Global Security Studies Practicum

24 November 2011 BAGHDAD- Twelve men who are all members of Al-Qaeda terrorist group were hanged today for their roles in a 2006 Dujail wedding ceremony massacre that killed 70 people. According to the Iraqi authorities, the criminals attacked a convoy of wedding vehicles in a north Baghdad street, raping women, killing men and hanging massive weights around 15 children aged between two to 12, then throwing them in a river to drown. During the month of June of this year, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani authorized his deputy, Khudair al-Khuzaie to sign the death sentences of the 15 men after intense pressure from the political blocs and the Iraqi public to bring the perpetrators of “terror” crimes against the population to justice. Iraq’s criminal court found 34 men guilty of the massacre 15 of which were sentenced to death. Three of the 15 have not been hanged yet due to legal procedure. Source: http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/

20 November 2011 Weeks after Kenya penetrated Somalia to fight al-Shabab, a number of Somali Residents have reported several Ethiopian forces crossing into Somalia. According to Gabobe Adan, and elder from the Town of Guriel, the Ethiopian troops have crossed with a convoy of armored vehicles from the border of Balanbale district. Other residents report to have seen the troops set up a base and move to other nearby towns. An Ethiopian official under anonymity commented that there might be a possibility for the Ethiopian government to join Kenya in the fight against al-Shabab; however, there has been no official confirmation from the Ethiopian government. Source: Ethiopian troops 'enter Somalia' http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/11/2011112003443857171.html Reliability: 8

18 November 2011 The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO,) is bringing asylum-seekers issues to China. Recently Uyghur asylum-seekers are receiving a great deal of pressure from the Dutch government to return to China where they are highly likely to be tortured upon return. UNPO is making it a mission to draw attention to this concern by sending a letter to the Members of Parliament to raise the issues of human and minority rights to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition UNPO attended a Parliamentary meeting where freedom of religion and freedom of speech of Uyghurs and Tibetans are at the top of the agenda. MPs urge for Dutch Foreign minister Uri Rosenthal to convey concern to the United States, Germany, and European Parliament to place pressure on China in allowing Dutch Human Rights ambassador access to Xinjiang and Tibet. China’s response is positive. This will somewhat likely bring resolution to Uyghur refugees returning to China. Source: http://www.u

Turkey ’s Prime Minister apologized for the mass killings of Kurds in a 1930 uprising. Political observers believe the apology is a groundbreaking and it is a necessary first for Turkey in acknowledging its past. In a meeting with supporters Raccep Erdogan, clutching historical paper which documents the massacre, he apologized on behalf of the Turkish state “ I will apologize and I am apologizing”. The killings occurred within a span of two years in Dersim province and Kurds were simultaneously forcibly evacuated from their homes. Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish part, BDP , has questions the motive and sincerity of the apology and claims the Turkish government continues to arrest its supporters and sympathizers. The Turkish government is currently fighting against Kurdish rebels, who are waging a campaign for autonomy in largely Kurdish southeast Turkey. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Turkey-Issues-First-Official-Apology-for-1930s-Mass-Killing-of-Kurds--134404153.html Relia

23 November 2011 President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council ’s initiative to transfer his executive power to Vice President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi. The initiative states that Saleh will step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution and will retain his title for the next three months until elections. For the past 10 months anti-government demonstrators have demanded Saleh’s ouster from office and once again clashes between government forces and tribal fighters erupted early Wednesday in Sana , hours after Saleh headed for Saudi Arabia . On Saturday, 400 government troops defected from the Yemeni military because of the violence they have witnessed against unarmed protesters. United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar stated that more work will be necessary after the signing of the agreement since the transitional government will need to rebuild the economy and gain the political support from the youth

23 November 2011 President Chavez announced price controls via a state TV address. The Venezuelan government  extended price controls to 18 products in a bid to curb the country's 27% inflation rate. In a state television address, President Hugo Chavez announced a price freeze to “protect people from capitalism” and prevent “the big monopolies, the big trans-nationals and the bourgeoisie [to] dominate and ransack the people.” Meanwhile, critics of President Chavez say high levels of public spending and currency controls are the factors contributing to inflation. The government first introduced price controls on food staples in 2003. Source:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15850784 (Reliability: 9.0) Comment: The extended economic measures by the Venezuelan government come less than a year before the October 2012 presidential elections. President Chavez’s latest price control initiative is likely to cement his popularity among the lower classes as

23 November 2011 A Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has denied reports of a ceasefire, but accepts the responsibility of the attack that occurred at the police station in Khan. “We are not talking to the government and will not be part of any dialogue with the government. This is a clear message for those who are thinking that we are involved in negotiations,” the Taliban has stated. Today, a Sub-Inspector was killed and five other police officials were injured when militants carrying rocket propelled grenades and other heavy arms attacked the police station. Sources said the attack took place at around 4:40am today when a huge explosion was heard near the station. The police station received considerable damage with bullet holes in the walls. This attack comes a day after a news agency had reported on a ceasefire between the Taliban and the Pakistan Government in South Waziristan. However, sources said that talks between the Taliban and government are being denied. Source: http://tribune.c

22 November 2011 Two foreigners kidnapped in the south region of Yemen along with their Yememi Driver by separatists while traveling inside a Red Cross vehicle claimed by security officials. According to an official, negotiations are underway by military groups with the secessionist movement for the release of these hostages. The identity of the official has kept anonymous since the government declares that no military officials are to report to the media. The foreigner’s destination was to the province of Lahj to the port city of Aden where witnesses declared their kidnapping. The citizenship of one of the hostages is a French citizen of Moroccan descent. She works for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees , which she helped refugees fledging countries with fighting between al-Qaida and the government. There were no comments from the French Foreign Ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding any plans of rescue for the hostages. It is believed that the situ

23 November 2011  President Jimmy Carter with then-Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and then-Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin for the signing of the 1979 Peace Pact  JERUSALEM – Israel is preparing of for the possibility of the peace pact with Egypt failing altogether.   Matan Vilnai , the minister for civil defense and a retired military general, stated that the Israeli government was concerned with Egypt ’s Muslim Brotherhood ability to make gains and win elections.   The Muslim Brotherhood will be the majority in Egyptian institutions.   The politics in Egypt are rocky at best and the military is likely to dominate the upcoming government.   The Brotherhood does not want to end the 1979 peace pact with Israel , they just want amendments made.   The peace pact will likely not fall apart immediately but likely will as soon as the regime stabilizes.   The recent protests in Egypt have increased Israel ’s concerns.   The peace pact is the cornerstone of security in

Antonis Samaras, Leader of New Democracy 23 November 2011 (ATHENS, Greece) – Antonis Samaras , the leader of the New Democracy party, has refused to put his commitment to austerity measures in writing. European leaders have requested the new Greek government reaffirm their commitment to the agreed upon plan in writing. Samaras stated that his verbal agreement is enough of a commitment. It is likely that Samaras is attempting to distance himself from the unpopular cuts. Greece is set to run out of money in 20 days and begin defaulting on €2.8 billion in bond payments. The government will be unable to pay salaries and pensions without the delivery of the next loan tranche. Comment – The majority party, PASOK , has been losing support from the public since the beginning of the financial crisis. The agreement in place with the troika , for Greece’s bailout funds, is unpopular but necessary. There is not enough time to come up with an alternative solution before Greece runs

22 November 2011 Cairo- The Egyptian civilian cabinet offers to resign after three days of violent protesting between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square . The offer to resign did not meet the requests of the frustrated protesters and they have been left unsatisfied. The demonstrators protesting the new military rulers demand to end of “army rule”. The death toll has risen to 33 according to morgue officials. This demonstration is the worst spasm of violence since the rebellion that overthrew former President Hosni Mubarak . Egypt’s ruling military acknowledges’ the cabinet’s resignation, according to Al-Jazeera television . Young protesters demanding a civilian government fought against black-clad police officers and threw stones and firebombs . These protesters also threw back tear gas containers that police officers were firing into the square. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45383062/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/ Egypt’s civilian cabinet resigns in wak

17 November 2011 BANGKOK, THAILAND – Making a quick detour on her way to Bali for a regional summit, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton showed her support to the victims hit by the recent heavy flooding in Thailand. The Secretary of State is seen performing the traditional Thai greeting called “ wai ”, as she visits the Rajamangala National Stadium , home to over 1,500 flood evacuees. Secretary Clinton’s visit came shortly after the assembly of a $10 million aid plan, which will help support the recovery of the heavy losses suffered due to the recent severe flooding in Thailand. Along with aid funding, the USS Lassen of the U.S. Navy fleet, has docked in a Thai port and has provided crew and equipment to further aid relief efforts. Efforts are also being made in Washington D.C. to work with the Thai government in order to help restore important cultural sites throughout the country that were badly damaged by the heavy flooding. SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.c

21 November 2011 Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) - A video is released from a Taliban affiliated website displaying the Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel suicide bombers in training and preparation for the attack. The video is an hour long and it includes a testimony from one of the suicide bombers, Naseer Ahmad Anas, expressing his motivation to take his own like and belief that a suicide attacker receives God’s blessing. Images also demonstrate masked and uniformed men training and performing exercises that reveal a disciplined Taliban force. One scene shows the suicide bombers sitting in a circle studying a mock up model of the Intercontinental Hotel and sharing tactical ideas for the assault. Pakistan intelligence officials state the Haqqani network, a group of militants in Afghanistan, is responsible for the Intercontinental Hotel attacks . Source: "Taliban-Affiliated Website Releases Purported Video of Kabul Suicide Bombers" http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/world/asia/afghanis

Kabul, Afghanistan – Since September, Afghanistan has collected fingerprints and photographs of all travelers passing through Kabul International Airport. The Afghanistan government plans to eventually fingerprint, photograph, and scan irises of every individual living in Afghanistan. The United States military supports Afghanistan’s biometric collection. The United States finances the current collection efforts at the Kabul airport. Support provided by the United States includes money and training provided by the American Embassy. Comments : The United States military collects biometrics of individuals encountered on the battlefields in Afghanistan. The biometrics are shared with the Department of State and Department of Justice in support of counterterrorism missions. Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/world/asia/in-afghanistan-big-plans-to-gather-biometric-data.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Reliability: 9