Af/Pak & Other News (12/1/2011)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

Second wave of Afghan transition kicks off:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jNDklePp2g5YCta1OAofiiFAXFdA?docId=CNG.f6d3a9636701d32f2295f7676a30b0bd.2e1



Pentagon Preps Afghans for Trillion-Dollar Treasure Hunt:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/afghan-minerals/



Afghan officials voice scant remorse to Pakistan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-officials-show-scant-remorse-for-pakistans-military-casualties/2011/11/29/gIQAMfBS9N_story.html



RAF Akrotiri Supporting Operations in Afghanistan:

http://www.defencetalk.com/raf-akrotiri-supporting-operations-in-afghanistan-38624/



Water From The Air:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlog/articles/20111201.aspx



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Other news:



Iran strike may be needed, Israeli defense chief says:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45508309/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/



Iranian Navy Equips Naval Vessels with Anti-Ship Cruise Missile:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007275517



UN: Syria in a state of civil war:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBg3fuPcJQRkDUTmFnEYtneUoBvg?docId=cafa973e2ff444c1b50f50d1f6707711



Britain, EU to ramp up pressure on Iran:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45505360/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/



French forces said to be training Syria rebels:

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/e772452c-936a-4c1d-a9fd-25ae91116b58.aspx



Berlin to provide Israel with 6th submarine:

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=247656



Bomb, gunmen kill 18 as Iraq marks U.S. withdrawal:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/us-iraq-violence-idUSTRE7B00HQ20111201



Yemen says 13 killed in fighting in southern city:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_uMKjvyVmGhmP0ALr15rTEF_lNA?docId=7b715044c8f1406c927ac1ce994c6ce3



US may buy Iron Dome to defend ME bases:

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=247684




Eight killed in Mogadishu bombings:

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21680:eight-killed-in-mogadishu-bombings&catid=52:Human%20Security&Itemid=114



South Korea unveils tilt-rotor UAV:

http://alert5.com/2011/12/01/south-korea-unveils-tilt-rotor-uav/



Korea: Why The North Fears An Invasion From The South:

http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/korea/articles/20111201.aspx



U.S. students dig up China's nuclear secrets: Arsenal could be huge:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016901031_chinasecrets01.html



Taiwanese Youth Losing Appetite for Fighting China:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/taiwanese-youth-losing-taste-china-fight-15061429



Video: China’s Stealth Fighter Back in the Air:

http://defensetech.org/2011/11/30/video-chinas-stealth-fighter-back-in-the-air/



Nigerian Navy seizes three ships, arrests 11 involved in illegal oil
trade:

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21688:nigerian-navy-seizes-three-ships-arrests-11-involved-in-illegal-oil-trade&catid=51:Sea&Itemid=106



ONR-Funded Guided Rockets Hit Fast-Moving Targets in Test:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ONR_Funded_Guided_Rockets_Hit_Fast_Moving_Targets_in_Test_999.html



Crack This Code and Become a British Spy:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/crack-code-become-spy/




Today’s Military: The Most Top-Heavy Force in U.S. History:

http://www.defencetalk.com/todays-military-the-most-top-heavy-force-in-u-s-history-38614/



BAE Picks Coax-Rotor AVX for Navy UAS Bid:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a321b726f-57b9-4220-9e91-4e11a9e72f9d&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest



India Tests Nuke Missile With New Navigation:

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8435718&c=ASI&s=AIR



Lockheed Martin Tests New Scalable Warhead on GMLRS-Plus Rocket:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Lockheed_Martin_Tests_New_Scalable_Warhead_on_GMLRS_Plus_Rocket_999.html



The real story behind a $7.4 billion F-22 contract goof:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/the-real-story-behind-a-74-bil.html




Russian arms in US backyard: Back in Cuba:

http://www.defencetalk.com/russian-arms-in-us-backyard-back-in-cuba-38612/



Navy Wants More Competition To Reduce Cost:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/12/01/01.xml&headline=NavyWantsMoreCompetitionToReduceCost&channel=defense



Mini-Nukes, Flying ‘Terminators,’ and 8 More Air Weapons That Will
Blow You Away:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/future-air-weapons/?pid=975&viewall=true

[Andrew Swallow]

On 01/12/2011 18:10, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
> U.S. students dig up China's nuclear secrets: Arsenal could be huge:
>
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016901031_chinasecrets01.html

3000 Chinese nuclear weapons. That will make a big bang.

I wonder what the Russians think of that threat?

Andrew Swallow

[David E. Powell]

Afghanista could finance a lot with their mineral wealth, which NATO
has inexplicably allowed to get snapped up in large part by the
Chinese.

There is also a no brainer in getting some deal with the pharma
companies to buy opium for processing into medical stuff instead of
allowing bad guys to get it. Yes I know it has been largely replaced
by synthetics in medicine but the benefits could be huge in cutting
off funding to the enemy as well as fighting illegal drugs.

The more money Afghanistan makes the more headway to be made in
Pakistan as well, because the motive would be there for a more secure
border and routes of transportation. Rather that Afghanistan using the
northern route to ship stuff out.

[Keith W]

David E. Powell wrote:
> Afghanista could finance a lot with their mineral wealth, which NATO
> has inexplicably allowed to get snapped up in large part by the
> Chinese.
>

NATO is a military alliance not a mining company

Keith

[William Black]

On 01/12/11 20:57, David E. Powell wrote:
> Afghanista could finance a lot with their mineral wealth, which NATO
> has inexplicably allowed to get snapped up in large part by the
> Chinese.

Well.

Maybe...

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-11-30/news/30458623_1_hajigak-afghan-mines-minister-aynak-copper-mines

> There is also a no brainer in getting some deal with the pharma
> companies to buy opium for processing into medical stuff instead of
> allowing bad guys to get it. Yes I know it has been largely replaced
> by synthetics in medicine but the benefits could be huge in cutting
> off funding to the enemy as well as fighting illegal drugs.

My understanding is that this is controlled by international treaty and
the only country allowed to grow opium for medicinal processing into
diamorphine (pharmaceutical heroin) is India.

Turkey, Pakistan and Bolivia grow some legally but I have no idea what
happens to it. Possibly process it into codeine.

However this may change if the Afghan government can get control of the
opium growing areas, which is doubtful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_licensing

What they won't do is buy the stuff from the growers...

>
> The more money Afghanistan makes the more headway to be made in
> Pakistan as well, because the motive would be there for a more secure
> border and routes of transportation. Rather that Afghanistan using the
> northern route to ship stuff out.

No.

Pakistan is far more interested in negating foreign influence in
Afghanistan (other than their own) than in making Afghanistan a stable
country.

--
William Black

Free men have open minds
If you want loyalty, buy a dog...

[William Black]

I think that attitude may be part of the problem...

[Richard Casady]

On Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:17:12 +0000, William Black
<black...@gmail.com> wrote:

>opium for medicinal processing into
>diamorphine (pharmaceutical heroin

If you look it up in the CRC, they call it diacetyl morphine.
Not that diamorphine is incorrect useage.
IG Farben was big on acetate drugs at that time, they patented
Aspirin about the same year, in the 1880's if I recall.

Casady

[William Black]

On 02/12/11 04:33, Richard Casady wrote:
> On Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:17:12 +0000, William Black
> <black...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> opium for medicinal processing into
>> diamorphine (pharmaceutical heroin
>
> If you look it up in the CRC, they call it diacetyl morphine.
> Not that diamorphine is incorrect useage.

The nice young lady pumping it into me the last time I was in hospital
called it diamorphine.

I can understand how people get addicted to it.