GCIS/MSS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: The Walter E. Williams Social Security solution: Give me land, keep my Social Security

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Daily Caller

28February2011 7:41pmEST

GCIS/MSS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: While some deny that there are problems with Social Security, it is facing deficits for the foreseeable future. However, the U.S. government has assets it could offer up to cover the shortfalls.

The federal government owns nearly 650 million acres of land, which according to the government’s own website, is almost 30 percent of the land area of the United States. Those lands include National Parks, National Forests and National Wildlife Refuges.

Dr. Walter E. Williams, an economics professor at George Mason University, filling in for Rush Limbaugh on Monday, proposed putting those assets to use.

“By the way, before I leave the subject of what government should be doing, I have an idea for the Congress to deal with, let’s say the solvency of Social Security,” Williams said. “The government owns a whole lot of wasting assets, namely they own most of the land in Nevada, Utah, I believe California and Alaska.”

So for 100 acres of land, Williams explained he would forfeit his claims to Social Security. (read full report)

"GCIS/MSS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is a cooperative intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service and Machaseh Security Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, MSS or it's partners or affiliates.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Defense Science Board urges new technology and tactics

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: NextGov

28February2011 7:22pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Facing agile enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq who can quickly adopt new technology and tactics, U.S. forces must adapt in response and soon, not over the course of decades, as occurs under the current bureaucracy-driven process, the Defense Science Board said in a report released on Friday.

The report echoes comments made last week by Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who said enemy forces in Afghanistan have adopted the use of cell phone technology on the battlefield far faster the Army has.

In its 194-page report titled "Enhancing Adaptability of U.S. Military Forces," the Defense Science Board recommended quick changes to tactics, techniques and procedures to meet evolving battlefield conditions, as well as developing a rapid acquisition system to speedily deliver the needed technologies.

During the past decade, all four services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense have established more than 20 rapid acquisition organizations. They have met some urgent needs, the report said, but have not followed through with ways to support and sustain new equipment after deployment. The board said many of these rapid acquisition organizations ended up overstaffed with personnel who in some cases lacked the requisite technical or acquisition expertise. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Libya's poison gas unaffected by turmoil, official says

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: The Washington Post

28February2011 7:07pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: A senior administration official said Monday that the White House had no reason to believe the current turmoil in Libya has made its chemical weapons stockpiles more vulnerable to theft.

Experts believe that Libya destroyed about 3,300 bombshells designed to carry mustard and sarin gas chemicals years ago, as part of its deal to end decades of economic and diplomatic isolation with the West.

But some 10 metric tons of mustard sulfate and sarin gas precursor remain stockpiled in barrels at three locations in the Libyan desert south of Tripoli, where Moammar Gaddafi has holed up in a last-ditch fight to keep from being overthrown.

Many experts worry that the barrels are ripe for picking by terrorists linked to al-Qaeda. Rumors abound, says an intelligence source with deep experience in the region, that British SAS commandos are preparing to secure the materials. Over the weekend SAS and Special Boat Service commandos rescued about 150 civilians.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, the administration official suggested the Libyans have moved to bolster the security of the material since protests erupted earlier this month, but he refused to specify what those steps were or how the administration had communicated with the Libyans. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Heavy Police Presence Thwarts Call for Anti-Government Protests in China

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Global Security

28February2011 6:58pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: China put on a display of force Sunday following an on-line call for anti-government protests across the nation. Several foreign journalists were physically assaulted and detained, including two VOA reporters. Security officials are determined to put down any signs of the kind of unrest that has shaken the Middle East.

Chinese security forces were deployed following the second on-line call in a week urging peaceful protests against Communist Party rule.

Hundreds of uniformed and plain-clothed police officers patrolled expected protest sites in China's two main cities, Beijing and Shanghai.

Police removed five men gathering at a planned protest site in Shanghai.

In Beijing's main shopping and tourist district, close to Tiananmen Square, several foreign journalists were physically assaulted and detained. Many were ordered to destroy film footage and photographs. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Russian Interior Ministry to step up fight against terrorism

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Ria Novosti

28February2011 6:50pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Russia's Interior Ministry has to step up efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and extremism, as well as bolster security in public places to implement the tasks set by President Dmitry Medvedev, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev told the Izvestia daily.

Medvedev said in early February that the fight against terrorism, as well as efforts to combat extremism, organized crime and corruption were priorities for the country's law enforcement agencies.

Medvedev ordered a nationwide tightening of transport security measures after January's terrorist attack on Moscow's Domodedovo airport, which killed 36 and injured dozens. He said one of the most important tasks was for law enforcers to prevent crimes.

Transport Minister Igor Levitin said in mid-February at a meeting with Medvedev that Russia will spend 46.7 billion rubles ($1.6 billion) by 2014 on a program to ensure transport security. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: British Airways worker guilty of plane bomb plot

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: The Washington Times

28February2011 6:34pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: LONDON (AP) — A jury on Monday convicted a former British Airways computer specialist of plotting with U.S.-born extremist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki to blow up an airplane.

Rajib Karim, a 31-year-old Bangladeshi man, was convicted of four counts of engaging in preparation for terrorist attacks. He already had pleaded guilty to other, lesser terrorism offenses.

Prosecutors said he used his position at the airline to plot an attack with Mr. al-Awlaki, a notorious radical preacher associated with al Qaeda thought to be hiding in Yemen.

Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw told the court that Karim “sought work in this country of the sort which would be useful to him or a terrorist organization in planning an attack — an attack of the sort which might result in the wholesale loss of life.”

Prosecutors said that in heavily encrypted exchanges, Mr. al-Awlaki quizzed Karim about details of security flaws and urged the aspiring terrorist to train as a flight attendant to assist plans to use suicide bombers or mail bombs to down U.S.-bound flights. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Debka Report: US weighs hit-and-run raids to disable Qaddafi's air capability

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: DEBKAfile

28February2011 6:25pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The US is repositioning its naval and air forces around Libya, Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan stated Monday, Feb. 28, indicating possible military steps to break the standoff between Muammar Qaddafi's army and rebel forces in the fighting for control of the towns commanding the roads to the capital Tripoli where Qaddafi is barricaded.

The reported rebel capture of the key towns of Misrata and Zawiya is technically correct. In fact, they are both surrounded by Libyan troops who control their road links with Tripoli. In Misrata, the army has a valuable edge over opposition forces in its control of the local airfield.

The Pentagon spokesman's indeed remarked that there are "various contingency plans" for the North African country where Muammar Qaddafi's forces and rebels in the east "remain locked in a tense standoff."

Most military observers interpreted his remark as referring to potential US military intervention in Libya to break the stalemate. It was strengthened by the imminent redeployment off the Libyan coast of USS Enterprise from the Red Sea and the amphibious USS Kearsarge, which has a fleet of helicopters and about 1,800 Marines aboard. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS CYBER-SECURITY BRIEFING: Computer users facing new backdoor threat

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: World Net Daily

28February2011 10:00amEST

GCIS CYBER-SECURITY UPDATE: Data encryption is a method of protecting information from unauthorized use, and will make a cell phone call sound like static and turn an e-mail into gibberish

But according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, sources have reported that two software companies have partnered with defense contractor General Dynamics to work on a project code-named "Task B" that has as its goal the mission of slipping a backdoor onto a laptop without the owner's knowledge.

The team ultimately found four methods of entering a computer's information system and while few computers have all four entry points, almost all have at least two, allowing code to be slipped into the computer without the user's knowledge and ultimately spread to entire networks from that single machine. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Fusion Centers facing growing pains

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

28February2011 9:30amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The federal government is not adapting fast enough to the ever-changing threats to homeland security.

From cyber threats to homegrown terrorism, the challenges law enforcement face today are vastly different from those of the past.

Bart Johnson, principle deputy undersecretary of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security, said the recent rise in domestic terrorism isn't an anomaly – it's the new norm – and security agencies need to operate accordingly. He said federal agencies can't handle the spike in homegrown terrorism alone; that they must partner with state, local and tribal law enforcement groups.

In order to facilitate collaboration, the 2007 National Strategy for Information Sharing called for the establishment of fusion centers. The centers serve as focal points for collecting, analyzing and sharing threat related information between federal and state, local and tribal partners.

"This is the new plan A," said Johnson during a speech Thursday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "There is no plan B and there shouldn't be a plan B. This national network of fusion centers needs to be enhanced, it needs to continue to provide the value-added, and it certainly needs to be institutionalized." (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Gates Accepts Marines' Future Plan

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Aviation Week

28February2011 9:00amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The Marine Corps Force Structure Review Group reported to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday of last week, and Gates endorsed its conclusions, according to Corps assistant commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford.

The review supports the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the need for a new amphibious vehicle, Dunford said, and a request for information on the latter will be issued this week.

The questions raised last summer by deputy Navy Secretary Robert Work and by Gates himself about the Marines' future "created not a little bit of angst," in the Corps, Dunford said.

"Paranoia is one of our core competencies," he added, "but rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated."

The FSRG aims at restructuring the Marines as a high-readiness force aimed at  irregular and hybrid warfare. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: China says population has passed 1.34 billion

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

28February2011 8:30amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: BEIJING (AP) – China says its population grew to more than 1.34 billion people last year.

The figure marks a rise from 2000's tally of 1.295 billion people, which failed to count migrant workers living in cities for less than six months.

In the 10 years since, there has been an extensive shift in the population base as tens of millions of migrant workers have poured into urban areas looking for work. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: In setback, Iran to unload fuel from nuke plant

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: The Washington Times

28February2011 8:00amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: TEHRAN, Iran — In a major setback to Iran‘s nuclear program, technicians will have to unload fuel from the country’s first atomic power plant because of an unspecified safety concern, a senior government official said.

The vague explanation raised questions about whether the mysterious computer worm known as Stuxnet might have caused more damage at the Bushehr plant than previously acknowledged. Other explanations are possible for unloading the fuel rods from the reactor core of the newly completed plant, including routine technical difficulties.

While the exact reason behind the fuel’s removal is unclear, the admission is seen as a major embarrassment for Tehran because it has touted Bushehr — Iran‘s first atomic power plant — as its showcase nuclear facility and sees it as a source of national pride. When the Islamic Republic began loading the fuel just four months ago, Iranian officials celebrated the achievement.

Iran‘s envoy to the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency in Vienna said that Russia, which provided the fuel and helped construct the Bushehr plant, had demanded the fuel be taken out. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS CYBER-SECURITY BRIEFING: DoD wants common cyber picture

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

28February2011 7:30amEST

GCIS CYBER-SECURITY UPDATE: The U.S. Cyber Command may be operational, but it's lacking a crucial component – situational awareness.

Brig. Gen. John Davis, director of current operations for the Defense Department's Cyber Command, said situational awareness has been his number one challenge from the start.

DoD launched Cyber Command in November. With components in each organization, it is responsible for shielding 15,000 military networks.

Davis spoke Wednesday at a forum of industry leaders during a conference sponsored by the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association. He said while situational awareness isn't fully operational, Cyber Command does have some pieces in place and have put a lot of thought into the type of system needed to complete the project.

"In terms of where we're headed, we've outlined some effects-based operational requirements that we think are our near-term priorities," Davis said. "So these are going to drive us. And we always translate it back to our operational requirements to drive where we're headed with situational awareness."

Davis said even though he focuses on Cyber Command – specific requirements, there are common threads between government and private sectors when it comes to cybersecurity concerns and needs.

"We all share the same infrastructure," Davis said. "Ninety percent of what I use to do military missions across DoD rides on the commercial infrastructure. You can't separate this stuff out – it's all interconnected. So there should be a lot of common threads that run throughout what I need as a military commander and what you all are seeing." (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Bin Laden's Second Releases Video

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Sun

28February2011 7:00amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: In an online rant Ayman al-Zawahiri said the man behind 9/11 had ordered his al-Qaeda network to avoid "indiscriminate" attacks on Muslim civilians.

Both men – on the run since 9/11 – have a $25million price on their heads.

Terror expert Neil Doyle said: "They may be trying to endear themselves to Arab protesters." (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Muslim Brotherhood: Ahmadinejad 'Bravest Man In The Muslim World'

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Fars News Agency

28February2011 6:30amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: TEHRAN – A senior member of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Kamal al-Halbavi, praised Iran's role in consolidating unity and solidarity among the Muslim countries throughout the world.

"Given the recent developments in the region, we need unity among the Muslim countries and Iran can play an important role in this regard," Halbavi said on Sunday, addressing a conference in Tehran dubbed 'Islamic Awakening in Arab World'.

He also called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad his favorite leaders in the world, and said, "He is the bravest man in the Muslim world and we (in Egypt) need innocent, honest and brave leaders like him."

Halbavi reiterated that the West is opposed to the progress of the Muslim countries and that's why the world powers are against Iran's progress in scientific and technological fields.

Despite the rules enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entitling every member state, including Iran, to the right of uranium enrichment, Tehran is now under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment.

Tehran has dismissed West's demands as politically tainted and illogical, stressing that sanctions and pressures merely consolidate Iranians' national resolve to continue the path.  (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Qaddafi's air force is up again and ferrying fresh troops to defend Tripoli

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: DEBKAfile

28February2011 6:00amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Hours after the UN Security Council unanimously imposed sanctions on Col. Muammar Qaddafi and his regime, his reactivated air force was flying army and tribal reinforcements from the south and landing them at the military airfields of Tripoli, Misrata and Sirte. DEBKAfile's military sources report.  Sunday night, Feb. 27, men were immediately deployed at the main road intersections leading to the capital.

This move at the current stage of Libya's civil war lessens the military significance of the rebels' reported takeover of towns around Tripoli, including Al Zawiya to the west, from which Qaddafi's forces pulled back to guard the main road to Tripoli.

For now, the rebels face four main difficulties:

1. They lack organized military strength to stand up to Qaddafi's professionally-trained and equipped soldiers. This imbalance can only be offset by a mutiny in the army's ranks or assassination.
2. Instead of digging in and consolidating their control of the eastern part of the country after its capture, the rebels went after Tripoli in order to topple Qaddafi. Sunday night, this goal looked unattainable.
3. They have rejected US and European offers of military assistance in the strongest terms warning that if foreign troops intervened they would redirect their guns from Qaddafi on the interlopers.
4. The rebels are fighting without air cover, while Qaddafi's forces command enough air power and air fields in the south to keep up a steady flow of fresh fighting men in his support.

Early Sunday, Feb. 27, US President Barack Obama called on Libyan ruler Col. Muammar Qaddafi to leave now, having lost the legitimacy to rule since "his only means of staying in power is to use violence against his own people," and the UN Security Council's 15 members unanimously slapped down wide-reaching sanctions on members of his family and regime commanders, calling for an immediate International Criminal Court probe of Qaddafi, his seven sons and daughter and military commanders, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: U.S. freezes Libyan assets, closes embassy

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Air Force Times

26February2011 7:00pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: WASHINGTON — The Obama administration froze assets of the Libyan government, leader Moammar Gadhafi and four of his children Friday, just hours after it closed the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli and evacuated its remaining staff. U.S. officials said announcements of the steps were withheld until Americans wishing to leave the country had departed as they feared Gadhafi might retaliate amid worsening violence in the North African country.

The measures announced Friday ended days of cautious U.S. condemnation of Gadhafi that had been driven by concerns for the safety of U.S. citizens in Libya. They struck directly at his family, which is believed to have amassed great wealth over his four decades in power.

President Obama accused the Gadhafi regime of violating “human rights, brutalization of its people and outrageous threats.” In a statement issued by the White House, the president said “Gadhafi, his government and close associates have taken extreme measures against the people of Libya, including by using weapons of war, mercenaries and wanton violence against unarmed civilians.”

“I further find that there is a serious risk that Libyan state assets will be misappropriated by Gadhafi, members of his government, members of his family, or his close associates if those assets are not protected,” Obama said.

“By any measure, Moammar Gadhafi’s government has violated international norms and common decency and must be held accountable,” the statement said. He added that the instability in Libya constituted an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Russia Vows to Sell Missiles to Syria

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Defense News

26February2011 6:00pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: MOSCOW – Russia announced Feb. 26 that it intended to fulfill its contract to supply Syria with cruise missiles despite the turmoil shaking the Arab world and Israel's furious condemnation of the deal.

"The contract is in the implementation stage," news agencies quoted Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as saying.

Russia initially agreed to send a large shipment of anti-ship Yakhont cruise missiles to Syria in 2007 under the terms of a controversial deal that was only disclosed by Serdyukov in September 2010.

The revelation infuriated Israel and the United States and there had been speculation that Russia would decide to tear up the contract amid the current turmoil plaguing North Africa and the Middle East.

Israel – which is still technically in a state of war with Syria and fears its close ties with Iran – suspects that the shipment is ultimately aimed at supplying Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Italian defense companies supply Libya arsenal

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Defense News

26February2011 5:00pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: ROME – Italy has sold Libya explosives, gun targeting equipment and other military hardware worth tens of millions of euros (dollars) in the past two years, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported on Feb. 26.

The newspaper quoted an official report from the Italian interior ministry that listed signed contracts as well as ongoing negotiations between Libya and several major Italian defense companies including industry giant Finmeccanica.

Missile systems maker Mbda Italia signed a deal worth 2.5 million euros in May 2009 to supply Libya with "material for bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles," the interior ministry report was quoted as saying.

Helicopter maker Augusta Westland signed two contracts with Libya in October 2010 worth 70 million euros. Also last year, Selex Sistemi Integrati signed a 13-million-euro deal to provide Libya with gun targeting equipment.

Italy and its former colony Libya signed a friendship treaty in 2008 that opened the way for major business deals. Italy is now Libya's top trade partner and Italian energy major ENI is the biggest foreign energy producer in Libya. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Middle East mercenaries – historical review

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Time

26February2011 4:00pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: While the protests convulsing Bahrain and Libya this past week occurred in vastly different contexts — and will likely produce very different results — both were met with conspicuously swift crackdowns. And in both cases, reports suggest the Libyan and Bahraini regimes deployed foreign fighters and mercenaries against their own citizens, lethal clashes that left scores wounded and many dead.

Though difficult to substantiate in the current chaos, reports from eastern Libya, in particular from the city of Benghazi, claim that snipers and militiamen from sub-Saharan Africa gunned down residents on the streets. The Dubai-based al-Arabiya network says some of the guerrillas were Francophone mercenaries recruited by one of the sons of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Qatar-based al-Jazeera detailed pamphlets circulated to mercenary recruits from Guinea and Nigeria, offering them $2,000 per day to crack down on the Libyan uprising.

And, as further reports of defections from the Libyan military filter in, the cornered Gaddafi regime may turn more and more to hired guns from abroad. On television channels and Twitter, frantic rumors circulated about Gaddafi preparing for a mercenary-backed counteroffensive against his opponents.

While the violence appears to have pushed Libya to a tipping point, protests in Bahrain slackened after a week of bloody confrontations between demonstrators and the country's security forces.

Sectarian tensions underlie the unrest, with the tiny island kingdom's Sunni Muslim monarchy pitted against the country's predominantly Shi'ite population. A significant segment of the state's security personnel are Sunnis brought in from countries like Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Pakistan to buttress the ruling dynasty's authority. It's a policy that Shi'ites say is symbolic of widespread institutional discrimination in Bahrain, and it played a key role in clashes earlier this month when uncompromising — and often foreign — security forces violently dispersed protesting crowds, killing at least six.

The popular outrage surrounding the use of these foreign soldiers in the crackdowns isn't surprising, but it's only in the past century that the armies of most of the world's nation-states have actually reflected the demographics of their countries. For centuries before, most militaries contained whole regiments of mercenaries and roving soldiers of fortune and were often staffed by officers from foreign lands.

The term freelance — now a feature of journalistic lingo — still carries its original martial connotation from a time when companies of fighting men raised their blades in the service of the highest bidder. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.