War News Updates

5 Years To Fix Data-Sharing System In America's Intelligence Community

2012-01-28T02:00:00.001-05:00

Intel Chief: 5 Years To Fix Data-Sharing System -- Washington Times

The nation’s intelligence chief says it will take five years to complete major improvements in the system that allows U.S. agencies to share secret information, after the WikiLeaks breach revealed embarrassing weaknesses in the system.

WikiLeaks was “a terrible event for us that has caused us to make changes,” Director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper said in a speech on information sharing at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

“Over the next five years, we’ll make some serious and noticeable changes,” he added.

Read more ....

My Comment: I know that government bureaucracy moves very slowly .... but 5 years !!!!

Violent Clashes Reported In Russia’s Volatile Caucasus Region

2012-01-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

13 Killed, Including Islamist Warlord, In Clashes In Russia’s Volatile Caucasus -- Washington Post/AP

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — Russian officials say an Islamist warlord, seven militants, four officers and one civilian have been killed in three separate incidents in Russia’s violence-plagued southern Caucasus region.

Russia’s Anti-Terrorist Committee spokesman Nikolai Sintsov said the leader of Islamist separatists in the province of Ingushetia was killed in a shootout Friday in the village of Ekazhevo along with two other militants.

Read more ....

More News On The Continuing Violence In Russia's Caucasus Region

13 Killed In Russia's Volatile North Caucasus -- Radio Free Europe
Violence in Russia's North Caucasus Kills at Least 9 -- Voice of America
Russia says kills local rebel leader - agencies -- Reuters
4 Russian Troops, 5 Islamist Rebels Killed in Dagestan -- Naharnet
Twelve including local insurgent leader killed in Russia -- World Bulletin
Militant Leader Killed in Russia’s North Caucasus -- RIA Novosti

Picture Of The Day

2012-01-28T00:45:00.001-05:00

SNOW PATROL
Air Force maintainers remove snow from a C-17 Globemaster III on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 12, 2012. The airmen are assigned to the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and the C-17 crew are assigned to the 3rd Wing. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding

Pentagon Needs A Bigger Bomb

2012-01-28T00:30:00.003-05:00

MOP dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress (Boeing)

Pentagon Seeks Mightier Bomb vs. Iran -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—Pentagon war planners have concluded that their largest conventional bomb isn't yet capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, and are stepping up efforts to make it more powerful, according to U.S. officials briefed on the plan.

The 30,000-pound "bunker-buster" bomb, known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, was specifically designed to take out the hardened fortifications built by Iran and North Korea to cloak their nuclear programs.

But initial tests indicated that the bomb, as currently configured, wouldn't be capable of destroying some of Iran's facilities, either because of their depth or because Tehran has added new fortifications to protect them.

Read more ....

Update #1: US seeks more powerful bomb to combat Iran's underground facilities -- FOX News
Update #2: US incapable of destroying some Iran nuke facilities -- Jerusalem Post

My Comment: Considering how deep Iran's bunkers are .... the Pentagon will definitely need a more powerful bomb.

The Bloodshed Continues In Iraq

2012-01-28T00:25:00.000-05:00

434 People Killed in Iraq Since U.S. Pulled Out -- New York Times

BAGHDAD — Since the United States military withdrew from Iraq in the middle of last month, 434 Iraqis have been killed in attacks across the country, according to security officials, one of the highest tolls for that amount of time in the past few years.

The latest attack occurred Friday when a suicide bomber detonated a car filled with explosives near a funeral procession in a Shiite neighborhood. The procession was for a man who had been fatally shot, along with his wife and son, a day earlier by insurgents.

According to security officials, 31 people, including 8 police officers, were killed in the Friday attack and 60 were wounded. Elsewhere in Baghdad, a young boy was killed in an explosion near a soccer field.

Read more ....

My Comment: After years of conflict and war you would think that everyone would be fed-up with the conflict .... but as the death tally continues to increase, this is clearly not the case.

In Defense Of Drones

2012-01-28T00:20:00.000-05:00

Getty

In Defense of Drones: A Historical Argument -- David Bell, The New Republic

Once upon a time, American military might was symbolized by the heavy boots of the Marine Corps, stomping ashore to reestablish order in unruly parts of the world. Today, increasingly, it is symbolized by unmanned drone aircraft, controlled from thousands of miles away, dropping bombs on accused terrorists. And to judge by the Obama Administration’s new defense plan, released earlier this month, this shift will be strongly reinforced in the years to come. The plan aims to cut troops, ships and planes while concentrating our military energies more than ever on drones, spy technology, cyber warfare, jammers, and special operations forces.

Read more ....

My Comment: My must read commentary for today.

Drone Strikes Are Now Tthe Obama Administration's Weapon Of Choice Against Terrorists

2012-01-28T00:15:00.000-05:00

The Drone War -- Reuters

(Reuters) - They kill without warning, are comparatively cheap, risk no American lives, and produce triumphant headlines. Over the last three years, drone strikes have quietly become the Obama administration's weapon of choice against terrorists.

Since taking office, President Barack Obama has unleashed five times as many drone strikes as George W. Bush authorized in his second term in the White House. He has transformed drone attacks from a rarely used tactic that killed dozens each year to a twice-weekly onslaught that killed more than 1,000 people in Pakistan in 2010. Last year, American drone strikes spread to Somalia and Libya as well.

In the wake of the troubled, trillion-dollar American invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, drone strikes are a talisman in Washington. To cash-strapped officials, drones eliminate the United States' enemies at little human, political, or financial cost.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is an analysis on the effectiveness of drone strikes from one who was a prisoner of extremists in Pakistan, and who also was a witness to the impact that the drone war had on them.

Twitter New Censorship Plan Is A Defeat For Global Activists And Dissidents

2012-01-28T00:10:00.000-05:00

Twitter's New Censorship Plan Stirs Global Furor -- L.A. Times

Its says it now has the power to block tweets in a specific country if the government legally requires it to do so. Dissidents and activists fear the new policy will stifle free speech.

Reporting from San Francisco — Twitter has promoted itself as a beacon of free speech, and that image was burnished when revolutionaries used the social media service to organize protests during last year's Arab Spring uprising.

But in what many view as an about-face, Twitter now says it has the power to block tweets in a specific country if the government legally requires it to do so, triggering outrage around the world, especially in Arab countries.

Read more ....

More News On Twitter's New Censorship Plan

Censoring of Tweets Sets Off #Outrage -- New York Times
Twitter's censorship plan rouses global furor -- CBS/AP
Twitter Can Censor by Country -- Wall Street Journal
Tweeters, Media Protest Twitter's New Censorship Rules (Updated) -- Reuters
Twitter's new censorship rules face opposition -- Reuters
Twitter's Censors Provoke Backlash -- Wall Street Journal
Twitter faces accusations of censorship; users plan Saturday boycott -- Washington Post
Twitter Enacts Censorship Regime -- PC Mag
Twitter Censorship Policy Ignites Global Outrage -- Huffington Post
#TwitterBlackout: Tweeters protest nation-specific blocks -- L.A. Times

2011 Was A Bad Year For Reporters

2012-01-28T00:05:00.002-05:00

U.S Falls To 47th In Press Freedom Rankings After Occupy Crackdown -- Daily Mail

Sweeping protests around the world made it an extremely difficult year for the media, and tested journalists as never before, the annual report into press freedom reveals.

The annual report by Reporters Without Borders has been released, showing the United States fell 27 points on the list due to the many arrests of journalists covering Occupy Wall Street protests.

The slide in the United States places it just behind Comoros and Taiwan in a group with Argentina and Romania.

Read more ....

More News On Press Freedom Rankings

Reporters Without Borders: Uprisings made 2011 important but difficult year for media -- Washington Post/AP
Press freedom index: big falls for Arab trio in year of protest -- The Guardian
Press freedom index: 'Media paid dearly' for coverage of uprisings -- Journalism.co.uk
How fair is RSF's Press Freedom Index? -- Dylan Byers, Politico

WNU Editor: The Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom index for 2011/2012 is here.

U.S. Building A 'Mothership' To Launch Navy Seal Raids

2012-01-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

The United States amphibious assault ship USS Ponce is to be retrofitted for use by US Navy Seals Photo: US Navy

US Building 'Mothership' For Launching Navy Seal Raids -- The Telegraph

The US is rushing to convert an aging Navy vessel into a 'mothership' from which to launch commando raids into the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

Documents released by the Pentagon show that the military is urgently refitting the USS Ponce, a 1960s transport ship, so that it can accommodate the speed boats and Blackhawk helicopters favoured by America's special forces.

The vessel had been scheduled for decommissioning but was given a new lease of life after requests from US Central Command, which has responsibility for American troops in the region, for a floating base that could remain anchored in one spot for weeks at a time.

It is expected to be deployed by early summer, the Washington Post reported.

Read more ....

More News On The US Building A 'Mothership' For Launching Navy Seal Raids

Navy wants commando ‘mothership’ in Middle East -- Washington Post
Navy converting ship into floating commando base in Middle East -- FOX News
Report: 'Mothership' racing toward Mideast -- UPI
Pentagon to send floating base to Mideast to boost special ops -- Stars and Stripes
Report: US rushing 'floating base' to the Middle East -- Jerusalem Post
New Floating Base Ships Coming for U.S. Navy -- Defense News
Navy planning floating base for special forces in Middle East -- New York Post

Former Hostages Rescued By Navy SEALs Recovering At A US Military Base

2012-01-27T23:00:00.001-05:00

Former Hostages Are Recovering At A U.S. Base -- New York Times

ROME — Two hostages rescued in Somalia by Special Operations Forces this week after three months of captivity were recovering at a military base in Sicily, an American military official said Friday.

Jessica Buchanan, an American aid worker, and her Danish colleague, Poul Hagen Thisted, are undergoing “a post-captivity reintegration process” at the United States Naval Air Base at Sigonella near Catania, Sicily, according to the base’s public affairs officer, Lt. Tim Page.

Read more ....

My Comment: It is going to take a long time for these hostages to recover, and our prayers are with them to have a speedy recovery.

Using A Cell Phone In North Korea Is Now A War Crime

2012-01-27T22:00:00.002-05:00

North Korea Outlaws Cell Phones -- Forbes

For everyone who protests the new internet restrictions that could have come with SOPA and might still come with ACTA, this one comes from the perspective department: North Korea has threatened to punish anyone using a cell phone as a war criminal.

Reports from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea indicate that the threat of famine is forcing more and more people to flee the country into South Korea, where an estimated 23,000 defectors have already located.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Punishing Cell Phone Users As 'War Criminals'

North Korea threatens to punish mobile-phone users as 'war criminals' -- The Telegraph
North Korean government labels cell phone users as war criminals -- CNet
North Korea makes cellphone usage a ‘war crime’ under 100 days of mourning -- ZDNet
North Korea labels phone users war criminals -- Register
North Korea: Please turn off your cell phone... or else -- Foreign Policy

My Comment: Who is more insane .... the regime in North Korea who decides that cell phone use is a 'war crime', or the useful idiots who provide food aid to the North in order for them to continue their insanity.

U.S. Brigades To Leave Germany

2012-01-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

German Angst As U.S. Troops Bid "Auf Wiedersehen" -- Alexandra Hudson, Real Clear World/Reuters

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany (Reuters) - Walter Brunner, a lively 82-year old whose blue baseball cap matches the color of his eyes, leans across a red leather booth at the American-style diner in this southern German town and tries to make light of the looming pullout of U.S. troops.

"We Germans fought for the Russians to go, now we are fighting for the Americans to stay," jokes Brunner, chairman of the German-American contact club in Grafenwoehr, whose lifeblood is its U.S. military base.

He watched a young Elvis Presley arrive here for training in 1958 and still goes tenpin bowling with his American friends every Monday night.

Read more ....

Update: DoD Identifies Brigades Slated to Leave Germany -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

My Comment: It's not surprising that many Germans .... especially the older generation .... view the American departure with concern. The U.S. military has been an incredible stabilizing influence in the country since the end of the Second World War, and their departure is a milestone that legitimately raises concerns among those who remembered what life was like after the Second World War. My prediction .... life will go on .... and the Germans are going to get use to it (especially) after my generation (I am in my 50s) passes on.

Is Presdient Obama Right To Fight 'One War At A Time'?

2012-01-27T20:00:00.004-05:00

Photo by Pete Souza

GOP Candidates Are Wrong To Urge A Second Front War In Iran -- Bruce Riedel, Daily Beast/Newsweek

Obama is catching heat for not doubling down on Iran and Afghanistan at the same time, but if he is wise he will heed Lincoln’s advice to fight ‘one war at a time.’

The top Republican presidential candidates are trying to out-tough each other on Iran, calling President Obama too weak and threatening to use force. The prospect of war with Iran is usually discussed in isolation from the war we are already fighting in Afghanistan. That’s a big mistake, taking on a second war before finishing the one you’re in is a recipe for two disasters.

Read more ....

My Comment: OK ... President Obama has the right to fight one war at a time .... sure .... and I wish it was true .... but .... unfortunately .... our enemies have a different point of view.

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T19:00:00.002-05:00

Gates of hell ... Auschwitz entrance bearing the chilling Arbeit Macht Frei ('Work Makes You Free') slogan. The SUN

How Britain's Armed Forces Work To Prevent Genocide -- David Richards, The Telegraph

On Holocaust Memorial Day we should honour those who have suffered and died to ensure that the lessons of the 20th century are not forgotten, writes David Richards.

The pride I hold in leading the British Armed Forces is based largely on the values we hold and the standards to which we aspire. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have embedded, deep within their core, ideals of selfless commitment, courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and respect for others. Each service expresses them differently but in each is that fire which keeps those who serve striving to do what is right and stop what is wrong.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Syria’s crisis: It looks like civil war -- The Economist

Israel Senses Bluffing in Iran’s Threats of Retaliation -- Ethan Bronner, New York Times

Chinese Traders Poised to Profit From Iran Oil Embargo -- Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson, Wall Street Journal

Why Beijing-Seoul Ties So Fraught -- Gilbert Rozman, The Diplomat

Five myths about China’s power -- Minxin Pei, Washington Post

Will There Be a Central Asian Spring? -- Joanna Lillis, Foreign Policy

Piracy and kidnapping in Somalia -- Tim Lister and Zain Verjee, CNN

Obama Team to Break Silence on al-Awlaki Killing -- Daniel Klaidman, The Daily Beast/Newsweek

In Honduras, a Mess Made in the U.S. -- Dana Frank, New York Times

Justice for Guatemala -- L.A. Times editorial

Prime Minister Harper unveils grand plan to reshape Canada -- Joe Friesen and Bill Curry

President Obama: ‘I make a mistake every hour, every day,’ but am learning on the job. -- Aliyah Shahid, New York Daily News

Should Americans Care About Apple’s iPhone-Factory Conditions? -- Sam Gustin, Time

What Is Facebook Worth? -- Joe Light, Wall Street Journal

World News Briefs -- January 27, 2012 (Evening Edition)

2012-01-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Italy And Spain’s Credit Ratings Downgraded Again As World Markets Slide Despite Rising Hopes Of Deal On Greece's Mammoth Debts -- Daily Mail

* Credit ratings for five European countries downgraded today
* EU's top economic official: 'We are very close to a deal'
* FTSE-100 down 1% to 5,735, France's CAC loses 1.2%

The eurozone was last night rocked by the downgrade of five countries as the single currency debt crisis deepened.

Italy and Spain were among the nations to be hit by U.S ratings agency Fitch in a bitter blow for Rome and Madrid. Belgium, Slovenia and Cyprus were also cut.

The news comes despite Greece and its private creditors claimed they were 'very close' to reaching a deal over its mammoth debts.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria crisis: UN Security Council mulls Assad measures. Deaths rise in Syria as U.N. Security Council to hold talks.

Officials: Car bomb targets funeral in Baghdad, killing dozens.

Israel says Iran 'drifting' toward nuke goal line.

Barrier proposed as Israel border.

Iran could ban EU oil exports next week: lawmaker.

ASIA

North Korea warns South but accepts food aid.

Taliban willing to compromise, Afghan negotiators say.

Head of Papua New Guinea military freed after mutiny.

Aborigine protesters burn Australian flag outside Parliament.

Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar.

Pervez Musharraf abandons bid to travel home to Pakistan. Musharraf delays Pakistan return without setting new date.

Pakistan's military academy attacked near Bin Laden house.

Tibetan student 'killed in third Sichuan, China clash'.

China denies nuclear accident.

AFRICA

Nigerian violence: Police disappear as Boko Haram brings terror to the streets. Nigeria on edge as Islamist group extends campaign of violence.

Congo poll: Etienne Tshisekedi condemns results.

Somali pirates threaten to kill American hostage in wake of Navy SEAL rescue of two captives.

Crooked guard led to aid workers' kidnapping in Somalia, group says.

Libya militias prepare to retake Bani Walid from Gaddafi loyalists.

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets.

One million children in Sahel at risk, UNICEF warns.

Somali pirate captors move US hostage after SEAL raid.

Egyptians mark 1st anniversary of 'Friday of rage'.

Sudan and South Sudan leaders bid to defuse oil dispute.

Europe crisis stifling remittances, African Central Bankers say. African economy faces ‘serious’ threats from Europe crisis.

EUROPE

Fitch cuts Italy, Spain, other euro zone ratings. Fitch downgrades five eurozone economies.

Dutch plan ban on Muslim face veils next year.

Russia postpones two manned launches to International Space Station.

Costa Concordia company offers passengers compensation.

Putin dismisses protests with a joke remark.

Russia bars liberal candidate from presidential election.

Russian military to beef up special forces in N. Caucasus.

Spain's unemployment total passes five million.

AMERICAS

Argentina Senate condemns Cameron's Falklands statement.

Canadian pipeline needs aboriginal consent: chief.

In Mexico, eight men are executed in downtown Monterrey.

Brazil search of collapsed buildings intensifies; 7 dead.

U.N. workers find 35 pounds of cocaine.

Scientists: Haiti, DR may facing big quake period.

Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt faces trial for genocide.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistani family wants justice in CIA killing.

Panetta: al Qaeda is "still a real threat".

'We will attack Nigeria again and again', Boko Haram leader vows.

Mali blames Al-Qaeda as rebels launch new attacks.

US adds IMU, IJU operatives to list of global terrorists.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Web economy to double by 2016.

Report: Facebook IPO filing could come next week.

Twitter now lets governments decide what content is suitable for their citizens.

U.S. GDP grows 2.8% at year's end but rate falls short of expectations.

Google says privacy change won't affect government users.

Europe signs up to controversial ACTA web treaty.

Apple 'attacking problems' at its factories in China.

Report: Amazon merchant bribed buyers for positive reviews.

The Growing Role Of U.S. Special Operations

2012-01-27T17:00:00.001-05:00

McRaven Plots Global Expansion For Spec Ops -- Military Times/AP

WASHINGTON — As traditional military operations are cut back, the Pentagon is moving to expand the worldwide reach of the U.S. Special Operations Command to strike back wherever threats arise, or better yet, enable local forces to do the job.

U.S. officials say the Pentagon and the White House have embraced a proposal by special operations chief Adm. Bill McRaven to send troops that are withdrawing from war zones to reinforce special operations units in areas somewhat neglected during the decade-long focus on al-Qaida.

Read more ....

More News On The Growing Role Of Special Operations

Pentagon plots global expansion -- IOL News/AP/Reuters
Special Ops' burden of success -- CNN
Special-ops hostage rescue in Somalia shows shape of US campaign to come -- Chicago Tribune/AP
Report: Military realignment to emphasize drones and special forces -- Government Executive
US Army Goes Underground: Special Ops Deployed Worldwide -- Global Research
Somalia rescue shows honed special operations capability -- USA Today
The Quiet Admiral -- New Yorker

Media Crackdown In Iran Before Parliamentary Elections In March

2012-01-27T16:30:00.003-05:00

There are hundreds of thousands of blogs in Iran. Radio Free Europe

Iranian Bloggers To be Executed For 'Spreading Corruption' As Tehran Cracks Down In Run Up To Elections -- Daily Mail

* Four journalists also arrested in moves to curb freedom of expression
* U.S. State Department urges Iran to 'protect rights of all citizens'
* Israel says 'world must act quickly' as UN urges West to resume talks
* Iran's parliament will decide on Sunday whether to stop oil exports to EU

Two Iranian bloggers are to be executed for 'spreading corruption' - as Tehran cracks down on freedom of expression in the run up to its parliamentary elections in March.

Four journalists have also been arrested, prompting the U.S. State Department to urge Iranian officials to 'protect the rights of all its citizens and uphold the rule of law'.

It comes as Israel said the world must act quickly to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the UN urged the West to resume talks with the pariah state.

Read more ....

Update: Iran is gearing up for elections and it isn't pretty -- Christian Science Monitor

My Comment: Executing bloggers .... what was inconceivable a few years ago is now becoming common in today's Iran. From my vantage point this is a reflection of how paranoid and frightened the mullahs are now becoming.

More Warnings From Israel On Iran's Nuclear Program

2012-01-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense minister, on right, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Iran Moving Closer To Stage Where It Will Be Too Late To Destroy Nuclear Facilities, Israel Warns -- The Telegraph

Iran is moving closer to the point when it will be too late to destroy its nuclear facilities with a precision air strike, Israel's defence minister has warned.

Reviving Western concerns that his government is still contemplating unilateral military action against Iran, Ehud Barak gave one of the clearest signs yet that Israel's support for new US and EU sanctions remains strictly limited.

"We are determined to prevent Iran from turning nuclear," he told the World Economic Forum in Davos. "And even the American president and opinion leaders have said that no option should be removed from the table.

"It seems to us to be urgent, because the Iranians are deliberately drifting into what we call an immunity zone where practically no surgical operation could block them."

Read more ....

More News On Iran's Nuclear Program

Israel says world faces urgent challenge to stop Iran from ‘drifting’ into nuke goal line -- Washington Post/AP
Israel: Iran "drifting" toward nuclear goals -- CBS/AP
Israel calls for tougher Iran sanctions -- The Guardian
IAEA Chief Unsure of Iran’s Candor While Israel Issues Warning -- Bloomberg Businessweek
IAEA has proof of Iran’s nuclear-related activities -- Gulf News
UN Chief: Iran Must Prove Nuclear Program Peaceful -- Voice of America
Iran nuclear questions to be exposed by inspectors visit -- The Telegraph
Will Israel Attack Iran? -- Ronen Bergman, New York Times

Hamas Has Effectively Abandoned Their Headquarters In Syria

2012-01-27T15:30:00.001-05:00

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has reportedly left Syria. Today's Zaman

Hamas Quietly Quits Syria As Violence Continues -- Yahoo News/Reuters

GAZA (Reuters) - The leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, has effectively abandoned his headquarters in the Syrian capital, Damascus, diplomatic and intelligence sources said on Friday.

"Meshaal is not staying in Syria as he used to do. He is almost out all the time," said a diplomat in the region who spoke on condition on anonymity.

A regional intelligence source, who also did not wish to be identified, said: "He's not going back to Syria. That's the decision he's made. There's still a Hamas presence there, but it's insignificant."

Read more ....

My Comment: I guess they are seeing the writing on the wall, and are getting out so that no one can accuse them of supporting the Assad regime.

Iranian Soldiers In Syria?

2012-01-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

Syrian Rebels Say Arrested Iranian Fighters -- YNet News

'Free Army' claims to have captured Iranian militants sent by Tehran to aid Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy movement.

Syria's "Free Army" rebels claim to have proof that Iran is aiding President Bashar Assad's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, Ynet learned Friday.

The rebels have released a video depicting alleged members of the Revolutionary Guards, captured who were captured in the city of Homs.

The video showed travel documents of seven captives, some of whom appeared to be speaking Farsi.

Read more ....

Update #1: Syrian rebels claim they captured Iranian soldiers -- Haaretz
Update #2: Syrian rebels say they hold seven Iranians hostage -- Reuters
Update #3: Syria: Are Captured Iranians Military Men or Engineers? -- Time

My Comment: Men of military age traveling and working in the middle of a war zone .... this is hard to believe. But everything that is now happening in Syria as it slowly disintegrates into all out civil war is also hard to believe.

Civil War In Syria -- News Updates January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T14:30:00.002-05:00

Protest: Demonstrators have been taking to Syria's streets in their thousands, such as in Khalidieh, near Homs, yesterday. Daily Mail

More Than 100 people Killed By Security Forces Across Syria -- Haaretz

Surge in violence comes as United Nations Security Council prepares for meeting to discuss escalating crisis.

Security forces killed more than 100 people across Syria on Friday, one of the deadliest days in the more-than-10-month uprising that appears to be developing into a civil war.

The dramatic surge in violence occurred as the United Nations Security Council prepared for a meeting to discuss the Syrian crisis.

Read more ....

More News On The Civil War In Syria

Syria crisis: Arab League's Dabi warns of 'escalation' -- BBC
Violence Rises Sharply in Syria, Flustering Arab League Monitors -- New York Times
Syria violence has risen 'significantly', says Arab League mission chief -- The Guardian
Syria killings spike to 120 as diplomacy heats up -- Khaleej Times
'Better to die than be humiliated,' chant mourners at funeral as Assad regime is accused of carrying out 'terrifying massacre' of women and children. -- Daily Mail
UNICEF says 384 children killed so far in Syria -- Reuters
Syria: claims of 'racial cleansing' as 14 family members are killed -- The Telegraph
Syria bloodbath shocks region -- Gulf News
Deaths rise in Syria as U.N. Security Council to hold talks -- CNN
Syrian violence intensifies as UN meets -- Financial Times
Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet -- Washington Post/AP
More than 50 killed in 2 days of violence in Syria -- FOX News/AP
Syria violence kills 37, U.N. Security Council to meet -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Syria violence escalates ahead of UN talks -- Deutsche Welle
Syrian tanks storm restive city of Hama, at least 44 killed -- Haaretz
Fears of a massacre grow as Syrian troops target Hama -- M&C
Syria crisis: Free Army fighters claim control of Douma -- BBC
Syrian security forces launch all-out assault on Douma -- The Telegraph
Syrian rebels defiant on Damascus outskirts -- Reuters
For first time: Deadly clashes in Syria second largest city -- Al Bawaba
Syria unrest: Assad losing grip on Damascus suburb Saqba -- BBC
Inflation and fuel shortages stoke Aleppo violence -- Financial Times
Top Syrian opposition group helping army rebels -- Khaleej Times/AP
Syrian opposition abroad to boost aid to rebel army -- Reuters
Protesters storm Syrian embassy in Cairo -- UPI
Crisis takes toll on Syria economy -- L.A. Times
The view from Damascus: Assad regime is 'weak' and 'robbing banks' to finance repression -- Michael Weiss, The Telegraph

Afghanistan War News Updates -- January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T14:00:00.003-05:00

France Resumes Afghan Mission After Soldiers' Deaths -- Deutsche Welle

A freeze on French operations in Afghanistan, imposed after the deaths of four soldiers last week, has been lifted. President Nicolas Sarkozy says troops will remain until the end of next year, if he is re-elected.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday evening that French troops would restart their mission to train Afghan security personnel - a week after four soldiers were shot dead by a rebel infiltrator.

Sarkozy said French troops would complete their withdrawal from the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2013 - as planned - after himself raising the possibility of an early exit.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

Sarkozy: French Troops to Resume Training in Afghanistan -- Voice of America
France to Resume Afghan Training -- Wall Street Journal
France to resume Afghanistan training mission -- Al Jazeera
France to resume Afghan troop training despite attack -- BBC

War In Afghanistan News 27 January 2012 -- War On Terror News
IED attacks up in Afghanistan -- UPI
‘IEDs Are the Battlefield,’ General Says -- National Defense
NATO Claims 'Successful Year' in Afghanistan -- Defence Professionals
Afghan suicide attack kills four, wounds 34 -- AFP
Taliban leader captured in Afghan province: NATO -- Xinhuanet
Navy lieutenant leads EOD unit in northern Afghanistan -- Dvids
French Afghan troops to leave Kapisa in March -- Reuters
German soldiers hand over security to Afghan forces -- Deutsche Welle
Balkh province transitions to Afghan lead -- Dvids

Taliban willing to compromise, Afghan negotiators say -- Express Tribune/Reuters
Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar -- The Telegraph
Former High-Ranking US Officials Voice Skepticism on Afghanistan Plan -- Voice of America
Did US, Taliban hold talks in Qatar? -- Rediff

France, Karzai want faster NATO Afghan exit -- CBS/AP
France, Afghanistan to ask NATO to hand over all combat missions to Afghans a year earlier -- Washington Post/AP
Afghan and French presidents meet in Paris -- UPI

Italy signs deal for long-term aid to Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghanistan women: 'Give us a seat at the peace table' -- Christian Science Monitor
Changes in Kabul Classrooms -- New York Times

U.S. Defense Budget Cuts - A News And Budget Roundup

2012-01-27T13:30:00.002-05:00

JSF Survives, Global Hawk Dies, Global Strike Revives; Panetta's Budget -- Aol Defense News

PENTAGON: In what may come to be called the dawn of the 21st century drawdown of the American military, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today unveiled a budget he hopes balances smaller forces with sustained and far reaching threats.

Panetta said the force that will result from the $525 billion budget request for fiscal 2013 will be "smaller and leaner, but agile, flexible, ready and technologically advanced." Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered the important point that the budget was predicated on the assumption that "capabilities are more important than size." Since the Army will shrink to 490,000 from its current 570,000 and the Marines will come down to 182,000 from 202,000 under the five-year request that will be crucial to retaining America's overwhelming military superiority.

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More News On What Is To Be Cut In the U.S. Defense Budget

Pentagon’s defense budget plan -- U.S. Defense Department (PDF)
Major Budget Decisions Briefing from the Pentagon (Transcript) -- US Department of Defense
Panetta Announces Fiscal 2013 Budget Priorities -- US Department of Defense
Pentagon Outlines 2013 Budget Cuts -- Defense News
Hot Docs: DoD’s 2013 Budget Briefing Documents -- Defense Tech

A Look at the New Pentagon -- Ares/Aviation Week
Pentagon cuts reshape military, trim costs -- Economic Times
Pentagon: Army, Marines to shrink as budget slows -- Boston.com/AP
Panetta Plan for Lean, Agile Military Reflects a Tighter Budget -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Judgment day -- DoD Buzz
Pentagon Plan Includes Base Closings and Smaller Raises -- New York Times
Pentagon budget set to shrink next year -- Washington Post
Budgeting for a new military vision -- CNN
Pentagon cuts reshape military, trim costs -- Reuters
Pentagon Unveils Tighter Spending Plan -- Wall Street Journal
US plans to cut Army, invest in future -- AFP
Pentagon budget cuts hit force size, facilities -- Army Times
DoD Unveils Major Force Reductions -- Military.com
Pentagon Asia Shift Favors Subs, Bombers, Tankers, Panetta Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Pentagon budget cuts will shrink military, reduce ground forces -- The Hill
Panetta: Troop numbers to fall, but no hit to active-duty pay and benefits -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta Outlines US Defense Budget Decisions -- Voice of America
US military: Defence Secretary Leon Panetta reveals cuts (Video) -- BBC
Pentagon budget plan hits ships and planes -- Money Control
Defense budget plan would cut spending by half a trillion -- L.A. Times
Panetta Outlines US Defense Budget Decisions -- Voice of America

US military prepares to shed 100,000 troops -- The Telegraph
New Pentagon Plan Would Cut Ground Forces By 100,000 -- FOX News
Panetta: U.S. ground forces would shrink by 100,000 -- USA Today/AP
US to cut almost 100,000 troops -- BBC
US to cut ground forces by 100,000 -- Press Association

Panetta: Full Commitment to U.S. F-35 Program -- US Defense News
Pentagon says to slow procurement of F-35 fighters -- Reuters
U.S. to slow F-35 procurement as billions get slashed from defence budget -- Canada.com
USAF to Kill Block 30 Global Hawks -- Defense News
Panetta Said to Seek Cancellation of L-3’s U.S. Army C-27J Transport Plane -- Bloomberg

Navy To Drop 3 Ships in 2013; May Keep 313-Ship Goal -- Aol Defense
Panetta: Navy will keep 11-carrier fleet amid defense cuts -- Hampton Roads/AP
Big cuts coming; lower pay raises start in 2015 -- Navy Times
The Proof Is In The Pudding -- Information Dissemination
U.S. Pushes Back Future Ballistic-Missile Sub -- Global Security Newswire
20,000 Marines to be cut, Pentagon announces -- Marine Times

Cyber and unmanned war systems spared axe -- Sydney Morning Herald
The U.S. Military Cuts for the Cloud -- New York Times
Asia-Pacific region spared knife as Panetta slashes US forces -- The Australian
Pentagon cuts to hit defense industry -- Washington Post
Panetta: Military cuts to hit 'all 50 states' -- MSNBC
Pentagon to Request Two New Rounds of Base Closures -- Defense News
HASC Vice Chair dismisses proposed base closures -- DoD Buzz

Humans Lose, Robots Win in New Defense Budget -- Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room
Pentagon's new budget: Rise of the machines -- RT

U.S. Defence Cuts Not Actually Real Cuts -- Ottawa Citizen
U.S. Navy Sidesteps Most Pentagon Cuts -- Defense News
Defense budget plan doesn't cut as deeply as Pentagon says -- McClatchy News
Expert: Proposed U.S. Defense Cuts Less Severe Than They Seem -- Voice of America

Pentagon budget: top 3 winners and losers -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor
Military cutback contains surprise -- Nanacy A. Youseff, Kansas City/McClatchy News
The Promise — and The Danger — in Panetta’s Budget -- Gordon Adams, Time
The Defense Budget: “You Used to Be Big” -- Mark Thompson, Time
Panetta Admits There Are ‘Risks’ Associated With Military Cutbacks -- Patrick Goodenough -- CNS News
An altered landscape -- Philip Ewing, DoD Buzz
With a Leaner Military, a Long List of Potential Threats -- Justin Fishel, FOX News
Pentagon’s Preview of Defense Budget Indicates Future Military Will Lack Important Capabilities -- Heritage Foundation

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World News Briefs -- January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T13:15:00.001-05:00

Dozens Killed as UN Set to Discuss Syria Resolution -- Voice of America

The violence in Syria continued Friday, bringing to more than 50 the number of people killed there over the past two days. This, as a U.N. resolution to curb the bloodshed appeared to be stalled.

More than 20 people were killed in attacks throughout the country - including six members of the security forces in the northwestern city of Idlib. Syrian activist Rami Abdul-Raham said they were killed by a car bomb at a security checkpoint. Government forces were also reported to have carried out a raid in the flashpoint city of Homs.

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MIDDLE EAST

More than 50 killed in 2 days of bloody turmoil in Syria. Syrian revolt creeps closer to Damascus.

Officials: Car bomb targets funeral in Baghdad, killing dozens.

Israel says Iran 'drifting' toward nuke goal line.

Barrier proposed as Israel border.

Iran could ban EU oil exports next week: lawmaker.

ASIA

Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar.

Musharraf delays Pakistan return without setting new date.

Pakistan's military academy attacked near Bin Laden house.

Tibetan student 'killed in third Sichuan, China clash'.

China denies nuclear accident.

AFRICA

Libya militias prepare to retake Bani Walid from Gaddafi loyalists.

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets.

One million children in Sahel at risk, UNICEF warns.

Somali pirate captors move US hostage after SEAL raid.

Egyptians mark 1st anniversary of 'Friday of rage'.

Nigeria on edge as Islamist group extends campaign of violence.

Sudan and South Sudan leaders bid to defuse oil dispute.

African economy faces ‘serious’ threats from Europe crisis.

EUROPE

Costa Concordia company offers passengers compensation.

Putin dismisses protests with a joke remark.

Russia bars liberal candidate from presidential election.

Russian military to beef up special forces in N. Caucasus.

Spain's unemployment total passes five million.

AMERICAS

Canadian pipeline needs aboriginal consent: chief.

In Mexico, eight men are executed in downtown Monterrey.

Brazil search of collapsed buildings intensifies; 7 dead.

U.N. workers find 35 pounds of cocaine.

Scientists: Haiti, DR may facing big quake period.

Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt faces trial for genocide.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

GDP grows 2.8% at year's end but rate falls short of expectations.

Google says privacy change won't affect government users.

Europe signs up to controversial ACTA web treaty.

Apple 'attacking problems' at its factories in China.

Report: Amazon merchant bribed buyers for positive reviews.