Af/Pak & Other News (6/3/2012)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

As United States and Western nations pull out, China seeks role in
Afghanistan:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47662955/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/#.T8vGScX7HIU



Al-Qaeda leader: Bin Laden spent wealth on jihad:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-06-03/al-qaeda-video/55355986/1



Did Kabul gunbattle change Afghans' view of their army?:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18118786



U.S. drone strike kills 10 in northwest Pakistan: officials:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/03/us-pakistan-drone-idUSBRE85202Z20120603



On the Turkish-Syrian Border:

http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/turkish-syrian-border



Troops, rebels clash near Damascus, Aleppo: NGO:

http://www.france24.com/en/20120603-troops-rebels-clash-near-damascus-aleppo-ngo



Cautious calm in north Lebanon marred by sporadic shooting:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jun-03/175512-fierce-clashes-rage-in-north-lebanon-12-killed.ashx#axzz1wZjOet8e



Rafael’s Mini-Spike:

http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=483&ArticleID=1314



Israel Deploys Nuclear Weapons on German-Built Submarines:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/israel-deploys-nuclear-weapons-on-german-submarines-a-836671.html



IAF Strikes Five Terror Hubs in Gaza:

http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=483&ArticleID=1313



Sudan army says 45 rebels killed in Darfur clashes after attack on
military:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/sudan-army-says-45-rebels-killed-in-darfur-clashes-after-attack-on-military/2012/06/03/gJQAXigDBV_story.html



153 people feared dead in Nigerian plane crash:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/03/12034499-153-people-feared-dead-in-nigerian-plane-crash?lite



Kenya says seizes Somali rebel bastion of Afmadow:

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25903:kenya-says-seizes-somali-rebel-bastion-of-afmadow&catid=87:border-security&Itemid=188



Russia, Southern Republics Opt for Israeli UAVs:

http://defense-update.com/20120603_russia-southern-republics-opt-for-israeli-uavs.html




Tactical Remote Turrets to Modernize Slovak APCs?:

http://defense-update.com/20120603_tactical-remote-turrets-to-modernize-slovak-apcs.html




Gripen International believes Brazil is near decision, Vietnam is
opportunity:

http://alert5.com/2012/06/03/gripen-international-believes-brazil-is-near-decision-vietnam-is-opportunity/



Pentagon Looks to Expand Military Relationship With Vietnam:

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120603/DEFREG02/306030002/Pentagon-Looks-Expand-Military-Relationship-Vietnam?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE



Off-target Taiwan missile drill damages car:

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20120603-350301.html



Malaysia Calls for ASEAN ‘Master Plan’ to Fight Cyber Attacks:

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120603/DEFREG03/306030004/Malaysia-Calls-ASEAN-8216-Master-Plan-8217-Fight-Cyber-Attacks?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[Andrew Swallow]

On 04/06/2012 00:22, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:
> As United States and Western nations pull out, China seeks role in
> Afghanistan:
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47662955/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/#.T8vGScX7HIU

This will give the Chinese something to worry about.

The main worry I have is that the Chinese will learn how to operate
outside their borders. That can make them dangerous to other countries.

Andrew Swallow

[Andrew Swallow]

On 04/06/2012 00:22, dump...@hotmail.com wrote:

> Did Kabul gunbattle change Afghans' view of their army?:
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18118786

I found this interesting.
[quote]
"The other side is that after the second or the third day they ask their
American counterparts for water and rations."
[/quote]

The need for more food and water strongly suggests the lighter packs of
the Afghan troops are too small. To maintain mobility the troops are
likely to need resupplying with food, water and ammunition after 2 days.

Fortunately resupply can be performed using motor vehicles, allowing 4
day patrols.

Andrew Swallow

[Bill]

In article <AKSdne6-151caFbS...@bt.com>,
am.sw...@btinternet.com says...

This has a lot more to do with the Chinese supporting their cats-paw,
the Pakistanis, and getting worried about Karzai's move towards Delhi
and India's moving their rather well trained paramilitary forces into
Afghanistan to fill the power vacuum as the coalition leaves.

India sitting quietly and saying things like 'There are no Indian troops
in Afghanistan' while shipping in elements of the fearsomely well
trained and equipped 'Special Frontier Force' who are technically cops.

--
William Black

When you hear the words 'Our people are our greatest asset' then it's
time to leave.

[SolomonW]

On Sun, 3 Jun 2012 16:22:02 -0700 (PDT), dump...@hotmail.com wrote:

> Israel Deploys Nuclear Weapons on German-Built Submarines:
>
> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/israel-deploys-nuclear-weapons-on-german-submarines-a-836671.html

Although it is probably true, I do not see any "extensive research carried
out" by spiegel here.

[Bill]

In article <9it4qf3qgw0.d21f008dst37$.d...@40tude.net>, Solo...@citi.com
says...

It's almost certainly a German government leak to try and get the
Israelis to do what Germany wants before they deliver the submarines.

The reality is that Germany has no choice but to deliver.

Israel has a stick to hit them with for just about all eternity.

[David E. Powell]

China bought up a lot of natural resources in Afghanistan. The Allied
nations may have felt it unseemly to do so themselves which is the
only reason I can imagine them not doing so themselves, which is a
great way to maintain soft power.

I can see China taking more of a role in Afghanistan, and maybe
coordinating with Pakistan in doing so.

If the US Intelligence or Political types can see that too, they
aren't making much of a show of acknowledging the possibility.

[Bill]

In article <75b9d8b2-4002-471c-9f45-
69df61...@cu1g2000vbb.googlegroups.com>, David_Po...@msn.com
says...

The Allied nations do not usually make direct investments in foreign
countries.

Any company who can spend their money on investments would be crazy to
put money into Afghanistan.

Can you imagine a merchant banker investing in Afghanistan? Indeed,
can you imagine anyone asking for investment there with a straight face?

As all Chinese companies are agents of the Chinese state there's little
doubt that they're 'under orders' to do what they're doing.

As for my information, it is coming from the Indian press...

One assumes that if they know then the US authorities know.

[dott.Piergiorgio]

Il 04/06/2012 17:03, Bill ha scritto:

> It's almost certainly a German government leak to try and get the
> Israelis to do what Germany wants before they deliver the submarines.
>
> The reality is that Germany has no choice but to deliver.
>
> Israel has a stick to hit them with for just about all eternity.

yea, it's a rather HUGE weregild still to be due.... and that it's an
aspect of germanic law gives to me a certain taste of poetic justice

aside that I don't think is wise for germany forcing Israel to admit it
nuclear power status... if some serious issue happens between Israel and
Germany, can, and will be surely, put on the talks table the "endlosung
der aryanfrage" argument.... and the due weregild ends multlipied by not
few factors.

Best regards from Italy,
dott. Piergiorgio.

[dott.Piergiorgio]

Il 05/06/2012 01:44, Bill ha scritto:

> Any company who can spend their money on investments would be crazy to
> put money into Afghanistan.
>
> Can you imagine a merchant banker investing in Afghanistan? Indeed,
> can you imagine anyone asking for investment there with a straight face?
>
> As all Chinese companies are agents of the Chinese state there's little
> doubt that they're 'under orders' to do what they're doing.
>
> As for my information, it is coming from the Indian press...
>
> One assumes that if they know then the US authorities know.

well, now that US learned the hardest way the rules and penalties of the
"great game" I can easily guess that trying at least an USA attempt to
exploit said rules in their favour is feasible ;)

[Andrew Swallow]

On 05/06/2012 00:44, Bill wrote:
{snip}

>
> Any company who can spend their money on investments would be crazy to
> put money into Afghanistan.
>
> Can you imagine a merchant banker investing in Afghanistan? Indeed,
> can you imagine anyone asking for investment there with a straight face?
>
> As all Chinese companies are agents of the Chinese state there's little
> doubt that they're 'under orders' to do what they're doing.

Chinese companies are not used to dealing with communist governments
other than there own. (Nationalisation has been out of fashion in
Africa for the last few years.) They are going to get some nasty shocks.

Andrew Swallow

[Andrew Swallow]

On 05/06/2012 00:29, David E. Powell wrote:
> China bought up a lot of natural resources in Afghanistan. The Allied
> nations may have felt it unseemly to do so themselves which is the
> only reason I can imagine them not doing so themselves, which is a
> great way to maintain soft power.

Since the 1960s Western nations have seen their manufacturing move to
Asia. Without manufacturing we do not need the raw materials. Nor do
we need to risk the lives of our troops guarding the raw materials.

Andrew Swallow

[Keith W]

Andrew Swallow wrote:
> On 05/06/2012 00:44, Bill wrote:
> {snip}
>
>>
>> Any company who can spend their money on investments would be crazy
>> to put money into Afghanistan.
>>
>> Can you imagine a merchant banker investing in Afghanistan? Indeed,
>> can you imagine anyone asking for investment there with a straight
>> face? As all Chinese companies are agents of the Chinese state there's
>> little doubt that they're 'under orders' to do what they're doing.
>
> Chinese companies are not used to dealing with communist governments
> other than there own.

Apart from North Korea and Cuba you mean. They have been
dealing with them rather a lot.

Keith

[Dean]

Chinese companies had no problems dealing with the USSR, Vietnam and
Cuba. Did I miss any communist countires?

[Andrew Swallow]

The Chinese do not manufacture in North Korea. I suspect that Cuba is
just a supplier of sugar.

Andrew Swallow

[Keith W]

Andrew Swallow wrote:
> On 05/06/2012 16:12, Keith W wrote:
>> Andrew Swallow wrote:
>>> On 05/06/2012 00:44, Bill wrote:
>>> {snip}
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Any company who can spend their money on investments would be crazy
>>>> to put money into Afghanistan.
>>>>
>>>> Can you imagine a merchant banker investing in Afghanistan? Indeed, can
>>>> you imagine anyone asking for investment there with a
>>>> straight face? As all Chinese companies are agents of the Chinese
>>>> state there's little doubt that they're 'under orders' to do what
>>>> they're doing.
>>>
>>> Chinese companies are not used to dealing with communist governments
>>> other than there own.
>>
>> Apart from North Korea and Cuba you mean. They have been
>> dealing with them rather a lot.
>>
>> Keith
>>
>>
> The Chinese do not manufacture in North Korea.

Just as well I didnt claim that eh !

They have however invested heavily in Oil, Minerals, Ports and railways

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704678004576090270026745368.html
http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/articles-and-analysis/chinese-benefits-from-investing-in-north-korea

> I suspect that Cuba is
> just a supplier of sugar.
>
> Andrew Swallow

You are quite incorrect, China has invested over $500 million
in Nickel production in Cuba and is also investing in the
Cuban oil and biotech industries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Republic_of_China%E2%80%93Cuba_relations

Keith