http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2012-12/14/content_16016417.htm


China Daily
December 14, 2012


US two-faced toward Syria


====

[T]he recognition of the Syrian opposition group might be only one step in the
US and its Western allies' maneuvering for regime change in Syria.

NATO's decision to deploy Patriot missiles in Turkey last week was seen as a
step toward making preparations for military intervention in Syria.

====



The United States recognized the Syrian Opposition Council, Syria's newly formed
main opposition group, as the sole "legitimate representative" of the Syrian
people on Tuesday. It is evident that the US-led Western countries are
determined to push their own agenda on the Syria crisis.

This will only further complicate the 21-month crisis in Syria, as it runs
counter to the international consensus on solving the crisis through political
resolutions and pushing for dialogue between the Syrian government and
opposition forces.

Nothing is clearer than that US-led Western countries are maneuvering for a
regime change in Syria. In an interview with ABC News, US President Barack Obama
did not hesitate to call the US recognition "a big step" in the so-called
international efforts to unseat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The US decision will embolden Syria's opposition forces to fight in an even
fiercer way with government forces, which will in turn bring more bloodshed and
humanitarian disasters to the country.

Yet the recognition of the Syrian opposition group might be only one step in the
US and its Western allies' maneuvering for regime change in Syria.

NATO's decision to deploy Patriot missiles in Turkey last week was seen as a
step toward making preparations for military intervention in Syria.

Western leaders' stern warnings and criticism of Syria's chemical weapons this
month could also be perceived as consolidating "moral grounds" for that purpose.

On the other hand, the US does not disavow its support to political resolutions
to the Syrian crisis. On Sunday, Lakdhar Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab
League joint envoy on Syria, said in a statement that in his meeting with senior
US and Russian officials in Geneva they agreed "a political process to end the
crisis in Syria was necessary and still possible".

The US should match words with deeds. It's double-dealing in the Syria crisis is
both immoral and irresponsible, and it offsets the international efforts that
have been made so far to resolve the crisis through talks and negotiations.
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http://en.apa.az/news_nato_defense_college_senior_course_arriv_184582.html


Azeri Press Agency
December 17, 2012


NATO Defense College senior course staff arrives in Azerbaijan


Baku: Students and teaching staff of the NATO Defense College Senior Course of
83 persons is paying an academic visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The press
service of the Defense Ministry told APA that high-ranking officials of the
relevant organizations of our country on defense, the economy, and foreign
policy and other fields delivered speeches at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy.

The students of the NATO Defense College also visited the Sangachal Terminal.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://news.az/articles/politics/73886


News.Az
December 17, 2012


Delegation of NATO Defence College visits ADA


A delegation of the NATO Defence College including 83 people has visited the
Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy.

A delegation of attendees and teachers of the high course of the NATO Defence
College including 83 people has visited the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy. The
statement came from the news service for the Defence Ministry of Azerbaijan.

High-ranking representatives of state structures, functioning in the spheres of
politics, economics, foreign policy and others spoke at the academy. The
listeners of the high course of the NATO Defence College familiarized with the
Sangachal terminal.
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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_17/Russia-s-Strategic-Missile-Forces-global-stabi\
lity-pillar/


Voice of Russia
December 17, 2012


Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces global stability pillar
Sergey Duz



Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces turned 53-years-old on Monday. In the Cold
War era, they acted as a deterrent to preclude war. Today, they act as a
counterweight to America’s global domination plans. They are also on standby
in case the boisterous American mentality prompts the US to attack.

The Forces account for two-thirds of Russia’s nuclear weapons. Possessing a
big arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles, they are capable of hitting
any target anywhere in the world with pinpoint accuracy. Their arsenal consists
of six missile types – three, based in silos, and three, mounted on rail
platforms or trucks. Importantly, the US does not possess truck- or rail-mounted
missiles.

Dr. Igor Korotchenko is Editor-in-Chief of the Natsionalnaya Oborona, or
National Defence, journal:

"The might of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces safeguards a secure future for
our country. The latest addition to this might is the RS-24 Yars
intercontinental ballistic missile, which can be positioned in a silo or on the
back of a heavy truck. A missile of this type carries six independently targeted
nuclear warheads of 150 kilotons TNT each. The Forces also possess another
truck-mounted intercontinental missile, the Topol-M. It carries a single
powerful nuclear warhead, which is capable of wiping out a megacity.

"The Forces are taking on a new strategic dimension as the Americans, having
withdrawn from the 1972 ABM limitation treaty, continue to refuse to extend
binding guarantees that no US missile defence installation on European soil will
compromise Russia’s deterrence capability. Powerful missiles capable of
smashing through missile defences are a guarantee in themselves."
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http://rt.com/news/patriot-turkey-syria-iran-204/


RT
December 17, 2012


Patriot missiles in Turkey: Targeting Syria or Iran?
Sergey Strokan



====

The pretext for the deployment of NATO Patriot missiles in Turkey does not
appear credible. But if the real motive is not to deter Syria, why is NATO
hurrying to station its anti-missile systems in the region, a part of the world
already overloaded with deadly weapons? What if this move has a hidden agenda?

“Turkey has explained its request to NATO as exclusively related to its need
to defend itself from a possible attack from the Syrian army. But there could be
a second motivation for this actions, which is a preparation for military strike
against Iran.”

====


Turkey, a longtime geopolitical hot spot, has recently played a key role in the
struggle for influence between regional and Western powers over NATO missile
deployments – Ankara is once again at the center of a global crisis.

What prompted this new crisis (and evoked a distinct feeling of Cold War déjà
vu) was Ankara’s appeal to NATO to deploy its Patriot missiles in the southern
Turkish provinces, along the 900-km-long border with Syria. While described as a
purely defensive move aimed at enhancing Turkish security in the wake of the
escalating Syrian war and alleged possibility of a chemical weapons attack by
the cornered President Assad, the initiative was denounced straight away by
Ankara’s neighbors and other regional powers – Moscow, Tehran and Damascus.

“Moscow was wary of the NATO anti-aircraft system’s deployment in Turkey,”
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said last week during talks with
the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Knud Bartles.

His remarks were echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksandr
Lukashevich, who warned last Friday that “the stockpile of extra weapons” in
the border area would “bring about an additional element of tension."

However, there is little chance the Patriot deployment process on Turkish soil
will be reversed. At its ministerial meeting in Brussels, held on December 5th
and 6th, NATO unequivocally gave the Turkish request its stamp of approval,
standing by commitments under the organization's collective security pact. A
team of NATO officials and experts has already landed in Turkey to finalize the
terms and conditions of the deal, which will allow Ankara to station six NATO
Patriot systems on its soil – two American, two German and two Dutch.  The
missiles are expected to reach Turkey soon, within weeks according to some
estimates.

One could ask: What is wrong with Turkey’s genuine wish to effectively seal
off its borders from hundreds of potential threats emanating from its troubled
neighbor, and take advantage of being a NATO member? Independent military
experts have found NATO's official explanation of Patriots being used for
defensive purposes confusing.

The Patriot system is not used against shells and rocket-propelled grenades,
which eventually could be fired at Turkey from Syrian territory. Patriot
missiles are used to intercept and destroy missiles as well as to shoot down
aircraft. But what missiles does Syria possess that the Patriots could be used
against, and why would President Assad arm these alleged missiles with deadly
sarin gas (if he even possesses such chemical weapons)?

The pretext for the deployment of NATO Patriot missiles in Turkey does not
appear credible. But if the real motive is not to deter Syria, why is NATO
hurrying to station its anti-missile systems in the region, a part of the world
already overloaded with deadly weapons? What if this move has a hidden agenda?

“Turkey has explained its request to NATO as exclusively related to its need
to defend itself from a possible attack from the Syrian army. But there could be
a second motivation for this actions, which is a preparation for military strike
against Iran,” a Russian diplomatic source told Kommersant daily.

If one considers the distance between the region of the Patriot deployment in
Turkey and the Iranian border, Moscow's worry could seem a bit far-fetched.
However, Patriot missiles can easily be moved to any region in Turkey, including
its eastern border with Iran.

“These are mobile units that can be moved to any point in Turkey. It’s only
about 500 kilometers from where the units will be located to Tebriz in Iran,
where some say there are secret nuclear facilities,” Dmitry Polikanov said.
Polikanov is the vice president of the Moscow-based PIR Center, an independent
think tank.

“Considering that the US wants to use Turkey as an advance missile shield, the
Patriots might be stationed there forever. Turkey wanted to modernize its
weapons anyway and already started taking bids for similar weapons systems.
Under these circumstances, the weapons are most likely directed against Iran,"
Polikanov said, adding that any kind of provocation could now become a pretext
for war. And the installation of NATO anti-aircraft missiles in Turkey means
that Iran will no longer be able to retaliate if attacked.

Iranian armed forces chief General Hassan Firouzabadi said last Saturday that
the lessons of 1962 Cuban missile crisis may return to haunt the world.
"Each one of these Patriots is a black mark on the world map, and is meant to
cause a world war. They are making plans for a world war, and this is very
dangerous for the future of humanity and for the future of Europe itself,"
General Firouzabadi warned.

The already tense relations between Ankara and Tehran have been further strained
by a last-minute announcement that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has skipped a
much-awaited visit to Turkey and talks with Prime Minister Erdogan in a move
largely seen as a sign of Iran's growing displeasure with the Patriot
deployment.
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http://rt.com/politics/russia-us-abm-moscow-rogozin-186/


RT
December 17, 2012


Moscow fires warning shot across bow of US naval-based ABM
Robert Bridge


====

"U.S. missile defense in its current form is obviously destabilizing and
prompting an arms race between Russia and the U.S. and NATO," Rogozin noted.
Russia is considering ways of “suppressing and penetrating” the missile
defense system in ways that will guarantee “unacceptable damage to any
aggressor, and force it to resist the temptation to test Russia's strength,”
the Deputy Prime Minister added.

"We must be frank about this. I was the Russian envoy to NATO for four years and
I know what language they understand best of all."

====



A top Russian official says a US missile defense system near Russia’s border
is strategically destabilizing and may prompt an arms race.

Speaking on the threat of mobile, naval-based elements of the US missile defense
system “suddenly appearing” on Russia’s coastline, Deputy Prime Minister
Dmitry Rogozin said such an event would trigger “the harshest reaction from
Russia."

"We must consider the effective protection of our strategic nuclear forces,"
Rogozin said in an interview with the magazine Voyenny Parade (‘Military
Parade’).

Rogozin, while not elaborating on what Russia’s response would be, noted that
Russia is taking definite steps to counter American ships “equipped with the
Aegis integrated naval weapons system.”

Russia has warned its US and NATO partners on numerous occasions that unless the
two sides can reach an acceptable agreement over NATO plans to unilaterally
build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, another arms race is
inevitable.

Ironically, it was US President Barack Obama – the same American leader who
pushed for a “reset” with Moscow – who introduced the current missile
defense plans that may include stationing Aegis missiles aboard US warships in
the Black Sea.

Washington says the missile defense system, which is capable of intercepting
short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles, is vital for protecting Eastern
Europe from “rogue states,” like Iran and North Korea. At the same time,
however, the western military alliance ignores Moscow’s concern the strategic
balance may be upset. In fact, NATO even refuses to provide Moscow with written,
legal guarantees that the system will not in the future target Russian
territory.

Judging by Rogozin’s strong words, it seems that another arms race has already
begun.

"U.S. missile defense in its current form is obviously destabilizing and
prompting an arms race between Russia and the U.S. and NATO," Rogozin noted.
Russia is considering ways of “suppressing and penetrating” the missile
defense system in ways that will guarantee “unacceptable damage to any
aggressor, and force it to resist the temptation to test Russia's strength,”
the Deputy Prime Minister added.

Rogozin, who served in a previous capacity as Russia’s NATO envoy, explained
his use of blunt language.

"We must be frank about this. I was the Russian envoy to NATO for four years and
I know what language they understand best of all," he said.
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http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2012-12/18/content_27446968.htm


Beijing Review
December 18, 2012


China and Russia buddy up


====

The relationship between the two leading emerging economies is bound to
transcend bilateral dimensions. China and Russia, both firm believers in
multi-polarity and advocates of justice in global affairs, have worked and will
continue to work in concert in multilateral forums such as the UN, the Group of
20, the BRICS group of emerging economies and the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization in a bid to shape a more equitable international order.

====



As China continues on its inevitable rise, the East Asian giant is on the
lookout for a sidekick. Fortunately, its powerful neighbor to the north appears
ready to seize what may be a pivotal moment in the history of international
relations.

Ties between China and Russia are arguably at their best in history. But unlike
the honeymoon period following the establishment of diplomatic relations more
than six decades ago, their relationship today is based on joint efforts to
address each other's practical needs and concerns rather than shared ideological
principles. As they boost cooperation across the board under the new paradigm,
the two countries appear poised to help make the world fairer and more
prosperous.

For China and Russia, 2012 has been a crucial year, during which both countries
underwent political power transitions. Against this backdrop, exchanges at the
top leadership level have been frequent. Following Russian President Vladimir
Putin's visit to China in June and Chinese President Hu Jintao's trip to Russia
for the annual APEC leaders' meeting three months later, Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao visited Russia in December. During the latest visit, the two neighbors
entered into new agreements to meet their demands for further collaboration.

With bilateral trade hitting $73.6 billion from January to October and on track
to exceed a total of $90 billion for the year, the goals set by the two
countries to raise their trade volume to $100 billion by 2015 and $200 billion
by 2020 now seem to be within reach. Moreover, the Year of Russian Tourism in
China this year and the Year of Chinese Tourism to be held in Russia next year
are designed to bolster mutual understanding between average Chinese and
Russians and solicit their support for official ties.

The relationship between the two leading emerging economies is bound to
transcend bilateral dimensions. China and Russia, both firm believers in
multi-polarity and advocates of justice in global affairs, have worked and will
continue to work in concert in multilateral forums such as the UN, the Group of
20, the BRICS group of emerging economies and the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization in a bid to shape a more equitable international order.

The Sino-Russian partnership, however, has yet to reach its full potential.
While Russia needs China's investment in the construction of infrastructure such
as roads and bridges, China hopes Russia continues to assist the Chinese in
pursuing cutting-edge technology. Moreover, China's involvement in Russia's plan
to develop its vast Far East is likely to give impetus to Northeast Asian
economic integration.

In contrast to their partnership initially formed decades ago, the new
Sino-Russian relationship is open, inclusive and aimed at promoting regional and
global peace and development. This new model will allow them to forge ahead in
spite of seismic changes within the two countries and in the international
arena.
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====

Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts


http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/anti-war-essays-poems-short-stories-a\
nd-novel-excerpts/

====

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http://www.dw.de/bundeswehr-prep-team-in-turkey-ahead-of-patriot-deployment/a-16\
462266


Deutsche Welle
December 18, 2012


NATO
Bundeswehr prep team in Turkey ahead of Patriot deployment


An advanced military team from Germany's Bundeswehr is in Turkey ahead of the
planned deployment of Patriot missiles along the Turkish-Syrian border. The
first missiles are scheduled to arrive in January of next year.

The soldiers are there mainly to answer questions such as rocket placement, team
leader Lieutenant Colonel Manfred Stange said Tuesday.

The 39-soldier team arrived at the southern Turkish airbase of Incirlik Monday
evening, and went by bus early Tuesday to Kahramanmaras, about 120 kilometers
(75 miles) from the Syrian border.

"We want to be ready in Turkey at the end of January or the beginning of
February at the latest," said Colonel Marcus Ellerman of the Air Defense Missile
Wing 1 - Schleswig-Holstein.

The missiles will be taken from Germany by sea to Turkey, with the first
transport scheduled to leave in early January of next year.

The German parliament approved the deployment last week, but it is still unknown
exactly when the 400 soldiers expected to operate the missiles will arrive. The
mission is time-limited to January 2014.

"Turkey is a NATO member, it is obvious that we will stand by our allies," said
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.

...

Along with Germany, the United States and the Netherlands have also pledged to
send Patriots to Turkey. They are the only three members of the Western military
alliance that have the most advanced models of the Patriots, which are designed
to intercept enemy missiles or aircraft.
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/patriots-drive-a-wedge-between-turkey\
-and-iran/article4214362.ece


The Hindu
December 18, 2012


Patriots drive a wedge between Turkey and Iran
Atul Aneja


====

“Each one of these Patriots is a black mark on the world map, and is meant to
cause a world war. They are making plans for a world war, and this is very
dangerous for the future of humanity and for the future of Europe itself,”
warned General Firouzabadi.

General Firouzabadi’s remarks seemed to conjure images of the 1962 Cuban
missile crisis when deployment of Russian missiles in Cuba had nearly led to war
with the United States.

The militarisation of the border, and the threat it poses to Syria and Iran
appears to be generating a momentum for closer ties between Moscow and Tehran.

====



Turkey’s decision to seek Patriot missiles from NATO for deployment along the
Syrian border has caused a major disruption in its ties with Iran — a country
that has so far viewed Ankara, a top energy importer, as a trusted partner in
its nuclear diplomacy with the West.

The growing rift was brought into focus by Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, who cancelled his visit scheduled for Monday. Turkey’s official
Anadolu news agency, quoting diplomats attributed the cancellation to scheduling
difficulties.

However, the timing of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s decision to stay away from Konya —
the city where he was invited by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister,
for the death anniversary of the 13th-century Sufi mystic Jalâl ad-Dîn
Muhammad Balkhî — has raised eyebrows.

Mr. Ahmadinejad’s absence in Konya has been preceded by a statement from
Hassan Firouzabadi, Iran’s armed force chief, which was harshly critical of
Turkey.

“Each one of these Patriots is a black mark on the world map, and is meant to
cause a world war. They are making plans for a world war, and this is very
dangerous for the future of humanity and for the future of Europe itself,”
warned General Firouzabadi.

General Firouzabadi’s remarks seemed to conjure images of the 1962 Cuban
missile crisis when deployment of Russian missiles in Cuba had nearly led to war
with the United States.

Some analysts point out that Iran is worried that once the Patriot anti-missile
and anti-aircraft batteries are installed, Turkey — free from threat of Syrian
air strikes — would be emboldened to escalate support for the armed Syrian
opposition.

In turn, that would pose a graver threat to the survivability of the pro-Iranian
government of President Bashar al-Assad.

It was therefore unsurprising that Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian Foreign Minister,
followed up warning with an unambiguous statement in support of Mr. Assad. Mr.
Salehi said Iran would do everything in its power to thwart foreign efforts for
“regime change” in Syria. Iran considers Syria a lynchpin of the “axis of
resistance” against Israel that also includes the Lebanese Hizbollah and the
Palestinian Hamas.

Sections of the Russian intelligentsia are of the view that deployment of
Patriot missiles are a greater threat to Iran rather than to Syria.

Russia’s Kommersant daily quoted a Russian diplomatic source as saying:
“Turkey has explained its request to NATO as exclusively related to its need
to defend itself from a possible attack from the Syrian army. But there could be
a second motivation for this action, which is a preparation for military strike
against Iran.”

Russia Today quoted Dmitry Polikanov of the Moscow-based PIR Centre as saying
the Patriot units are mobile and “can be moved to any point in Turkey”.

“It’s only about 500 km from where the units will be located to Tabriz in
Iran, where some say there are secret nuclear facilities,” he observed.

The six Patriot batteries being drawn from NATO members Germany, Netherlands and
the U.S. will lead to the accompanying deployment at Syria’s doorstep of
around 400 German troops, 360 Dutch soldiers and another 400 U.S. servicemen.

The militarisation of the border, and the threat it poses to Syria and Iran
appears to be generating a momentum for closer ties between Moscow and Tehran.

In a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any “provocation may
trigger a very serious conflict”.

On a visit to Turkey in early December, Russian President, Vladimir Putin said
accumulation of weaponry at the borders does not contribute to regional
stability.
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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_18/Controlled-chaos-theory-practical-application/


Voice of Russia
December 18, 2012


Controlled chaos theory - practical application
Nikita Sorokin


====

Whoever becomes the next target in this large-scale ‘reconstruction’, the US
has already managed to split the Arab world. But controlled chaos is insatiable.
As militant Senator John McCain promised, the last epicenters of colour
revolutions should be Moscow and Beijing.

====



As early as on the 10th of December the US announced its agreement to support
the establishment of a Kurdish army in Syria. This means first of all providing
Syrian Kurds with military assistance for setting up armed units. Financial aid
is probably also included.

In this connection, leader of the Kurdish National Council Sherkoh Abbas
announced that the main aim of that army would be the defence of Syrian
Kurdistan’s territory against any armed invasion on anyone's part, either
Bashar al-Assad’s troops, units of the Free Syrian Army or militants of
Islamist groups.

Syrian Kurdistan borders on Turkish Kurdistan which is Turkish territory.
Turkish authorities’ relations with Kurds are common knowledge: they are far
from friendly. Ankara would never agree to strengthening the Kurds’ positions.
At the same time Turkey is the US’ ally in NATO and its best friend in that
region. However, Washington’s decision is unlikely to be considered rash or
erroneous. First of all, we are dealing with a real implementation of the
Greater Middle East reconstruction plan which is carried out through
‘controlled chaos’. The basis of this strategy is the world-old but still
very effective divide-and-rule principle.

Americans paid close attention to the Middle East at the end of WW2. At that
time George Kennan, director of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff,
substantiated the importance of the Middle Eastern region for US geopolitical
interests. US strategists of that period called the Middle East an inexhaustible
source of energy and one of the most attractive trophies in world history. These
definitions still ring true today.

Experts believe that the Middle East reconstruction plan entered its decisive
stage in June 2011. At the height of the war in Libya and in the context of
growing tension in Syria, Yemen, Morocco and other countries, US President
Barack Obama’s administration formed a pool of potential partners of the US in
that region.

John Brennan, the US president’s Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Adviser, announced the consolidation of cooperation with the authorities of
Yemen, Iraq, Somalia and North African countries. Washington’s most unexpected
U-turn was made to face the Muslim Brotherhood. Recently that organisation was
on the list of terrorist groups but now Hillary Clinton calls it one of the
partners for cooperation. Other Western countries usually follow in the wake of
the US policy in the region, so now they are in a dubious position,
editor-in-chief of the magazine Russia in Global Affairs Fyodor Lukianov said in
his interview with The Voice of Russia.

“The West’s position is absolutely incomprehensible because the West will
gain nothing from this. Each step forward in this direction makes the passage
narrower, which means that in the end the West will find itself in alliance with
those against whom the West had carried out an anti-terrorism crusade for 10
years.”

If we consider the implementation of the US Greater Middle East reconstruction
plan it turns out that Syria is the next very important stage of this project.
The Syrian crisis creates fertile soil for extremist Islamist movements,
Italian-Moroccan journalist and expert in the Middle East Chaouki Khalid said in
his interview with The Voice of Russia.

“We should not forget that Syria borders on Iraq and the Kurdish factor should
not be disregarded either. In addition, there is a jihadist hotbed in Syria
itself: it has struck root in several large cities of the country. In my
opinion, the appearance of these well-organised armed groups can first of all be
explained by the untimely and inadequate settlement of that conflict.”

Syria is the next but not the final item in the ‘reconstruction’ plan.

Whoever becomes the next target in this large-scale ‘reconstruction’, the US
has already managed to split the Arab world. But controlled chaos is insatiable.
As militant Senator John McCain promised, the last epicenters of colour
revolutions should be Moscow and Beijing.


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http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2100143.html


Trend News Agency
December 18, 2012


Meetings in Washington under U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership
framework
N. Kirtskhalia



Tbilisi: A meeting of the Economic, Energy and Trade Working Group which is part
of the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership is being held in
Washington.

The Georgian side is being represented at the level of deputy ministers.

Georgian co-chairs at the meeting are First Deputy Foreign Minister David
Zalkaniani and Deputy Economy Minister Irakli Matkava and on the American side,
Deputy Assistant Secretary Deborah McCarthy and Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Commerce John Andersen.

Both sides will discuss bilateral cooperation in order to enhance trade and
investment relations, infrastructure development, energy cooperation and
environmental protection.

A meeting of the working group on cultural exchange under the same strategic
partnership is also taking place today in Washington. The Georgian delegation is
represented at the level of deputy ministers. Georgian co-chairs at the meeting
are the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaniani and Deputy
State Minister for Reintegration Ketevan Tsikhelashvili and American co-chairs
are the American Assistant Secretary of State Bay Feng and USAID Deputy
Assistant Administrator Jonathan Hale.

The parties will discuss topics related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, including
the possibility of implementation of joint programmes, matters related to the
allocation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation second compact, cooperation
in education, science and culture, the issues of visa dialogue and future joint
projects in the field of healthcare.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2100277.html


Trend News Agency
December 18, 2012


Georgian public broadcaster obliged to popularise integration into NATO and EU
N. Kirtskhalia


Tbilisi:The Georgian Parliament has considered amendments to the law 'On
broadcasting' during the first reading.

The amendments envisage additional articles under which broadcasters will be
required to ensure popularising the main direction of Georgian foreign policy,
including the integration into NATO and the EU and timely and detailed
information for viewers in connection with events associated with Georgia's
occupied territories.

The draft law requires the broadcaster spending 10 seconds to public service
advertising in connection with Georgia's integration into NATO and the EU.

The initiative belongs to the Parliamentary Education, Science and Culture
Committee.

According to the chairman of the European Integration Committee, Viktor Dolidze,
the draft law directly envisages popularising Georgia's closeness with the
Euro-Atlantic bodies as an association agreement should be signed in late 2013.
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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_18/Patriot-missiles-arrive-in-Turkey/


Voice of Russia
December 19, 2012


Patriot missiles arrive in Turkey


The first parts of Patriot air defence missile systems have been delivered to
Turkey, The Turkish Weekly reports. According to the newspaper, the mounting of
the systems on the Syrian border is planned for the beginning of 2013.

Servicemen from Germany and the Netherlands arrived in Turkey at the same time
with Patriot components. They will be accommodated at a Turkish military base.

In November Turkey requested NATO to provide it with Patriot missiles, allegedly
to defend its air space against any Syrian attack. The NATO Council complied
with Turkey’s request at the beginning of December.

Six Patriot systems will be deployed on the Syrian border. They will be ready
for combat duty at the end of January.

Voice of Russia, RIA


Patriot systems on Turkish-Syrian border threaten regional security - diplomat

The deployment of Patriots anti-aircraft systems on the Turkish-Syrian border
jeopardizes security across the entire Middle East,Iran’s Deputy Foreign
Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in Moscow on Tuesday.

Iran strongly opposes the appearance of these systems in the explosive region,
the Iranian diplomat said.

On December 4, NATO decided to deploy Patriots in Turkey allegedly to protect it
from Syrian missile strikes.

Six Patriot systems will be sent to Turkey.

They are scheduled to become operational in January.

Voice of Russia, TASS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-12/18/c_124114405.htm


Xinhua News Agency
December 18, 2012


Iran expresses concerns over NATO's Patriot missile deployment in Turkey


TEHRAN: Although NATO and Turkey's officials have emphasized that the deployment
of Patriot missiles in Turkey is only for defensive purpose, Iranian officials
expressed their deep concerns over the issue over the past days.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast reiterated Tuesday that
NATO's deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey is a "provocative" move.

Mehmanparast said that any "provocative" measures like deploying Patriot
missiles in Turkey-Syria border is at odds with the interests of regional
countries.

Such measures are the "root causes of instability and insecurity" in the region,
said Mehmanparast at weekly press conference.

He said that Iran has announced its position over the deployment of the air
defense system to the Turkish officials, emphasizing that the stability should
be achieved by cooperation of the regional states and any measures which may led
to further instability and insecurity in the region should be avoided.

...

NATO recently approved Turkey's request to deploy Patriot missiles, and would
sent six Patriot missile batteries from the United States, Germany and the
Netherlands to Turkey to be operational by the end of January 2013.

Talking to reporters about the NATO's imminent missile deployment in Turkey,
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Tuesday that "We
have always announced that we are against the presence of foreign forces in the
region and do not think it is in the interests of the Muslims," semi-official
Fars news agency reported.

The West has proved that it is not concerned about the interests of the Muslims
in the region but minds the interests of its own, Vahidi was quoted as saying.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi also said that the
deployment of NATO's Patriot missiles in the region was " provocative," the
semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

Salehi said, for sure, the deployment of NATO's Patriot missiles was not
instrumental to the security and stability in the region, according to the
report.

It was believed that stationing these missiles in Turkey was " provocative" not
"deterring," Salehi was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major
General Hassan Firouzabadi was quoted by Fars on Saturday as saying that the
deployment of NATO's Patriot missiles in the region "can pave way for world
war."

"Unfortunately one by one, the Western countries are approving deployment of
Patriot missiles to Turkey's border with Syria while they are planning a world
war which is very dangerous for the future of humanity and Europe itself,"
Firouzabadi was quoted as saying.

"Patriot missiles are a defense line for the Zionists and a result of (the
West's) concern over Iran's missiles and Russia's presence to defend Syria,"
said Firouzabadi.

On Tuesday, the Turkish foreign minister said Iran should "give a clear message
to the Syrian regime to end the oppression" rather than point the finger at
Turkey.

The 21-month protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have turned
increasingly bloody, with heavy fighting often erupting along Syria's border
with Turkey.

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http://rt.com/politics/patrushev-nuclear-weapon-security-267/


RT
December 18, 2012


US seeks ‘world supremacy’ through advanced weapons - Security Chief
Robert Bridge


====

Patrushev explained that Russia, which has seen success in developing
state-of-the-art technology, had not given enough attention to that field of
research. As new weaponry appears, the US appears to be reconsidering the role
of strategic nuclear arms in the fulfillment of a “geopolitical idea of world
supremacy,” the security official added.

====


The Secretary of the Security Council of Russia has provided his views on a
number of national security issues, including the importance of preserving
Russia’s nuclear arsenal against potential adversaries.

Nikolay Patrushev, commenting on how atomic weapons play more of a political
role than a military one, said the consequences of even a “limited nuclear
intervention” are so catastrophic that it makes the usage of such weapons
absolutely impossible.

Nuclear arsenals therefore continue to serve as an effective deterrent against
any possible large-scale war, Patrushev told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper in
an interview.

Patrushev spoke candidly on the nature and source of threats to Russian
security, and what those challenges mean for the country.

“We…understand that the atomic weapons of leading western counties are aimed
mainly against Russia,” he said. “In these conditions – and given the
insufficient strength of Russia’s conventional armed forces – the
preservation of the nuclear potential is a priority task.”

While ruling out the possibility of total nuclear disarmament, Patrushev
nevertheless explained that a new generation of weapon systems – including
anti-ballistic missiles – is changing the nuclear calculus.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin spoke on the threat of mobile,
naval-based elements of the US missile defense system “suddenly appearing”
on Russia’s coastline. Such an event would trigger “the harshest reaction
from Russia," he warned.

Rogozin said that Russia is now taking definite steps to counter US warships
“equipped with the Aegis integrated naval weapons system.”

Moscow has frequently warned of “another arms race” unless a bilateral
agreement is reached on NATO’s plans for missile defense near the Russian
border.

Patrushev continued that theme in his interview, underlining the technological
advances that have changed the face of war.

Not long ago, any state that possessed nuclear weapons was undoubtedly a
“dominating force” in the international arena, he noted. However, in a clear
reference to US plans for a naval-based missile defense shield in Eastern
Europe, Patrushev mentioned that a new generation of weapons is being developed,
and that “the United States has proven successful in this field of
research.”

Patrushev explained that Russia, which has seen success in developing
state-of-the-art technology, had not given enough attention to that field of
research. As new weaponry appears, the US appears to be reconsidering the role
of strategic nuclear arms in the fulfillment of a “geopolitical idea of world
supremacy,” the security official added.

Political Challenges from the West

Unfortunately, as political events over the last year have proven, challenges to
Russia from the West are not limited to the realm of military technologies.

“Last fall, Russia became (the target of) informational, organizational and
other external leverages of interference into its internal affairs,” the
Security Chief noted.

Patrushev talked about the mass protests that followed parliamentary elections
last December and the presidential elections in March this year. Thousands of
demonstrators took to the streets amid allegations from the political opposition
that the election results were fraudulent.

While acknowledging the “constitutional right” of the demonstrators to
assemble and protest, the Security Chief said that such actions should be
carried out within the framework of the law. Unfortunately, this was not always
the case.

Some members of the opposition and radical groups attempted to use the street
movement as an opportunity to “provoke mass disorder,” he noted.
In response to these activities both at home and abroad, the state was forced to
take measures to maintain order and stability.

The Russian government adopted amendments to the legal code and “halted
activities of a number of NGOs, some of which were directly financed by the US
Department of State,” Patrushev said.

In September, for example, Russian officials informed USAID that their services
were no longer required.

According to the Foreign Ministry, USAID was attempting to manipulate the
political winds inside the country.

“The character of the agency's work...did not always comply with the declared
aims of cooperation in bilateral humanitarian cooperation,” the Foreign
Ministry said in a statement on its website. “We are talking about issuing
grants in an attempt to affect the course of the political processes in the
country, including elections at different levels and institutions in civil
society."

Steps undertaken by the Russian government to offset the damage “proved to be
efficient” and the law enforcement officials managed – in a legal manner –
to provide for the safety of the population, he added.

Patrushev indicated the leaders of the protests and their foreign supporters
will continue in their efforts to wreak havoc on the Russian people.

“The situation is absolutely clear,” he said. “The ‘directors’ and
sponsors of the anti-government rallies are known and they are not going to drop
their plans.”

Despite their efforts, there are no preconditions for a color revolution in
Russia, Patrushev assured. National security “will remain stable” in 2013.

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http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/751155.shtml


Global Times
December 19, 2012



US in bed with extremists as new phase in 20-month war begins
By Clifford Kiracofe*



The war against Syria has been underway for over 20 months. Clearly the Syrian
people have a right to determine their own future rather than having it imposed
by external opposition groups controlled by Western countries and their Sunni
Arab allies. But this war from the beginning has been about the geopolitical
advantage of NATO and its Arab allies.

The policy of regime change is actively promoted by Britain, France, the US,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. In recent weeks, the political and military
wings of the external opposition were reorganized in an attempt to make them
more effective.

Throughout the last 20 months the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the military wing of
the external opposition, has been led by the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. In
addition to the FSA, Syria has been flooded with thousands of foreign Islamist
terrorists waging what they call a jihad, a holy war. These extremists dream of
a global caliphate and their objective in Syria is to create an Islamic
government as part of the global caliphate process.

All of these paramilitary forces are financed and supplied by Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, and various Islamic non-state actors. The US, Britain, and France also
provide assistance, training, and guidance to the FSA.

Reporting from war correspondents shows that real fighting over the past 20
months has been waged by the foreign Islamist terrorist groups. After they clear
areas, the FSA forces move in. The FSA commanders and the foreign jihadi forces
closely coordinate and are allies in the field of battle.

The foreign jihadi forces reportedly come from such countries as Libya, Tunisia,
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, and even from Central Asia.

US President Barack Obama just placed the al-Nusra Front, the leading foreign
jihadi group, on the US terrorist blacklist. Washington has delayed doing this
for months because al-Nusra has been in effect a key ally in the war against
Syria.

Washington's move is designed as a fig leaf to cloak an embarrassing arrangement
of convenience. The extremely capable and experienced al-Nusra fighters and
others like them will continue their jihad against Syria and continue to
coordinate with the FSA. Washington can now better pretend that it is not allied
with Al Qaeda in Syria.

But the US is publicly supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its
Syrian branch which dominates the political and military wings of the external
Syrian opposition. The problem for Washington is that the Muslim Brotherhood's
Egyptian and Syrian branches are secretly interfaced with Al Qaeda.

The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's secret paramilitary organization, the Special
Apparatus, has for decades interfaced with Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
This apparatus has over the years trained various Syrian Muslim Brotherhood
operatives who themselves later interfaced with Al Qaeda and similar extremist
organizations.

Some reports from Cairo indicate that the Special Apparatus is the dominant
faction within the Muslim Brotherhood and thus exercises decisive influence over
its political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party.

Against this background, is another Afghanistan in the making? Time will tell.

*The author is an educator and former senior professional staff member of the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
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http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/kazakhstan/2097637.html


Trend News Agency
December 11, 2012


Kazakh and US Defense Ministries sign cooperation plan for 2013-2017
E. Kosolapova


Kazakhstan: U.S., NATO Seek Military Outpost Between Russia And China
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/kazakhstan-u-s-nato-seek-military-out\
post-between-russia-and-china/



Baku: The Kazakh and US Defense Ministries signed a cooperation plan for
2013-2017 in Washington, the Kazakh Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

The document envisages cooperation in such areas as peacekeeping, staff
training, technical assistance, development of the military education system and
assistance in establishing contacts with the US military-industrial complex.

Within the bilateral consultations of the Defense Ministries of the two
countries which took place in Washington, special attention was paid to the
special forces' trainings.

The parties agreed to develop a program of joint trainings and to exchange
experiences.

Within the meeting, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Talgat Zhanzhumenov said that
the development of the domestic military-industrial complex is one of the main
priorities of the Kazakh armed forces.

The US party proposed Kazakhstan to cooperate in this sphere and the Kazakh
party expressed interest in such cooperation.

Within the visit to US, the Kazakh military delegation visited U.S.
military-industrial complex enterprises.

Within the meeting, the parties emphasized that the US and Kazakhstan aim at
strengthening bilateral relations by continuing dialogue and cooperation.
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http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-s-experimental-unmanned-drone-passes-tests-aboa\
rd-uss-truman-1.201243


Stars and Stripes
December 19, 2012


Navy's experimental unmanned drone passes tests aboard USS Truman
By Cristina Silva


====

The Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy all use unmanned aircraft or are
developing them, according to a report published earlier this year by the
Congressional Research Service. In all, the Pentagon’s unmanned aircraft
inventory increased from 167 in 2002 to nearly 7,500 in 2010...

Navy officials plan to land and launch the drone from sea in early 2013 in what
would be the first unmanned aircraft flight from a carrier. Its success could
launch a new class of automated, unmanned naval planes.

====




NAPLES, Italy: An experimental drone that could change the future of naval
aviation has survived its first round of testing aboard an aircraft carrier,
Navy officials say.

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System went through a series of mechanical and
engineering tests designed to evaluate its compatibility with the Navy’s
aircraft carriers during a two-week stint aboard the nuclear powered USS Harry
S. Truman.

“I’m a believer that this is only the beginning,” Don Blottenberger,
program manager for the Navy’s unmanned aircraft program, said in a statement.
“There is a lot ahead for our program and a lot of hard work behind us. I look
at Truman as the beginning of future unmanned integration with the fleet.”

Similar aircraft could eventually be used to deliver cargo to ships at sea,
carry out airstrikes and conduct surveillance, according to Navy officials.

The development of unmanned aircraft has taken up an increasing amount of
Department of Defense dollars in recent years, despite budget cuts. The Army,
Air Force, Marines and Navy all use unmanned aircraft or are developing them,
according to a report published earlier this year by the Congressional Research
Service. In all, the Pentagon’s unmanned aircraft inventory increased from 167
in 2002 to nearly 7,500 in 2010, according to the report.

The aircraft “are expected to take on every type of mission currently flown by
manned aircraft,” Jeremiah Gertler, a military aviation specialist, wrote in
the report.

During the testing exercise aboard the Truman, sailors towed the X-47B across
the flight deck using carrier-based tractors and tested how its digital engine
controls reacted to electromagnetic fields, according to the Navy. Sailors also
taxied the drone on the flight deck using a joystick attached to a remote
control.

...

Digital messages, instead of verbal instructions, from shipboard controllers are
used to control the aircraft.

“We followed the aircraft director’s signals to move the aircraft left or
right, over the arresting wire, to and from the catapults and to various
spotting positions,” said Gerrit Everson, one of the operators who controlled
the X-47B aboard the Truman, in a statement. “These tests proved that we can
taxi the X-47B with the precision that an aircraft carrier’s flight deck
requires.”

Navy officials plan to land and launch the drone from sea in early 2013 in what
would be the first unmanned aircraft flight from a carrier. Its success could
launch a new class of automated, unmanned naval planes.

The X-47B made its first test flight in February 2011 at Edwards Air Force Base
in California. It completed its first land-based catapult launch from Naval Air
Station Patuxent River in Maryland in late November. It was then shipped to
Norfolk, Va., where a crane moved it onto the Truman.

“Nobody has ever done this before,” said Lt. Cmdr. Larry Tarver, Truman’s
aircraft handling officer, said in a statement. “Unmanned aerial vehicles have
flown all over the world, but an X-47B has never operated on an aircraft
carrier.”

The drone, developed by Northrop Grumman, a Virginia-based aerospace contractor,
has a 62-foot wingspan and is 38 feet long. It’s slightly smaller than the
aircraft now used aboard Navy aircraft carriers and its wingtips fold, allowing
for easier storage, according to the Navy.

After leaving the Truman, it will undergo further testing at Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Navy officials said.

“We are planning to get it back on a carrier to complete catapult launches,
arrested landings and aerial refueling tests,” Blottenberger said.
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http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=384108


Interfax
December 19, 2012


CSTO intensifies work, considerably increases military component


MOSCOW: The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) intends to increase
its military component.

"The next session of the CSTO is over, and I would like to say that very serious
decisions intensifying the work of the organization and considerably increasing
the military component of the CSTO have been made," Kyrgyz President Almazbek
Atambayev said, summing up the results of the CSTO summit held in Moscow on
Wednesday.

Kyrgyzstan now chairs the CSTO.

An agreement has been reached to hold the next session of the CSTO in Bishkek in
May, Atambayev said.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=384118


Interfax
December 19, 2012


CSTO will increase its military component - Lukashenko


MOSCOW: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for an increase of
the military component of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO),
and his call was backed by all members of CSTO.

"Belarus wants gradual strengthening and improvement of the military potential
of our organization. It's a very good time to approve the main areas of military
cooperation envisioning the joining of the military components of the
Organization to form a unified functioning bloc," Lukashenko said at the meeting
of the CSTO Collective Security Council on Wednesday.

"All CSTO members who are present here have definitely backed the draft
decision, in which we definitely increase the military component," Lukashenko
said.

Lukashenko spoke in favor of increasing military-technical cooperation and the
creation of scientific research centers to develop and create new types of
weapons. The president also believes "the trainings conducted in CSTO should be
focused on real military scenarios."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://news.belta.by/en/main_news?id=702282


Belarusian Telegraph Agency
December 19, 2012


Lukashenko: Complicated period ahead of CSTO


MOSCOW: The Collective Security Treaty Organization will have to live through a
complicated period, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told the session
of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Moscow on 19 December.

“There is no doubt that the forthcoming period will be anything but simple,”
said the Belarusian head of state.

“Unfortunately, we have to state that the conflict potential in international
relations is still on the rise. It rises on the back of several objective
factors like the escalation of violence in the Middle East and the deterioration
of interstate contradictions in the energy sphere. Apart from that, the current
system of international security is distorted by the eagerness of individual
countries to play the leading role while disregarding the interests of
others,” remarked the Belarus President.

In his words, the practice of putting economic and political pressure on
sovereign nations thrives as a result. Alexander Lukashenko believes that the
degradation of the existing system of control over conventional weapons in
Europe plays its part, too, giving hints of a new arms race.

The Belarus president pointed out that the protection against threats
originating from Afghanistan is a particularly sensitive issue for the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. “Thus, the CSTO mission of ensuring
national collective security and coordinating foreign policy views on
international regional matters has never been more important,” the Belarusian
head of state said. “All in all, we are satisfied with the performance of
these interaction mechanisms,” he said.

Alexander Lukashenko added that collective guidelines have to be adapted to
modern threats and challenges. Alexander Lukashenko remarked that between the
sessions work had been done with assistance of the Russian Federation and
Belarus had submitted proposals to update the guidelines. “Despite different
foreign policy intentions of our countries regarding individual issues we have
managed to determine the areas of joint actions to render mutual assistance,”
said the Belarusian leader.

“The evolution of the Collective Security Treaty Organization envisages
enabling security and safety not only in the organization’s responsibility
area but along its perimeter, too,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

He recalled that during the Belarusian presidency in the CSTO the initiative to
create the partnership institution was meant to expand the influence of the
organization along its border.

The president pointed out the factor of the year 2014 when a large part of the
coalition troops withdraws from Afghanistan had been taken into account.
Alexander Lukashenko remarked that at the private conference all the heads of
state had spoken in this manner. “I am convinced the idea is still topical,
particularly in view of Mongolia’s efforts to get integrated into the existing
structure of European security. The country has joined the OSCE recently.
Mongolia may be interested in establishing cooperation with the CSTO in the
spheres both the sides are interested in,” believes the Belarusian head of
state.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://news.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=702306


Belarusian Telegraph Agency
December 19, 2012


Belarus in favor of stronger CSTO



MOSCOW: Belarus is in favor of the systematic enhancement and improvement of the
military potential of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. President of
Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the session of the CSTO
Collective Security Council in Moscow on 19 December, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the adoption of the major guidelines for
military cooperation was a timely move meant to encourage further amalgamation
of all the military components of the organization into one smoothly operating
body. The President pointed out that all the present CSTO members had backed the
draft resolution on strengthening the military component of the organization.

The Belarusian head of state mentioned several top-priority issues that require
discussion. In particular, speaking about military technical cooperation the
President remarked that the creation of joint R&D groups and design bureaus able
to make new armaments and materiel should become an inalienable part of the
cooperation in addition to existing efforts.

Speaking about military exercises, Alexander Lukashenko said that they should
use modern real scenarios. “Frontline warfare that we have seen in the past is
no more. Nobody attacks anyone head-on,” remarked the Belarusian leader. He
believes that military representatives of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization, who take part in international exercises as observers, should
infuse the best practices into the CSTO operation.

The Belarus President believes that the CSTO should constantly improve methods
used to counteract new threats and challenges. “In the last few years we have
created a system for the member states to respond to emergencies virtually from
the ground up. Classic prevention measures are effective, but still there are
reserves to tap into,” said the head of state.

As the number of CSTO mechanisms increases, their coordinated operation becomes
more important. “It is the coordinated actions of all the components of the
collective security system that will allow the CSTO to stay in the mainstream of
international politics,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

“The year 2012 has been rather intense for all of us. There have been
successes and rather serious problems inside the largest organization due to
views of individual member states. Practice indicates that our opinions about
the international situation and development trends generally coincide,”
remarked the Belarusian head of state. He underlined that reaching the same kind
of accord regarding measures to counter existing challenges was the most
important task now.

“Apart from that, we should coordinate actions for the sake of future
development of the organization. However, not all the situations that we face
now can be settled using the existing legal base,” remarked the Belarusian
leader. In particular, such collisions were witnessed following Uzbekistan’s
desire to suspend its CSTO membership.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that the CSTO's success will be secured through
the balanced development of the main branches of the organization’s
activities.
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======================================================================

http://www.mod.gov.ge/en/news/1610


Ministry of Defence of Georgia
December 19, 2012


NDC Commandant’s Meeting with Georgian Defence Minister


====

Head of NATO Liaison Office William Lahue talked about NATO-Georgia
relations...Within the study trip, 80 students of NDC had been to Turkey and
Azerbaijan.


====



A NATO Defence College Delegation paid a study trip to the Georgian Defence
Ministry.  The head of the delegation, NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Arne
Bard Dalhaug. held  meeting with Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania.
Deputy Defence Minister Tamar Karosanidze also attended the meeting. She
coordinates the fields of education and human resources of the MOD.

The sides talked about the importance of THE NATO Defence College and
professional development issues for military and civilian personnel. The Defence
Minister briefed on the reforms ongoing in the military education sphere of
Georgia as well.

The visit of the NDC students is to get acquainted with Georgia’s foreign
policy directions, defence reforms, Georgia’s way towards NATO and regional
security issues. Deputy Minister of MFA Nikoloz Vashakidze, First Deputy Defence
Minister Levan Dolidze, Deputy State Minister of Georgia on European and
Euro-Atlantic Integration David Dondua and President of GFSIS Alexander Rondeli
informed the NDC students about the mentioned issues. Head of NATO Liaison
Office William Lahue talked about NATO-Georgia relations, the role of the NLO
and future cooperation to the College students.

Within the study trip, 80 students of NDC had been to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The
six week course envisages raising qualification of the high ranking military and
civilian personnel of defence and security sector.

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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_19/Libya-style-terrorism-in-store-for-Syria/



Voice of Russia
December 19, 2012


Libya-style terrorism in store for Syria
Andrei Ontikov



Unveiling the latest State Department report on terrorism in Washington this
week, the Department’s counter-terror coordinator Daniel Benjamin said the
killing of the US Ambassador to Libya in an attack on the US Benghazi consulate
in September became possible after the fall of the Gaddafi regime created
conditions for a proliferation of terror groups.

He also said he feared a similar pattern in Syria might emerge.

Dr. Konstantin Sivkov is Vice President of Russia’s Geopolitics Academy:

"Indeed, blaming people other than terrorists for the Benghazi attack would be
awkward and illogical. But this said, why on earth did the US and their NATO
allies throw their weight behind the rebels who toppled the legitimate
government of Muammar Gaddafi and created conditions for a rise of terrorism?

"It is also true that Syria is becoming another Libya. The insurgency there is
dominated by radical groups affiliated to Al Qaeda. This, however, does not
prevent the US from backing the rebels. Double standards are apparently at work:
terrorists who blow in the sails of the West are treated by Western countries
very favourably."

At the same time, Washington cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the atrocities
committed by the Syrian rebels, including the recent killing of dozens of school
students by rebel mortar shells in a village near Damascus. For this reason, it
has started to differentiate between ‘the opposition’ and ‘the
terrorists’ in rebel ranks. For instance, the US has already included the Al
Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front group in its list of terror groups.

The Syrian opposition didn’t like this.

This is what opposition activist Muheddin Lazkani, who attended the Morocco
meeting of The Friends of Syria, had to say in his recent interview with an
Arabic-language American television network:

"We can’t see any difference between people who shoot their guns at regime
soldiers. We are convinced that they are all patriots and defenders of the
fundamental interests of Syria."

This means that supporting even a small faction of the Syrian opposition spells
supporting terrorists.
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http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2012-12/19/content_16030722.htm


China Daily
December 19, 2012


End violence in Iraq


====

To pursue their own interests in the region, the US-led Western countries have
never given up their attempt to maneuver a regime change similar to Iraq and
Libya. What is happening in Iraq today should provide enough lessons about the
consequences of military intervention in a sovereign state. Any attempt to
enforce another regime change in the Middle East would only plunge the region
into deeper turbulence and instability.

====


It is not enough to feel pity after a wave of deadly attacks hit a dozen Iraqi
cities and towns on Monday, killing at least 47 people and leaving more than 110
wounded. More should be done to dig into the root cause of the Iraqi people's
plight today, and prevent the violent reality in Iraq from repeating itself
elsewhere.

Monday's heavy casualties were the result of high tensions between Iraq's
central government and the Kurdish minority over contested areas and of violence
between the country's Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The tragedy is a miniature of
the Middle East country's everyday life.

In fact, since the US withdrawal on Dec 18, 2011, hardly a day has passed in
Iraq without clashes and bloodshed. Despite the promises by US officials of
self-governance, peace and stability, the country has been mired deeper in
political crisis, ethnic violence and sectarian rifts.

The US has unshirkable responsibilities in the worsening security situation in
Iraq. It owes the Iraqi people a convincing explanation of why their country is
left as chaotic as ever after it claimed victory over the war against terror one
year ago and why it has yet to deliver its promises to the country.

However, there is enough evidence to show the US has yet to learn a lesson from
Iraq, and there has been no soul-searching about its policy in the region.
NATO's decision to deploy Patriot missiles in Turkey this month and the US'
recognition of Syria's main opposition group last week are widely seen as steps
paving the way for military intervention in Syria.

Bearing every emblem of a civil war, the crisis in Syria has been dragging on
for 21 months. The escalation of clashes between the Syrian government and
opposition forces has taken the lives of more than 40,000 Syrians.

However, international efforts to stop the violence and push for dialogue and
negotiations between the belligerent parties in Syria have so far achieved
little result.

To pursue their own interests in the region, the US-led Western countries have
never given up their attempt to maneuver a regime change similar to Iraq and
Libya. What is happening in Iraq today should provide enough lessons about the
consequences of military intervention in a sovereign state. Any attempt to
enforce another regime change in the Middle East would only plunge the region
into deeper turbulence and instability.
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russianato-standoff-over-syria-looms/\
article4222388.ece


The Hindu
December 20, 2012


Russia-NATO standoff over Syria looms
Atul Aneja


====

Analysts point out that there is body of opinion building up in Russia that
argues that the kidnapping of the Russian nationals provides legitimate grounds
for Moscow’s forceful intervention in Syria.

The hostility shown to Russia inside Syria by the opposition appears only one
part of a bigger story, which has a larger international dimension. NATO forces
at Ankara’s request are deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey, apparently, not
far from the Syrian border. The Russians have slammed this move, and reinforced
their opposition with the deployment in Syria of the state-of-the art Iskander
missiles, which, apparently cannot be downed by any known anti-missile system.

====



The kidnapping of Russian nationals on Monday is drawing Moscow deeper into the
Syrian crisis, which is becoming increasingly internationalised as battle lines
get more sharply defined between foreign supporters of the government and the
armed opposition.

The foreign ministry of Russia has confirmed that two of its citizens, V.V.
Gorelov, and Abdessattar, who holds dual Russian-Syrian nationality, were
kidnapped from the coastal city of Latakia. An Italian was also abducted. All
three worked in the Syria-owned Hmisho steel plant.

“We are now actively engaged and all the necessary steps are being taken in
Syria, and in other countries that may have an impact on the situation,” said
Sergei Lavrov the Russian foreign minister. The kidnappers have demanded a
ransom, but the abductions may have been triggered more by political motives
rather than criminal intent.

Haitham al-Maleh, a member of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary
and Opposition Forces told Russia Today that his group identified Russians as
legitimate targets because Moscow actively supported the government of Syrian
President Bashar Al Assad. “Russia, like Iran, supports the Assad regime with
weapons and ammunition, as well as in the political arena, so the citizens of
these countries are legitimate targets for militants in Syria," he asserted.

Mr. Maleh said that kidnapping of civilians was not a violation of the Geneva
agreements, which, in his view, did not prohibit attacks on non-combatants who
were cooperating with enemy armed forces. The Syrian opposition has also
kidnapped Ukrainian journalist Ankhar Kochneva near Homs in early October. The
abductors are now threatening to kill the journalist unless a $50 million ransom
is paid.

Analysts point out that there is body of opinion building up in Russia that
argues that the kidnapping of the Russian nationals provides legitimate grounds
for Moscow’s forceful intervention in Syria.

The hostility shown to Russia inside Syria by the opposition appears only one
part of a bigger story, which has a larger international dimension. NATO forces
at Ankara’s request are deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey, apparently, not
far from the Syrian border. The Russians have slammed this move, and reinforced
their opposition with the deployment in Syria of the state-of-the art Iskander
missiles, which, apparently cannot be downed by any known anti-missile system.

The Russian move mirrors the beginning of a standoff between Washington and
Moscow - faintly echoing an era when rival missile deployments symbolised the
Cold War chill between the two. Iran has also reacted furiously at the
deployment of Patriot missiles, and the impending presence of these weapons
seems to have reinforced an already existing dynamic of bringing Moscow and
Tehran closer.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein
Amir-Abdollahian was in Moscow earlier this week. He told Iran’s Press TV that
the Russian position towards Syria had not changed — a rebuttal of western
media claims that Moscow’s ties with Damascus were cooling off.

Observers say that long pending transfer of the “game-changing” S-300
missiles by Russia to Iran would be one solid yardstick to measure the
establishment of a close strategic relationship between the two. Iran’s armed
forces chief, Hassan Firouzabadi had earlier shared Moscow’s concerns towards
the deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey, which, he said, was "a black mark
on the world map, and is meant to cause a world war”.

While external tensions simmered, a new crisis was brewing on the regional
horizon. The troubled exit in droves of Palestinian refugees from the Yarmouk
refugee camp in Damascus, which has been attacked, has generated a fresh debate
on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland. In response to
the fighting between armed fighters and government forces in Yarmouk,
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sought international support for
bringing his conflict affected people to the Palestinian territories. Israel has
for long rejected the right of return to displaced Palestinians, which is one of
the core items on final status talks in the Israel-Palestine peace process.

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http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-12/19/content_16033504.htm


China Daily
December 19, 2012


Syrian crisis could push Mideast into chaos
By Liu Yueqin


====

The Syrian government wants countries opposed to war, such as Russia, China and
other emerging economies, to restore normalcy. And the opposition forces are
determined to overthrow the Assad government with the help of the US, NATO,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and some other countries. This makes the Syrian
crisis akin to the one in Libya before the eventual overthrow of Muammar
Gadhafi.

Many believe that with the re-election of Barack Obama as US president,
Washington now has a free hand to deal with Assad, while some analysts say it is
time the Syrian crisis was resolved through military intervention. France has
emerged as the most prominent backer of Syria's armed opposition. And NATO has
approved Turkey's request to deploy Patriot missiles along its border with
Syria...

The risk of the Syrian crisis spilling over to other Middle East countries is
increasing. The military conflict in Syria could spill into Iran, Iraq, Lebanon
and other neighboring countries. And once Hezbollah and Hamas, and Israel are
drawn into the conflict, the Middle East will be engulfed by chaos and more
bloodshed.

====



The Syrian crisis has turned into a civil war. The Free Syrian Army, the main
armed opposition in Syria, has launched consecutive attacks on the suburbs of
Damascus and even plans to shell the presidential residence. So bloody has been
the recent violence that on Sunday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed
alarm at the situation in Syria.

In the beginning, the armed conflict was confined between Syrian government
forces and loosely knit opposition fighters. But with the help of foreign
forces, the opposition is much stronger now and the conflict has become a
doing-dong battle for the control of Syria.

The opposition is gaining increasing international recognition. On Nov 11, 2012,
some Syrian opposition groups established the National Coalition for Syrian
Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in Doha, Qatar, with the former imam of the
Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Moaz al-Khatib, being elected its president.

The Gulf Cooperation Council immediately recognized the coalition as the
legitimate government of Syria. Later, the Arab League, the United States,
France and Turkey recognized the coalition as the "true representative" of the
Syrian people. On Nov 19, the European Union recognized it as "the legitimate
representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people" and said it was ready
to help it build relationships with other countries.

But there still are great differences among Syria's opposition forces. The
al-Nusra Front and 13 other armed groups, for example, have rejected the Syrian
National Coalition as the "true representative" of the Syrian people.

The role of external forces has been (and will be) crucial to the Syrian crisis.
The opposition and their foreign patrons are continuing their fight against the
Bashar al-Assad government. The Syrian government and the opposition both are
trying to get the support of external forces to consolidate their positions.

The Syrian government wants countries opposed to war, such as Russia, China and
other emerging economies, to restore normalcy. And the opposition forces are
determined to overthrow the Assad government with the help of the US, NATO,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and some other countries. This makes the Syrian
crisis akin to the one in Libya before the eventual overthrow of Muammar
Gadhafi.

At present, on the table are both diplomatic and military resolutions to the
Syrian crisis. Many believe that with the re-election of Barack Obama as US
president, Washington now has a free hand to deal with Assad, while some
analysts say it is time the Syrian crisis was resolved through military
intervention. France has emerged as the most prominent backer of Syria's armed
opposition. And NATO has approved Turkey's request to deploy Patriot missiles
along its border with Syria to protect it from potential cross-border attacks
and repeatedly called for establishing a "no-fly zone" in northern Syria.

Obama, during his first term as US president, adopted a policy of strategic
retreat from the Middle East, vowing to recalibrate America's relationship with
the Islamic world, and announced a near complete withdrawal of US combat troops
from Iraq. During the Libyan crisis, the US passed on the "authority" of
launching air strikes to NATO. Washington's response to the Syrian crisis,
though strong in terms of words, has not been of military intervention; it
claims to have offered only non-combative support, such as communications
equipment, to the Syrian opposition forces.

Obama is likely to refrain from being involved in a war in the Middle East even
during his second term in office, because he needs to rebuild Washington's
Middle East strategy, restore American prestige and repair the US' relations
with Middle East countries that have been weakened by the "Arab Spring".

There is no guarantee, though, that the US will not use force against the Assad
government. There is only a possibility that as long as a non-military solution
is likely, Obama will not intervene militarily in Syria for fear of igniting a
powder keg in the Middle East. Of course, NATO, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and
the Syrian opposition want the US to use force to oust Assad. But it seems that
both diplomatic and military solutions are still on the table.

The risk of the Syrian crisis spilling over to other Middle East countries is
increasing. The military conflict in Syria could spill into Iran, Iraq, Lebanon
and other neighboring countries. And once Hezbollah and Hamas, and Israel are
drawn into the conflict, the Middle East will be engulfed by chaos and more
bloodshed. To prevent the Middle East from sliding into turmoil, the US and
Russia tried to promote a peaceful transfer of power in Yemen, which was
successful.

The Syrian crisis seems to have spiraled out of control and led to ethnic
conflicts, and the Kurdish problem has become another important factor in the
crisis. The Kurds in Syria have taken advantage of the turmoil to consolidate
their position, which is perceived as a big threat to Iraq, Turkey and Iran.
These three countries will not allow the Kurds in their territories to unite
with those in Syria to establish a Kurd state.

So if the Syrian crisis continues for long, the consequences for the entire
Middle East will be disastrous.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies,
affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
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http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_93317.htm?mode=pressrelease


North Atlantic Treaty Organization
December 20, 2012


Visit to NATO by the Prime Minister of Djibouti


The Prime Minister of Djibouti, Mr. Dileita Mohamed Dileita, will visit NATO
Headquarters on Friday, 21 December 2012. He will meet the NATO Secretary
General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Media Advisory

09:15 NATO Secretary General and Mr. Dileita will jointly meet the press at the
main entrance

The press point will be streamed live on the NATO website.
Video footage and still photographs will be available on the NATO website after
the event.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_93224.htm?mode=pressrelease



North Atlantic Treaty Organization
December 19, 2012



Visit to NATO by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan



The Jordanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Nasser Judeh, will visit NATO Headquarters
on Wednesday 19 December 2012. He will meet the NATO Secretary General, Mr.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

There will be no media opportunity.
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http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25568


Civil Georgia
December 20, 2012


MoD: Georgian Soldier 'Missing' in Afghanistan


Tbilisi: A Georgian soldier serving in NATO-led operations in Afghanistan “is
missing” since December 19, the Georgian Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.

“Circumstances are not known yet,” the MoD said in a brief statement on its
website.

It said that Regional Command Southwest, whose area of responsibility is Helmand
and Nimroz provinces, “is conducting a search and rescue operation”.

“All Georgian units in theater are moved to the highest security alert
posture,” MoD said, adding that it was not appropriate to give more details
due to the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Georgia currently has two battalions in the Helmand province of Afghanistan –
the 12th battalion of the first infantry brigade and 32nd battalion of the third
infantry brigade; for the latter it is a second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Georgia has lost a total of eighteen soldiers in Afghanistan since joining ISAF
mission in November, 2009, seven of them this year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=47636&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=0


Rustavi 2
December 20, 2012


Statement by Ministry of Defense


The Ministry of Defense of Georgia has released a special statement regarding
the missing Georgian soldier in Afghanistan.

"A Georgian soldier from the Georgian peacekeeping contingent of the ISAF
mission is missing since December 19, 2012. Circumstances are not known yet.
Currently, RCT Southwest Command is conducting a search and rescue operation.
Family members of the lost soldier are notified about the incident. All Georgian
units in theater are moved to the highest security alert posture.

"Due to the search and rescue operation no other details are given at this
moment,` the statement says.
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http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/kazakhstan/2101220.html


Trend News Agency
December 20, 2012


Kazakh ambassador presents his credentials to NATO Secretary General
D. Mukhtarov


Astana: A ceremony to present the new ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Almaz Khamzayev's credentials to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
took place at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, the Kazakh Foreign
Ministry press service said on Thursday.

"During the meeting the newly appointed head of the Kazakh mission and
organisation's secretary general discussed the current state and prospects of
cooperation between Kazakhstan and NATO, including military cooperation, civil
emergency planning and scientific cooperation', the statement reported.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://engnews.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=374622


Kazinform
December 20, 2012


Kazakh ambassador Khamzayev presents credentials to NATO Sec Gen



Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan Almaz
Khamzayev has presented his credentials on 17 December to NATO Secretary General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Kazakh MFA's press service reports.

During the meeting, the head of the Kazakh mission now posted in Brussels and
the Secretary General discussed the state and prospects of partnership between
Kazakhstan and the organization, including military cooperation, civil emergency
planning and research collaboration.
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http://www.stripes.com/news/africom-announces-it-will-have-rapid-reaction-force-\
1.201162


Stars and Stripes
December 18, 2012


AFRICOM announces it will have rapid reaction force
By John Vandiver


====

While AFRICOM says the unit will be based in Fort Carson — home to the 10th
Special Forces Group — it is more likely that the team of operators will spend
most of its time forward-deployed in Africa, according to a recently retired
Green Beret who served on multiple Commander’s in-Extremis units.


====


STUTTGART, Germany: In the politically charged aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks
in Benghazi, in which the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans
were killed, it emerged that something crucial was missing from the structure of
U.S. Africa Command: a rapid reaction force.

Not anymore. In response to a question during a recent speech at George
Washington University, AFRICOM boss Gen. Carter Ham said his command is now
outfitted with a new capability.

“With regard to a response force, when the command was initially formed there
was a sharing arrangement with what’s called the Commander’s in-Extremis
Force with European Command. That was a good relationship that up until the 1st
of October of this year was a shared arrangement,” Ham said. “And now we
have our own.”

[W]hen it comes to rapid response, location is key. Particularly in Africa,
where AFRICOM is responsible for U.S. military interests in a territory roughly
three times larger than the United States. So where will AFRICOM’s new
Commander’s in-Extremis Force be located? In Fort Carson, Colo., according to
an AFRICOM spokesman.

“Distance is a major factor for doing anything in Africa, and we regularly
work with EUCOM,” which has its own Commander’s in-Extremis Force, said
AFRICOM spokesman Benjamin Benson when asked whether it would make more sense to
have the Special Forces unit located in Europe or Africa. AFRICOM declined to
comment further about the placement of its elite Special Forces team, whose
movements are generally shrouded in secrecy.

For AFRICOM, the stationing of troops on the African continent has long been a
sensitive issue, which could explain the command’s reluctance to discuss the
idea of a forward presence of Special Forces troops in Africa. However, former
special operators say they don’t expect the new rapid reaction force to spend
much time in the U.S., as the long travel times to Africa would make the team
ineffective as crisis responders.

While AFRICOM says the unit will be based in Fort Carson — home to the 10th
Special Forces Group — it is more likely that the team of operators will spend
most of its time forward-deployed in Africa, according to a recently retired
Green Beret who served on multiple Commander’s in-Extremis units.

“The capability we bring to a COCOM (Combatant Command) is that it is a
certified counterterrorism unit at his (the commander’s) disposal on short
notice. That’s the reason why we exist, and we are forward-deployed for that
reason,” said the former special operator, who asked not to be identified.

...
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http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/kuwait/training-site-part-of-cooperation-initiativ\
e-1.1121497



Gulf News
December 20, 2012


Nato military site part of agreement -- Kuwait
By Habib Toumi
Bureau Chief


====

The Nato training site in Kuwait is the first to be set up in a GCC state.
At its Chicago summit in May, Nato in its final communiqué said that it looked
forward to a better understanding of common security threats in the region.

A Nato official last year told Gulf News that the alliance was keen to reinforce
its cooperation and relations with GCC individual members through the ICI.

“We can see how we can enhance military-to-military cooperation,
inter-operability...,” said Appathurai, Nato spokesperson from 2004 to 2010.
He now serves as the Nato secretary general’s special representative for the
Caucasus and Central Asia.

====


Manama: The allocation of a piece of land to the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (Nato) in Kuwait is part of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
(ICI) launched in 2004, a senior Kuwaiti official has said.

“The move consolidates Kuwait’s interest in international missions,
especially that Kuwait was the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to
join the ICI,” Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid, the deputy prime minister and foreign
minister, said.

The land will be used by Nato as a training site under the ICI, he added.

“We are interested in the region’s security and stability and in being
partners with anyone who seeks to achieve them. We are also interested in
facilitating everything that is related to our contacts and consultations with
Nato,” the minister said on Wednesday, quoted by Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

Shaikh Sabah was speaking at a press conference in Kuwait City alongside his
Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders.

The Nato training site in Kuwait is the first to be set up in a GCC state.
At its Chicago summit in May, Nato in its final communiqué said that it looked
forward to a better understanding of common security threats in the region.

“We will strengthen political dialogue and practical cooperation in the
ICI,” the communiqué said. “We warmly welcome the generous offer by the
State of Kuwait to host an ICI Regional Centre, which will help us to better
understand common security challenges, and discuss how to address them together.
We encourage our ICI partner countries to be proactive in exploiting the
opportunities offered by their partnership with Nato. We remain open to
receiving new members in the ICI,” the 28-member alliance said.

A Nato official last year told Gulf News that the alliance was keen to reinforce
its cooperation and relations with GCC individual members through the ICI.

“We do want to deepen our engagement with our Gulf partners, through the
Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,” James Appathurai, the then NATO’s deputy
assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy, said.
“I do stress that our engagement with Gulf partner countries is a two-way
street. The moment has come for us to work more closely with our partners in the
Gulf and we are confident there will be opportunities to deepen our political
and practical cooperation,” he said.

Plans included more regular dialogue and political consultations to promote a
better mutual understanding with the region and engaging in shared strategic
analyses, he said.

“We can see how we can enhance military-to-military cooperation,
inter-operability and public diplomacy so that we can better explain Nato and
what it does and, at the same time, we at Nato can better understand the
region,” said Appathurai, Nato spokesperson from 2004 to 2010. He now serves
as the Nato secretary general’s special representative for the Caucasus and
Central Asia.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-12/21/c_132056230.htm


Xinhua News Agency
December 21, 2012


Four killed in U.S. drone strike in NW Pakistan


ISLAMABAD: At least four people were killed and many others were injured on
Friday afternoon when a U.S. drone launched a strike in Pakistan's northwestern
tribal region of North Waziristan, local media reported.

According to the reports, the pilotless plane fired two missiles at a house in
the Hesokhel village of Mir Ali, a famous district of North Waziristan.

The missile strike completely destroyed the house and killed four people present
in the building.

Soon after the incident, local people rushed to the site and started rescue work
to take the dead bodies and injured out of the debris.

The injured were being shifted to the local hospital for treatment but local
rescuers were unable to tell the number of wounded people.

Earlier on Thursday night, a U.S. unmanned aircraft, which was reportedly being
used to target militants' hideouts, crashed in Pakistan's northwestern tribal
region of South Waziristan, the neighboring area of North Waziristan.

According to the reports, the pilotless plane crashed in the Wana district of
South Waziristan, a restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Local media quoting official sources reported that the U.S. drone might had come
to attack some target but crashed apparently due to some technical fault.

U.S.-led NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan believed that Pakistan's bordering
areas especially North Waziristan and South Waziristan are the safe havens for
the militants who allegedly attack NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan, on a number of occasions, protested and expressed its reservations
over such strikes, terming them the violation of its sovereignty but U.S.
considered it an effective strategy to eliminate militants hiding in hilly
areas.

The Friday attack is the 39th of its kind (counted on a daily basis) in Pakistan
during 2012, killing at least 273 people and injuring hundreds of others.

On Dec. 9, at least four people were killed when a U.S. drone launched a strike
firing four missiles at a house in North Waziristan.

Earlier on Dec. 1, U.S. drone attacked a suspected house in South Waziristan
killing at least four people...
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http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC121221-0000058/US-to-deploy-newest-battle-cr\
aft-to-its-Asia-Pacific-bases


Today Online/Agencies
December 21, 2012



US to deploy newest battle craft to its Asia-Pacific bases
Move part of new military strategy to reinforce America's influence in the
volatile region


====

[T]he Pentagon will send P-8 submarine-hunting aircraft, cruise missiles,
Virginia-class submarines, coastal combat ships and F-35 fighter jets to the
Asia-Pacific region in coming years.

The Philippines, Australia and other parts of the region have seen an increase
in the number of US warships, planes and personnel since President Barack Obama
announced a "pivot" in foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia late
last year.


====



WASHINGTON: The United States is planning to deploy its newest high-tech
military hardware, including submarines and warships, to its military bases in
the Asia-Pacific region, as it turns its attention to a fast-growing Asia and a
newly assertive China.

A US military official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said that
the deployment is part of Washington's new military strategy to reinforce its
influence in the volatile region.

"What you're seeing is part of a bigger effort; the Pacific theatre will get the
newest weapons systems first," he was quoted as saying by Iranian television
network Press TV.

The official said the Pentagon will send P-8 submarine-hunting aircraft, cruise
missiles, Virginia-class submarines, coastal combat ships and F-35 fighter jets
to the Asia-Pacific region in coming years.

The Philippines, Australia and other parts of the region have seen an increase
in the number of US warships, planes and personnel since President Barack Obama
announced a "pivot" in foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia late
last year.

The first of a new class of US coastal warships will be sent to Singapore next
spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. Both countries have said the
deployment stops short of a basing agreement.

On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that the stealthy F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter aircraft, which is currently in development, could be deployed at
the Iwakuni air station in Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture by 2017.

The Pentagon had announced in September that it will be providing Japan with a
new radar installation to bolster its missile defences.

...

The US also announced on Wednesday that it will open up military ties with
Myanmar. US-Myanmar military-to-military ties were cut off after 1988...

A senior US defence official said the move to renew military ties with Myanmar
was to bolster the political reforms undertaken so far.

...
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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_12_22/US-Senate-a-Christmas-present/


Voice of Russia
December 22, 2012


US Senate: a Christmas present
Valentin Zorin



The US Senate has unanimously approved a $631bln defense budget for 2013. The
draft budget has evoked no objections from the White House. As he ran for
president four years ago, Barack Obama promised to cut defense programs and put
an end to the arms race which drained the US economy. The Obama administration
has failed to stabilize the economy.

The country’s state debt is growing at a fast rate. And judging by the newly
approved 2013 budget, Washington has no intention of ending the arms race. At
present, the US military expenditure exceeds combined military spending of all
other countries.

Experts attribute the current difficulties experienced by the US economy to the
fact that it cracked under the burden of military spending, which proved too
heavy for it, if not outright intolerable. According to the US Treasury
Department, the unprecedented $17 trillion debt will increase to $19 trillion in
the foreseeable future and exceed 100% of the country’s current GDP. On top of
that, Boston University Professor Laurence Kotlikoff has established that the US
budget deficit is larger than that officially reported, amounting to a whopping
$200 trillion.

Trillions of dollars of state debt that are ruining the American economy did not
come out of nowhere. The war in Iraq which was unleashed by the Bush
administration cost US taxpayers $3 trillion, another half a trillion dollars
have been spent on the military operation in Afghanistan, also started by the
Republican government. An end to this spending is nowhere in sight. The
Republican majority in the US Congress is pushing for so-called “nuclear
modernization” which envisages the creation of 80 new types of nuclear
warheads. Even though Congressmen keep mum on the cost of the program, it’s
clear that it will require billions of dollars.

It’s the fifth US administration that has set its mind on promoting a missile
defense program, despite the failures and costs associated with it. In
accordance with the most modest estimates, more than $2 trillion have already
been invested in the program and hundreds of billions will still be needed to
pursue it.

The hefty sums channeled for financing military programs lead to a further
increase in the US state debt. Unlike abortive missile tests, they don’t
dissolve in the boundless expanses of outer space but land on specific accounts
of specific individuals. These individuals are Pentagon clients and are part of
military-industrial concerns, or what President Eisenhower described as the
“military-industrial complex”.

The military-industrial complex has turned the arms race into an endless source
of profit for weapons manufacturers and dictates policies to those in power. All
hopes and election pledges on the part of aspiring politicians drown in this
striving for profit which gains the upper hand, defying people’s interests and
the requirements of common sense.

Ordinary Americans have to pay for it. According to an official report of the US
Census Bureau, 15% of the population live below the poverty line. The position
of other people whose lives are far from easy as well is not disclosed.

The generous present – the 2013 military budget – is not for them.
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