Russia in Review Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:20 PM: Russia has "tested" a state-of-the-art ground-launched cruise missile at ranges capable of threatening most of European continent and US allies in Northeast Asia, namely Japan and South Korea, a US State Department official claimed on Wednesday. The White House is blocking the release of a Pentagon risk assessment of Russia’s violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, according to Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the US claims that Moscow is violating provisions of the INF treaty are totally ungrounded and Washington pursues the goal of discrediting Russia. (Free Beacon, 08.11.15, Tass, 08.13.15). | Во время встречи с губернатором Пермского края Виктором Басаргиным.

August 14, 2015

Во время встречи с губернатором Пермского края Виктором Басаргиным.
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World
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:46 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

World

What Will the U.S. Do About the Russian ‘Threat’?

29 July 2015

Donald N. Jensen

The U.S. general likely to become the country’s top military officer recently called Russia the “greatest threat” to America, and a new U.S. military doctrine includes it on a list of global bad actors. But the government remains divided on how to respond to Moscow’s increasingly provocative behavior, writes Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations.

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Europe’s New Pro-Putin Coalition: the Parties of ‘No’
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:45 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

Europe’s New Pro-Putin Coalition: the Parties of ‘No’

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What Will the U.S. Do About the Russian ‘Threat’?
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:45 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

What Will the U.S. Do About the Russian ‘Threat’?

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The Right to Total Lawlessness
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:45 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

The Right to Total Lawlessness

10 August 2015

Ekaterina Mishina

Police reform in Russia began in 2009 and in a sense is still underway, as is the discussion of its results and achievements. The latest set of draft amendments to the federal law “On the Police” may completely undo the attempts at reform, however. In the opinion of IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina, the proposed amendments could lead to the total failure of police reform and the triumph of the “police state.”

Opinions

In accord with a controversial decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on July 29, Russian regions have launched a massive campaign to destroy banned food imports. On August 6 alone, when the decree went into effect, over 300 tons of food was destroyed. The banned produce included cheese, meat, fruit and vegetables from Europe and the United States. Local authorities are now destroying the food daily by incinerating it, bulldozing it into the ground, and mixing it with dirt. Citizens opposed to the policy have initiated an online petition that has attracted over 340,000 signatures.

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Media Must-Reads
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:44 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

Media Must-Reads

Media Must-Reads: Russia’s Brain Drain, Dashcams for Freedom, and ‘Putin Is a Dick’

07 August 2015

Commentator Georgy Bovt writes in The Moscow Times that Russia’s declining education system could cause a shortage of qualified workers in the country, while Nina Khrushcheva in Quartz tests the limits of political freedom in Russia by holding up a provocative sign on Red Square.

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The Ebbing of the Patriotic Wave
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:44 PM

Institute Of Modern Russia

The Ebbing of the Patriotic Wave

11 August 2015

Donald N. Jensen

President Vladimir Putin has seen his approval rating reach a record-high of 89 percent in recent months, riding a wave of so-called “patriotic mobilization” triggered by Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. But are Russians truly enthusiastic about Putin’s policies, or are they merely passive supporters? Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, analyzes the situation and finds that public support for the Kremlin may be broad but not strong.

Analysis

Law

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Russia in Review
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:20 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

August 14, 2015

Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism for August 7-14, 2015

Russia has "tested" a state-of-the-art ground-launched cruise missile at ranges capable of threatening most of European continent and US allies in Northeast Asia, namely Japan and South Korea, a US State Department official claimed on Wednesday. The White House is blocking the release of a Pentagon risk assessment of Russia’s violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, according to Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the US claims that Moscow is violating provisions of the INF treaty are totally ungrounded and Washington pursues the goal of discrediting Russia. (Free Beacon, 08.11.15, Tass, 08.13.15).

Putin’s Change of Heart on Assad Could Pave Way for Cooperation against ISIL by Simon Saradzhyan
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:20 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

There have emerged multiple signs this summer that Russia’s Vladimir Putin may be reconsidering expediency of continued support for Syria’s Bashir Al-Assad. If these signs do reflect a shift in the Russian leader’s position on Syria, then it would enhance chances of finding a compromise solution on transition of power in Damascus in what would strengthen multilateral efforts to stabilize this country and rout the Islamic State.There have emerged multiple signs this summer that Russia’s Vladimir Putin may be reconsidering expediency of continued support for Syria’s Bashir Al-Assad. If these signs do reflect a shift in the Russian leader’s position on Syria, then it would enhance chances of finding a compromise solution on transition of power in Damascus in what would strengthen multilateral efforts to stabilize this country and rout the Islamic State.

Russia in Review
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

August 7, 2015

Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism for July 31 - August 7, 2015

How Congress Could Make the Iran Deal Workby William H. Tobey and Judith Miller
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

"The Iran deal is flawed, but its outright rejection would not advance American interests. Congress should plug some holes and mitigate other weaknesses. Most important, it can provide Iran with stronger incentives to comply with the deal."

The U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism Newsletter: May – June 2015 by Simon Saradzhyan
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

August 4, 2015

Belfer Center experts testify in U.S. Senate on Iran’s nuclear program; American and Russian experts weigh in on dangers of confrontation between U.S. and Russia; Obama’s letter draws the line under Megatons to Megawatts program; NNSA plans to spend $60 million on nuclear security in Russia.

Russia in Review

Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Russia has "tested" a state-of-the-art ground-launched cruise missile at ranges capable of threatening most of European continent and US allies in Northeast Asia, namely Japan and South Korea, a US State Department official claimed on Wednesday. The White House is blocking the release of a Pentagon risk assessment of Russia’s violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, according to Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the US claims that Moscow is violating provisions of the INF treaty are totally ungrounded and Washington pursues the goal of discrediting Russia. (Free Beacon, 08.11.15, Tass, 08.13.15).

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

July 31, 2015

Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism for July 24-31, 2015

Next Page of Stories

Page 2

Can the P5+1’s Vienna Deal Prevent an Iranian Nuclear Breakout? by William H. Tobey
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

On July 28, Hudson Institute hosted a timely conversation on the Iran nuclear deal with Senator Tom Cotton and a panel of leading experts including William Tobey of Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Hudson Senior Fellows Michael Doran, Hillel Fradkin, and Lee Smith.

Iraqi Kurds say Islamic State attacked them with chemical weapons
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:11 PM

Reuters: World News

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Kurdish authorities in Iraq said on Friday they believe their Peshmerga forces have been attacked with chemical weapons, possibly chlorine gas, by Islamic State militants.

Israeli force-feeding law pits doctors against stateby By MIRIAM BERGER
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:10 PM

AP Top Headlines At 12:44 P.M. EDT

RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) -- Hospital-bound and shackled, Palestinian detainee Mohammed Allan was 60 days into his hunger strike, launched in protest of his detention without charge in an Israeli jail, when he slipped into unconsciousness on Friday....

Pro-Republican ads funded by group with untraceable donorsby By JULIE BYKOWICZ
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:10 PM

AP Top Headlines At 12:44 P.M. EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Opportunity News Media wants you to know it's OK to be a Republican, and it is spending $3 million to say so in the presidential battleground states of Ohio and Colorado....

Kerry reopens US Cuba embassy after 54 years
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:35 AM

DEBKAFile

August 14, 2015, 6:26 PM (IDT)

John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the reopening of the US embassy in Havana Friday. The same US marines who brought the US flag down in 1961 were there to see it raised again. While trade and travel restrictions have been eased since Barack Obama and the Cuban leader agreed to restore ties last year, the US Congress has kept the trade embargo in place. Fidel Castro, 89, who handed over power to his brother Raul in 2008, wrote an open letter saying that the US owed Cuba millions of dollars over its 53-year embargo.

Pentagon: Team Obama Is ‘Too Timid’ on Putin
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:21 AM

America’s military brass keeps calling Russia an ‘existential’ danger to the U.S.—and the White House isn’t exactly thrilled.

Every time a U.S. military commander calls Russia the biggest threat to the United States, the White House fumes.

In recent weeks, there’s been a dramatic, if little noticed, shift in how the Pentagon talks about the world. Russia—once dismissed as a military has-been—is now being regarded as an enemy with the potential to do “existential” damage to America. Everyone from the incoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on down is raising the alarm about a Russia that is revamping its nuclear arsenal, launching ultra-sophisticated cyberattacks, and, of course, stirring up trouble in Eastern Europe. And that talk is not sitting well with the staff at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Russia is just one of myriad threats, White House officials say—calling it a top threat is a step down a slippery slope toward the risk of conflict. And the talk from the Pentagon about arming the Ukrainians, so they can resist Putin? The White House is having none of it. Putting more weapons in the hands of Russia’s enemies would only create an excuse for more Russian violence, the White House worries, just as they are trying to secure a sustainable cease-fire.

The Ukrainians and America’s NATO allies in the Baltics “need to see us take action right away,” a senior defense official said. But the administration’s approach is to avoid “getting involved in any kind of conflict…They’re being a little too timid.”

Of course, nobody wants a wider war with the Russians; that’s a recipe for courting Armageddon. “But is giving lethal defensive weapons to the Ukrainians really going to do that?” the senior defense official asked. “Remember, the Russians don’t want to go to war with us, either.”

The questioning of the Russia threat has exposed an administration—and at times a Pentagon—divided about how to respond to threats to the United States. While the White House is seemingly focused on the nuclear deal with Iran—a deal forged with Moscow’s cooperation—the commanders are increasingly worried about the return of the Russian bear.

Top defense leaders believe that calling Russia a top threat paves the way to arm Ukrainians confronting Russian forces. Politically, they want the administration to recognize Russia as a top threat so they can devote the proper budget, sourcing, and troop resources to it. So far: no dice.

“The administration thinks the ranking of threats is not the most productive way to devise a strategy. But we are saying, ‘How else do we allocate increasingly limited resources?’” a second defense official explained.

“We have a nation that has used force to change internationally recognized boundaries,” General Philip Breedlove, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Europe, told PBS NewsHour last week, the latest example of a commander talking about the Russia threat. “Russia continues to occupy Crimea. Russian forces now are in the Donbass in eastern Ukraine. So this nation has used force to change international boundaries. And this is a nation that possesses a pretty vast nuclear inventory and talks about the use of that inventory very openly in the past.”

The military’s pleas are a public manifestation of a 16-month assessment that has been making its way around the world to top U.S. generals. The warnings grew more dire with each Russian provocation, bellicose statement, and violation of hard-fought cease-fire negotiations in the war with Ukraine.

“Most assumed that the means of Russian pressure on Ukraine would be economic and perhaps an energy cutoff,” not military action, Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told The Daily Beast.

That’s not what happened. Russia seized the Crimea region of Ukraine and then backed Russian-speaking rebels in eastern Ukraine with weapons, training, and elite Russian troops.

“They are seeking a Cold War sphere of influence,” explained a third defense official, referring to Russia.

Russia’s ascent, among top U.S. military generals, as the top threat to the U.S. began with a widely circulated classified briefing born out of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the defense official told The Daily Beast. It was February 2014, and Russian forces had entered Crimea and installed a pro-Russian government. A month later, the Black Sea peninsula had seceded, and Russia successfully redrew the region’s map, all while dismissing international norms.

With each Russian move—its incursion into eastern Ukraine, its president’s bellicose rhetoric, its violations of cease-fire negotiations—the military updated its brief, each time raising its assessment of the Russian threat.

Like their counterparts in the Middle East caught off guard by ISIS’s capture of the Iraqi city of Mosul, U.S. commanders for Europe hastily began preparing a brief about the Russian threat. Soon, the intelligence community, the Pentagon, and the State Department added their input. And one four-star after another got the brief that Russia was a growing threat.

With each Russian move—its incursion into eastern Ukraine, its president’s bellicose rhetoric, its violations of cease-fire negotiations—the military updated its brief, each time raising its assessment of the Russian threat.

In February 2014, the U.S. Air Force deployed 12 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and approximately 300 airmen to train alongside their NATO counterparts. That spring, the Army deployed a company of troops to each of the Baltic states and Poland. Military equipment followed.

But it was the publication of Russia’s revised military doctrine at the end of 2014 that raised the threat from a regional matter to a global one. Not only did the document list NATO as the top threat to Russia, it also claimed for Moscow “the right to use nuclear weapons…in a case of an aggression against her with conventional weapons that would put in danger the very existence of the state.” In other words: a nuclear first strike.

The publicly pro-nuclear position—combined with Russia’s new investment in strategic weapons and advanced satellites, Moscow’s new willingness to deploy its nuclear-capable bombers, and the Kremlin leaders’ loose talk about using that nuclear arsenal—began to worry the Pentagon brass deeply.

“At DOD, we deal in worst-case scenarios,” the senior defense official said, using an acronym for the Department of Defense. “And now we’ve got this guy [Putin] deciding whether to launch? It’s a little bit scary.”

Compounding the concerns was a growing belief that Russia was the United States’ most sophisticated adversary online—even more so than China’s hackers, who recently made off with the personal information of tens of millions of government employees and their families. “I worry, frankly,more about the Russians, who are a lot more subtle and a lot more sophisticated about purloining our information,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told Congress.

Russia’s sophistication in the war of ideas—with a global machine in the RT network and a small army of Twitter trolls—only added to the sense of a worldwide face-off.

At the same time, the Pentagon underwent an unusually high turnover period, replacing nearly every top general. Each one appeared before Capitol Hill to answer the same question: What is the biggest threat to the United States?

General Joseph Dunford, slated to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his soon to be vice chairman, General Paul Selva, and the Army’s next top general, Mark Milley, agreed with a longtime assessment by General Breedlove that it was Russia. It is the only country in the world that could destroy the United States, given its vast nuclear weapons program and its president’s aim to break up the NATO alliance, they concluded.

“Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security,” Dunford asserted during his congressional confirmation hearing last month.

Dunford received a quick rebuke from the White House immediately afterward.

“These kind of assessments are dynamic,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said after Dunford’s statement. The general “has his own view, but I think he would be the first to admit that that’s—reflects his own view, and not—and doesn’t necessarily reflect the view of—or the consensus analysis of the president’s national security team,” Earnest said.

Regardless, the Pentagon already has begun making modest military adjustments. The U.S. military has moved 150 troops into the Baltic region and Central Europe, pre-positioned heavy equipment, conducted more exercises with its allies, and allotted nearly $1 billion to address the rising military threat.

The Pentagon’s 2015 budget allotted nearly $1 billion to “provide near-term flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving concerns of our allies and partners in Europe, especially Central and East Europe.” But the White House has said no to any efforts to provide lethal aid to Ukraine.

In his February confirmation hearing, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter all but endorsed giving the Ukrainians weapons. The White House quickly shot the idea down, much to the consternation of the Pentagon.

But while the military has been ringing the alarm bells, not everyone has been listening. Even some of the Pentagon’s top leaders aren’t convinced.

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And it should be noted that each of the generals who spoke about a Russia threat came up through the ranks of a military that prepared for a war with the Soviet Union. It is a construct they have known—and been getting ready for—for decades. To resurrect that threat, some argue, is to bring back a comfortable, conventional foe in the face of a rising asymmetric one like ISIS.

An April CNN poll among Americans asked what is the biggest threat to the country. Russia came in behind ISIS, Iran, and North Korea.

Michael McFaul, professor of political science at Stanford University and former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said ranking the Russia threat was ancillary. The military’s responsibility is to make the public aware of future threats, he said.

The U.S. military leadership “is trying to bring attention to this new threat. They will be the ones that will go before the president and say, ‘This is the contingency plan,’” McFaul said. “We are going to be dealing with the Russian challenge for a long time. Preventative action could help you avoid military action later.”

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Page 3

Carter Crafts Close Team of Chiefs to Finish Out Obama Years
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:21 AM

Defense One - All Content

With a background that includes infantry command and Special Forces, Gen. Mark Milley on Friday will become 39th Army chief, taking over for Gen. Raymond Odierno, perhaps the most outspoken military general in recent years. Milley is more than qualified for the job. But the personal bond he formed with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter years ago on a flight over Afghanistan certainly helped.

“I had a lot of opportunities to observe Mark on the ground leading our coalition of allies and partners and helping the Afghan people prepare to take responsibility for their own security,” Carter said as he announced Milley’s nomination in May.

Carter recounted a trip with Milley to Herat, Afghanistan, the day after an attack on the U.S.consulate. There he watched Milley “take command of the scene.”

“I was impressed by his candor and good judgment, and I knew right away that he had even more to offer to the United States Army,” Carter said.

The personal relationships and bonds forged between Carter and senior military leaders over the years shaped his recommendations to President Barack Obama as the nation’s top uniformed positions opened up.

With Milley, there was that flight in Afghanistan. With Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, whom Carter would recommend as commandant, there were meetings at the Pentagon meetings. Navy Adm. John Richardson, like Carter, holds a bachelor’s degree in physics. Now he is nominated to be the next chief of naval operations.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford and Air Force Gen. Paul Selva are considered two of the most strategic thinkers in the military. “We saw in them the same strategic perspective, operational experience, sound judgment, and total candor we value every day in our current leadership,” Carter said of Dunford and Selva, after he nominated them in May.

Becoming defense secretary during the latter stages of Obama’s second term means Carter has mere months —17 to be precise — to make an impact. That’s why he has surrounded himself with a familiar core of analytically minded leaders, several defense and military officials say.

“He needs people that he knows how they think, how they operate, already,” one defense official said.

And it’s not just on the uniformed side. When Carter needed an Army undersecretary, he chose a known quantity in Eric Fanning, his chief of staff. A former Air Force undersecretary, Fanning was the service’s acting secretary for several months before Secretary Deborah Lee James was confirmed. It is widely believed Fanning quickly will be tapped to replace Army Secretary John McHugh, who has announced he will retire in November.

Such relationships ought to allow these leaders to hit the ground running in their new jobs, allowing more time to work through Carter’s to-do list, Pentagon sources say. Carter has laid out a bold agenda, from personnel reforms through his Force of the Future initiative to trying to better relations between the Pentagon and tech community.

With the exception of the Air Force, timing has allowed Carter to hand-pick a new chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the military heads of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. He’ll also pick a new Army secretary in the coming months.

The Senate, in a matter of months, has confirmed all of the men selected for the top military positions with little drama throughout the process.

Selva, an Air Force cargo pilot, has already taken his seat in the Pentagon in a low-key Friday ceremony two weeks ago. There was no fanfare, no press conference, just a few pictures posted on Carter’s Flickr account.

There’s Neller, with whom Carter bonded on the battlefield and at the Pentagon in 2011 and 2012 where they worked together on projects to get those who were deployed essential equipment. At the time, Neller was the Joint Staff’s director of operations and Carter was the deputy defense secretary.

“We collaborated in the Warfighting Senior Integration Group, where we focused on providing urgent support to troops in the field in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” Carter said at Neller’s nomination announcement in May.

“[W]e traveled together, [in] the theater, around this country, where I saw Bob’s outstanding relationship with our troops,” Carter said. “He loves them, he relates to them, and they light up when he’s talking to them.”

Finally there’s Richardson, the head of the Navy’s nuclear programs who is the next chief of naval operations. Carter has called Richardson “a bold thinker, a tremendous leader, and the go-to officer for many of the Navy’s tough issues in recent years.”

In the coming weeks, these men will take their seats inside the Pentagon. Most will likely remain when Carter is likely to depart in early 2017. Whether they can enact his reforms before then remains to be seen. Many of the ideas would require congressional approval — no sure thing as the presidential race heats up.

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Pentagon Fears It’s Not Ready for a War With Putin - The Daily Beast
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:20 AM

Photo Illustration by Alex Williams/The Daily Beast

A series of classified exercises over the summer has raised concerns inside the Defense Department that its forces are not prepared for a sustained military campaign against Russia, two defense officials told The Daily Beast.

Many within the military believe that 15 years of counter terrorism warfare has left the ground troops ill prepared to maintain logistics or troops levels should Russia make an advance on NATO allies, the officials said.

Among the challenges the exercises revealed were that the number of precision-guided munitions available across the force were short of the war plans and it would be difficult to sustain a large troop presence.

“Could we probably beat the Russians today [in a sustained battle]? Sure, but it would take everything we had,” one defense official said. “What we are saying is that we are not as ready as we want to be.”

One classified “tabletop exercise” or “TTX”—a kind of in-office war game—“told us that the wars [in Iraq and Afghanistan] have depleted our sustainment capability,” a second defense official explained, using military jargon for the ability to maintain a fight. The exercise was led by the Department of Defense and involved several other federal agencies.

In recent months, the top officers of the military have begun to call Putin’s Russia an “existential threat” to the United States. The results of those exercises—and Russian-backed forces’ latest advance in Ukraine—didn’t exactly tamp down those fears.

But these concerns about readiness and sustainability are not universally held—not even inside the Pentagon. Nor is there a consensus about the kind of risk Putin's Russia really poses. Everyone in the U.S. security establishment acknowledges that Moscow has roughly 4,000 nuclear weapons, the world’s third largest military budget, and an increasingly bellicose leader. There’s little agreement on how likely that threat could be.

“A war between Russian and NATO is an unlikely scenario given the severe repercussions Russia would face. In addition to the overwhelming reaction it would provoke, Russia’s aging military equipment and strained logistical capabilities make a successful offensive attack a very difficult proposition for them,” one U.S. intelligence official told The Daily Beast. “In short, direct conflict with Russia is a low probability, high-risk situation. The challenge of Putin’s erratic leadership is that low probability events are slightly more probable.”

The U.S. military still has the upper hand in so many ways, after all. But there are limits—severe limits—on those advantages. For its air power, for example, the U.S. military would be leaning on worn out fighter pilots and limited maintenance abilities for their planes. And the surveillance drones needed would have to be drawn from other conflict zones.

“Against an adversary like Russia, we can’t take the kind of air dominance we’ve had in conflicts since 9/11 for granted,” a second defense official explained. “Any conflict of significant magnitude against an adversary like Russia means we’d need to commit airmen and resources that are now operating in other parts of the world at a rate that minimizes their ability to train for that kind of fight.”

The official added, “We may very well be able to provide the airpower that would allow us and our allies to prevail in a high-end fight, but the current state of our air forces definitely doesn’t make that a sure bet.”

Around the time of that TTX, in June, the U.S. military also conducted four major field exercises with its NATO counterparts, called Allied Shield, consisting of 15,000 troops and 19 member countries. In March, Russia conducted its own exercises, at one point deploying as many as 80,000 personnel.

“The focus of the exercises is on what each side sees as its most exposed areas, with NATO concentrating on the Baltic States and Poland whilst Russia is focusing primarily on the Arctic and High North, Kaliningrad, occupied Crimea, and its border areas with NATO members Estonia and Latvia,” is how one reported summarized the dueling manuevers (PDF).

And like the tabletop exercise, Allied Shield suggested the U.S. could not maintain a sustained fight against the Russians.

Moreover, Russia’s blend of special forces, local proxies, weaponized propaganda, cyber espionage, and sneak attacks has many in the U.S. military struggling to figure out how to respond. Of course, they want to check Russian aggression—especially if Putin makes a move for America’s NATO allies in the Baltics. They’re not sure how do to that without starting down the path towards World War III. Especially now that Russia has declared itself open to the notion of using first-strike nuclear weapons in a conventional conflict.

The Daily Beast’s Anna Nemtsova, who is currently with U.S. military trainers in Ukraine, asked one of them what they would they do if their units were suddenly surrounded by Russian-backed forces.

“Let me think for a moment, that is a difficult one,” the American soldier said.

At his last briefing with reporters, Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, the outgoing Chief of Staff of the Army, said NATO exercises conducted in Europe exposed even small challenges that could have outsized impact in a fight against Russia.

“One of the things we learned is the logistical challenges we have in Eastern Europe. For example, Eastern Europe has a different gauge railroad than Western Europe [where U.S. has traditionally trained] does so moving supplies is a more difficult. So we are learning great lessons like that,” Odierno said.

“We may very well be able to provide the airpower that would allow us to prevail in a fight, but the current state of our air forces definitely doesn’t make that a sure bet.”

More serious was Odierno’s warning that “only 33 percent” of the U.S. Army’s brigades are sufficiently trained to confront Russia. That’s far short of the 60 percent needed. Odierno said that he does not believe the Army will reach those levels for several more years.

During the height of the Cold War, there were roughly 250,000 U.S. troops deployed to Europe. After the first Gulf War, that number fell to roughly to 91,000. That number today stands at 31,000—although some additional troops have been added since the stealth invasion of Ukraine.

And yet, many throughout government are not nearly as worried as the military. In fact, these insiders suspect that the Pentagon’s warning is more a means to seek leverage amid threats of budget cuts. The military is hoping to stave off major cuts to its ground force and cash flow, as the war in Afghanistan winds down.

Lawrence Korb—a senior fellow at the Washington D.C.-based Center for American Progress, which is closely aligned with the Obama White House and the Hillary Clinton campaign, said that he believes the military is taking advantage of Russian aggressions over the last two years to fight its budget battles.

Further, Korb is not convinced the exercises reflect reality, noting the U.S. spends roughly $600 billion on its defense compared to Russia’s $60 billion. Russian weapons are far less modern, and Putin had to abandon his $400 billion plan to upgrade them earlier this year as the Russian ruble fell.

“We’d clean their clocks. [Russian troops are] not that good. They are not as modern,” Korb said. “I think [the military] took advantage of recent Russian aggression because it has become clear we would not use large ground armies” to confront groups like the self proclaimed Islamic State.”

The U.S. military is now worried about Russia “in the same way the Navy [once] talked about the Chinese” to stop cuts to its budget, he added.

But Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who retired in 2012 as the commander of U.S. Army Europe, said that the Russian threat existed far before the latest budget squabbles. And when he raised them in 2010, they fell on deaf ears.

“We were beating the drum of Russia in 2010 and we were told [by Washington officials], ‘You are still in the Cold War.’ All the things we predicted would happen, happened, but it wasn’t at the forefront of the time,” Hertling said.

“This gets to a lack of trust between the government and the military,” Hertling added. “We were monitoring Russian movement and they were increasing not only their budget but their pace of operation and their development of new equipment. They were repeatedly aggressive and provocative even though we were trying to work with them.”

Since then, the Army has shrunk rapidly—by 80,000 troops. Should Congress enact the across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration, the Army could fall from 450,000 soldiers to 420,000, making it the smallest U.S. ground force since the end of World War II. Odierno has called such figures dangerous.

“The unrelenting budget impasse has compelled us to degrade readiness to historically low levels,” Odierno said last month at a conference.

Either way, the London-based European Leadership Network released a report Wednesday, and concluded the dueling large scale military exercises are aggravating tensions, not deterring the opposing side, as intended.

“Russia is preparing for a conflict with NATO, and NATO is preparing for a possible confrontation with Russia. We do not suggest that the leadership of either side has made a decision to go to war or that a military conflict between the two is inevitable, but that the changed profile of exercises is a fact and it does play a role in sustaining the current climate of tensions in Europe,” found the report, titled Preparing for the Worst: Are Russian and NATO Military Exercises Making War in Europe more Likely?

Read the whole story

· · · · · · ·

A Better Deal With Iran Is Possible
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:20 AM

Defense One - All Content

Imagine you’re a conflicted lawmaker in the U.S. Congress. You’ve heard all the arguments about the Iran nuclear agreement, pro and con. A vote on the deal is coming up in September and you have to make a decision. But you are torn.

Most of your colleagues don’t share your angst. They have concluded that the risks of the nuclear accord far exceed its benefits. They will vote to disapprove.

Some take the opposing view. They accept President Barack Obama’s argument that the agreement will effectively block Iran from developing a nuclear weapon for a very long time at little risk to U.S. interests.

You are in a third group. You recognize the substantial achievements in the deal, such as Iran’s commitment to cut its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98 percent, gut the core of its plutonium reactor, and mothball thousands of centrifuges. But you have also heard experts identify a long list of gaps, risks, and complications. These range from the three and a half weeks that Iran can delay inspections of suspect sites, to the billions of dollars that Iran will reap from sanctions relief—some of which will surely end up in the hands of terrorists.

For his part, the president seems to believe that he negotiated a near-perfect deal. In his recent speech at American University, he described the pact as a “permanent” solution to the Iranian nuclear problem. It was a shift from when hetold an NPR interviewer in April that once limitations on Iran’s centrifuges and enrichment activities expire in 15 years, Iran’s breakout time to a nuclear weapon would be “shrunk almost down to zero.” Both statements—achieving a “permanent” solution and Iran having near-zero breakout time—cannot be true.

The president has said a “better deal” is a fantasy. But you never took seriously the unknowable assertion that the Iran accord is “the best deal possible,” as though any negotiator emerging from talks would suggest that what he or she has received is anything but “the best deal possible.” And you cringe whenever advocates of the agreement hype its achievements as “unprecedented,” knowing this is not a synonym for “guaranteed effective.”

You may not believe in unicorns, as Secretary of State John Kerry said you must to accept the idea of a “better deal,” but you have been impressed by suggestions on how to strengthen the agreement. The United States could even implement many of these proposals without reopening negotiations with the Iranians and the P5+1 group of world powers. Here are several such options:

Consequences: Repair a glaring gap in the agreement, which offers no clear, agreed-upon penalties for Iranian violations of the deal’s terms short of the last-resort punishment of a “snapback” of UNsanctions against Iran. This is akin to having a legal code with only one punishment—the death penalty—for every crime, from misdemeanors to felonies; the result is that virtually all crimes will go unpunished. The solution is to reach understandings now with America’s European partners, the core elements of which should be made public, on the appropriate penalties to be imposed for a broad spectrum of Iranian violations. These violations could range from delaying access for international inspectors to suspect sites, to attempting to smuggle prohibited items outside the special “procurement channel” that will be created for all nuclear-related goods, to undertaking illicit weapons-design programs. The Iran deal gives the UN Security Council wide berth to define such penalties at a later date, but the penalties have no value in deterring Iran from violating the accord unless they are clarified now.
Deterrence: Reach understandings now with European and other international partners about penalties to be imposed on Iran should it transfer any windfall funds from sanctions relief to its regional allies and terrorist proxies rather than spend it on domestic economic needs. U.S. and Western intelligence agencies closely track the financial and military support that Iran provides its allies, and will be carefully following changes in Iran’s disbursement of such assistance. To be effective, these new multilateral sanctions should impose disproportionate penalties on Iran for every marginal dollar sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, etc. Since these sanctions are unrelated to the nuclear issue, they are not precluded by the terms of the Iran agreement.

Pushback: Ramp up U.S. and allied efforts to counter Iran’s negative actions in the Middle East, including interdicting weapons supplies to Hezbollah, Assad, and the Houthis in Yemen; designating as terrorists more leaders of Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq that are committing atrocities; expanding the training and arming of not only the Iraqi security forces but also the Kurdish peshmerga in the north and vetted Sunni forces in western Iraq; and working with Turkey to create a real safe haven in northern Syria where refugees can obtain humanitarian aid and vetted, non-extremist opposition fighters can be trained and equipped to fight against both ISIS and the Iran-backed Assad regime.
Declaratory policy: Affirm as a matter of U.S. policy that the United States will use all means necessary to prevent Iran’s accumulation of the fissile material (highly enriched uranium) whose sole useful purpose is for a nuclear weapon. Such a statement, to be endorsed by a congressional resolution, would go beyond the “all options are on the table” formulation that, regrettably, has lost all credibility in the Middle East as a result of the president’s public rejection of the military option. Just as Iran will claim that all restrictions on enrichment disappear after the fifteenth year of the agreement, the United States should go on record now as saying that it will respond with military force should Iran exercise that alleged right in a way that could only lead to a nuclear weapon. It is not for the president 15 years from now to make this declaration; to be effective and enshrined asU.S. doctrine, it should come from the president who negotiated the original deal with Iran.
Israeli deterrence: Ensure that Israel retains its own independent deterrent capability against Iran’s potential nuclear weapon by committing to providing technology to the Israelis that would secure this objective over time. A good place to start would be proposing to transfer to Israel the 30,000-pound, bunker-busting Massive Ordnance Penetrator—the only non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal that could do serious damage to Iran’s underground nuclear installations—and the requisite aircraft to carry this weapon. This alone would not substitute for U.S. efforts to build deterrence against Iran. But making sure Israel has its own assets would be a powerful complement.

You wish the president would embrace these sound, sensible suggestions. Inexplicably, he hasn’t. And nothing in the administration’s public posture suggests that he will change course before Congress votes.

So, what will you do?

Some of your colleagues have floated the idea of a “conditional yes” as an alternative to “approve” and “disapprove.” They, like you, recognize that the agreement has some significant advantages but are deeply troubled by its risks and costs. They want to attach strings to their “yes” vote, in the belief that this will bind the president and improve the deal.

But the legislation enabling Congress to review the Iran deal does not accommodate a “conditional yes.” Votes are to “approve” or “disapprove.” Legislators may negotiate with the White House over every comma and colon in a resolution of conditionality, and they may even secure one or two grudging concessions from the White House. But neither a resolution of Congress calling for these improvements nor ad-hoc understandings between the White House and individual legislators has the force of law or policy. According to the Iran-review legislation, the only thing that matters is a yea or nay on the agreement.

Is there really no “third way”?

The answer is yes, there is. Pursuing it requires understanding what the relevant congressional legislation is really about.

Advocates of the agreement have characterized a congressional vote of disapproval as the opening salvo of the next Middle East war. In reality, a “no” vote may have powerful symbolic value, but it has limited practical impact according to the law. It does not, for example, negate the administration’s vote at the UN Security Council in support of the deal, which sanctified the agreement in international law. Nor does it require the president to enforce U.S.sanctions against Iran with vigor. Its only real meaning is to restrict the president’s authority under the law to suspend nuclear-related sanctions on Iran.

Here’s the catch: By the terms of the nuclear agreement, the president only decides to suspend those sanctions after international inspectors certify that Iran has fulfilled its core requirements. In other words, congressional disapproval has no direct impact on the actions Iran must take under the agreement to shrink its enriched-uranium stockpile, mothball thousands of centrifuges, and deconstruct the core of its Arak plutonium reactor. Most experts believe that process will take six to nine months, or until the spring of 2016.

Why would Iran do all of these things if it can’t count on the United States to suspend sanctions in response? While it’s impossible to predict with certainty how Iranian leaders would react to congressional disapproval of the agreement, I’d argue chances are high that they would follow through on their commitments anyway, because the deal is simply that good for Iran. After Iran fulfills its early obligations, all United Nations and European Union nuclear-related sanctions come to an end. They aren’t just suspended like U.S. sanctions—they are terminated, presenting Iran with the potential for huge financial and political gain.

The “deal or war” thesis propounded by supporters of the agreement suggests that Iran, in the event of U.S. rejection of the deal, would prefer to bypass that financial and political windfall and instead put its nuclear program into high gear, risking an Israeli and American military response. But that volte-face makes little sense, now that Iran has painstakingly built a nuclear program that is on the verge of achieving the once-unthinkable legitimacy that comes with an international accord implicitly affirming Iran’s right to unrestricted enrichment in the future. In such a scenario, Iran would reap an additional benefit in continuing to implement the agreement: The United States, not Iran, would be isolated diplomatically.

The key point is that a “no” vote on the Iran deal has little practical impact until next year. Between now and then, such a vote buys time, adding up to nine months to the strategic clock. If, before the vote, Obama refuses to adopt a comprehensive set of remedial measures that improves the deal, then a resounding vote of disapproval gives the president additional time to take such action and then ask Congress to endorse his new-and-improved proposal.

Chastened by a stinging congressional defeat in September—one that would include a powerful rebuke by substantial members of his own party—the president might be more willing to correct the flaws in the deal than he is today. That would surely be a more responsible and statesmanlike approach than purposefully circumventing the will of Congress through executive action that effectively lifts sanctions—an alternative the president might consider if he is hell-bent on implementing the agreement.

Those who claim that a “no” vote would destroy the agreement argue that Europe would simply stop enforcing sanctions against Iran should Congress reject the deal. But this too doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny. In my view, the Europeans are more likely to wait six to nine months to see whether Iran fulfills its core requirements under the deal so that they can claim validation for their decision to terminate sanctions. If Congress were to approve Obama’s new-and-improved proposal before Iran complies with its requirements, the United States would still be on schedule to waive its sanctions at the same time that the European Union and United Nations terminate theirs.

So, if you are among the legislators who view the Iran agreement as flawed and are frustrated by the administration’s unwillingness to implement reasonable fixes, there is a way to urge the president to pursue the “better deal” that he keeps urging his detractors to formulate, but that he can’t seem to accept as a possibility. “No” doesn’t necessarily mean “no, never.” It can also mean “not now, not this way.” It may be the best way to get to “yes.”

Read the whole story

· · · · · · · · ·

Pentagon scoffs at Islamic State list of private info of U.S. government, military personnel
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:19 AM

The Pentagon is currently investigating the release of over 1,400 names, emails and passwords belonging to U.S. military, state and federal government personnel that was posted Tuesday onTwitter by a pro-Islamic State hacking group.

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jeffrey Pool pentagon-said-the-namesemails-and-passwords-uploaded-to-twitter-by-a-group-calling-itself-the-islamic-state-hacking-division-appear-to-be-not-only-out-of-date-and-incorrectly-formatted/article/432623/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter” target=”_blank”>told <a href="http://SCMagazine.com" rel="nofollow">SCMagazine.com</a> the information released appears to be either old or incorrect.

“The passwords listed do not pass in any form our strength test,” Lt. Col. Pool said, comparing them to a password the average person would quickly create in order to register online for an event.

He added that the email addresses listed do not match the format currently in use, but instead reflect an older configuration that has been out of use for several years, <a href="http://SCMagazine.com" rel="nofollow">SCMagazine.com</a> reported.

It was not made clear how the group, known as the Islamic State Hacking Division, obtained the personal information, but Col. Pool said the list did include names of people outside the military and that the FBI had taken over that aspect of the investigation.

The Pentagon has not increased its threat stance or asked its members for additional vigilance in response to the data dump.

An anonymous representative for the group issued Wednesday a chilling threat, saying members of the terrorist organization would behead U.S. military members in their homes, and warning the attacks could come “very soon.”

This is not the first time a pro-Islamic State hacking group has caused a problem for the Department of Defense. In January, a group calling themselves the CyberCaliphate hacked the U.S. Central Command Twitter and YouTube accounts.

Tuesday’s incident is not associated with an attack last month on the Pentagon’s unclassified email system that affected 4,000 accounts. Pentagon officials have suggested Russia could be behind that attack.

Russian missile corvette replaces Egyptian ship sunk by ISIS
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:18 AM

DEBKAFile

August 14, 2015, 6:14 PM (IDT)

DEBKAfile Exclusive: The Egyptian Navy took delivery Sunday of a Russian "Lightning" missile Corvette R-32 (NATO coded: Moskit P-27) to replace the ship sunk by an Islamic State Kornet anti-tank missile on July 16 off the Sinai coast of Rafah. The new vessel is already in service with the Egyptian Navy. It is armed with high-speed SS-N-22 rockets capable of Mach 2.2 at low altitude and Mach 3 at high altitude. The ISIS attack on the Egyptian ship raised concerns about the security of sea traffic on the Mediterranean and in the Suez Canal.

Former Bragg officer to become Army commanding general
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 11:15 AM

Www.Washingtontimes.Com Stories: Security

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - An officer who was most recently the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg is taking over as the Army's top officer.

The Fayetteville Observer reported (http://bit.ly/1TxLwpp) Gen. Mark A. Milley will take over as the Army chief of staff in a ceremony ...

Next Page of Stories

Page 4

Marco Rubio slams Obama's outreach to Iran and Cuba

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Introducing ‘The Rundown,’ Your Guide to the Best Recent Content on Russia
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:28 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

The Institute of Modern Russia is introducing a new section on imrussia.org called “The Rundown,” which features digests compiled by IMR experts of the best content related to Russia. The section contains four categories: media must-reads, research recaps, event briefings, and book reviews.

Realm of Darkness
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:28 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

On July 8, the Dynasty Foundation, Russia’s largest private donor supporting science, was shut down after the Ministry of Justice added this organization to its list of foreign agents. Earlier, Dynasty founder Dmitry Zimin announced that he is ceasing its financing, and left Russia. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina analyzes recent changes in the legislation, arguing that they are damaging to the country.

Putin’s Role in the Iran Deal, KGB Hallucinations, and Saakashvili Takes On Odessa
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Why exactly did the Kremlin play such a helpful role in the Iran nuclear talks? The New York Times examined the issue in an insightful analysis, one of this week’s media highlights selected by IMR. Also, journalist Oleg Kashin looks at how a top Russian official fabricated an incendiary quote and attributed it to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Putin’s Role in the Iran Deal, KGB Hallucinations, and MH17 Crash
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Is Russia Planning a Summer Offensive in Ukraine?
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has been simmering for months, but speculation has risen that the Kremlin could order a major attack on Ukrainian positions in the coming weeks. Independent journalist Luke Johnson interprets the mixed signals coming from Moscow and the separatist “people’s republics,” finding that there may be strategic logic behind the rebels’ current holding pattern.

Russia’s Image, Nations in Transit, and Security Threats to the Baltics
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

The Forsa Research Center • Public Opinion Research Center • The World Justice Project • Freedom House • Center for European Policy Analysis • The Finnish Institute of International Affairs

Next Page of Stories

Page 2

Views of the Ukraine Crisis, and Russian Media and Politics
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Brookings Institution • Carnegie Endowment

Vitaly Portnikov: ‘Ukraine Will Have Friendly and Honest Relations with a Russia That Seeks European Integration’
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of interviews with experts on the situation in Russia, its relations with the West, and the future of the country’s political system. On the eve of the anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Donetsk, journalist Leonid Martynyuk spoke with Ukrainian writer Vitaly Portnikov about the various theories that exist regarding the cause of the tragedy, the possibility of an international tribunal to investigate the incident, Putin’s plans with regard to Ukraine, and future relations between the two countries.

Omsk Tragedy, Cold War Mapmakers, and Putin’s ‘Useful Idiots’
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:27 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

In this week’s media highlights, military expert Alexander Golts argues that corruption in Russia’s defense industry is to blame for the tragic collapse of an Omsk barracks. Also, journalist Peter Pomerantsev writes that the Western media is playing into Putin’s hands by comparing today’s U.S.-Russia relations as a new Cold War.

Russia’s Currency Reserves: More than Enough or Alarmingly Low?
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:26 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Russia’s foreign currency reserves have plummeted by more than $140 billion since the beginning of 2014, but the current level of $360 billion is more than adequate to cover short-term debt payments. Because of the structure of the reserves, however, they are actually more vulnerable than appears at first glance, writes IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer.

What Will the U.S. Do About the Russian ‘Threat’?
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:26 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Think Tank Controversy, Muslims in Moscow, and Travails of an Exiled Oligarch
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:26 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Reporter James Kirchick ignited an intense debate this week with an article in The Daily Beast that examined whether the Carnegie Moscow Center has lost its objectivity and become too friendly toward the Kremlin. Also, Catherine Belton of Financial Times interviewed exiled former oligarch Sergei Pugachev, who said he helped bring Vladimir Putin to power.

Next Page of Stories

Page 3

Media Must-Reads: Russia’s Brain Drain, Dashcams for Freedom, and ‘Putin Is a Dick’
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:25 PM

Home - Institute Of Modern Russia

Russian official denies reports of Iranian general’s secret visit
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:25 PM

Europe

Rumors of travel to Moscow by Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani embolden U.S. foes of the Iran nuclear deal.

Read the whole story

· · ·

Russia in Review
Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:20 PM

Belfer Center For Science And International Affairs - The US-Russia Initiative To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

August 14, 2015

Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism for August 7-14, 2015

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Mike Nova's Shared NewsLinks Review

» Kerry reopens US Cuba embassy after 54 years
14/08/15 11:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 14, 2015, 6:26 PM (IDT) John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the reopening of the US embassy in Havana Friday. The same US marines who brou...

» Pentagon: Team Obama Is ‘Too Timid’ on Putin
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mikenova shared this story . America’s military brass keeps calling Russia an ‘existential’ danger to the U.S.—and the White House isn’t exactly thrilled. Every time a U.S. military commander calls Russia th...

» Carter Crafts Close Team of Chiefs to Finish Out Obama Years
14/08/15 11:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Defense One - All Content. With a background that includes infantry command and Special Forces, Gen. Mark Milley on Friday will become 39th Army chief, taking over for Gen. Raymond Odierno, perhaps the mos...

» Pentagon Fears It’s Not Ready for a War With Putin
14/08/15 11:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Clinton could still become president after her email scandal, but a decorated Marine is being forced out over one classified report he sent to avert a disaster. No matter how much classified material is found...

» Pentagon Fears It’s Not Ready for a War With Putin - The Daily Beast
14/08/15 11:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Photo Illustration by Alex Williams/The Daily Beast A series of classified exercises over the summer has raised concerns inside the Defense Department that its forces are not prepared for a sustained military...

» A Better Deal With Iran Is Possible
14/08/15 11:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Defense One - All Content. Imagine you’re a conflicted lawmaker in the U.S. Congress. You’ve heard all the arguments about the Iran nuclear agreement , pro and con. A vote on the deal is ...

» Pentagon scoffs at Islamic State list of private info of U.S. government, military personnel
14/08/15 11:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The Pentagon is currently investigating the release of over 1,400 names, emails and passwords belonging to U.S. military , state and federal government personnel that was posted Tuesday on Twitter by a pro-Is...

» Russian missile corvette replaces Egyptian ship sunk by ISIS
14/08/15 11:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 14, 2015, 6:14 PM (IDT) DEBKAfile Exclusive: The Egyptian Navy took delivery Sunday of a Russian "Lightning" missile Corvette R-32 (NATO coded: Moskit P-27) to replace the ship ...

» Former Bragg officer to become Army commanding general
14/08/15 11:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - An officer who was most recently the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg is taking over as the Army's top offic...

» Marco Rubio slams Obama's outreach to Iran and Cuba
14/08/15 11:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. NEW YORK (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio is slamming President Barack Obama's outreach to Iran and Cuba, calling his diplomacy with the...

» Military says it is committed to fairness in Manning case
14/08/15 11:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
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» Islamic State used mustard gas against Kurdish peshmerga fighters: report
14/08/15 11:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. The U.S. is investigating what it says are "credible" reports that the Islamic State militant group used mustard gas in an attack against Kurdish peshmerga fighte...

» Inside the Ring: NSA Pinpoints China’s Cyberattacks
14/08/15 11:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. A secret National Security Agency document has revealed the massive nature of China’s cyberattacks against the United States, with nearly 700 intrusions in private-sector and govern...

» NY man gets 16-year sentence for trying to support jihadists
14/08/15 11:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. For the second time, an Albanian man living in New York was been sentenced to prison after admitting he tried to support terrorists in Pakistan.

» Russia denies hosting top Iranian commander
14/08/15 11:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. A senior Russian diplomat has strongly denied claims that an Iranian general has visited Moscow in violation of the United Nations sanctions.

» Poll: Terror tops Americans' foreign policy concerns
14/08/15 11:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. Within the Republican Party, there is a significant divide between those who desire a more active and a more passive foreign policy.

» Man pleads guilty to taking drugs from military hospital
14/08/15 11:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. A former Army pharmacy specialist has pleaded guilty to stealing drugs from a military hospital.

» U.S. and Turkey Face Questions in Anti-ISIS Effort
14/08/15 11:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Two weeks after the United States and Turkey announced the plan, it is unclear which forces will fight the jihadists and what support they will receive.

» Egypt: 2 Groups Handled Hostage, Croatia Says
14/08/15 11:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). A Croatian expatriate worker believed to have been beheaded by the Islamic State’s Egyptian affiliate was initially abducted by a different group that deman...

» Rwandan spies target government critics abroad: Canadian report
14/08/15 11:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from intelNews.org. The government of Rwanda uses intelligence operatives to systematically spy on, harass, and even kill opposition figures living abroad, according to a report issued by a Canadian security ag...

» FTC Chair Ramirez Cools Tech Antitrust Concerns - U.S. News & World Report
14/08/15 11:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from house judiciary committee - Google News. U.S. News & World Report FTC Chair Ramirez Cools Tech Antitrust Concerns U.S. News & World Report House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., commended...

» Will Huma Abedin Survive the Clinton Scandal Vortex? - National Review Online
14/08/15 11:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from house judiciary committee - Google News. National Review Online Will Huma Abedin Survive the Clinton Scandal Vortex? National Review Online And in court on Monday, Hillary Clinton admitted Abedin had an e-...

» Grassley blasts White House over Cuban criminals
14/08/15 11:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from THonline.com - ,. © Copyright 2015, THonline.com , Dubuque, IA . Powered by BLOX Content Management System from TownNews.com . [ Terms of Use | Privacy Policy ]

» Cuba: Now comes the hard part - Politico
14/08/15 11:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from house judiciary committee - Google News. Politico Cuba: Now comes the hard part Politico But so far the momentum has come almost entirely from the White House , and the newly opened embassies mark the fina...

» On His Birthday, Fidel Castro Wants US to Repay Cuba the Millions it Owes
14/08/15 11:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Fidel Castro turned 89 on Thursday, and to mark his birthday, the former Cuban President requested that the United States pay back the "many millions of dollars" owed to his country bec...

» Hollande Under Fire After Newspaper Reveals True Cost of Mistral Fiasco
14/08/15 11:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. French President Francois Hollande faces pressure after a newspaper revealed that the true cost of breaking the Mistral contract with Russia may be more than double the declared sum.

» US Navy Dreams of Stealth Jets, Carrier-Launched Drones, Laser Weapons
14/08/15 11:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. A top US Navy commander unveiled the force's vision for the future of its carrier-based air power, and it involves stealth fighter jets, carrier-launched drones, submarine-detecting hel...

» Belarus Air Force Boosts Orders of Ultra-Modern Russian Yak-130 Jets
14/08/15 11:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Belarus has ordered new combat aircraft from Russia, according to the commander of Belarus' Air Force and Air Defense Forces.

» Saudi Arabia Setting Terms for Purchase of Russian Iskander Missiles
14/08/15 11:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Saudi Arabia is discussing buying Russian-made Iskander tactical missile systems.

» 'Kurdish forces attacked with chemical arms in Iraq'
14/08/15 11:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. The German Defense Ministry says Daesh terrorists have launched a chemical attack on Kurdish forces fighting the militants in northern Iraq.

» US military data stolen by Daesh's ‘Hacking Division’
14/08/15 11:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. A so-called “hacking division” of the Daesh Takfiri group has released names, home addresses and other sensitive details of hundreds of US military and embassy staff in an a...

» Abadi censures US commander over remarks on splitting Iraq
14/08/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has strongly condemned a top US military commander over his remarks on the possibility of the disintegration of Iraq.

» Department of Defense Press Briefing with Gen. Odierno on the State of the Army in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room
14/08/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. No description

» General Discusses Afghan Forces, Security, ISIL Threat
14/08/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Afghan forces are fully responsible for their nation’s security but still need and deserve the broad support of U.S. and coalition forces .

» Ukraine Posts Video Of Captured ‘Russian Soldier’ Asking For Putin’s Help
14/08/15 11:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. Ukraine’s state security agency has released a new video purporting to show a Russian army officer who was detained last month in eastern Ukraine appealing to President Vladimir Putin t...

» Why The Taliban Criticized An IS Video As 'Horrific' And 'Un-Islamic'
14/08/15 11:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. When militants affiliated with the extremist group Islamic State (IS) issued a video showing prisoners being blown up with explosives, the Afghan Taliban condemned it as "horrific."

» Moderate Syrian Opposition Leader Rejects Russian-Iranian Peace Plan
14/08/15 11:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from GlobalSecurity.org. The leader of a political coalition of moderate Syrian opposition forces has told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that a Russian-Iranian proposal to end Syria's four-year-old civ...

» Pot bust: FBI seizes 1500 plants, cash, gun in Providence raid - The Providence Journal
14/08/15 10:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. Pot bust: FBI seizes 1500 plants, cash, gun in Providence raid The Providence Journal An FBI investigation culminated in 10 search warrants being served Wednesday at the two addresses, a...

» The FBI Agent Who Hunted N.W.A - Daily Beast
14/08/15 10:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. Daily Beast The FBI Agent Who Hunted N.W.A Daily Beast After the letter was made public, the FBI had to publicly clarify that the bureau had no intention of suppressing N.W.A's art or fr...

» FBI catches swatter who said “you can't catch a hacker” | Naked ...
14/08/15 10:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google Blog Search. A young swatter who though he was uncatchable has been convicted after the FBI tracked him down via his IP address.

» Germany confirms possible ISIS chemical attack on Kurds
14/08/15 10:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 14, 2015, 10:19 AM (IDT) The German military confirms a possible chemical weapons attack on Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers fighting the Islamic State group (ISIS) in northern Iraq. A US offic...

» China's Long Minsky Moment - The New Yorker
14/08/15 10:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Cyber Warfare - Google News. The New Yorker China's Long Minsky Moment The New Yorker Back in 2007, according to cables released by WikiLeaks, a senior figure in the Chinese Communist Party, Li Keqiang, to...

» Former CIA Officer:Cuba Could Play Bridge-Builder to Restore US-Russia Ties - Sputnik International
14/08/15 10:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. Sputnik International Former CIA Officer:Cuba Could Play Bridge-Builder to Restore US-Russia Ties Sputnik International WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Badly strained US relations with Russia cou...

» Mandy Patinkin to Narrate Showtime CIA Documentary 'The ...
14/08/15 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google Blog Search. Mandy Patinkin is moving from a show about a fake CIA to a project about the real one. The Homeland star will narrate Showtime's new documentary, The Spymasters, which looks at th...

» Showtime To Premiere CIA Documentary 'The Spymasters' In ...
14/08/15 10:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google Blog Search. Showtime announced today at the TCA Summer Press Tour that it will premiere The Spymasters, a documentary that goes inside the workings of the CIA , the world's most powerful and ...

» News Roundup and Notes: August 14, 2015
14/08/15 10:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Just Security. Nadia O'Mara Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad. Here’s today’s news. IRAQ and SYRIA The US suspects...

» 3,340,1113,340,1112015-08-14Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' - CNN
14/08/15 09:20 from Mike Nova - Google+
3,340,111 3,340,111 2015-08-14 Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' - CNN Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' - CNN Friday August 14 th , 2015 at 6:23 AM Top Stories - Google News 1 Share CNN Inte...

» AP EXCLUSIVE: Top secret Clinton emails include drone talk - Washington Post
14/08/15 06:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. AP EXCLUSIVE: Top secret Clinton emails include drone talk Washington Post WASHINGTON — The two emails on Hillary Rodham Clinton's private server that an auditor deemed “top secr...

» Purported ISIS militants post list of...
14/08/15 06:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Google News. Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' CNN International - ‎11 hours ago‎ (CNN) A group calling itself the Islamic State Hacking Division this week posted on...

» Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' - CNN
14/08/15 06:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. CNN International Purported ISIS militants post list of 1400 US 'targets' CNN (CNN) A group calling itself the Islamic State Hacking Division this week posted online a purported ...

» US believes Islamic State likely used mustard agent in Iraq attack: WSJ - Reuters
14/08/15 06:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Reuters US believes Islamic State likely used mustard agent in Iraq attack: WSJ Reuters WASHINGTON The United States believes Islamic State militants likely used mustard agent in...

» Joe Biden Wades Further Into '16 Bid - New York Times
14/08/15 06:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. New York Times Joe Biden Wades Further Into '16 Bid New York Times WASHINGTON — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is vacationing on Kiawah Island off South Carolina's coast, rid...

» 'US believes ISIS likely used chemical weapons in Iraq attack' - Jerusalem Post Israel News
14/08/15 06:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Jerusalem Post Israel News 'US believes ISIS likely used chemical weapons in Iraq attack' Jerusalem Post Israel News "We have credible information that the agent used in the atta...

» AP Top News at 2:48 a.m. EDT
14/08/15 06:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TheUnion local.com | TheUnion.com. AP Top News at 2:48 a.m. EDT Top US diplomat flies to Cuba for new policy victory lap HAVANA (AP) - Washington's top diplomat is coming to Havana on Friday to raise the S...

» Syrian Opposition Leader: Russia 'Isn't Clinging To Assad'
14/08/15 06:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The leader of the main Syrian opposition group says that Russia is not committed to keeping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power.

» Horse rescued from a well in Chile
14/08/15 06:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:08 After being scared by a passing vehicle, a horse jumped into a well and became stuck. Firefighters rescued the horse in Chile. Report by Asana Gr...

» Ukraine toppled Communist statues but raised a bigger debate
14/08/15 06:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Europe. A new law to erase symbols of the nation’s communist past has sparked questions about national identity.

» Officer Investigated for Jumping Into Car With Teen Suspect
14/08/15 06:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Police officer investigated after video shows him jumping into cruiser with handcuffed teen

» Lewis Fogle: Prisoner freed after spending over 30 years in prison, following DNA test
14/08/15 06:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from - World RSS Feed. A man who was handed a life sentence in connection with the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl over three decades ago has walked free from a Pennsylvania prison, after a DNA test prove...

» War on Isis: Claims militants used chemical weapons against Kurdish fighters in Iraq
14/08/15 06:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from - World RSS Feed. Isis appears to have used chemical weapons against Kurdish fighters, according to officials from the US, Germany and the Kurds themselves.

» 'Isis hacking division' publishes personal details of US targets online urging supporters to attack those listed
14/08/15 06:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from - World RSS Feed. A list of American “targets” – including the FBI and Nasa – has been listed online by a group calling itself the Islamic State hacking division.

» Castro chides US before flag raising
14/08/15 06:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from BBC News - World. Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro fails to mention US embassy reopening in letter marking his 89th birthday.

» 'Credible' That ISIS Used Chemical Agent Against Kurdish Fighters
14/08/15 06:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. "Blistering Agent" Was Used Earlier This Week

» Police Department Offers Heroin Addicts Amnesty, Treatment
14/08/15 06:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Addict amnesty: Police department becomes support center, treatment link for heroin addicts

» Syrian Opposition Leader: "Russia Isn't Clinging to Assad"
14/08/15 06:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Syria's top opposition leader says after talks in Moscow that "Russia isn't clinging to Assad"

» Azerbaijan couple who called for boycott of European Games are jailed
14/08/15 06:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. • Leyla and Arif Yunus handed long sentences for ‘fraud’ • Amnesty International claim charges were fabricated An activist who called for a boycott of the European Games on hu...

» US returns $15m Picasso painting to France after thwarting black market sale
14/08/15 06:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Formal ceremony comes after La Coiffeuse was realised to be missing from Paris’ Museum of Modern Art in 2001 and seized in Newark, New Jersey last year The US government has f...

» Azerbaijan makes a mockery of justice as couple sentenced in political show trial
14/08/15 06:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. No one who witnessed persecution of Leyla and Arif Yunus could doubt that this was a vicious campaign against independent opponents, says Tanya Lokshina The court of grave cri...

» John Kerry to raise US flag at Havana embassy
14/08/15 06:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Kerry will be first secretary of state in 70 years to visit Cuba and will conduct historic ceremony at newly restored embassy The US secretary of state is to raise the America...

» Obama Is Set to Discuss Rights Issues With China
14/08/15 06:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. A top State Department official said Thursday that human rights would feature prominently in talks next month between President Xi Jinping of China and President Obama.

» World Briefing: Azerbaijan: Human Rights Defenders Are Sentenced
14/08/15 06:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. A court on Thursday convicted a human rights defender and her husband on fraud charges, prompting denunciations from rights groups.

» Kerry to Strike Delicate Balance in Havana Trip for Embassy Flag-Raising
14/08/15 06:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. He will attend a ceremony at the diplomatic post, which officially opened in July, before getting the opportunity to talk to dissidents at a separate reception.

» Three people killed, two wounded in attacks in Turkey's southeast
14/08/15 06:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - A Turkish soldier and two Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants were killed in a spate of attacks in Turkey's southeast, security sources said on Friday.

» Islamic State Seen Making Small Inroads In Afghanistan
14/08/15 06:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Islamic State group is making small inroads in Afghanistan and could grow into a more worrisome threat, a U.S. Army general said August 13.

» U.S. Investigating Possible Use Of Mustard Gas By Islamic State
14/08/15 06:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The United States is investigating whether Islamic State militants used mustard gas in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq, in the first indication the militant group may...

» UN Meeting Set On Islamic State Attacks Against Gays
14/08/15 06:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Two gay men from Iraq and Syria will brief the United Nations Security Council August 24 on their experience being targeted by Islamic State militants.

» More Support For Iran Deal Trickles In From U.S. Democrats
14/08/15 06:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Two more Democrats in the U.S. Senate announced support for the Iran nuclear deal August 13 as allies of President Barack Obama inched toward their goal of ensuring Congr...

» Fire Reported At Kazakh Copper Site
14/08/15 06:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Kazakh copper producer Kaz Minerals says a fire occurred overnight at its Bozshakol project in northern Kazakhstan and has since been extinguished.

» U.S. believes Islamic State likely used mustard agent in Iraq attack: WSJ
14/08/15 06:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States believes Islamic State militants likely used mustard agent in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq earlier this week, the first indication the m...

» China investigates cause of blasts at Tianjin port, firms assess damage
14/08/15 06:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. TIANJIN, China (Reuters) - Investigators searched for clues on Friday to identify what caused two huge explosions at a warehouse used to store toxic chemicals and gas at a busy port in...

» Fidel Castro celebrates 89th birthday with leftist allies
14/08/15 06:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. HAVANA (Reuters) - Retired Cuban President Fidel Castro celebrated his 89th birthday on Thursday with two of his country's closest leftist allies from Latin America, a day ahead of a h...

» In another symbol of thawing ties, Kerry to raise U.S. flag at restored Havana embassy
14/08/15 06:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Cuba on Friday to raise the U.S. flag at the recently restored American embassy in Havana, another symbolic step in the...

» North Korea denies laying landmines in DMZ that wounded South soldiers
14/08/15 06:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea rejected on Friday accusations by South Korea that it was responsible for landmine explosions last week inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that wounded t...

» Russia calls on U.S. to drop missile shield plans
14/08/15 06:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia sees no reason for the United States to push forward with plans to deploy a missile shield in Europe following the July nuclear deal with Iran, Russian Deputy...

» US investigating whether Islamic State used chemical weapons
14/08/15 06:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 6 a.m. EDT. EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) -- The United States is investigating whether the Islamic State used chemical weapons, the White House said Thursday, following allegations that IS mil...

» Top US diplomat flies to Cuba for new policy victory lap
14/08/15 06:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 6 a.m. EDT. HAVANA (AP) -- Washington's top diplomat is coming to Havana on Friday to raise the Stars and Stripes over the newly opened U.S. Embassy, making a symbolically charged victo...

» In speech, Rubio slams Obama's outreach to Iran and Cuba
14/08/15 06:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 6 a.m. EDT. NEW YORK (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio is slamming President Barak Obama's outreach to Iran and Cuba, calling his diplomacy with the two nations evid...

» 3,339,7903,339,7902015-08-13Editorial: The U.S. has been complacent and lazy in responding to
14/08/15 01:13 from Mike Nova - Google+
3,339,790 3,339,790 2015-08-13 Editorial: The U.S. has been complacent and lazy in responding to cyberattacks by Editorial Board | » Over 100 Russian mafia dons to meet in Turkey for mob summit 13/08/15 16:41 from Mike Nova's Shared News...

» FBI: Marijuana Union Organizer Took Bribes, Rigged Process - SF Weekly (blog)
13/08/15 18:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. SF Weekly (blog) FBI : Marijuana Union Organizer Took Bribes, Rigged Process SF Weekly (blog) But before a single shop had been organized, Rush took $600,000 in loans from a dispensary o...

» Report Concludes CIA Torture Program was Bolstered by American Psychological ... - UCR Today (press release)
13/08/15 18:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. UCR Today (press release) Report Concludes CIA Torture Program was Bolstered by American Psychological ... UCR Today (press release) Featured in a New York Times story published in April...

» Russia Sends Anti-Western Message With Imports Destruction
13/08/15 18:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from VOAvideo's YouTube Videos. From: VOAvideo Duration: 01:42 Russia has burned flowers from Holland in a battle against Western imports that saw the destruction of hundreds of tons of food in retaliation ...

» The U.S. has been complacent and lazy in responding to cyberattacks
13/08/15 17:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . (Edgar Su/Reuters) By Editorial Board August 12 at 7:56 PM THE DISCLOSURE that Russia was responsible for penetrating the unclassified e-mail system used by the Joint Chiefs of Staff should be disconcerting. ...

» Editorial: The U.S. has been complacent and lazy in responding to cyberattacks
13/08/15 17:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post. THE DISCLOSURE that Russia was responsible for penetrating the unclassified e-mail system used by the Joint C...

» FBI agents raid apartment in Gambrills - WBAL Baltimore
13/08/15 17:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. WBAL Baltimore FBI agents raid apartment in Gambrills WBAL Baltimore Gambrills FBI raid. Photos. Gambrills FBI raid. GAMBRILLS, Md. —The FBI has confirmed that agents raided an apartment...

» States With High Gun Ownership See More Officers Killed
13/08/15 17:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Federal Bureau of Investigation. Researchers have found that police officers in states with the lowest gun ownership rates are less likely to be murdered on the job.

» Security tightened at Naval Academy since Chattanooga shootings
13/08/15 17:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes News. Already, visitors were screened with metal-detecting wands during popular Commissioning Week events, such as the Herndon Monument climb. Now, visitors without a military ID will be ...

» Ted Cruz Sees Path to White House Running Through the South
13/08/15 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz sees path to White House running through college football country in South

» Argentine Presidential Candidate Confronts Floods, Critics
13/08/15 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Leading Argentine presidential candidate returns from Italy for floods in province he governs

» 'Act of God' Natural Disaster Costs | The New York Times
13/08/15 17:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TheNewYorkTimes's YouTube Videos. From: TheNewYorkTimes Duration: 06:27 In 2014, when the country was hit by a series of natural disasters, the United States footed a $25 billion bill for the economic ...

» Egyptian military plane crashes near Libyan border, four dead
13/08/15 17:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian military aircraft crashed near the Libyan border while on a mission against Islamist militants on Thursday, killing four people and injuring another two, ...

» U.S. Believes ISIS Used Chemical Weapon on Kurds
13/08/15 17:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The U.S. believes Islamic State militants likely used mustard agent in an attack earlier this week on Kurdish forces in Iraq, senior U.S. officials said Thursday, the first indication ...

» Tunnel construction causes huge sinkhole in Southern China
13/08/15 17:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Watch as a 300 square metre area in the Chinese city of Dongguan collapses into sinkhole

» Stolen Picasso Reclaimed After Marked as $30 'Handicraft'
13/08/15 17:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. ???La Coiffeuse,??? or ???The Hairdresser,??? went missing for at least 14 years.

» Over 100 Russian mafia dons to meet in Turkey for mob summit
13/08/15 16:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Bugun.com.tr. National 18 July 2015 Saturday, 11:37 Home » National » Over 100 Russian mafia dons to meet in Turkey for mob summit After the Russian Interior Ministry announced it would intervene...

» Groups Assail Sentencing of Azeri Rights Activist
13/08/15 16:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The advocacy group Human Rights Watch on Thursday decried as politically motivated the sentencing of a leading rights activist in Azerbaijan to eight-and-a-half years in jail, saying it w...

» US oil futures drop to pre-crisis low
13/08/15 16:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. West Texas Intermediate falls below $42 a barrel, a price last seen in 2009

» Another House Dem Opposes Iran Deal
13/08/15 16:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. Another Democratic congressman came out against the Iranian nuclear deal on Thursday, saying it “allows Iran to remain a nuclear threshold state” while benefiting from billio...

» State Department Confused As To Whether Iranian General Traveled To Russia
13/08/15 16:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. The State Department seems to be confused on whether Iranian general Qasem Soleimani traveled to Russia. Fox News reported that Soleimani traveled to Moscow to discuss weapon shipme...

» What Indian immigrant success says about American Exceptionalism
13/08/15 16:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from american exceptionalism - Google Blog Search. The new Google CEO Sundar Pichai will not be the lone Indian-origin CEO at the helm of Corporate American . He will be joining corporate heavyweights like Micr...

» Eight Men Indicted for Conspiracy That Brought Heroin, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine from Mexico to Texas and Then Cleveland
13/08/15 16:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Current. — Cleveland

» Desperate El-SISI Ready to Loose ISIS Terror against Israel to Save Egyptian Troops
13/08/15 16:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 7:29 PM (IDT) Despite his warm relations with Netanyahu and close cooperation with Israel in fighting terror, El Sisi is desperate enough to throw Israel as a bone to ISIS to ge...

» ISIS and Hamas Play Ball in Sinai Facing No Resistance
13/08/15 16:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 7:30 PM (IDT) ISIS-Sinai disclosed its first beheading atrocity of a western hostage the day after Washington announced the disbanding of the Multinational Force and Observers a...

» The Islamic State Is Not Falling Back But Gaining
13/08/15 16:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 7:30 PM (IDT) A year into the US-led coalition war on ISIS in Iraq and Syria, finds the jihadis holding onto most of the territorial gains against an almost-stalled offensive, w...

» Obama Puts Moscow & Iran at Helm of Their Next Mid East Venture. Saudis Opt out
13/08/15 16:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 7:30 PM (IDT) The US, Russia and Iran combine to launch a new Middle East venture for resolving current conflicts in ways that are expedient to all three. The Saudis prefer thei...

» MAJOR CLEAN-UP—Pak. Intelligence Identifies 1000 Criminals Within Police Force
13/08/15 16:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ThereAreNoSunglasses. Three intelligence agencies help Sindh police find 1000 ‘criminal policemen’ KARACHI: In an ongoing process, the Sindh police with the help of the country’s three intelligence agencie...

» FBI Still Doesn't Know Who's Cutting California's Fiber-Optic Cables, Or Why - The Consumerist
13/08/15 16:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from fbi - Google News. The Consumerist FBI Still Doesn't Know Who's Cutting California's Fiber-Optic Cables, Or Why The Consumerist There's a bad problem hitting the internet out west: someone's been deliberat...

» After Zarif’s visit, Hizballah troops pulled back from Zabadani in first retreat from Syrian war
13/08/15 16:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 8:16 PM (IDT) A 200-truck convoy rolled out of the Hizballah-Syrian positions around the strategic town of Zabadani, early Thursday, Aug. 13. debka file : Their exit, after fail...

» Iraq PM Condemns US Officer's Remarks On Partition
13/08/15 16:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Defense News - Home. BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office condemned Thursday outgoing US army chief General Raymond Odierno's "irresponsible" statement on the possibility that Iraq might...

» President Obama has Difficult Time Selling Iran Agreement
13/08/15 16:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from In Homeland Security. By John Ubaldi Contributor, In Homeland Security After last week’s address at American University, President Obama is now facing opposition from his own party as New York Democratic S...

» CIA Accidentally Releases Apology Letter It Wrote, But Never Sent To The ... - Techdirt
13/08/15 16:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. Politico CIA Accidentally Releases Apology Letter It Wrote, But Never Sent To The ... Techdirt On July 28, 2014, the CIA director wrote a letter to senators Dianne Feinstein and Saxby Ch...

» FAA: Pilot reports of drone sightings more than double
13/08/15 16:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. WASHINGTON (AP) - Pilot reports of drone sightings so far this year are more than double last year, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, raising conc...

» Lois Lerner: I’m Not A ‘Political Person,’ GOP Congressional Investigators ‘Evil and Dishonest’
13/08/15 16:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. Ex-IRS Official Lois Lerner last year accused Republican congressional investigators probing the IRS targeting scandal of being “evil and dishonest,” insisting later that she was “n...

» Outgoing Army Chief Ray Odierno: U.S. in ‘Stalemate’ with Islamic State
13/08/15 16:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. Days before his retirement, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno is emphasizing the need for the United States to continue its campaign against the Islamic State in the Middle East,...

» $22.5M Obama Vacation Mansion Houses 6 Bedrooms, Oversized Fireplace, Infinity Pool
13/08/15 16:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. President Obama and his family are currently residing in a $22.5 million vacation home complete with six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms on the island of Martha’s V...

» Israel’s Security Service Foiled 111 Planned Terror Attacks in First Seven Months of 2015
13/08/15 16:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. JERUSALEM—Palestinian terror has declined this year in Israel and the West Bank but not for lack of trying. Israel’s Shin Bet (Security Service) has reported foiling 111 planned ter...

» Russian Soldier Caught Serving in Ukraine, Fuels Ukraine’s Allegations
13/08/15 16:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. An interview Wednesday with a Russian army major, arrested in Ukraine on charges of terrorism, fueled allegations that Russian soldiers are serving alongside separatists in eastern ...

» Islamic State May Have Used Chemical Weapons on Kurdish Fighters, 60 Reporting Breathing Difficulties
13/08/15 16:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. Islamic State militants are accused of using chemical weapons in an attack on Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq that wounded four. According to the Associated Press , both the Germ...

» Fidel Castro Demands US Embargo Reparations
13/08/15 16:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. The former Cuban president says "irrefutable arguments" have proven the island's claim for damages.

» Colorado Court Rules Against Baker Who Refused to Serve Same-Sex Couples - New York Times
13/08/15 16:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. New York Times Colorado Court Rules Against Baker Who Refused to Serve Same-Sex Couples New York Times A state appeals court in Colorado ruled Thursday that a baker could not cit...

» US, allies target Islamic State in Syria, Iraq with 24 air strikes: US military - Reuters
13/08/15 16:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. The Australian NEWS.com.au US, allies target Islamic State in Syria, Iraq with 24 air strikes: US military Reuters strikes - US ... Firstpost WASHINGTON U.S.-led forces conducted 12 ai...

» Moscow river catches fire after pipeline bursts – video
13/08/15 15:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. Amateur footage shows a large oil fire on the surface of the Moscow river after an underwater pipeline reportedly burst on Wednesday. The Moscow oil refinery, owned by Ga...

» Shortages push some Venezuelans to queue overnight for food
13/08/15 15:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MARACAIBO (Reuters) - As dawn breaks over the scorching Venezuelan city of Maracaibo, smugglers, young mothers and a handful of kids stir outside a supermarket where they spent the nig...

» Ukraine battles pro-Russian rebels for access to key port
13/08/15 15:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AFP's YouTube Videos. From: AFP Duration: 01:14 Keep up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/AFP-subscribe Ukraine reports intense battles with pro-Russian insurgents near the la...

» US General Says Islamic State Gaining in Afghanistan
13/08/15 15:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. US general says Islamic State gaining in Afghanistan but not yet a serious military threat

» Syria conflict: As Turks turn on the Kurds, President Assad is no longer the only obstacle to peace
13/08/15 15:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from - World RSS Feed. Developments are rapidly taking place, some behind the scenes, which will have a significant impact on the Syrian conflict and the broader war against Isis.

» Scuffles as pro-Palestinian campaigners protest at Tel Aviv festival in Paris
13/08/15 15:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:03 There wer minor scuffles between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators trying to stage a sit-in in Paris today. Report by Conor Mcnally.

» Kitesurfers make World Record attempt on the Great Barrier Reef for MND/ALS
13/08/15 14:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:36 A group of international kitesurfers are trying to set a new world record by surfing 10,000km across the Great Barrier Reef. Report by Conor Mcna...

» NATO and Russia 'Preparing for Conflict,' Warns Report
13/08/15 14:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Newsweek. Large-scale military exercises by Russia and NATO are part of a dangerous "action-reaction cycle" that could accidentally elevate the chance of war, a British think tank has warned. The European ...

» What too much screen time does to your eyes
13/08/15 14:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Home - CBSNews.com. Eye strain from staring at digial screens is a growing problem, but there are ways to reduce the risk

» Popping to Panama? Emirates plans world's longest nonstop flight
13/08/15 14:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Airline plans back-stiffening 17-hour and 35-minute shuttle from Dubai to new Central American gateway at Panama City Continue reading...

» Ex-council flat in central London sold for record £1.2m
13/08/15 14:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Three-bed property near Covent Garden bought for £130,000 in 1990 realises return on investment of more than 800% for owners A former council flat in central London has change...

» WikiLeaks' Julian Assange sexual assault probe dropped by Swedish prosecutors
13/08/15 14:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from News | Mail Online. Prosecutors in Stockholm said they would continue with investigations over a further allegation of rape against Assange, also made in 2010.

» Migrant families arriving in Europe risk their children’s lives crossing the sea
13/08/15 14:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from News | Mail Online. A volunteer, left, helps a woman to comfort her baby upon migrants' arrival on a dinghy at the southeastern island of Kos, Greece, after crossing from Turkey, early Thursday, Aug. 13, 2...

» Police investigate Britain’s first ever case of CYBER-FLASHING
13/08/15 14:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from News | Mail Online. Lorraine Crighton-Smith said she felt 'violated' after she received the graphic image of a stranger's genitalia on her smartphone via Apple's Airdrop feature while on the train in south...

» AP Top News at 2:24 p.m. EDT
13/08/15 14:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TheUnion local.com | TheUnion.com. AP Top News at 2:24 p.m. EDT Croatia says 2 groups were involved in hostage's abduction SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - A Croatian hostage reportedly slain in Egypt w...

» Here's What President Obama Is Reading This Summer - TIME
13/08/15 14:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. TIME Here's What President Obama Is Reading This Summer TIME Even the leader of the free world gets a break to do some summer reading. According to ABC News, these are the books ...

» This Airline Is Launching the Longest Flight in the World
13/08/15 14:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. Emirates said Thursday it would begin offering daily flights between Dubai and Panama City, according to the Associated Press . The duration of the trip, when westward, totals 17 hours and 35 minutes...

» Greece Sends Ship To Process Kos Refugees
13/08/15 14:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Aid workers say conditions on the island have improved slightly but there are still serious concerns over the migrants' plight.

» Aftermath of deadly Isis bombing at a Baghdad market – video
13/08/15 14:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news + Video | The Guardian. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in the Shia district of Sadr City on Thursday morning killing at least 80 people and injuring ...

» North Korea will pursue 'defensive' nuclear program: envoy
13/08/15 14:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. GENEVA (Reuters) - North Korea will pursue its "defensive" nuclear program as long as it feels threatened by the United States, its U.N. disarmament envoy in Geneva told Reuters on Thu...

» Paris murder suspect faces trial as Kurdish tensions resurface
13/08/15 14:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. PARIS (Reuters) - A Turkish man suspected of murdering three Kurdish activists in Paris in 2013 is to face trial, putting the spotlight on a key rallying point for ethnic Kurds amid re...

» Rights groups decry sentencing of leading Azeri activist
13/08/15 14:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MOSCOW (Reuters) - New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried as politically motivated the sentencing of a leading rights activist in Azerbaijan on Thursday to 8-1/2 years in jail...

» Kerry voices concern to Russian counterpart on Ukraine fighting
13/08/15 14:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed "grave concern" to his Russian counterpart on Thursday over a sharp rise in separatist attacks in eastern Ukraine an...

» Iraqi PM Office Condemns U.S. General’s Remarks On Partition
13/08/15 14:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office condemned outgoing U.S. army chief General Raymond Odierno’s statement that Iraq might be partitioned.

» Things to know about Social Security at 80: Overhaul time?
13/08/15 14:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 2:24 p.m. EDT. WASHINGTON (AP) -- Social Security turns 80 on Friday, and the massive retirement and disability program is showing its age....

» Prominent Rights Defenders Convicted in Azerbaijan
13/08/15 13:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. A court in Azerbaijan on Thursday convicted a prominent rights defender and her husband on fraud charges, which international rights groups have denounced as a sham.

» Chinese Port City Searches for Clues After Devastating Blasts
13/08/15 13:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Authorities raised the death toll from explosions in the city of Tianjin to at least 50 as they searched for the cause of twin blasts.

» Turkey's Coalition Talks Break Down
13/08/15 13:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Turkey’s premier said talks to form a coalition government with the main opposition party have failed, paving the way for early elections within months.

» U.S. Invokes Threat to Dollar in Pitching Iran Deal
13/08/15 13:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry have warned that walking away from the Iran nuclear deal would create financial complications that would diminish the dollar’s elite global...

» Paris Beach Makeover Kicks Off Tension
13/08/15 13:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The makeover of an artificial beach along the banks of the Seine river in tribute to Tel Aviv is turning a famed Paris summer relaxation spot into a flash point for debate over the Mid...

» Azerbaijan jails human rights couple
13/08/15 13:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. Fraud and tax evasion trial is part of wider clampdown on dissent

» Sweden drops probe into Assange sex assault allegations
13/08/15 13:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Lawyer of Wikileaks founder accuses Swedish prosecutor of negligence after she dropped investigations into three out of the four accusations against him, accusing her of preventing his client f...

» Satellite imagery reveals North Korea is refurbishing nuclear facility
13/08/15 13:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Buildings at uranium mine and mill in Pyongsan have been given new roofs raising fears the regime is stepping up its nuclear weapons programme

» Russia censors Reddit after discovering two-year-old post on drug tips
13/08/15 13:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Country's internet regulator demands internet providers block post on sections of website, making all of Reddit unavailable to many Russians

» Police seize control over Myanmar party headquarters - Washington Post
13/08/15 13:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. The Straits Times Police seize control over Myanmar party headquarters Washington Post YANGON, Myanmar — Security forces have seized control of the headquarters of Myanmar's ruling par...

» Market truck bomb kills at least 60 in Baghdad's Sadr City: sources - Reuters
13/08/15 13:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. NDTV Times of India Market truck bomb kills at least 60 in Baghdad's Sadr City: sources Reuters BAGHDAD At least 60 people were killed and 200 wounded in a bomb attack on Thursday at a...

» Welcome to the Jungle, Europe - TIME
13/08/15 13:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. TIME Welcome to the Jungle, Europe TIME Subscriber content preview. or Sign In. A global migrant crisis finally strikes the continent. It was well into the night of July 30 when the mo...

» US Embassy in Cuba to Raise Flag Friday
13/08/15 13:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba will raise an American flag outside the building on Friday, marking the official resumption of embassy operations after 54 years. U.S. Secretary of State John Ker...

» Kurdish Militants Attack Turkish Security Outposts, 7 Killed
13/08/15 13:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Kurdish militants launched attacks on military outposts in eastern Turkey overnight and seven of their fighters were killed in ensuing clashes with security forces, the Turkish armed forc...

» Former PM Blair Warns of 'Annihilation' If Labor Veers Left
13/08/15 13:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Britain's opposition Labor Party faces "annihilation" if it makes left-wing lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn its next leader, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday, warning party member...

» Texas Executes Inmate For Killing Officer During Chase - NBCNews.com
13/08/15 13:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. NBCNews.com Texas Executes Inmate For Killing Officer During Chase NBCNews.com Texas inmate Daniel Lee Lopez got his wish Wednesday when he was executed for striking and killing ...

» Poll: Walker drops, Trump rises in Iowa - USA TODAY
13/08/15 13:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. USA TODAY Poll: Walker drops, Trump rises in Iowa USA TODAY Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addresses a crowd at Giese Manufacturing on July 19, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. (Mike Burley,...

» ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape - New York Times
13/08/15 13:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. New York Times ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape New York Times QADIYA, Iraq — In the moments before he raped the 12-year-old girl, the Islamic State fighter took the time to exp...

» Here Are 5 of China’s Worst Industrial Disasters
13/08/15 13:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. The Chinese port city of Tianjin was rocked by two massive blasts Wednesday night, killing at least 44 people, and injuring 520, 66 of them critically . Although the exact cause of the explosion is s...

» China Blast Toll Rises to 44 Dead and 520 Injured
13/08/15 13:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. The death toll from Wednesday’s massive explosion in the Chinese city of Tianjin continues to rise , with at least 44 people dead and 520 others hospitalized, of which 66 are in critical condition, C...

» A Huge Truck Bomb Has Killed 58 People at a Busy Food Market in Baghdad
13/08/15 13:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. (BAGHDAD) — A massive truck bomb ripped through a popular Baghdad food market in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood in the early morning hours on Thursday, killing at least 58 people, police officia...

» Europe’s New Border Crisis
13/08/15 13:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. It was well into the night of July 30 when the mood shifted in Calais. Evening in the French port city had begun with familiar scuffles, pitting groups of illegal migrants against French police offic...

» What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe’s Experience of Donald Trump
13/08/15 13:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. Donald Trump is no stranger to big promises and bigger disputes. But more than seven years ago, it was the people of Scotland, rather than the members of the Republican Party that were subject to his...

» How ISIS Justifies Its Culture of Rape and Sex Slavery
13/08/15 13:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. Rape has become a central part of the religious beliefs of members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremist group, according to a chilling new report in the New York Times . The report...

» Turkish Coalition Talks End Fruitlessly, Making New Elections Likely
13/08/15 12:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The failure of Turkey’s two largest political parties to form a coalition after June elections sets the stage for a new vote and threatens further instability.

» Azerbaijan criticised for jailing activist couple
13/08/15 12:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Leyla Yunus was given an eight-and-a-half year sentence while her husband, Arif, was jailed for seven years on charges denounced as politically motivated A court in Azerbaijan...

» Fidel Castro celebrates 89th birthday by calling on US to pay embargo damages
13/08/15 12:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Brief newspaper column says US owes Cuba ‘numerous millions of dollars’ and comes a day before John Kerry will raise flag over American embassy in Havana Fidel Castro has mark...

» Mexico cartels: As drug lords fall, wave of gang violence grows
13/08/15 12:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from itnnews's YouTube Videos. From: itnnews Duration: 01:28 As more and more Mexican cartel leaders are arrested and killed by police, self-styled vigilante groups are beginning to spring up and grow in nu...

» Death toll from China blasts leaps
13/08/15 12:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Home - CBSNews.com. So does number of injured in huge explosions in warehouse district in port city of Tianjin that sent huge fireballs into night sky; officials of company involved detained sky

» Three more women claim Cosby abuse
13/08/15 12:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AFP's YouTube Videos. From: AFP Duration: 01:38 Keep up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/AFP-subscribe Three more women have alleged they were assaulted by Bill Cosby, includ...

» Porn again: disposing of UK's dirty magazines with discretion
13/08/15 12:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AFP's YouTube Videos. From: AFP Duration: 00:33 Keep up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/AFP-subscribe Once upon a time before the Internet, pornography fans collected magazi...

» Cubans celebrate Fidel Castro's birthday
13/08/15 12:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AFP's YouTube Videos. From: AFP Duration: 00:43 Keep up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/AFP-subscribe Cubans celebrate former leader Fidel Castro's 89th birthday at the Rumb...

» Ukraine bid to shut out Russia with border 'wall' falters
13/08/15 12:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AFP's YouTube Videos. From: AFP Duration: 01:28 Keep up-to-date with the latest news, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/AFP-subscribe A freshly-dug anti-tank ditch running along a short stretch of metal fe...

» Police: No Arrests During Peaceful Ferguson Protest
13/08/15 12:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Police make no arrests during second night of peaceful protests in Ferguson

» 3 Injured in Partial Ceiling Collapse at Minnesota Nightclub
13/08/15 12:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. The ceiling of a Minnesota nightclub seen in the 1984 movie ???Purple Rain??? partially collapsed Wednesday, injuring three people.

» Poland's New President Meets With NATO Corps
13/08/15 12:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Poland's new President Andrzej Duda attends change of command of upgraded NATO corps

» IS Group Accused of Using Chemical Weapons on Iraqi Kurds
13/08/15 12:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Germany, Kurds suspect Islamic State group used chemical weapons in northern Iraq

» Reputed Gang Leader, Reporter, 4 Others Killed in Mexico
13/08/15 12:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Reputed gang leader, reporter, 4 others killed in Mexico bar shooting

» Fidel Castro Turns 89; Says US Has Hefty Debt to Cuba
13/08/15 12:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Fidel Castro turns 89; says US has hefty debt to Cuba for damages caused by long embargo

» Judge Tosses Murder Conviction of Man in Prison for 34 Years
13/08/15 12:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Judge tosses conviction of man in prison for 34 years in teen's death, cites new DNA evidence

» Gay Couples Sue Florida Over Names on Birth Certificates
13/08/15 12:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Top Stories. Gay couples say Florida won't list their names on birth certificates, sue state in US court

» U.S. Convicts Uzbek Refugee On Terrorism-Related Charges
13/08/15 12:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. A U.S. jury has convicted an Uzbek man on terrorism-related charges for gathering explosive materials at his Idaho apartment and seeking to support the banned Islamic Mov...

» Court: Baker who refused gay wedding cake can't cite beliefs
13/08/15 12:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 12:07 p.m. EDT. DENVER (AP) -- A suburban Denver baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple cannot cite his religious beliefs in refusing them service because it would...

» Connecticut's top court overturns death penalty in state
13/08/15 12:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 12:07 p.m. EDT. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Three years after Connecticut abolished the death penalty for any future crimes, the state's highest court on Thursday spared the lives of all 11...

» Kerry voices concern to Russian counterpart on Ukraine, Soleimani
13/08/15 11:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed "gave concern" on Thursday to his Russian counterpart about a sharp increase in separatist attacks in eastern Ukrain...

» Venezuela ex-general Baduel, former Chavez ally, granted parole
13/08/15 11:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. CARACAS (Reuters) - A Venezuelan military court granted parole to former general Raul Baduel, who was key in the rescue of Hugo Chavez from a coup in 2002 but later broke ranks with th...

» Greek island bears brunt as people-smugglers take Turkish route
13/08/15 11:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. KOS, Greece (Reuters) - Michel Allatuain waited beneath the 14th century fortress at the port of this Greek island on Thursday, desperate for a ferry ticket to the European mainland an...

» China port city Tianjin hit with blasts from warehouse district; at least 44 dead
13/08/15 11:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. TIANJIN, China (AP) — Huge explosions in a warehouse district sent up massive fireballs that turned the night sky into day, killing at least 44 people and i...

» Iraq food market struck by huge truck bomb; at least 62 dead in Baghdad
13/08/15 11:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. BAGHDAD (AP) — A massive truck bomb ripped through a popular Baghdad food market in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood early Thursday morning, in the early morni...

» U.S.-funded power plant in Afghanistan is barely used
13/08/15 11:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. A government watchdog said Thursday that a $335 million power plant in Afghanistan funded by U.S. taxpayers is operating at less than 1 percent of capacity and is...

» Immigration: In post-recession surge, number of Mexicans in U.S. hits record
13/08/15 11:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. Immigration to the U.S. has recovered from its recession-caused lull and is surging back, led in part by a major jump in migrants from neighboring Mexico, accordi...

» A look at the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the US pullout
13/08/15 11:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. BAGHDAD (AP) - Here is a look at the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the withdrawal of U.S. troops on Dec. 18, 2011: - Dec. 22, 2011: Attackers hit markets, cafes...

» AP News in Brief at 5:58 a.m. EDT
13/08/15 11:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. At least 44 dead, hundreds injured as huge warehouse blasts strike Chinese port of Tianjin TIANJIN, China (AP) - Huge explosions in a warehouse district sent up m...

» Pro-ISIS group issues threat: 'Soon we'll behead US military in their homes'
13/08/15 11:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from www.washingtontimes.com stories: Security. A pro-Islamic State hacking group sent a chilling warning to members of the U.S. military and government Wednesday, promising followers of the organization would ...

» Government Collects Record-High Taxes in First 10 Months of FY 2015
13/08/15 11:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. The federal government collected a record amount of taxes in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2015, exceeding $2.6 trillion in revenue, according to the latest monthly Treasury De...

» Obama Admin Moves to Block Restitution for U.S. Terror Victims
13/08/15 11:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. The Obama administration has intervened in a landmark legal case brought by the American victims of Palestinian terrorists, urging the court to limit restitution for the victims out...

» Activists Blast Obama Admin’s Human Rights ‘Dialogues’ with China
13/08/15 11:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. The U.S. State Department’s annual human rights dialogues with the Chinese government are not publicly promoted and are ineffective at improving conditions in the country, according...

» Girlfriend of Top De Blasio Aide Scores $150k City Job
13/08/15 11:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Free Beacon. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration created a new $150,000 job in City Hall and handed it to the girlfriend of one of his top aides without advertising the pos...

» Isis 'hacking division' releases details of 1,400 Americans and urges attacks
13/08/15 11:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from US national security | The Guardian. Spreadsheet lists names, email addresses, phone numbers and passwords of US military and government staff, but marines say information is out-of-date Australians on hit...

» PHOTO: Super Stallion In Paradise
13/08/15 11:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from StrategyPage.com. None

» LEADERSHIP: Russia Wants Its Secrets Back
13/08/15 11:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from StrategyPage.com. None

» ISRAEL: ISIL Demands To Be Heard
13/08/15 11:40 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from StrategyPage.com. None

» Israel arms with iPads to face increasingly complex battlefield
13/08/15 11:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Stars and Stripes. During Israel's seven-week Gaza Strip war with Hamas last year, company commanders were just as likely to be holding an iPad as an M-16, as the mobile wireless device took on an unpreced...

» Why ISIS Trumps Freedom
13/08/15 11:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Young European Muslims join Islamic State to escape alienation and the unbearable weight of individual choice.

» Truck Bomb Kills Nearly 60 at Market in Baghdad
13/08/15 11:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blast in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, which came just after dawn as shoppers were stocking up for ...

» ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape
13/08/15 11:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Claiming the Quran’s support, the Islamic State codifies sex slavery in conquered regions of Iraq and Syria and uses the practice as a recruiting tool.

» J. Wallace LaPrade, New York F.B.I. Chief in ’70s, Dies at 89
13/08/15 11:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. LaPrade was fired as head of the New York bureau after being threatened with prosecution for refusing to cooperate with an investigation of illegal F.B.I. brea...

» News Roundup and Notes: August 13, 2015
13/08/15 11:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Just Security. Nadia O'Mara Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad. Here’s today’s news. IRAQ and SYRIA The US has co...

» Networks Ignore Obama's Broken Promises on Cybersecurity in 90 Percent of Stories - NewsBusters (blog)
13/08/15 11:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from james b. comey - Google News. NewsBusters (blog) Networks Ignore Obama's Broken Promises on Cybersecurity in 90 Percent of Stories NewsBusters (blog) “It is a very big deal from a national security perspec...

» Sweden conducts spy flights over Russia amidst heightened tensions
13/08/15 11:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from intelNews.org. Swedish Air Force spy planes conducted reconnaissance flights over Russia on Wednesday —and there was nothing the Kremlin could do about it.

» Hillary Clinton email probe turns to Huma - Politico
13/08/15 11:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from house judiciary committee - Google News. Politico Hillary Clinton email probe turns to Huma Politico The 2016 Democratic front-runner on Monday told a federal judge that Abedin — long considered her boss's...

» Casualties in rare explosion in Latakia
13/08/15 11:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 12:18 PM (IDT) The Syrian news agency reports that “terrorists fired several rockets" into Latakia, Bashar Assad’s Allawite stronghold Thursday causing a n...

» US launches first air strike from Turkey over Syria
13/08/15 11:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from DEBKAFile. August 13, 2015, 12:19 PM (IDT) The first US F-16 fighter jets based in Turkey’s Incerlik air base Thursday struck Islamic State targets in Syria. No details were provided of the numb...

» Here Are 5 of China's Worst Industrial Disasters - TIME
13/08/15 11:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Cyber Warfare - Google News. TIME Here Are 5 of China's Worst Industrial Disasters TIME The Chinese port city of Tianjin was rocked by two massive blasts Wednesday night, killing at least 44 people, and in...

» US-China aviation talks hit stumbling block on airport access - Reuters
13/08/15 11:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Cyber Warfare - Google News. Reuters US- China aviation talks hit stumbling block on airport access Reuters Although China is investing heavily in new airports, its major airports are operating at above or...

» Russia Adds Four Countries To Food Import Ban, Threatens Ukraine
13/08/15 10:38 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said that four countries have been added to its import ban list for foreign food.

» Baku Court Sentences Activist Couple To Tough Prison Terms
13/08/15 10:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. A Baku court has sentenced Azerbaijani human rights activist Leyla Yunus to 8 1/2 years in prison and sentenced her severely ailing husband Arif to seven years.

» German Military Says Kurds In Iraq Hit By Apparent IS Chemical Attack
13/08/15 10:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. German military observers in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region say Islamic State fighters appear to have used chlorine gas shells to attack Kurdish forces.

» Iran's Zarif In Pakistan
13/08/15 10:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif held talks in Pakistan, as part of a regional tour following Iran's nuclear deal with six world powers.

» Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri pledges allegiance to new Taliban chief
13/08/15 10:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri pledged the group's allegiance to the new head of the Afghan Taliban, in an audio statement posted online, showing the organization'...

» Islamic State, rival Islamists clash in Libya, 17 killed: residents
13/08/15 10:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - At least 17 people were killed in heavy clashes between Islamic State fighters and a rival Islamist group in the Islamic State-held city of Sirte in central...

» Turkish coalition talks fail, snap election likely: officials
13/08/15 10:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. ANKARA (Reuters) - Coalition talks between Turkey's ruling AK Party and the main opposition CHP ended in failure on Thursday, senior officials on both sides told Reuters, setting the s...

» Sinosphere Blog: Woman Dies After Stabbing Near Uniqlo in Beijing
13/08/15 10:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. The police said they had arrested the assailant, whom they identified as a 25-year-old man with the surname Gao from the city of Tonghua in Jilin Province.

» Sweden Drops Some Sex Cases Against Assange
13/08/15 10:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Swedish prosecutors on Thursday dropped cases of lesser sexual misconduct against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange but said they still want to question him on accusations of rape made after...

» Clerk's office defies order; no same-sex marriage licenses
13/08/15 10:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 10 a.m. EDT. MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) -- A Kentucky clerk's office turned away two gay couples seeking marriage licenses on Thursday, defying a federal judge's order that dismissed her argume...

» Senator Seeks to Bar Chinese Bid for U.S. Chip Maker
13/08/15 08:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. China’s efforts to expand its reach into advanced semiconductors in the U.S. drew fire on Capitol Hill as Sen. Chuck Schumer called on officials to block Tsinghua Unigroup’s effort to ...

» Scores Killed in Baghdad Truck Bomb
13/08/15 08:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. A massive truck bomb ripped through a popular Baghdad food market in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood, killing at least 62 people, police officials said.

» Sudan's Split With Iran Boosts Saudi Camp
13/08/15 08:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. For more than two decades, Sudan was the Iranian regime’s best friend in the Sunni Arab world, but the friendship has unraveled.

» Sweden Runs Out of Time on Assange Probe
13/08/15 08:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Swedish prosecutors have run out of time to pursue two of four probes into allegations of sexual assault against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

» Tensions with China loom larger as Obama prepares to welcome Xi Jinping
13/08/15 08:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. Finally, something Democrats and Republicans agree on in the 2016 election cycle: China's economic foul play.A day after Beij...

» North Korea is stepping uranium production — but for power or nukes?
13/08/15 08:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. TOKYO — North Korea has been stepping up its capacity to mine and mill uranium, new satellite imagery shows, raising fears th...

» Firm Agrees $6m Settlement Over Tuna Oven Death
13/08/15 08:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. Jose Melena was cooked alive after a co-worker loaded six tons of canned tuna into an oven he had stepped inside.

» Deadly blasts rock Chinese port
13/08/15 08:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. At least 13 killed and hundreds injured in Tianjin as shipment of explosives erupts

» Heroin smugglers turn to drones
13/08/15 08:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Two men plead guilty to using unmanned aerial vehicle in attempt to transport almost 30lb of heroin from Mexico to USA

» Top general: US boots on the ground may be needed to defeat Isil
13/08/15 08:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World news. Raymond Odierno, American army chief of staff, says proposal should be put to Barack Obama if progress is not made soon

Putin’s Change of Heart on Assad Could Pave Way for Cooperation against ISIL by Simon Saradzhyan Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:20 PM

How Congress Could Make the Iran Deal Workby William H. Tobey and Judith Miller Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

The U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism Newsletter: May – June 2015 by Simon Saradzhyan Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Can the P5+1’s Vienna Deal Prevent an Iranian Nuclear Breakout? by William H. Tobey Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Israeli force-feeding law pits doctors against stateby By MIRIAM BERGER Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:10 PM

Pro-Republican ads funded by group with untraceable donorsby By JULIE BYKOWICZ Friday August 14th, 2015 at 1:10 PM

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