Fly World News Update
Here are a few news stories that I've been following.
While diplomats, politicians, and journalists continue to ramp up the rhetorical battle between Iran and the West, Israel has tested an Arrow missile (Fox, BBC). The Arrow is part of Israel's ballistic missile defense system, and the test reportedly involved the interception of a target similar to the Iranian Shahab 3 missile. For the sake of reminders, the Shahab 3 is a derivative or variant of the North Korean Nodong 1. There is also some speculation that Iran might be receiving North Korean help with its nuclear program; of course, North Korea denies this.
On the subject of Iran, American military commanders in Iraq are claiming that the Jihadis in Iraq are receiving more material support from Iran. The latest claims involve EFP's, an IED different in design but similar in composition to the M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine. According to the linked article, these EFP's are capable of penetrating the standard HMMWV up-armor, requiring the installation of a new type of up-armor kit.
In Afghanistan, American special forces personnel have taken over a Taliban palace used by Mullah Mohammed Omar. Meanwhile, the Taliban have issued propaganda for distribution amongst Taliban agents in Afghanistan and pledged to open Shariah schools in areas where they maintain a strong presence (in between staging cross-border raids and retaking villages in Helmand Province). On a side note, the situation in Afghanistan and the Waziristan region of northwest Pakistan serves as proof that negotiating with terrorists is ineffective. The British had reached a deal in which British troops would withdraw from the village of Musa Qala; once the British had withdrawn, the Taliban retook the village. In Waziristan, the Pakistani government made a deal with the Taliban that was ignored, and insurgents continue to receive support and shelter in Waziristan.
Following up on this post, China has made statements claiming that its satellite killer system is a "weapon of peace" aimed at forcing the United States to negotiate the end of space-based weapons. (I didn't know those existed?) A Japanese official is now quoting the Chinese National Defense Minister as having said that the Chinese are not planning any subsequent tests of the system.
I've been stockpiling a number of stories from North Africa. I'll start with Algeria.
On 10th December, attackers bombed and fired upon a bus outside Bouchaoui, killing the Algerian driver and injuring Western (British, American, and Canadian) and Arab (Lebanese) passengers. On 9th January, the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, which recently announced its al Qaeda affiliation, threatened Western interests in Algeria. Two weeks later, the group officially changed its name to al Qaeda in the Maghreb, allegedly with the approval of bin Laden himself. Shortly thereafter, a terrorist cell (believed to be from al Qaeda in the Maghreb) attacked an Algerian army post in the eastern Batna region of Algeria. (CNN, BBC)
There are two major stories in Mauritania. Continuing my series on the slow march of Mauritanian democracy, Mauritanians voted in parliamentary elections in early December. Presidential elections will be held in March; independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, backed by supporters of the ousted leader, is favored to win. Meanwhile, a boat carrying Kashmiri refugees has broken down near the Mauritanian fishing village of Nouadhibou. The Mauritanian government initially refused to receive the vessel (BBC, CNN), then delivered food and water to the ship; the Mauritanians finally allowed the ship to land, and the ship has docked (BBC, CNN) after the Mauritanian government received assurances that the Spanish government would finance the medical care and repatriation of the refugees.
That's all; more updates as my schedule permits.
While diplomats, politicians, and journalists continue to ramp up the rhetorical battle between Iran and the West, Israel has tested an Arrow missile (Fox, BBC). The Arrow is part of Israel's ballistic missile defense system, and the test reportedly involved the interception of a target similar to the Iranian Shahab 3 missile. For the sake of reminders, the Shahab 3 is a derivative or variant of the North Korean Nodong 1. There is also some speculation that Iran might be receiving North Korean help with its nuclear program; of course, North Korea denies this.
On the subject of Iran, American military commanders in Iraq are claiming that the Jihadis in Iraq are receiving more material support from Iran. The latest claims involve EFP's, an IED different in design but similar in composition to the M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine. According to the linked article, these EFP's are capable of penetrating the standard HMMWV up-armor, requiring the installation of a new type of up-armor kit.
In Afghanistan, American special forces personnel have taken over a Taliban palace used by Mullah Mohammed Omar. Meanwhile, the Taliban have issued propaganda for distribution amongst Taliban agents in Afghanistan and pledged to open Shariah schools in areas where they maintain a strong presence (in between staging cross-border raids and retaking villages in Helmand Province). On a side note, the situation in Afghanistan and the Waziristan region of northwest Pakistan serves as proof that negotiating with terrorists is ineffective. The British had reached a deal in which British troops would withdraw from the village of Musa Qala; once the British had withdrawn, the Taliban retook the village. In Waziristan, the Pakistani government made a deal with the Taliban that was ignored, and insurgents continue to receive support and shelter in Waziristan.
Following up on this post, China has made statements claiming that its satellite killer system is a "weapon of peace" aimed at forcing the United States to negotiate the end of space-based weapons. (I didn't know those existed?) A Japanese official is now quoting the Chinese National Defense Minister as having said that the Chinese are not planning any subsequent tests of the system.
I've been stockpiling a number of stories from North Africa. I'll start with Algeria.
On 10th December, attackers bombed and fired upon a bus outside Bouchaoui, killing the Algerian driver and injuring Western (British, American, and Canadian) and Arab (Lebanese) passengers. On 9th January, the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, which recently announced its al Qaeda affiliation, threatened Western interests in Algeria. Two weeks later, the group officially changed its name to al Qaeda in the Maghreb, allegedly with the approval of bin Laden himself. Shortly thereafter, a terrorist cell (believed to be from al Qaeda in the Maghreb) attacked an Algerian army post in the eastern Batna region of Algeria. (CNN, BBC)
There are two major stories in Mauritania. Continuing my series on the slow march of Mauritanian democracy, Mauritanians voted in parliamentary elections in early December. Presidential elections will be held in March; independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, backed by supporters of the ousted leader, is favored to win. Meanwhile, a boat carrying Kashmiri refugees has broken down near the Mauritanian fishing village of Nouadhibou. The Mauritanian government initially refused to receive the vessel (BBC, CNN), then delivered food and water to the ship; the Mauritanians finally allowed the ship to land, and the ship has docked (BBC, CNN) after the Mauritanian government received assurances that the Spanish government would finance the medical care and repatriation of the refugees.
That's all; more updates as my schedule permits.
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