Category: Intl Security

North Korea: New Info

New Data Found On North Korea’s Nuclear Capacity
(Washington Post)…Glenn Kessler

The United States in recent weeks has obtained new intelligence — fresh traces of highly enriched uranium discovered among 18,000 pages of North Korean documents — that are raising new questions about whether Pyongyang pursued an alternative route to producing a nuclear weapon, according to sources familiar with the intelligence findings.

"As we’ve gotten deeper into the process, we’ve been troubled by additional information about North Korea’s uranium-enrichment capability," Rice said. "And this information has reaffirmed skepticism about dealing with North Korea." — Secretary Rice

Mideast: Nuke Issue, U.S. Elections

    Bush May End Term With Iran Issue Unsettled
    (New York Times)…Helene Cooper
    For more than five years now, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have made clear that they did not want to leave office with Iran any closer to possessing nuclear weapons than when they took office.
    Israeli Maneuvers Demonstrate Unease Over Iran
    (Wall Street Journal)…Jay Solomon and Yochi J. Dreazen
    …U.S. officials Friday confirmed a report in the New York Times that Israel recently mounted a large-scale military exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean that appeared designed to hone the tactical skills needed in any future military strike against Iran’s nuclear installations.
    Israel Conducted War Games, U.S. Officials Report
    (Washington Post)…Robin Wright
    …The mock operation reflected a growing policy schism over Iran among major international players at a time when U.S. politics may freeze major decisions until a new administration is in place, its officials are confirmed and a policy review is complete.

AFRICOM: Improving, Experimenting

AFRICOM Short On Answers, Long On Challenges
(Aerospace Daily & Defense Report)…David A. Fulghum, June 20, 2008 Pg. 7

The new U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) is facing some problems that its commander doesn’t want to talk about, and high on that list is China and South Africa.

While avoiding direct questions about South Africa, Ward did mention his desire to work with the few professional air forces in Africa, such as in Botswana.

… He predicts that AFRICOM will double in size over the summer, but it is not being designed to unilaterally “fix things for them.” Instead, the command will wait for requests from African nations, after which the United States will do its best to meet those needs as a partner, and would be willing to depart from traditional organizational constructs and funding models if necessary.

Asked where AFRICOM will move its headquarters that are now in Stuttgart, Germany, Ward says, “I don’t need to spend time on that right now.” He says there is no guide book about how to set up a new unified command, so his time is spent in improvising and experimenting with its organization.

Heroic Military Working Dog

Once At A Local Pound, Gabe Now Sniffs Out Bombs In Iraq
(Houston Chronicle)…Rosanna Ruiz, June 21, 2008, Pg. 1

In his early years, he was known to wander …

His impressive military record led the American Kennel Club recently to honor Gabe with its Heroic Military Working Dog Award medal. His partner, Sgt. Charles Shuck, of the 178th Military Police Detachment, also shared in the honor.

The pair has conducted more than 170 combat patrols, including search operations, raids and sweeps that provided safe environments for task forces, Iraqi police and other coalition forces, according to the AKC.

Nuclear "Proliferation"

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Is Obsolete
(Wall Street Journal)…Jane Harman

…The best course would be to persuade Iran to abandon its designs on the bomb and make its nuclear activities completely transparent to international authorities – as three United Nations Resolutions have required. But Iran is not the only problem. Other countries may travel down the same path, waving the banner of peaceful nuclear energy.

Iran: Action, Reaction …

    U.S. Says Exercise By Israel Seemed Directed At Iran. (New York Times)…Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt, Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
    How Iran Would Retaliate If It Comes To War
    (Christian Science Monitor)…Scott Peterson
    Military analysts say the Islamic Republic would strike back in unconventional ways – targeting American interests in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    Iran’s President, Foreign Minister Send Conflicting Signals, (USA Today)…Unattributed
    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the West failed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear program, even as the country’s foreign minister said Tehran was considering a United Nations Security Council offer of incentives on the issue.

Iraq: Oil Production

In Iraq’s Oil Fields, Signs Of Hope Finally Are Emerging
(USA Today)…Charles Levinson

…This month, the Iraqi government expects 10 major foreign oil companies — including ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron — to sign modest contracts that could be a first step toward bigger investments.

France: New Defense Policy

In New Defense Policy, France Turns To U.S. And Europe
(New York Times)…Steven Erlanger and Katrin Bennhold

In its first new national defense policy in 14 years, France has decided that its security lies within Europe and NATO, establishing a significant shift from the country’s longstanding notions of moral and military self-sufficiency.

Iran Sanctions

In Europe, Bush Makes Gains On Iran, Afghanistan
(Wall Street Journal)…Alistair MacDonald and John D. McKinnon

Winding down his European tour, President Bush won enough support on two key issues — sanctions against Iran and troops in Afghanistan — to allow him to return home bearing gifts.