Key Players – Page 124 – Public Intelligence Blog

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China-India; China warned India to stop oil exploration in the South China Sea after the Indian Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Joshi, said he was prepared to send Indian naval ships there to protect its interests.

India's state oil company, ONGC, is exploring three oil blocks close to the disputed Spratly Islands – known as Nansha Islands in China – in partnership with the Vietnamese government, which claims sovereignty over the collection of 45 tiny islands and atolls, along with China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

China told Vietnam on 6 December to stop unilateral oil exploration in disputed areas of the South China Sea and to not harass Chinese fishing boats, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Continue reading “NIGHTWATCH: China, India, Spratleys, Oil — and a Coming Grudge Match?”

2012/12/06

Intelligence ONLINE (Paris): Chinese-French P4 Bio Containment Laboratory

02 China, 07 Health, Earth Intelligence

From the latest issue [No. 677 28 Nov 2012] of Intelligence ONLINE (Paris), the one essential overview in English that we know of. Visit them online.

2012/12/06

NIGHTWATCH: Syria, Bio-Chem, & US Intelligence

08 Wild Cards, IO Deeds of War, IO Impotency

Syria: A senior U.S. official told Fox News that the Syrians loaded bombs with components of sarin gas. They have 60 days to use these bombs until the chemical mixture expires and has to be destroyed, according to the report.

According to NBC News, bombs filled with a sarin components have not yet been loaded onto planes, but that the Syrian military is prepared to use these chemical weapons against civilians pending orders from President Bashar Assad.

Comment: Yesterday, 4 December, a senior US Defense official stated there was no evidence that the chemicals used to create sarin gas had been mixed. A day later, the chemicals are reportedly mixed.

No intelligence service has the ability to make such a determination except from testimony from human sources — from direct observation by the source or detected from radio intercepts. Both collection systems are highly vulnerable to deception and manipulation. In other words, the message from Syria could be intended to persuade the West and others to reduce their support to the opposition.

Continue reading “NIGHTWATCH: Syria, Bio-Chem, & US Intelligence”

2012/12/052012/12/05

Chuck Spinney: Palestinian Endgame & Obama’s Quagmire

08 Wild Cards, Corruption, Government, Military, Peace Intelligence

The author of this important opinion piece is a highly respected observer of politics in the Middle East with long standing connection in Israel as well as the Arab world.

Obama is Courting Danger in the Middle East

by Patrick Seale

Agence Global, 04 Dec 2012

U.S. President Barack Obama is behaving in the Middle East as if unaware of the dangers his policies are provoking. It is often said that big ships cannot easily or swiftly change course, but the U.S. ship of state is steaming headlong towards an iceberg. The collision could make 9/11 seem like a traffic accident. To protect America, its interests and its allies will require bold corrective measures — and the earlier in his second term the better.

Read full article.

The views of another seasoned observer.

What Exactly Would Israel Like to Do With Its Palestinian Population?

By William Pfaff, Truthdig, 4 December 2012

What exactly is it that Israel intends to do with the Palestinians now in the territories that it has just opened for home construction for Jewish settlers, thereby extending its policy of occupying and annexing what are legally Palestinian lands?

Read full article.

2012/12/052012/12/05

NIGHTWATCH: Mali, Islamic Fundamentalism is NOT Al Qaeda, Slow Learners

04 Inter-State Conflict, 05 Civil War, 07 Other Atrocities, 08 Wild Cards, Officers Call

Mali-Burkina Faso: Government officials from Mali held the first direct talks with delegates from the Tuareg and Islamist rebel groups that seized the north of the country after a coup earlier this year. The talks occurred in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The rebels pledged to respect national unity and to reject all forms of extremism.

Comment: The rebels appear to be trying to avert or at least delay the planned West African military operation to recover the north. Their profession of support for national unity and rejection of extremism requires clarification because the pro-al Qaida group has instituted the strictest form of Islamic law in Timbuktu and other northern cities, destroyed ancient shrines and ignored direction from the government in Bamako.

NIGHTWATCH KGS Home

Continue reading “NIGHTWATCH: Mali, Islamic Fundamentalism is NOT Al Qaeda, Slow Learners”

2012/12/022012/12/03

Eagle: UK France May Pull Ambassadors from Israel Over Illegal Settlement Expansion — What Is USA Doing? NOTHING!

02 Diplomacy, 08 Wild Cards

Not being reported in US media…

UK, France may pull out envoys from Israel over settlement construction – reports

France and Britain are reportedly considering moves against Israel over Tel Aviv’s decision to expand settlement construction in occupied territories, diplomats told an Israeli newspaper. This may include recalling ambassadors for the first time.

This comes as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the construction of thousands of new homes in Jewish settlements in the area known as E1, between Ma’aleh Adumim and Jerusalem – a step widely seen as retaliation for recognition of Palestine as non-member state by the United Nations.

“This time it won’t just be a condemnation, there will be real action taken against Israel,” a senior European diplomat told Haaretz daily.

The three European diplomats who spoke to the paper indicated that London and Paris were coordinating their moves against Israel, and have discussed the extraordinary step of recalling their ambassadors for consultations. The action, whatever it may be, could be implemented in the next few days.

“London is furious about the E1 decision,” one of the diplomats said.

The UN General Assembly has voted to upgrade Palestinians’ diplomatic status to a “non-member observer state,” thus implicitly recognizing a Palestinian state. This comes despite strong opposition from the US and Israel.

Phi Beta Iota: We missed the statehood aspect the first time Eagle posted on this.

2012/12/022012/12/03

Eagle: Israel Withholds Revenue Due to Palestine — So Why Is USA Not Withholding the Billions It Gives to Israel at Taxpayer Expense?

07 Other Atrocities, 08 Wild Cards

Israel withholds $120mn in Palestinian tax funds as revenge for UN vote

Israel has canceled the transfer of US$120 million collected in taxes on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in response to Palestine’s UN-bid, which saw it granted non-member observer status, thus implicitly recognizing the state.

The halted money, collected in taxes for the month of November, was scheduled to be passed on to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which constitutes a large percentage of the Palestinian budget, including paying the salaries of PA officials, Israeli media reported.

Now, instead, the money will be used to pay for the PA's debt to Israel's Electric Company.

The decision was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and announced during a weekly government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

“This is a Palestinian provocation and an attempt to advance their state without recognizing Israel,” Steinitz stated.

Israel’s change of mind comes as a response to UN’s decision last week. The Palestinian bid was upheld with 138 votes in favor, nine against and 41 abstentions.

The new status allows the PA access to numerous UN agencies, and to the International Criminal Court at The Hague.

Also, following the status upgrade, Israel announced it will be building 3,000 new settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Read full article.

Phi Beta Iota: It is time for all grants to Israel from the US Treasury to be subject to recurring national ballot initiatives, with line item distinction.