Huge Hizballah drug trafficking, money laundering scheme discovered: DEA | Syrian army, allies press major offensive north of Aleppo | Reuters | U.S. Fortifying Europe’s East to Deter Putin - The New York Times | Pentagon unveils budget priority for next year: Countering Russia and China - The Washington Post | US Adds to List of Those Penalized Under Human Rights Act | Putin shortlists candidates to succeed Bashar Assad | Онищенко: причиной распространения вируса Зика может быть биооружие | РИА Новости


EINSTEIN Not Smart Enough To Defend U.S. Government Against Cyber Attacks

Main News
Huge Hizballah drug trafficking, money laundering scheme discovered: DEA

Drug agencies unravel Hezbollah terror financing ring | News | DW.COM | 02.02.2016
US and European law enforcement agencies have arrested top leaders of an elaborate drug trafficking and money laundering network run by Hezbollah used to fund the Lebanese terrorist group's activities, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said on Monday.
Working on investigative leads from the US drug agency, authorities in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Colombia have been investigating the US and European cocaine trafficking and money laundering operations of Hezbollah's external financing arm over the past year.
The investigation led to the arrest of several leaders last week...

DEA.gov / Headquarters News Releases, 02/01/16
FEB 01 (WASHINGTON) - The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced significant enforcement activity including arrests targeting Lebanese Hizballah’s External Security Organization Business Affairs Component (BAC), which is involved in international criminal activities such as drug trafficking and drug proceed money laundering. These proceeds are used to purchase weapons for Hizballah for its activities in Syria. This ongoing investigation spans the globe and involves numerous international law enforcement agencies in seven countries, and once again highlights the dangerous global nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism... 
“These drug trafficking and money laundering schemes utilized by the Business Affairs Component provide a revenue and weapons stream for an international terrorist organization responsible for devastating terror attacks around the world,” said DEA Acting Deputy Administrator Jack Riley.  “DEA and our international partners are relentless in our commitment to disrupt any attempt by terrorists and terrorist organizations to leverage the drug trade against our nations. DEA and our partners will continue to dismantle networks who exploit the nexus between drugs and terror using all available law enforcement mechanisms.” 

M.N.: Congratulations to DEA! 

DEA Cracks Down on “Massive” Hezbollah Drug Trafficking Ring | Jewish Business News
According to the DEA, Hezbollah has worked with South American drug cartels, including La Oficina de Envigado, to supply cocaine to the United States and Europe, and has laundered the proceeds of its drug sales in a scheme called the Black Market Peso Exchange. 

U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Hezbollah Money-Laundering Network – Jewish Business News:

However, sanctions relief that has been granted to Iran as part of the nuclear deal may make up for financial shortfalls Hezbollah suffers through Treasury’s actions. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in August, telling him that the nuclear agreement presented them with a “historic opportunity” to confront Israel. Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan affirmed in September that his country was committed to arming Hamas and Hezbollah. It was reported later that month that Iran boosted its funding of both terror groups in anticipation of the windfall it planned to receive through sanctions relief.

U.S. Spots Russian Commandos in Syria
Officials did not disclose the specific numbers of Spetsnaz troops in Syria but said the numbers were in the dozens.
Recent operations involving Spetsnaz forces have been focused on attacking anti-regime rebels near the northern city of Aleppo. The city has also been a target of Russian airstrikes.
However, officials said reports from Syria that Spetsnaz troops are working with pro-Iranian Hezbollah forces are a growing concern. Officials are worried the terrorist group, which is known for attacking Americans, will gain valuable military know-how from the Russian commandos.
Hezbollah, or Party of God, is a Lebanon-based terror group that the U.S. Counterterrorism Center has linked to numerous attacks that have killed scores of Americans since the 1980s.
“Although Hezbollah’s leadership is based in Lebanon, the group has established cells worldwide,” the Center states.

Eastern Europe Cautiously Welcomes Larger U.S. Military Presence - NYTimes.com 

US

Republican Cruz bests Trump in Iowa race, Clinton edges out Sanders | Reuters
After Donald Trump is defeated, darkness befalls the billionaire's campaign - Telegraph
3 Teens Arrested in Deadly Shooting at Seattle Homeless Camp - ABC News
Phil ready to take his bow in Pennsylvania groundhog tradition | Reuters
Famous US Groundhog Predicts Early Spring
Groundhog day 2016: Watch Punxsutawney Phil live from Pennsylvania as he predicts winter weather | AL.com
Zika: The CDC is the medical CIA | Jon Rappoport's Blog
Plan to Spin Off Air Traffic Control Generates Turbulence

NATO and Europe

U.S. Fortifying Europe’s East to Deter Putin - The New York Times
Pentagon unveils budget priority for next year: Countering Russia and China - The Washington Post
Carter to Boost Pentagon Funding on Aid, Equipment to Europe - ABC News
Obama seeks anti-Russia NATO boost | NWADG
Romania Calls for Permanent NATO Black Sea Force :: Balkan Insight
Canada spy agency stops sharing intelligence with international parters | World news | The Guardian
EU envoy appalled by Putin ally's murder threats to Russian opposition figure | Reuters
Trained eagle destroys drone in Dutch police video | Europe | News | The Independent
NATO should keep its promises for Russia to trust it - security chief — RT Russian politics

Russia

The Daily Vertical: It's Weird. It's Creepy. It's Sick.
Chechens Who Fought In Ukraine Demand That Putin Restrain Kadyrov
Corker: Revelations Of Putin's Wealth Are Destabilizing
US Adds to List of Those Penalized Under Human Rights Act

Putin shortlists candidates to succeed Bashar Assad
The Syrian peace conference in Geneva has only one real task: to rubberstamp the quiet deals Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin have struck for ending the Syrian war... The current issue out next Friday has the sequel, which exclusively covers Putin’s next steps as front man of the partnership, with Obama “leading from behind.”

Russia Hammered For Waging War During Syrian Peace Talks
Jaish al Islam Rebel Group Denies Russia Hit Oil Stash
As Consumer Debt Rises In Russia, Collectors Get Violent
Онищенко: причиной распространения вируса Зика может быть биооружие | РИА Новости
«ВЗГЛЯД.РУ»
The Moscow Times
ВЕДОМОСТИ - МИД Великобритании: Путин абсолютно непроницаем
МИД России: обвинения Лондона по Сирии - опасный вброс - BBC Русская служба
Москва потребовала от НАТО объяснений по поводу турецких обстрелов Сирии :: Политика :: РБК
Новости NEWSru.com :: Сирия обвинила Турцию в обстреле мирного населения в Латакии
При обстреле Турцией сирийской территории были ранены мирные жители - Известия
«ВЗГЛЯД.РУ»
Коалиция во главе с США не считает турецкие силы в Ираке своей частью | РИА Новости
TASS: World - Ukraine’s parliament avoids implementation of Minsk agreements
Украина оборудовала на границе с Россией противотанковые рвы - (с) News Front
Украина вырыла на границе с РФ 230 километров противотанковых рвов
"Список Магнитского": двойной стандарт Обамы? - BBC Русская служба
Russia Cannot Participate in War Crimes Investigation – Justice Ministry | News | The Moscow Times
ОПЕК повернулась к Москве лицом
Военный эксперт: в своих провокациях Анкара может зайти очень далеко | РИА Новости

Middle East and Asia

Syrian army, allies press major offensive north of Aleppo | Reuters
Syria Agrees to Allow More Aid for Besieged Towns
Corker: Assad Strengthened By Russia Going In To Peace Talks
Corker: Lack Of International Resolve On Iran
Islamist groups in Syria talks on individual basis: Russia | Reuters
Senior U.S. Official Describes 2-Day Visit to Syria - NYTimes.com
Top US Commander in Afghanistan to Face Lawmakers
Pentagon Won’t Say How Many Troops Are Fighting ISIS - The Daily Beast
'Forced To Dance' In Afghanistan

Reviews

US running low on smart bombs; Carter previews 2017 budget; Syria fighting intensifies despite peace talks; Real eagles vs. drones; And a bit more. - Defense One
News Roundup and Notes: February 2, 2016 | Just Security
Today's Headlines and Commentary - Lawfare
Today's Headlines and Commentary - Lawfare
For Once, Low Oil Prices May Be a Problem for World's Economy - Bloomberg Business 

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