AFGHANISTAN
WH might leave 10k in Afghanistan
Foreign Policy – November 26, 2012
The U.S. military’s long-term presence in Afghanistan could range between 6,000 and 15,000 service members. The White House is debating how many troops should stay in the country after 2014, when the security transition is complete and the bulk of American forces are scheduled to return home.
TERRORISM
Republicans want terrorist twitter accounts shut down
Christopher Collins, The Examiner – November 25, 2012
Seven congressional republicans sent a letter to the FBI to shut down twitter accounts shut down used by terrorists. Hamas is one of the jihadist terrorist organizations that uses twitter to send messages and promote violence against Israel and other anti-American and anti-Israel targets.
Hezbollah: Tel Aviv A Target In Future Wars
Bassem Mroue, Huffington Post – November 25, 2012
Lebanon’s Hezbollah group would fire thousands of rockets into Israel in any future war and target cities in the country’s heartland, the group’s leader said Sunday.
Pakistan Bomb Tied to Taliban
AP, New York Times – November 25, 2012
A bombing claimed by the Taliban killed at least six people and wounded about 90 others in a religious procession in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, the police said, as Shiite Muslims observed the annual Ashura holiday.
ISRAEL
Israel’s Barak, architect of Iran policy, quitting politics
Jeffrey Heller, Reuters – November 26, 2012
Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday he was quitting politics, a surprise decision that deepens uncertainty over how Israel will confront Iran’s nuclear program.
Israel’s test of missile defense system called a success
AP, Boston Globe – November 26, 2012
The ‘‘David’s Sling’’ system is designed to stop midrange missiles. It successfully passed its test, shooting down its first missile in a drill Sunday in southern Israel, the military said. The system is designed to intercept projectiles with ranges of up to 180 miles.
CHINA
China: Nuclear Chief Promoted
Edward Wong, New York Times – November 23, 2012
Mr. Xi promoted Wei Fenghe, a member of the military commission and commander of the Second Artillery Corps, to full general. General Wei’s unit oversees China’s nuclear arsenal.
China’s Military Advances With Aircraft Carrier Fighter Landings
Bloomberg News – November 26, 2012
China achieved a military milestone when a homegrown fighter jet landed on its new aircraft carrier, the latest step in a modernization bid that’s recorded advances in submarines, cyber warfare and in outer space.
SYRIA
Syrian jets attack rebel base near Turkey border
Reuters – November 26, 2012
Syrian war planes attacked a rebel headquarters near the Turkish border on Monday but appeared to miss their target, opposition activists in the region said.
IRAN
Iran criticizes U.S. over delayed Middle East atomic talks
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – November 26, 2012
Iran criticized the United States on Monday for announcing that talks on banning atomic arms in the Middle East would not take place as planned this year, accusing it of causing a “serious setback” to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
