fled To Sahara Stronghold With Band Of Loyal Fighters Four Days Ago' -- Daily Mail

Deposed Libyan despot Muammar Gaddafi evaded capture by rebel soldiers bombarding his Tripoli compound and fled into the desert four days ago, it was claimed today.

The former dictator, nicknamed Mad Dog, is believed to have headed to Sabha, a Sahara stronghold in the middle of the vast North African country.

A captured bodyguard of the tyrant’s military commander son Khamis claims Gaddafi met the senior soldier at a compound in the capital at around 1.30pm on Friday.

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My Comment: It is only a matter of time before he is tracked down. The key is to get him before he flees the country.

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates August 30, 2011

Rebel Leaders Give Gaddafi Forces Five Days To Surrender -- Washington Post

BENGHAZI, Libya — Libya’s rebel forces said Tuesday that loyalists to longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi have until Saturday to surrender or face a military assault aimed at completing their takeover of the country.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the rebel’s opposition council, said his forces would attack Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte, where the loyalists have gathered, on Saturday, the day when the celebrations marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan will end.

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More News On Libya's Civil War

Yahoo News Libya Roundup -- Yahoo News
Libya Crisis: Updates -- BBC
Libya live -- The Telegraph
Libya: rebels surround Gaddafi's Sirte stronghold - live updates -- The Guardian
Libya Live Blog -- Al Jazeera

Libya’s Rebels Give 4-Day Ultimatum to Gadhafi Forces -- Voice of America
Libya forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi given ultimatum to surrender -- The Telegraph
Rebels give Kadhafi forces four days to surrender or face military action -- RFI
Libya rebels give Kadhafi forces Saturday deadline -- Yahoo News/AFP
NATO says Libya's sides are talking in Sirte -- Yahoo News/AP
Rebels give loyalist towns until Saturday for surrender -- CNN
NATO Focuses on Gadhafi's Hometown -- Wall Street Journal
Libya: Qaddafi Forces Given Surrender Deadline -- Bloomberg
Libya interim leaders give ultimatum to Gaddafi forces -- BBC

Moammar Kadafi's son Khamis reportedly killed in airstrike -- L.A. Times
Libyan opposition leaders rule out major role for foreign peacekeepers; U.N. shifts planning -- Washington Post
Libyan rebels ask NATO to keep military pressure -- USA Today
AU Head: Libya Rebels May Be Killing Black Workers -- New York Times/AP
In Tripoli, African 'mercenaries' at risk -- Christian Science Monitor
Libya: Gaddafi forces accused of multiple war crimes -- The Telegraph
Libyan rebels free 11,000 prisoners … but are 50,000 still trapped in underground secret bunkers? -- Daily Mail

With source of water still in Gadhafi hands, Tripoli goes thirsty -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Gadhafi loyalists blamed for Tripoli water crisis -- CBS News
Gadhafi loyalists blamed for Tripoli water crisis -- AP
Libyan official says attacks by regime forces shut down vast water network feeding Tripoli -- Washington Post
Libya’s Interim Leadership Releases Its Members’ Names -- New York Times
Libya sees oil output at pre-war levels in 15 months -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Libya conflict: Algeria defends taking in Gaddafis -- BBC
Rebels want Gadhafi's sons in Algeria -- UPI
Gaddafi’s wife, three of his children apparently flee to Algeria -- Washington Post
Gadhafi Daughter Aisha Gives Birth in Algerian Exile: Report -- ABC News
Source: Gadhafi's daughter gives birth in Algeria -- CNN
Gaddafi's daughter Aisha 'gives birth to baby girl' hours after fleeing to Algeria -- Daily Mail
Qaddafi's daughter gives birth in Algeria -- CBS news

Gaddafi family album: Photos found in burned out home inside dictator's Tripoli bunker -- Daily Mail
The Battle for Tripoli: Photographs by Yuri Kozyrev -- Time Photo Gallery

To the Shores of Tripoli -- Robert Kagan, Weekly Standard
The Little Emirate That Could: Qatar versus Qaddafi.-- Lee Smith, Weekly Standard
Free Libya Raises Its Head With the anti-Qaddafi fighters. -- James Kirchick, Weekly Standard
Questions abound over Algeria-Libya connection -- Deutsche Welle
Hang Qaddafi -- Elise Jordan, NRO
Why democracy has a good chance in Libya -- Ronald Bruce St John, CNN
Lockerbie and Other Crimes: Don't Expect Satisfaction from Libya's New Regime -- Vivienne Walt, Time
Foreign Policy: Give Optimism And Credit To Libya -- James Traub, NPR

ATF Head "Demoted" In Wake of Gun-Trafficking Scandal

ATF Head Kenneth Melson Reassigned Amid Gun-Trafficking Probe -- Washington Post

The head of the ATF has been reassigned amid an investigation into a controversial U.S. gun-trafficking operation, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Kenneth E. Melson, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will become a senior advisor on forensic science in the department’s Office of Legal Policy. He will be replaced at ATF by B. Todd Jones, the U.S. attorney in Minnesota.


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More News On The Reassignment Of ATF Chief Kenneth Melson

ATF Director Reassigned; Sources Say U.S. Attorney Out Amid 'Fast and Furious' Uproar -- FOX News
Gunwalker scandal: ATF director out of top job -- CBS News
ATF chief ousted amid gun trafficking probes -- USA Today
Kenneth Melson, acting ATF chief, steps down -- Politico
Kenneth Melson, who oversaw ATF's Fast and Furious, steps down -- Chicago Tribune News
ATF head reassigned in wake of 'Fast and Furious' controversy -- CNN
Under Scrutiny For 'Fast And Furious,' ATF Announces New Leader -- NPR
ATF chief reassigned after botched sting -- Reuters
Acting head of alcohol, tobacco and firearms taskforce is reassigned -- Government Executive

My Comment: Will Ex-ATF Head Kenneth Melson be the last "demotion" as a result of this scandal .... or is Attorney General Holden next? Hmmmm .... we shall see.

Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ Missile Defense System Has A 85% Success Rate

A Tamir missile fired by an Iron Dome fire unit near Ashkelon, Israel, intercepting a Palestinian 122mm Grad rocket fired at the city. The iron Dome has repeatedly intercepted Palestinian rockets since its first deployment in April 2011, demonstrating impressive score. Photo via RAFAEL

Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ Missile Defense System Hits 85% Of Targets -- Washington Times

Israel’s cutting-edge missile defense called Iron Dome scored an 85 percent success rate in knocking out rockets launched against Israel’s southern cities in recent clashes with Gaza.

“Iron Dome in April became the first anti-ballistic missile system to be used in combat,” said Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States.

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More News On Israel's Iron Dome System

Rafael Team with Raytheon to Offer Iron Dome in the U.S. -- Defense-Update
Raytheon-Rafael get boost for Iron Dome -- UPI
Israel lauds success of Iron Dome missile interceptor -- Reuters
Rafael to double Iron Dome production -- Globes
Israel's Iron Dome system reassures nation on Gaza -- Christian Science Monitor
How To Beat Iron Dome -- Strategy Page

Heavy Fighting Reported In Yemen Between Military Forces And Al Qaeda Militants

A Yemeni navy ship off the country's coast (file photo)

Yemeni Navy Foils Plot To Attack Warship With Explosive-Laden Boat -- Xinhuanet

Yemen's navy Saturday foiled a suicide bomb attack on one of its warships off the southern flashpoint province of Abyan, where the navy were taking part in a joint military offensive against al-Qaida militants, the Defense Ministry said.

In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said a suspected explosive-laden boat was trying to collide with the warship.

Read more ....

More News On The Conflict Against Al Qaeda Militants In Yemen

26 militants, 10 soldiers killed in Yemen fighting -- AP
Yemen violence kills soldiers, militants in south -- Reuters
Four Yemeni soldiers killed in clash with 'Qaeda' -- AFP
More Troops Dead In Continuous Battles In South Yemen -- Yemen Post
Seven troops killed in al Qaeda attack in Yemen, official says -- CNN
AQAP chief Nasir al Wuhayshi reported killed in southern Yemen -- Long War Journal
Yemen Navy Stops Suicide Attack Off Abyan Coast -- Voice of America
Yemen navy foils suicide attack: ministry -- AFP
Report: Yemen's navy foils potential boat attack -- Jerusalem Post
Yemen Navy Sinks Explosives-Laden Boat Trying To Hit Warship – Ministry -- Yemen Post
Gulf of Aden Security Review - August 29, 2011 -- AEI Critical Threats
Al-Qaeda Timeline in Modern Yemen History -- Yemen Post
Yemen profile -- BBC