Saturday, January 14, 2012

DTN News ~ US-NATO-ISRAEL WAR PLANS TO ATTACK IRAN: Will US Go To War With Iran?

DTN News ~ US-NATO-ISRAEL WAR PLANS TO ATTACK IRAN: Will US Go To War With Iran?

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 14, 2012: As sparks fly dangerously close to the powder keg of US-Iranian relations, speculations are rife and rumors spread like wildfire. Will there be a war? Who wants it? And what will happen to this very lucrative region?

Google the words “Iran”, “USA” and “war” and you get over 140 million hits. Many believe the possibility of a military conflict between the two is not even a question of “if”but a question of “when”. And there is definitely enough evidence around to lend support to these beliefs.

Let’s break it down. Will there be a war? According to Israeli military analysts quoted by Global Research, an independent research and media organization, that possibility is “dangerously close”. But let’s say analysts, especially military ones, are of the boy-scout-always-be-prepared disposition by nature. What other evidence is there?

Occam’s razor states that the simplest explanation is the most plausible. Logic tells us to follow the money – and in this case, the cases of weapons shipped out by the US. So where are they headed to?

In October 2010, the US negotiated a $67 billion deal with Saudi Arabia to supply the latter with bunker-buster bombs, F-15 fighter jets, Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, Patriot-2 missiles and warships. It is, in simple terms, the LARGEST bilateral weapons deal in US history.

One month later, in November, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the United States will proved the United Arab Emirates with “thousands of advanced ‘bunker-buster’ bombs and other munitions, part of a stepped-up US effort to build a regional coalition to counter Iran.”

Washington also plans to supply Stinger and other missiles to Oman. Kuwait is in for $900 million worth of Patriot missiles. And a $53 billion arms deal with Bahrain is still on the agenda – delayed only because of pressure from international lawmakers and human rights groups.

So the United States is increasing military ties with its allies, one might claim. And it is true, but all those allies are conveniently located in the Persian Gulf…right next to Iran. 

It’s not just weapons, either. Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman all have US military bases on their territory. And with the US most likely asking NATO in for a piece of the action, alliance members like Turkey are perfectly positioned to lend a helping hand. Besides being conveniently close geographically, Ankara has also been holding on to a lot of US nuclear weapons, including a large number of B61 bombs. 

But all this does, effectively, is highlight the military capabilities of the US in the region. Categorically stating all this is being done by the Department of Defense as part of a preparation for war with Iran would be irresponsible – until the Pentagon men say so themselves.

Friday, January 13, 2012

DTN News - PAKISTAN IN TURMOIL: Is Pakistan facing a military coup?

DTN News - PAKISTAN IN TURMOIL: Is Pakistan facing a military coup?

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 13, 2012: Pakistan is facing an unprecedented crisis.

Following the government's sacking of the defence chief, we ask if the country is on the brink of a military takeover.

Throughout the country's 64-year history, there have always been tensions between civilian governments and the military.

But this time, there is a bitter feud between the government of Asif Ali Zardari, and the generals.

And it is being fought very publicly in the media.

All this in a country with an economy in tailspin; a country at the centre of the West's fight against the Taliban; and of course a country equipped with a nuclear arsenal.

"The army has never been interested in taking over ... they know the environment for the next martial law is simply not there. The army wants the facts and reality of the Memogate scandal to come to light in one way or the other." - Hamid Nawaz, retired general/military analyst

"The Pakistani military is not the political player it used to be. It knows it's not in a position to capture political power in Islamabad ... not with the supreme court being the biggest impediment." - Moeed Pirzada, political analyst

In the latest twist - making things even more acrimonious - Yousuf Reza Gilani, the Pakistani prime minister, has fired retired General Naeem Khalid Lodhi, the country's defence secretary over claims of a coup plot.

How will this battle end? And is the government already so weak and discredited that it may soon fall?

Inside Story, James Bay, discusses with guests: Hamid Nawaz, a retired Pakistani general and military analyst; Moeed Pirzada, a political analyst; and Zafar Jaspal, a security analyst and associate professor of International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University.

"For the first time in the history of Pakistan, political forces from both sides are united in not welcoming the army. Secondly, there is a proactive judiciary. In the present situation the internal dynamics of the country are such that they will create complexities and uncertainties but the system will continue."

- Zafar Jaspal, security analyst 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

DTN News - DRONES FLYING HIGH: Armed UAV Operations 10 Years On

DTN News - DRONES FLYING HIGH: Armed UAV Operations 10 Years On

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 12, 2012: One of the most iconic images of the American-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- as well as global U.S. counterterrorism efforts -- has been the armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), specifically the MQ-1 "Predator" and the MQ-9 "Reaper." Unarmed RQ-1 Predators (which first flew in 1994) were flying over Afghanistan well before the 9/11 attacks. Less than a month after the attacks, an armed variant already in development was deployed for the first time.

In the decade since, the Predator has clocked more than a million flight hours. And while U.S. Air Force procurement ceased in early 2011 -- with more than 250 airframes purchased -- the follow-on MQ-9 Reaper has already been procured in numbers and production continues. Predators and Reapers continue to be employed in a broad spectrum of roles, including close air support (CAS), when forward air controllers communicate with UAV operators to release ordnance with friendly troops in the vicinity (CAS is one of the more challenging missions even for manned aircraft because of the heightened risk of friendly casualties). Officially designated "armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long endurance, remotely piloted aircraft," the second to last distinction is the Predator and Reaper's principal value: the ability to loiter for extended periods, in some cases for more than 24 hours.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: Jolie, Pitt Meet Obama In Oval Office

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: Jolie, Pitt Meet Obama In Oval Office

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 11, 2012:  US President Barack Obama took a break from the affairs of state to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty Wednesday, meeting Angelina Jolie and her beau Brad Pitt at the White House.

Jolie was in Washington for the launch of her new movie "In the Land of Blood and Honey" and the couple were seen through the panelled windows of the Oval Office by reporters and photographers.

"President Obama spoke with Ms Jolie about her work to raise the profile of preventing mass atrocities and combating sexual violence against women," said Jamie Smith, a White House spokeswoman.

Jolie, in a dark dress, and Pitt, wearing black framed glasses, spent several minutes speaking to Obama before he left aboard his Marine One helicopter for a campaign fundraising trip in Chicago.

The Oscar-winning actress premiered the film, her directorial debut, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington on Tuesday night.

The movie relates the story of a couple who had a fling before Bosnia's 1992-1995 war and met up again when the woman was taken prisoner by a unit of the Bosnian Serb army commanded by her former lover.

He shields her at first but is transferred and she suffers abuse and rape at the hands of the soldiers.

At the premiere, Jolie, who as well as her film work pursues a wide range of humanitarian causes as a UN goodwill ambassador, offered a mixed review of Obama's presidency.

DTN News - BOEING DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Awarded US Army Contract For 14 Additional CH-47F Chinook Helicopters

DTN News - BOEING DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Awarded US Army Contract For 14 Additional CH-47F Chinook Helicopters

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada  / RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa.,- January 11, 2012:  The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a U.S. Army contract valued at approximately $370 million for 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters to support Foreign Military Sales efforts. The aircraft will be delivered to the U.S. Army beginning in 2014; all but one are intended for Australia and the United Arab Emirates. 

“This new aircraft sale brings our Chinook backlog to more than 200 aircraft for both domestic and international customers worldwide,” said Leanne Caret, H-47 Programs vice president. “Boeing’s recent $130 million investment to create a world-class Chinook manufacturing facility near Philadelphia means we are well positioned to respond to this demand.”

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

BHGSG News: Vidya Balan At Annual Entertainment “Police Show Colors Umang 2012”

BHGSG News:  Vidya Balan At Annual Entertainment “Police Show Colors Umang 2012”

BHGSG News - TORONTO, Canada - January 10, 2012: Indian Bollywood actress Vidya Balan arrives to support Mumbai Police at their annual entertainment “Police show colors Umang 2012” on January 7, 2012 in Mumbai. (Photo - Getty)

BHGSG News: Beyoncé Gives Birth To Baby Girl

BHGSG News: Beyoncé Gives Birth To Baby Girl

BHGSG News - TORONTO, Canada - January 10, 2012: Pop diva Beyoncé and rapper husband Jay-Z are the proud parents of a baby girl, media reports said Sunday, breaking the news of one of the biggest celebrity births in years.

Beyoncé, 30, gave birth by caesarian section on Saturday night in a private wing of the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan with husband Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, by her side, entertainment website E! Online reported.

Initial reports had the new showbiz princess named Ivy Blue, but close friends of the superstar couple later confirmed it was the other way around, although Beyoncé’s hometown paper, the Houston Chronicle, spelled it Blu Ivy.

The Twitterverse was abuzz with reactions from celebrities and fans alike.

“Welcome to the world Blue! We love you already,” Hollywood starlet Gwyneth Paltrow wrote.

“The most beautiful girl in the world,” said Beyoncé’s younger sister, Solange Knowles, while fellow pop diva Rihanna tweeted: “Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih.”

Beyoncé checked into the hospital on Manhattan’s upper East Side late Friday under the name “Ingrid Jackson,” renting out its entire fourth floor for US$1.3-million, the New York Daily News reported.

DTN News - NAVISTAR DEFENSE NEWS: Navistar Defense Awarded An $879,923,195 ($879 Million) Contract By Pentagon Relating To MaxxPro MRAP

DTN News - NAVISTAR DEFENSE NEWS: Navistar Defense Awarded An $879,923,195 ($879 Million) Contract By Pentagon Relating To MaxxPro MRAP

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 10, 2012: Navistar Defense, L.L.C., Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded an $879,923,195 firm-fixed-priced delivery order 0023 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of 2,717 units of rolling chassis; 10 engineering change proposals; and 25 contract data requirements lists, for MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.  

Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2013.  Procurement funds in the amount of $879,923,195 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The original contract was competitively procured.  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

*U.S. Department of Defense Contracts  No. 015-12 Dated January 9, 2012

Monday, January 9, 2012

DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Orders KAI F/A-50 Light Attack Fighter Prototypes

DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Orders KAI F/A-50 Light Attack Fighter Prototypes

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 9, 2012: South Korea has asked Korea Aerospace Industries to develop a prototype of a light attack version of its T-50 advanced jet trainer, with a production contract likely to be awarded after the aircraft has been tested by the nation's air force.

Under the 400 billion won ($306 million) contract, KAI will upgrade four T-50s to the F/A-50 standard and deliver them to the South Korean air force by 2012. It then expects the service to order around 60 F/A-50s for delivery from 2013 to replace its ageing Northrop F-5s, and to eventually buy up to 150 of the type.
 
KAI has been pushing Seoul to finance the F/A-50's development for several years as it wants to keep its T-50 production line open beyond 2012, when the last South Korean aircraft currently under contract will be delivered. Its air force has ordered 82 T-50s, including 50 advanced jet trainers, 22 armed A-50s and 10 for its aerobatics display team. The service could order another 70 trainer and weaponised variants, say sources, and the T-50 is also in contention in several international tenders.

Tenders were issued last year by KAI to suppliers of radar warning receivers, precision-guided bombs, countermeasures dispensers, advanced tactical datalinks and weapons management systems for the F/A-50. Known armaments will include bombs equipped with Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits and Raytheon's AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile.

The F/A-50 is also likely to use an EL/M-2032 radar supplied by Israel's Elta Systems. The radar selection has been a bone of contention with Lockheed Martin, which helped to develop the T-50 and had wanted KAI to use its own APG-67(V)4 on the F/A-50. Seoul had preferred Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems' Vixen 500E active electronically scanned array, but is barred from sharing the T-50's source codes with non-US companies. That led to it choosing the Israeli radar, which will be installed on the F/A-50 by a US company, meeting US government and Lockheed conditions.

KAI and Lockheed are jointly marketing the T-50 outside South Korea, with the aircraft locked in fierce competition with Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 in Greece, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The companies are also promoting the aircraft in other European and Asian countries with advanced trainer requirements. Industry sources say the F/A-50 will also be offered to countries that require light attack aircraft after 2013.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

DTN News - IRAN DEFENSE NEWS: Iran's Ahmadinejad Begins 4-Nation Latin American Tour In Venezuela, Seeking Allies’ Support

DTN News - IRAN DEFENSE NEWS: Iran's Ahmadinejad Begins 4-Nation Latin American Tour In Venezuela, Seeking Allies’ Support

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 8, 2012:  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began a four-nation Latin American tour Sunday aiming to show off relationships with allies as tensions grow over Iran’s nuclear program.

It is the Iranian leader’s fifth visit to Venezuela. He will also travel to Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.

Tensions have been rising in the Mideast as Iran has warned it could retaliate against newly tightened U.S. sanctions by blocking shipping lanes out of the Persian Gulf. A large share of the world’s oil tanker traffic passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ahmadinejad smiled and waved but made no comments as he stepped off a plane Sunday evening at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas. He was greeted by Vice President Elias Jaua and other Venezuelan officials.

The Iranian leader was scheduled to meet Monday with his longtime ally President Hugo Chavez, who was on a trip in eastern Venezuela on Sunday.

Several hours before Ahmadinejad’s arrival, Chavez rebuffed calls by U.S. officials for countries to insist that Iran stop defying international efforts to assess its nuclear program.

“What the empire does is make you laugh, in its desperation to do something they won’t be able to do: dominate this world,” Chavez said.

The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear energy program. France has been pressing the European Union to impose additional sanctions.

Chavez and his allies in the left-leaning Bolivarian Alliance, or ALBA bloc, have backed Iran in the dispute.

DTN News - ISRAEL DEFENSE NEWS: Israel Increases Defence Budget By $700 million

DTN News - ISRAEL DEFENSE NEWS: Israel Increases Defence Budget By $700 million

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 8, 2012: Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday an increase of nearly $700 million in the defence budget, after saying last year that he would cut military spending to finance social reforms.

“We are going to add three million shekels to the defence budget,” Netanyahu told a news conference.

Netanyahu had in October supported the recommendations of a report he commissioned, by respected economist Manuel Trajtenberg, which were intended to address rising frustrations about the cost of living and income disparity in the Jewish state that triggered mass protests last year.

One of the Trajtenberg report’s proposals was to cut a defence budget that amounts to around $14 billion, of which $3 billion comes in annual US military aid, to finance a series of social initiatives without increasing the deficit.

“I have reflected on this question, but in view of what has happened in the region, I have reached the conclusion that cutting the defence budget would be a mistake, even a big mistake,” Netanyahu said.

“Any sensible person can see what is happening around us... All these changes have strategic implications for the national security of the state of Israel, for our ability to face the new challenges and instability,” he told a weekly cabinet meeting, according to a statement from his office.

The Israeli army “is the shield of the country, which is why we must increase its means,” he added.

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: Kate Middleton Will Celebrate Her 30th Birthday On January 9

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: Kate Middleton Will Celebrate Her 30th Birthday On January 9

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 8, 2012: Kate Middleton will celebrate her 30th birthday tomorrow quietly at home with William.

There had been ­rumours Kate would have a lavish party in a teepee in her ­parents’ garden organised by her sister Pippa.

But a royal insider said: “It’s made up. Any celebration will be ­incredibly low-key and private.”
  
Tonight the couple will be guests of ­honour at the London premiere of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. It’s thought they will then head home to ­Anglesey, N. Wales.

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: Kate Middleton Will Celebrate Her 30th Birthday On January 9

DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: Kate Middleton Will Celebrate Her 30th Birthday On January 9

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 8, 2012: Kate Middleton will celebrate her 30th birthday tomorrow quietly at home with William.

There had been ­rumours Kate would have a lavish party in a teepee in her ­parents’ garden organised by her sister Pippa.

But a royal insider said: “It’s made up. Any celebration will be ­incredibly low-key and private.”
  
Tonight the couple will be guests of ­honour at the London premiere of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. It’s thought they will then head home to ­Anglesey, N. Wales.