Syria/Lebanon: Senior Lebanese security official Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan was killed this morning in a Beirut car bombing. This was the news of the day, since his death casts a shadow on Hezbollah-Lebanon-Syria relations. He was an enemy of Hezbollah, who had repeatedly threatened him; an enemy of Syria, recently arresting former Lebanese politician Michael [...]
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Russia: President Putin formally signed into law and established the Future Research Fund today, a defense institution similar to the US’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The purpose is directly analogous, aimed at high-risk projects in order to forward scientific breakthroughs in defense and military technologies. It will be currently staffed at around a [...]
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Despite Arab Spring troubles with former Yemeni president Saleh, the U.S. stepped up their counterterrorism efforts and killed dozens of AQAP fighters in two air strikes today. These strikes follow bold movements by al-Qaida that have resulted in the consolidation of their governance in the Zinjibar province, and the claiming of another southern province today, [...]
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A Wartim.es compilation of recent articles and readings on the topic: Joint US-China Ventures Pose Cyber Risk Chinese Capabilities in Cyberwar and Espionage A testimonial comparison showing a decade’s lack of progress on improving American cybersecurityy (In Chinese) An official report from the Chinese government on a 2011 emergency cybersecurity drill
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After a series of high-level talks held in Beijing, following a re-engagement that began last July, North Korea and the US have come to a deal. In exchange for 240,000 tons of US food aid, North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, nuclear testing, and long-range ballistic missile testing. Regional reception has been cautiously positive, [...]
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In a sharp downturn in relations following the recent Koran burning, two American officers were killed in the Afghan Interior Ministry today. Exact details are unclear but the officers are reported to be a major and a colonel, with the attack occurring on one of the most heavily guarded areas of Kabul. The perpetrator is [...]
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Mohammad Hejazi, deputy head of Iran’s armed forces, made the comment yesterday that Iran may strike pre-emptively at ‘enemies’ (read: Israel). This statement follows renewed military exercises in southern Iran that focused on protecting nuclear sites in case of an attack. The context of the exercises and comments come at a time when Israel and the [...]
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If others say it best, then I’ll just link. For readers interested in the Syrian conflict’s possible foreign actors (read: al-Qaida), here you go: http://thewasat.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/signs-beyond-western-eyes-unpacking-the-announcement-of-the-al-bara-ibn-malik-martyrs-brigade/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9087927/Al-Qaeda-probably-responsible-Syrian-suicide-bombings-US-spy-chief-claims.html
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