Is The War Against Al Qaeda Reaching A 'Tipping Point'?

Photo: General Counsel for the Department of Defense Jeh C. Johnson

US Heading For Point When 'Military Pursuit Of al-Qaida Should End' -- The Guardian

Fight against terrorist group on course for Obama to stop using legal authority given by Congress to wage war, says lawyer

The US is heading for a "tipping point" beyond which it should no longer pursue al-Qaida terrorists by military means, one of the Obama administration's most senior lawyers has said.

Jeh Johnson suggested the group would become so degraded that a time would come when the legal authority given to the White House by Congress should no longer be used to justify waging the war that has been fought since 2001.

Read more ....

My Comment: I disagree .... while many of Al Qaeda's top leaders have been killed in the past decade, the philosophy and ideology of Al Qaeda is still out there .... and still supported by millions of followers. This is a long war .... whether some want to believe it or not.

What Did President Obama Say About Benghazi

What The President Said About Benghazi -- Tom Bevan, Real Clear Politics

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice is under fire for going on several Sunday talk shows five days after the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and providing apparently erroneous information to the public. But President Obama’s own public statements about Benghazi, made in three separate nationally televised interviews in the days after Rice’s appearances, were equally misleading and have received scarcely any attention.

In defending Rice from criticism from an array of Republicans, including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Obama said at a November 15 press conference, "If Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me.”

Read more ....

My Comment: What I would like to know is where was President Obama during this time .... what did he know, when did he know it, and why did he/they decide to pursue the anti-Muslim video storyline on why the consulate was attacked when the CIA Director was saying otherwise.

CIA Ordered To Close Down It's Center On Climate Change And National Security

Obama Orders CIA To Close Down Multi-Billion Dollar Unit -- Examiner

More than three years later, and after spending billions of taxpayer dollars, an Inside-the-Beltway watchdog group reported on Tuesday that President Barack Obama ordered the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to quietly shutdown its example of government waste and duplication: the Center on Climate Change and National Security.

The scandal-plagued government agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior U.S. policymakers, the military, homeland security officials and law enforcement operated an insignificant special unit that focused on global warming, according to a watchdog group that's proudly been a thorn in the side of the Obama White House.

Read more ....

More News On The CIA Being Ordered To Close Down It's Center On Climate Change And National Security

The CIA Has Closed Its Climate Change Research Office -- Business Insider
CIA closes dedicated climate change unit -- Phys.org
CIA climate-change unit closes its doors -- The Hill
CIA Closes It's Climate Change Office -- New York Times

My Comment: Missed this story last week .... so here it is now.

Is The CIA Headed In The Wrong Direction?

CIA Headed In The Wrong General Direction -- Roy A. Harrell Jr.

Agency should not be paramilitary force.

More than 50 years ago, my resignation from the Central Intelligence Agency was effectuated. The Company, as it had always been known, had become a bit too militarized and was not what some of its founders such as Allan Dulles envisioned.

Intelligence was collected but rarely analyzed coherently so as to contribute to enlightened policies. Much of what was collected by the Company lay unused, some of us feeling it is too expensive to collect this data, not to mention the risk involved.

Moreover the trend was in the direction of militarization, a task that could be more expertly done by the Department of Defense.

Read more ....

My Comment: I know that the U.S. military has the means to do the job that the CIA is doing right now (i..e having a paramilitary force that can quickly execute certain operations) .... but aside from certain legal reasons on why the CIA is doing this work, I believe that the Oval Office and those who run the CIA like the ability (and option) to use the CIA in executing covert military operations and/or drone strikes against targets like Al Qaeda leaders. Is this the proper job for the CIA .... I do not know .... but they are doing the job and their masters (the politicians) appear to be happy with their performance.

A Look At Military Uniforms Of The Future

Combating Chemical Agents A U.S. Army private prepares for a chemical training drill wearing the service's current chemical protection suit, which is both hot and restrictive. United States Army

Military Uniforms Of The Future Will Automatically Turn Into Chemical Suits In The Presence Of Threats -- Popular Science

Next-gen combat fatigues could incorporate a new kind of breathable fabric that instantly turns into a protective shell in the presence of chemical or biological threats.

Soldiers on the battlefield may soon be getting a second skin. Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing a new nanotube-based fabric intended for use in military combat uniforms that protects grunts from chemical and biological agents. But unlike the cumbersome and (really, really) hot chemical suits the military currently issues to mitigate those kinds of threats, this material will automatically switch from a highly breathable state to a protective one, triggered by the presence of a chemical or biological threat. The uniform may well know the threat is present before the soldier does.

Read more ....

Update: Developing 'second skin' military fabric to repel chemical and biological agents -- Phys.org

The U.S. Military Wants EMP Grenades

An E.M.P. grenade goes off in Deus Ex. Dvice

Army Wants To Stop Bombs Using Halo-Style Electric Pulses -- Danger Room

Electromagnetic pulse grenades are a favorite of sci-fi storytellers and videogame designers, a la Halo and Call of Duty. The Army evidently doesn’t want to be left out: It’s seeking a real-life version that can blast electromagnetic signals and fry insurgent bombs.

To be specific, the Army wants “High Power Microwave (HPM) grenades” to “generate an electromagnetic pulse that could be used to defeat the electronics used to activate [homemade bombs] or that could be used to attack blasting caps,” according to its latest round of research contracts with small businesses. In theory, the electrical components on improvised explosive devices, like radio transmitters, could be overwhelmed by surging electromagnetic radiation emitted by such a weapon.

Read more ....

More News On The Pentagon Wanting To Develop EMP Grenades

Pentagon seeks EMP grenades straight out of sci-fi -- Dvice
Pentagon Wants EMP Grenade -- Ubergizmo
Pentagon eyes advanced EMP grenades -- TG Daily
Army looks to using EMP grenades -- VR-Zone
US Army Wants To Make Video Game-Style 'EMP Grendades' -- Huffington Post

Pentagon Worried Over Real 'Terminators'

 

WNU Editor: From CNN .... Behind every Hellfire missile, there's an actual human being remotely pulling the trigger. But the Pentagon is preparing for the day when robots are capable of targeting and launching a strike on their own.

CNN's Chris Lawrence reports on the Pentagon's new rules on drones, effectively forbidding the development of lethal weapons with no human control.

Defending Drone Strikes

 

Top Pentagon Lawyer Defends Drone Killings -- Foreign Policy 

In a rare public interview, Jeh Johnson, the Pentagon’s top lawyer, argued that the U.S. is able to target terrorists “with great precision,” in a defense of drone strikes. “Now, are we perfect? No. There have been regrettable and unfortunate losses of life, but I believe we have a pretty good track record.” A clip of Johnson’s interview with BBC’s HARDtalk is posted online with the full interview to come later Thursday and Friday.  

Read more ....    

WNU Editor: Must be a trend .... another top U.S. official has come out in defense of drone strikes.

U.S. Navy Preparing To Wage Cyber Warfare Attacks

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan travels through the Pacific Ocean with other ships assigned to the Rim of the Pacific 2010 exercise, north of Hawaii, July 24, 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan McCord

Cyberwar On The High Seas -- Washington Free Beacon

Navy prepares to wage cyber warfare at sea.

The U.S. Navy is preparing to wage cyber warfare attacks against enemies during conflicts and must avoid strategic surprise from a future cyber attack on its networks, according to a strategy report made public Wednesday night.

“The opening salvos of the next war will likely occur in cyberspace and the Navy must be ready,” the report said. “We must organize, train, and resource a credible workforce of cyber professionals and develop forward-leaning, interoperable, and resilient cyberspace capabilities to successfully counter and defeat a determined adversary in cyberspace.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The “Navy Cyber Power 2020" report is here.

U.S. Navy's Biofuel Plans Get The Support Of The U.S. Senate

Senate Votes To Save The Navy’s ‘Great Green Fleet’ -- Danger Room

The Senate on Wednesday threw a life raft to the Navy’s beleaguered plan to power its ships and jets with biofuel.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus trumpeted the program as key to service’s long-term stability, pledging $170 million to kickstart the wobbly biofuel industry, promising to get half the Navy’s fuel from alternative sources by 2020, and making plans to dispatch an eco-friendly “Great Green Fleet” in 2016.

Read more ....

More News On the U.S. Senate Approving The Pentagon's Plans For Bio-fuels

Senate OK’s military spending on biofuel refineries -- Stars and Stripes
Senate gives green light to Pentagon green energy -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Navy's Biofuel Plan Gets Senate Support -- Wall Street Journal
Senate strikes restriction on military biofuel development -- Reuters
US Senate backs military, Obama on green fuels -- TG Daily
Senate Again Backs Pentagon's Green-Energy Plans -- Wall Street Journal
With Senate’s Support, Advanced Biofuel Industry Ready for Takeoff -- Energy Collective
Democrats put green energy back into military budget bill -- Human Events

How Syria Turned Off The Internet

How Syria Turned Off The Internet -- Cloud Flare

Today, 29 November 2012, between 1026 and 1029 (UTC), all traffic from Syria to the rest of the Internet stopped. At CloudFlare, we witnessed the drop off. We've spent the morning studying the situation to understand what happened. The following graph shows the last several days of traffic coming to CloudFlare's network from Syria.

Since the beginning of today's outage, we have received no requests from Syrian IP space. That is a more complete blackout than we've seen when other countries have been cut from the Internet (see, for example, Egypt where while most traffic was cut off some requests still trickled out).

Read more ....

More News On Syria's Internet Shutdown

How Syria Turned Off the Internet -- Gizmodo
How were Syria's networks and Internet taken offline? -- ZDNet
How did Syria shut off the Internet? -- SFGate
Assad gov't continues to block Internet in Syria -- CBS/AP
Syrian Internet Connections Cut for Second Day -- New York Times
Syria Plunges Into Internet Blackout -- PC Mag
Syria's government urged to unblock internet and mobile access to country -- The Guardian
US providers host Syrian government websites -- Computer World
Communications blackout doesn't deter hackers targeting Syrian regime -- FOX News
Anonymous Hackers Swat At Syrian Government Websites In Reprisal For Internet Blackout -- Forbes
Anonymous declares Internet war on Syria -- NBC News
Syria’s Internet shutdown leaves information void, may signal escalating war -- Washington Post
Syria Internet outage: How it might have happened and what it means -- Washington Post
How To Get Around The Internet Blackout In Syria -- Or A Mass Communications Outage Anywhere -- Betsy Isaacson, Huffington Post
The three big questions on Syria’s Internet blackout -- Max Fisher, Washington Post

ASEAN Chief Worries That China Is Deliberately Raising South China Sea Tensions

ASEAN Chief Worries Beijing Raising Stakes in South China Sea -- Voice of America

South-East Asia's leading diplomat is joining those worried China is dangerously raising tensions over the disputed South China Sea.

ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan says Beijing's plan to possibly board and search foreign ships is alarming.

“Certainly it has raised a lot of concern and anxiety and I think it is creating a bit of a general sense that the situation is becoming more tense.''

Surin has been urging all parties to agree to a code of conduct for an area considered by many to be a potential military flashpoint.

Read more ....

More News On China Escalating Tensions In The South China Sea

ASEAN chief says China plan on disputed seas escalates tension -- Reuters
Asean chief Surin Pitsuwan warns on China's ship patrol plan -- BBC
China issues new warning -- UPI
China gives police more sea rights: state media -- AFP
China plan to board ships sets off alarm -- Inquirer.net
Law enhances Chinese police's power in disputed South China Sea -- L.A. Times
New Chinese Law Allows for Search, Expulsion of Foreign Ships -- Voice of America

Wow!

From your lips, Katie, to God's ear. [Read]

This could be the biggest development to date in terms of giving incentive to roll. If so, what a scoop!

SAF: I hope you haven't engraved the next "Journalist of the Year" plaque yet.

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- November 30, 2012

Why Is Egypt's Draft Constitution So Controversial? -- Kristen Chick, Christian Science Monitor

Protesters took to the streets in Cairo and other Egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by Islamists. Here are the points many in Egypt are talking about.

Egypt's constituent assembly worked through the night to finish voting on Egypt's new constitution, finalizing its work early this morning and sent the contentious document to the president, who will call a national referendum on the constitution within two weeks.

President Mohamed Morsi's allies made the surprise move to finish the document this week after he issued a decree sidelining the judiciary and removing nearly all checks on his power.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Kurdish-Iraqi government talks collapse amid fear of civil war -- Jane Arraf, Christian Science Monitor

Should the U.N. Have Recognized Palestine? -- Teresa Welsh, US News and World Report

China's military crossroads -- Brahma Chellaney, Japan Times

China’s Oil Quest Comes to Iraq -- J. Michael Cole, The Diplomat

The Problem From Hell: South Asia’s Arms Race -- Paul Bracken, The Diplomat

Is China trying to implode Japan's economy? -- Peter Lee, Asia Times

A chance for calm in Congo -- L.A. Times editorial

Russia's Misery Loves U.S. Company -- Michael Bohm, Moscow Times

Mexico’s Peña Nieto Talks to TIME: ‘We Can Move Beyond the Drug War’ -- Tim Padgett, Time

Let Women Fight: Ending the U.S. Military’s Female Combat Ban -- Megan H. MacKenzie, Council On Foreign Affairs

More Evidence Of War Crimes In Syria (Graphic Video)

Syrian Rebel Films Himself Shooting 10 Prisoners -- Reuters

Nov 30 (Reuters) - New footage posted on the Internet appears to have been filmed by a Syrian rebel who points the camera along the barrel of his gun as he shoots 10 unarmed prisoners.

The video, posted on YouTube on Thursday, shows 10 men wearing t-shirts and camouflage trousers lying face down next to a building and a lookout tower. Even before the shooting, two of the men are not moving and one has blood coming from his torso.

"I swear to God that we are peaceful," begs one of the men to the camera, which is being held by the gunman. Cowering, the man gets up to plead with rebels. As he approaches a rebel off-screen, a shot is heard and he returns holding his bloodied arm.

Read more ....

My Comment: Once in a while these videos come out of Syria, but I suspect that such incidences are now happening everyday.

The Mighty Quinn

Not so mighty after all... [Read]

[Via bondmen]

We're the Only Ones Rear-Ended Enough

A Mercer Island police officer accidentally shot himself in the buttocks while on duty Thursday. [More] 

I'm trying to imagine how you would...never mind, I don't want to know.

[Via Bear]

Bring It On, You Moron

Can you imagine being stupid or racist enough to vote for this addled...thing? [Read]

Has Guam tipped over yet?

In a Crossbow-Free Zone?

Earlier, Casper College spokesman Rich Fujita said the incident involved a crossbow or another similar weapon, Fujita said. [More] 

And now they may be changing it to a "sharp-edged weapon"...?

But what about the rules...?

UPDATE: At least it wasn't a crossbow used in a Gun-Free Zone. But the "safety" policy still didn't work, did it?

Civil War In Syria -- News Updates November 30, 2012

Is Syria's Assad Running Short Of Helicopters And Cash? -- Christian Science Monitor

ProPublica reports that Syria asked Iraq to allow helicopter shipment overflights from Russia, just days after other documents revealed Russia sent Syrian currency to Damascus.

According to a new report, Syria sought permission from Iraq last month to ship attack helicopters being refurbished by Russia through Iraqi airspace. But while it is unclear whether the shipments ever occurred – unlike eight shipments of Syrian currency sent from Russia that was revealed earlier this week – the reports, taken together, indicate an increasing level of desperation on the part of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Read more ....

More News On Syria's Civil War

Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Syria conflict: internet blackout continues - Friday 30 November 2012 -- The Guardian

Syrian fighting rages as rebels push for Damascus breakthough -- The Guardian
Fighting rages near Damascus airport; Syrian Web and phone blackouts continue -- Washington Post
Opposition: Fierce fighting closes Damascus airport for second day -- CNN
Fighting continues near Damascus airport -- Al Jazeera
Flights to Damascus airport disrupted for second day -- BBC
Syrian security forces cut internet, phone and kill 17 Lebanese fighting with Syrian rebels -- FOX News/AP
Syria jets bombard rebel targets on airport road -- Reuters
20 Lebanese killed in Syria ambush -- Daily Star
Militant leader in Syria seeks Islamic state, says his men do not fear death -- Washington Post/AP

At General Assembly, Ban and UN-Arab League envoy call for greater efforts to resolve crisis in Syria -- UN News Centre
UN Envoy Warns of Worsening Syria Situation -- Voice of America
Envoy warns that Syria will become a failed state unless there is a political solution to war -- Washington Post/AP
U.N. chief "horrified" by Syrian violence -- Reuters
UN Envoy Warns Syria Could Become 'Failed State' -- Voice of America

Syria Fighting Rages On, Nations Discuss More Sanctions -- Voice of America
Friends of Syria want tighter sanctions -- UPI

U.S. Moves Toward Recognizing Syria’s Opposition -- New York Times
Russia warns US on Syria -- Examiner
Russia supplies weapons to Syria -- Examiner
U.S. communications equipment to Syria opposition ‘spy-proof’ -- Washington Times

UN Finds Dire Humanitarian Needs in Homs, Syria -- Voice of America
Syrian refugees shot at while fleeing to Jordan: UNHCR -- Reuters
Syrian Refugees Attacked by ‘Armed Groups,’ U.N. Says -- New York Times
250,000 displaced in Syrian city of Homs: UN -- Business Recorder

War rips apart families, neighbors in Syria as political, sectarian loyalties take over -- Washington Post/AP
Is the Collapse of the Syrian Regime Imminent? -- Nehad Ismail, Huffington Post
Can the Syrian Rebels Unite? -- Mike Giglio, Daily Beast
Are Syria’s rebels on the verge of victory? -- Hugh Macleod, Salon

Tens Of Thousands Protest Against Egypt's New Constitution

Cairo's Tahrir Square Fills With Anti-Morsi Protesters -- BBC

Tens of thousands of protesters opposed to Egypt's president and the sweeping new powers he assumed last week are in Cairo's Tahrir Square, hours after a new constitution was hastily approved.

The Islamist-dominated constituent assembly finished voting on the draft in the early hours on Friday.

The draft will now be sent to Mr Morsi, who is expected to call a referendum.

The Supreme Constitutional Court is due to rule on Sunday on whether the assembly should be dissolved.

Senior judges have been in a stand-off with the president since he granted himself sweeping new powers.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Protests In Egypt

Egypt draft constitution sparks mass protest -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Egyptians protest after draft constitution raced through -- Reuters
Street protests follow approval of Egypt's draft constitution -- L.A. Times
Egyptians protest after Islamist-dominated assembly hastily approves constitution -- Washington Post
Mass Cairo protests after charter adopted -- The Australian
Egyptians Protest After Panel Backs Constitution -- Voice of America
Christians, liberals left out as Islamists back Egypt's draft constitution -- NBC
Washington Warily Eyes Egypt’s Constitutional Crisis -- Time
Q&A: Controversy over Egypt’s draft constitution -- BBC
Factbox: Egypt's draft constitution -- Reuters

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Back In Cuba For Cancer Treatments

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Battling Bone Metastasis, Report Says -- FOX News

Venezuela President Hugo Chávez is now battling bone metastasis from his pelvic cancer, according to a report by Spanish newspaper ABC. Citing an unnamed intelligence source, ABC's Washington correspondent Emil J. Blasco says there has been a recurrence and spread of the tumor, which was detected in a test performed on a trip to Havana just after the elections on October 7.

Blasco said the metastasis is causing Chavez “severe pain in the left femur and serious walking difficulties." He also says that Chavez passed out twice in August, losing consciousness briefly, and that doctors determined that his situation was deteriorating slowly but steadily.

Read more ....

My Comment: This does not look good for him .... his cancer has spread.

City attorney’s comments spotlight how California gun laws endanger citizens

Here you have a municipal legal official admitting murders are on the rise, criminals are running rampant, a dwindling police force is powerless to prevent it, and the same city and county authorities who have only approved 2,800 people out of over 2 million residents in an area of over 20,000 square miles won’t give their permission to carry the means of defense unless you can satisfy them that your “cause” is “good.” [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report looks at a place that's morally, as well as fiscally bankrupt.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

I haven't read this book, so I don't know the exact circumstances that led to these peoples' ordeal. The advice given in this column looks good from what I see. [Read]

I'd add one more caution and be real careful what I said on that 911 call.

[Via W³]

Can Afghanistan Tackle Corruption?

My Comment: The culture of corruption is so interwoven in Afghanistan that I have zero expectation that it can be tackled in my lifetime. As for the billions that have been sent to Afghanistan .... we in the West must come to the realization that with the exception of educating millions of children (boys and girls) on how to read and write as well as some health/medical programs .... the rest of the money has been spent (on God knows what) or embezzled.

Afghanistan War News Updates -- November 30, 2012

Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni and Afghan national police walk up a hill after their vehicles became stuck in the mud in the Nawur District, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 18, 2012. Members of the team visited the Nawur District to perform quality assurance quality control on a collapsed building and two comprehenisve health clinics. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Rebecca F. Corey

US Senate Votes For Faster Afghan Withdrawal -- Al Jazeera

Overwhelming majority of Senate in favour of accelerated withdrawal, while Pentagon stresses need for post-2014 mission.

The United States Senate has voted overwhelmingly for an accelerated withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan after more than a decade of fighting, reflecting the wishes of a war-weary nation.

Thursday's bipartisan vote of 62-33 sends a clear message to President Barack Obama and the military as they engage in high-stakes talks about the pace of drawing down the 66,000 US troops there.

While the senators talk about the withdrawal, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said the US needs to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 because al-Qaeda is still present in the country.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command operational update, Nov 30 -- ISAF
Combined Force Arrests District-level Taliban Leader -- US Department of Defense
Security forces arrest Afghan accused of funding the Taliban -- Reuters
Conflict continues to displace Afghans, study finds -- CNN
Germany to close two bases in northern Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
Immunity at issue for troops in Afghanistan -- Marine Times

Panetta: Post-2014 Afghan effort to be substantial -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta: US foresees 'enduring presence' to fight al-Qaida in Afghanistan -- NBC
Panetta: Post-2014 US military mission in Afghanistan will include targeting al-Qaida -- Washington Post/AP
Panetta Calls for Substantial Post-2014 Presence In Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Al Qaeda battle in Afghanistan to stretch for years: U.S. -- Reuters
Panetta says U.S. will maintain ‘enduring presence’ in Afghanistan -- Examiner

Majority in U.S. Senate Support Accelerated Afghanistan Transition Pace -- Defense News
Senate votes to accelerate withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan -- FOX News/AP
US Senate backs quicker Afghan withdrawal -- 9 News

Pakistan Agrees to Free More Taliban Prisoners -- ABC News/AP
Afghan FM Presses Pakistan to Free More Taliban Detainees -- Voice of America
Afghanistan pushes Pakistan for more Taliban releases -- Foreign Policy

India’s Role in Afghanistan: Past Relations and Future Prospects -- Shreshta Balachandar, Foreign Policy Journal
Afghanistan: a human rights tragedy -- Rawa News

World News Briefs -- November 30, 2012

Egyptians Protest After Panel Backs Constitution -- Voice of America

CAIRO — Egyptians protested in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for an eighth straight day of demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi, as an Islamist-dominated panel approved Egypt's new draft constitution that must now be voted on in a nationwide referendum.

The panel, boycotted by several Christian and liberal members, retained the principles of Islamic law as the main source of legislation. The group rushed through the approval of the 234 articles in a meeting that lasted from Thursday afternoon until early Friday.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Fighting continues near Damascus airport.

Global hacking network declares Internet war on Syria.

Palestinians win de facto U.N. recognition of sovereign state.

Senate approves new sanctions for Iran energy, shipping.

Iran may quit anti-nuclear arms pact if attacked: envoy.

Continued clean-up seen at Iranian military site tied to nuclear program.

Baghdad-Kurdistan talks stall over military command.

ASIA

ASEAN chief voices alarm at China plan to board ships in disputed waters.

Chinese delegation said to meet with North Korean leader.

Satellite photos showing North Korea rocket preparations raise speculation.

Anti-Shiite violence rises in Pakistan as Islam’s sectarian divide moves beyond the Middle East.

'People will die': Muslims face expulsion from western Myanmar.

Japan PM postpones Russia trip due to Putin's health problems: media.

AFRICA

Egypt draft constitution sparks mass protest. Egypt assembly adopts draft constitution. All eyes on Egypt’s military as Morsi, judges battle for power.

Congo rebels extend stay in Goma. Dispute over munitions threatens Congo M23 pullout. DR Congo police arrive in Goma as M23 rebels delay pull-out.

Office in Uganda shows how easily rebels can move.

Nigeria Boko Haram leader urges global jihad in video.

Algeria says vote had 44 percent turnout, showing stability.

EUROPE

Eurozone unemployment rate hits new high in October.

Special Report: Greeks rage against pension calamity.

French socialist in Mittal row: We're just doing what Obama does.

Russian court bans 'extremist' Pussy Riot video from websites.

Napoleon's secret coded Kremlin letter on sale.

AMERICAS

Mexico drug war continues to rage in region where president fired first salvo.

Mexico seeks to pivot relationship with US as new president takes office.

Brazil economy surprisingly weak, adds to global fears.

Colombia seeks talks with Nicaragua to solve maritime spat.

Cuban dissidents report escalated harassment.

Haiti seeks $2bn for cholera epidemic 'introduced by UN peacekeepers'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Military action against al Qaida-linked extremists in Mali unlikely for months.

9/11 suspects may be tried in civilian courts not military tribunals.

Boko Haram emir praises al Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

German Parliament sends 'Google Tax' to committee.

Economic growth slows in India, Brazil and Canada.

Insight: How a desperate HP suspended disbelief for Autonomy deal.

Apple to sell iPhone 5, iPad mini in China.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 30, 2012

Okinawa Move, Key To Pacific Pivot, Will Cost More Than $10.6B: GAO -- Aol Defense

WASHINGTON: Sloppy number-crunching at the Department of Defense means that the official price tag to move 9,000 Marines off Okinawa to Guam, Hawaii, and Australia – already estimated at a whopping $10.6 billion – is probably short of the real cost, according to a draft Government Accountability Office (GAO) report obtained by AOL Defense.

The U.S. plans to move 4,700 of 8,000 Marines to Guam and send the others elsewhere: 1,800 would go to Hawaii – far from the action in the Western Pacific – and the rest to Australia – where the US is building up a "rotational" presence of 2,500 Marines (not all of them relocated from Okinawa) rather than permanent bases. The Pentagon's cost estimate is $10.6 billion.

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Israeli Defense Chief Sounds Ready to Hit Iran, Thanks in Part to Iron Dome -- Danger Room

Senate backs accelerated withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan -- FOX News

German Air Force receives MANTIS air defence system -- Defpro

Missing ‘Saudigate’ Documents in Sweden Spur Call for Inquiry -- Defense News

Azerbaijan To Boost Defense Spending in 2013 -- Defense News

Saudi Arabia keen on $130m Patriot missile deal -- Arabian Business

India Military Must Fill Gaps To Become Top Pacific Power: The Four P's -- Aol Defense

China threat spurs Japan to expand military presence -- Sydney Morning Herald

China: Fighter jet plagiarism allegations 'offensive' -- China Daily

Canada: F-35 not the only plane that meets stealth requirements: Lawson -- iPolitics

US military institutes 'buddy program' for troops in Japan -- Stars and Stripes

The Tools of Mexico’s Drug Cartels, From Landmines to Monster Trucks -- The Danger Room

Chinese, U.S. soldiers complete disaster relief drill amid Asia tensions -- Reuters

China and US military in joint disaster exercise -- AFP

Air Force Reaches Deal to Bolster B-61 Nuclear Bomb's Accuracy -- Global Security Newswire

Will Stealth Survive As Sensors Improve? F-35, Jammers At Stake -- Aol Defense

Sequestration deadline speeds F35 negotiations -- DoD Buzz

Military Uniforms Of The Future Will Automatically Turn Into Chemical Suits In The Presence Of Threats -- Popular Science

Senate OKs Military March Toward Biofuels -- Discovery

Key U.S. official defends use of drones -- CNN

Drones soar past their military uses -- CNN

CEO Of Massive US Defense Firm Scoffs At The 'Fiscal Cliff' -- Business Insider

White House’s Opening Offer Excludes New Defense Cuts -- Defense News

Saluting Military Mutts -- Time

US Senate votes to limit military detention -- Politico

Documents: FBI told Canadian police of possible security breach involving military officer -- Washington Post/AP

Bradley Manning takes stand at Wikileaks hearing -- BBC

Pentagon report defends ouster of military instructor -- Washington Times

Why Is Gen. Allen Still Under Investigation? -- Max Boot, Commentary

A US Navy Ship Captured By North Korea In 1968 Has Suddenly Gone Missing -- Business Insider

USS Enterprise retirement will not include Shatner -- AP

South African air force officer reprimanded over pink slippers -- The Guardian

DEFENSIVE USE OF FIREARMS: Revised and Updated

From Stephen P. Wenger:

If you have been waiting to purchase autographed copies of my book – for yourself or as gifts – a new shipment arrived yesterday and I'm ready to ship again. Fairly detailed instructions for either purchase with a mailed check or online are posted at the link below. Particularly if the copies are to be use as gifts, don't forget to include the name(s) for the inscription. Feel free to add any appropriate comments, such as “from your friend...” and/or a date other than the one of the actual purchase. If you make your purchase online, you should find ample room for that in the box for the name. Just make sure, if purchasing more than one copy, that it is clear what is to be inscribed in each one. Again, thanks for your support – the small revenue from purchases directly from me helps support both the website and these mailings. (If you are unfamiliar with the book, scroll upward on the linked page.) 

That would be this linked page...

Not Our Job

Of course, neither is protecting you, which we do our best to make impossible for you to do yourself... [Read]

[Via Harvey]

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise...

Lord Justice Leveson has condemned decades of "outrageous" behaviour by newspapers as he urged the Government to set up a new media watchdog underpinned by legislation. [More]

You know, "Authorized Journalists."  Or over there I think they spell it with an "s" instead of a "z."

We're the Only Ones First-Responding Enough

A 43-year-old state trooper has been charged with larceny, accused of stealing jewelry and cash from the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash on Route 15 in Fairfield ... [More]

I was wondering where the third leg of that spate I'd talked about the other day went...

The Cattle are Lowing

Meat-eaters "easily cheat, lie, forget promises and commit sex crimes," an Indian school textbook for 11 and 12-year-olds writes. [More] 

I guess an herbivore would tend to think unkindly, if you can call cud regurgitation thinking.

Me, I agree with A no. 1: "You can be a meat eater, kid."

And speaking of A1, tonight's steak night. I need to go get some good mushrooms for that.

Day of Rage

If you're going to carry, don't go starting arguments over bumper stickers. Legalities aside, this should never have got started in the first place. [Read]

[Via Carl S]

ATSNTV Shooting Destination Night

It's on Saturday instead of Friday this week... [Details]

'Author Korwin disavows e-mail scare under his byline'

Veteran Arizona gun rights advocate Alan Korwin, author of several gun law books and a prolific writer, is scrambling to distance himself from what appears to be a rather cleverly concocted fraud that takes something he wrote almost four years ago and makes it look like some brand new sinister scheme he has uncovered. [More] 

I got an email from Alan the other day about this and was going to write something about it, but Dave Workman beat me to it.

Those of us who keep abreast of such things had our spider senses tingling when the old gun list with the fake front end first appeared, and resisted weighing in until we could verify things--a good rule of thumb I've repeated time and again: Unless an email comes with a link to a credible source, treat it as suspect, particularly if the sender doesn't seem to know what "BCC" is and the last line urges you to "SEND THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!"

Which hasn't kept those who don't keep abreast of such things from rendering snotty, ignorant judgments.  I've been relatively silent about the "prags" in recent years, because the flame wars are a distraction, and I figure I'll do my thing and they can do theirs.  But this comment  demands an apology, and an honorable man would give it, meaning don't expect one anytime soon:

countertop Says:
November 28th, 2012 at 8:15 am
As credible as the lists author. Or the first “gun rights” group he lists at the end.

He's more credible than you. And a better man.

I have no problem with bloggers who wish to remain anonymous due to political repercussions to their real lives--some of them can make valuable contributions, and it's not exactly like it isn't a time-honored American tradition. But when they use that anonymity to disparage and insult people who work under their own name, that's just plain cowardly, despicable, and revealing of character, or lack thereof.

Speaking of characters, last time I crossed paths with this Fairfax über alles pole-smoker, the "fairly well-connected lobbyist [and] former trial attorney" recommended that I be sued (which shows how incompetent he is, how he has no understanding of the Bill of Rights and is indicative of why we're in the mess we are with boobs like him having access to politicians) and ended up promising to  issue a rebuttal--which he never delivered on.

If you want to reply, "Countertop," you worm, you don't get anonymity here. You lost that privilege when you sniped at a good man from the shadows like the ... what did Vanderboegh call you? ... like the "swinging cod" that you are.  Post under your real name and I'll be happy to publicly slap you around like you deserve.

My bet is, if you choose to reply at all, you'll only do it from a safe haven and prove my point.

Direct Links

A gun smuggling operation run by former Columbus town officials had a direct link to targets of the bungled “Fast and Furious” operation run by federal officials in Arizona, according to reports obtained by the Journal. [More]

And there's another direct link to DOJ in that case as well.

What's to "negotiate"?

The Thinking Machine

This is a bit before my time, but I did work with similar technology--I recall filling out engineering parts lists on 80-column forms that would then go to the keypunch department to create cards to feed the tape drive mainframe, and then receiving the resulting (massive) tractor feed-printed indentured bills of material/exploded product structure tab runs...that and everybody smoking cigarettes in the office... [Watch]

Damn the Principles, Full Speed Ahead

While I have concerns about the "Sportsmen's Act" and he supports it, John Richardson's endorsement of holding fast to principles is exactly right. [Read]

It's amazing, the hostility that inflames some ostensibly on "our side" who are so quick to abandon them in order to score a perceived benefit.  Nothing comes without a cost.

Sounds of Silence

Proponents say there's no reason to ban the devices that screw onto the muzzle of a firearm to catch the blast and muffle the sound of a shot. Not only do they prevent hearing damage, supporters say, they also reduce noise pollution. [More]

So why just for Fudds?  And why the damn tax?

This Day in History: November 30

Although appearances are not very flattering at present, I hope they will in time become more so. Patience, prudence, and perseverance sometimes effect much. It is in my opinion very important that no dissatisfaction be expressed in America at the conduct of Spain. Complaint and disgust can answer no good purpose, but may be productive of many disagreeable consequences. A cautious silence is the more necessary, as I am confident that there are persons in America who would make a merit of collecting and transmitting the sentiments of Congress, or members of Congress, on subjects interesting to the views and objects of persons in power here. [More]

Editor's Note

Will be stuck in meetings today. Regular blogging will return at 13:00 EST

Ten Predictions For 2013

The World In 2013 -- Foreign Policy

Ten predictions for a year of brewing conflict.

Three major forces will loom behind the headlines in 2013, driving events in the new year: the crisis of the Western political order, rising sectarian strife in the Middle East, and worries about American withdrawal from the world.

The most immediate challenge is the crisis of the Western democratic model, caused by the inability of the United States and Europe to deal with their respective fiscal and financial issues. The problems are economic, but the weaknesses are fundamentally political. A continued failure to act will result in the weakening of the West's global stature in every dimension of national strength -- its ability to prosper, to summon and guide international action, and to advance core national interests.

Read more ....

My Comment: No arguments from me on any of these predictions. If I would add one, it would be Africa and the growing unrest from Islamic extremists in many of the Sahara nations.

Another North Korean Military Chief Is Fired

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has replaced his defence chief Kim Jong-Gak (AFP/File, North Korean TV)

South Korea Suspects North Korea Dumped Another Military Chief -- Wall Street Journal

In what may be the second major shake-up at the top of North Korea’s military this year, dictator Kim Jong Eun is believed by South Korean officials to have replaced another defense chief.

Reports circulated in Seoul on Thursday that Vice Marshal Kim Jong Gak, who just in February was promoted to that highest-level post below the dictator himself, is now out. A spokeswoman at the South Korea presidential office said the report was “highly possible though not confirmed.”

Read more ....

Update: N. Korea's defence chief replaced by hawk: report -- AFP

My Comment: After only 9 months on the job .... North Korea's military chief is replaced by another. This was either a falling out, or only a temporary/caretaker appointment before someone else was chosen.

Pentagon To Activate Global Missile Defense For NKorean Missile Test

Japan's missile defense assets deployed to Intercept the North Korean missile on its ascent trajectory (April 2012). Illustration: Daily Yomiuri

North Korean Missile Launch Set -- Washington Times

The Pentagon is preparing to activate global missile defenses for an expected test launch of another long-range missile by North Korea, U.S. defense officials said.

Intelligence agencies are closely watching a North Korean missile launch site amid signs a test-firing will take place in the next two months, U.S. officials said, echoing reports from South Korea and Japan.

One official said the indicators from the launch site appear to be “a replay of the April launch, hopefully with the same success.”

North Korea’s last Taeopodong-2 missile was test-fired April 13 in what defense officials said was a failure shortly after the first stage lifted off.

Read more ....

My Comment: A prudent .... but expensive deployment.

U.S. Is Denied Entry Into Asia's Newest Economic Bloc

Asian, European and US exports

Post-US World Born In Phnom Penh -- Spengler, Asia Times

It is symptomatic of the national condition of the United States that the worst humiliation ever suffered by it as a nation, and by a US president personally, passed almost without comment last week. I refer to the November 20 announcement at a summit meeting in Phnom Penh that 15 Asian nations, comprising half the world's population, would form a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership excluding the United States.

President Barack Obama attended the summit to sell a US-based Trans-Pacific Partnership excluding China. He didn't. The American led-partnership became a party to which no-one came.

Read more ....

My Comment: I concur .... there was no U.S. coverage on this news story, instead .... the U.S. media's focus instead was on Asia's territorial disputes and America's "Asia-pivot".

The Growing Irrelevance Of The U.S. State Department

A Fine Mess At Foggy Bottom -- Seth Mandel, Commentary

Lost in all the speculation about the next secretary of state is the degree to which Foggy Bottom will need someone who can put the pieces back together. While Hillary Clinton coasted for much of her term on the good press that comes with being a Clinton, until the last couple of months she was having a decidedly average run as secretary of state. But the Benghazi debacle–which was in large part the result of Clinton’s incompetence and lack of attention–followed by the expected defection of most of our European allies at the UN vote on the Palestinians today, reveals a State Department marked by ineptitude and surprising irrelevance.

Read more ....

My Comment: It's true .... I am old enough to remember when U.S. diplomacy and the power of the Oval Office were always successful in garnering international support on important international issues. But this decline in U.S. diplomacy has been going on for a long time ..... and in the past four years it has definitely accelerated. Will there be a change of direction in the next four years .... I doubt it .... but on a positive note .... all the past (and meaningless) rhetoric of "smart power" will cease to be a talking point for this administration and their media supporters.

X-47B Inaugural Land-Based Catapult Launch

WNU Editor: Another cool video of the X-47B being hoisted is below.

A Look At Al Qaeda In Yemen (Book Review)

'The Last Refuge': Yemen, Al-Qaida And The U.S. -- NPR

In December 2009, a would-be terrorist boarded a plane for Detroit with a bomb in his underwear. While the explosive failed to properly ignite and the man was arrested upon landing, the ensuing investigation revealed the bomb in question had been made by al-Qaida leaders in Yemen.

This attempted act of terrorism heralded both the small Arabian country's re-emergence into the international consciousness as a refuge for al-Qaida and the ascendance of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), developments that have grown only more pronounced since.

According to Gregory Johnsen, a journalist who has covered Yemen and Islamic insurgency in the Middle East extensively, al-Qaida's presence has tripled in size within Yemen over the past three years. Johnsen charts this growing influence on the country in his new book, The Last Refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's War in Arabia.

Read more ....

My Comment: Another commentary that dismisses the idea that Al Qaeda is battered can be read here.

How Did A Guantanamo Detainee Die From A Drug Overdose?

Photo: Adnan Farhan Abdul Latif. Wikipedia

Investigators Said To Question How Detainee Died Of Overdose -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — A Yemeni detainee who was found dead in September at the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, died from an overdose of psychiatric medication, according to several people briefed on a Naval Criminal Investigative Service inquiry.

But while a military medical examiner labeled the man’s death a suicide, how the prisoner obtained excess drugs remains under investigation, according to American and Yemeni officials. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Read more ....

My Comment: Many questions .... but no answers.

Benghazi Bungling

The White House’s Benghazi Bungling Is Proving A Disaster -- Nile Gardiner, The Telegraph

President Obama hasn’t even begun his second term yet, but his administration is already struggling with a huge credibility problem on the Benghazi front. Watch this video posted today at The Weekly Standard, which shows White House Press Secretary Jay Carney telling National Journal correspondent Major Garrett that Obama “is not particularly concerned” whether Susan Rice misled the American people in a series of talk show interviews following the killing of US Ambassador Christopher Stephens and three other US personnel in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11. Carney told the assembled White House press corps:

What the president is worried about, Major, is what happened and why in Benghazi. He is not particularly concerned about whether the ambassador or I went out and talked about the fact that we believed extremists might have been responsible. And whether we named them as al Qaeda or not does not–no, it certainly doesn't have any bearing on what happened and who was responsible as that investigation was continuing on Benghazi.

Read more ....

My Comment: Nile Gardiner is right that the administration should come clean on how they handled the Benghazi affair before, during and after the attack .... especially on role that State, the intelligence community, and (most important of them all) President Obama played. To not only give closure to the families, but to also make sure that this does not happen again. But .... I cannot help but feel that they do not care, and with a compliant media .... will probably succeed in burying this in the new year as other crisis start to come along as they inevitably do.