A computer virus first detected nearly two weeks ago by the military’s Host-Based Security System has infected the cockpits of America’s Predator and Reaper drones. This computer virus entails the capability of logging pilots’ every key stoke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other pertinent war zones. Network security specialist commented the virus has resisted multiple efforts in removal from the Creech’s computers and the infection underlies the ongoing security risks in the U.S. military’s most important weapons system. “We keep wiping it off, and it keeps coming back,” states a source familiar with the network infection, “We think it’s benign, but we just don’t know.” It is unknown whether the virus and key logger payload was intentional or accidental; this may be a common piece of malware making its way into a sensitive network. Specialists are unaware of the depth of the virus however they are certain the infection has hit both classified and unclassified machines at Creech entitling secret data captured by the key logger enabling transmission over the public internet to someone outside of the military chain of command. Predator and Reaper crews utilize removable hard drives to load map updates and transport mission videos from one computer to another, the use of these hard drives are a possible spread of the computer virus. Technicians are trying to get the virus off by following the removal instructions, but the virus kept coming back, which the technicians had to completely erase the internal hard drive and completely rebuild them from scratch. Lt. Col. Stated, “We generally do not discuss specific vulnerabilities, threats, or responses to our computer networks, since that helps people looking to exploit or attack our systems to refine their approach.” As of now the Senior officers at Creech are briefed daily on the virus, and no one is alarmed just yet.
5 October 2011 Leopoldo Lopez talks to media outlets. Dow Jones Newswires (CARACAS) – The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ( IACHR ) ruled in favor of opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez on 17 September, allowing him to run in Venezuela ’s upcoming 2012 presidential elections. Venezuelan officials barred Lopez from seeking public office in 2005 through 2014 under allegations of mishandling public funds and corruption. Supporters of Lopez argue the charges are a ploy to prevent him and other opposition politicians from running for office. General elections are slated for 7 October 2012 amid questions regarding President Hugo Chavez’s health. Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110916-712977.html (Reliability: 9) Comment: Despite the IACHR’s ruling in favor of Lopez, Venezuelan officials under President Chavez have ignored the court’s rulings in the past and banned presidential hopefuls from running for office. Lopez is emerging as one of the top con...
The Financial Times (Islamabad) - Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato’s secretary-general, encouraged the West to continue work closely with Pakistan. Rasmussen’s statements follow recent claims by the US that Pakistan’s intelligence agency is assisting Islamist insurgents fighting allied troops in Afghanistan. According to Rasmussen, cooperation with Pakistan is the only way to combat the Haqqani network. US expectations of Pakistani forces taking a stance against the Haqqani network based in North Waziristan remain low. According to the Pakistani army, existing efforts to clear militants along the Afghanistan border will not allow them to launch new and domestically unpopular operations. Pakistan claimed that the US has failed to understand the complexity of the alliances and threats in the tribal region. Analyst view the Haqqani network as a key proxy for Pakistan in its attempt to control the territory in the Pashtun belt of southern Afghanistan. Source : http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/...
Turkey surprised international observers when it supported rebels in recent uprising in Syria. Turkey is harboring insurgents and political opponents of the Assad's regime as it readies unilateral sanctions against Syria . This signals in shift in supporting the various democratic Arab awakenings throughout the Middle East. Turkey’s chasm with Syria reaffirms its commitment to NATO , who had began to question Turkeys role in the alliance. In the face of the Arab Spring , Turkey is reassess its place in the new realities of the Middle East . Turkey had sought to ought new open new markets and expand its influence in the region through a policy of non-confrontation with its neighbors. It disavowed democratic preconditions with economic partners like Syria and Iran in the past and this caused friction with NATO. Source :http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/1103/Turkey-s-bold-about-face-on-Syria Reliability (9) Comments: Turkey’s break from its policy of “zero prob...
10 October 2011
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