Category Archives: Stratfor

STRATFOR: Taliban leaders make conditions for end of war

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From WWW.STRATFOR.COM

November 4, 2010
Several high-ranking Taliban leaders met in late October to discuss their conditions for ending the war in Afghanistan, an unnamed source close to the Taliban said, Afghan Islamic Press reported Nov. 4. The leaders agreed on seven articles that would be presented if the West asked for talks. The leaders said the United States should release all prisoners from Guantanamo; release Taliban detainees from Bagram, Pol-e Charkhi and other prisons; remove the names of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan leaders from a U.S. blacklist; announce the withdrawal of all U.S.-led foreign forces within two months; cease all military operations throughout the country; recognize the Islamic Movement of the Taliban as a political party; and replace the Afghan Constitution with Islamic law. The source said the leaders would be flexible once talks began and that they want to open a dialogue with Washington before the government in Kabul joins. He reiterated that the conditions were the unofficial Taliban position.

Oct 19 2010 Muslims attack in 2 nations

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Muslims detonated explosives and shot random people at a parliament in Chechnya, as well as are running gun battles in the streets of Yemen.

More on Yemen is here from AFP:

ADEN, Yemen — Yemeni troops are fighting a guerrilla war against Al-Qaeda in southern towns in which they are struggling to come to terms with the hit-and-run tactics of the enemy, a commander said on Tuesday.

“We are engaged in what amounts to a guerrilla war with Al-Qaeda in the streets and neighbourhoods,” the deputy head of security in the Abyan province town of Mudia, Colonel Mohammed al-Khodr, told AFP.

“So far we have not managed to win the battle and are facing difficulties as most of the fighters are drawn from among the towns’ residents,” Khodr said. Continue Reading →

Chavez relies more and more on paid thugs to cling to power

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From STRATFOR, for those with an interest in geopolitical analysis and CIA like, intelligence reports, buy a subscription to STRATFOR. I can especially recommend their books. Fred Burtons book ghost is a fantastic read and very entertaining as well.

India: 11 Killed In Protests In Kashmir

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September 13, 2010 STRATFOR

At least 11 people were killed Sept. 13 during Koran demonstrations and anti-government protests across Indian Kashmir, according to police officials, Reuters reported. The incident marks the largest single death toll from protests in Kashmir in years, the police said. Seven people were killed when police fired on a group of Muslim protesters denouncing reports of Koran burning in the United States.

Bosnia: Face Veil Ban Considered

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August 24, 2010 | 0845 GMT STRATFOR

The Bosnian central parliament will discuss new legislation on Sept. 1 that would ban the wearing of a face veil or niqab, EMG.rs reported on Aug. 24. The law would impose a 24-hour curfew on women who wear a veil, and those violating the ban could be fined 50 euros.

Chinese general warns govt. China must have US style democracy to survive

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A Chinese General has warned his political masters that China will see a Soviet style collapse if it does not adopt US style democracy. Very interesting indeed.

Here is the link to the Stratfor analysis. I believe you have to be a member to see the video, but it’s worth a click to find out.

Muslims take credit for Aug 9 Moscow blast

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from STRATFOR:

August 12, 2010
Causasus rebels from the Riyadus Salikhiyn Brigade of Martyrs claimed responsibility for the Aug. 9 blast outside the Gazprom central office in Moscow, Kavkaz-Tsentr news agency reported on Aug. 12. Rebels stated that the emir of Muslims of the Caucasus Dokka Abu Umarov gave the orders to show Russia’s leadership and largest business that the war is not over. It comes to homes and offices, the statement read, declaring central Russia as a “zone of counter terrorist operation.” The rebels said they plan to attack Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Two reports on the Israel – Lebanon border issue

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Here first is a STRATFOR report which is quite well done and actually offers a decent analysis as well as report what both sides claim took place.

Below, a Reuters report where I have added a couple of facts myself. This report is so poorly done as to be fiction as it bears little to no resemblance to any facts on the ground.

STRATFOR: Israelis never left Israeli territory

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Israel: Photo Shows Soldiers Did Not Cross Border – IDF STRATFOR.COM

August 3, 2010
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released an aerial photograph showing that IDF soldiers were in Israeli territory during clashes with Lebanese soldiers, The Jerusalem Post reported Aug. 3. A U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) representative reportedly confirmed the information. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Lebanon that Israel would respond with force to any further incidents.

STRATFOR: Lebanon – Israel exchange fire

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August 3, 2010

U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon urged “maximum restraint” after an exchange of fire between the Lebanese and Israeli armies along the Blue Line in the area of al-Udaysah village, Reuters reported Aug. 3, citing a U.N. spokesman. U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon Deputy Commander Santi Bonfanti is in contact with the Israelis and Lebanese, the spokesman said. Israeli troops fired four shells from tanks, with the Lebanese responding with two shells and fire rounds, according to Al-Alam TV. According to unnamed Lebanese security sources, an Israeli tank targeted a Lebanese army position, slightly injuring a Lebanese soldier. In another report, Al-Arabiya said two Lebanese were injured.

Iran issues veiled warning to US

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July 17, 2010 STRATFOR:
Senior Revolutionary Guards commander Massoud Jazayeri said the United States will face “fallout” from a rebel bomb attack in southeast Iran on July 15, Reuters reported July 17, citing a semi-official Iranian news agency. Jazayeri did not elaborate on what he meant by “fallout.” Iran has accused Washington of backing Jundollah, a Sunni Muslim rebel group that claimed responsibility for the blasts that killed 28 people and wounded 306, including members of the Guards.

Colombia: 1,500 FARC Rebels In Venezuela – Report

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July 15, 2010 STRATFOR
A leaked report by Colombian intelligence services and the Administrative Department of Security claims there are approximately 1,500 guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 28 support and first aid camps in the Venezuelan states of Apure and Zulia, El Espectador reported July 15. The report indicated that FARC leaders Ivan Marquez and German Briceno travel freely in those regions and that Marquez met with an unidentified Venezuelan general at least twice in Barinas state between March 6 and 12.

STRATFOR: Uganda: 64 Die In Blasts

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July 12, 2010 Stratfor

Some 64 have died in bombings in Kampala, Uganda, while fans watched the World Cup final late July 11 on television, AP reported. Forty-nine died at a rugby club, while 15 were killed at an Ethiopian restaurant, according to police. One American was killed, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda. Police believe al Shabaab may be responsible. Sheik Yousuf Sheik Issa, an al Shabaab commander, did not confirm that his group was responsible, however, he said he was happy with the attacks, adding that what makes Uganda cry, makes the group happy, AP reported. A White House spokesman said Washington was ready to aid Uganda, adding that U.S. President Barack Obama was saddened by the loss of life.

More ‘Asian youth’ arrested in Germany

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From STRATFOR:

June 23, 2010
German police moved in on homes and a cafe in Hamburg, Hanover and Frankfurt the week of June 21 as part of an inquiry into alleged fundraisers for militant group the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, prosecutors said June 23, DPA reported. One man is believed to have had weapons training at a camp along the Afghan-Pakistani border; others were reportedly involved in handling money transactions

Saudi Arabia: Gives Israel Space To Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites

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A rather stunning little SITREP from STRATFOR:

This one sitrep basically justifies the expense I think! Chances are this is just a signal to Iran but still, its quite unexpected.

June 12, 2010
Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities, The Times reported June 12. Defense sources in the Gulf say that Riyadh has agreed to allow Israel to use a narrow strip of its airspace in the north of the country to diminish the distance for a bombing run on Iran. To ensure the Israeli bombers pass safely, Riyadh has carried out tests to make certain its own jets are not scrambled and missile defense systems not activated.