Iron Dome Is A Success Story In Israel

Iron Dome Battery outside Beersheba (Photo: Herzl Yosef)

Iron Dome’s Crucial Gaza Test -- Leor Sapir, Commentary

Earlier this month, Palestinian militants fired approximately 300 rockets and mortar shells into Israel’s southern population centers. The ensuing escalation left more than 20 Palestinian militants dead, and about the same number of Israelis wounded. The barrage ensued after Israel killed Zuhir al-Qaisi, head of the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza, who had been planning an attack on Israeli civilians similar to that of 2011, which left eight Israelis dead. He was also one of the masterminds behind the 2006 kidnapping of Gilad Shalit. But the most important result of this exchange is that the fighting resulted in a crucial test of the Iron Dome missile defense system.

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My Comment: 20 years ago this was all a dream .... now .... it is a reality.

'Dirty Bombs' Or Other Nuclear Devices Can Be Traced Back To Their Source

Dirty Bombs Traceable By DNA Analysis, Say British Ministers -- The Guardian

Improvised nuclear or radiological devices can be traced by new forensic procedures developed by the Ministry of Defence.

"Dirty bombs" – improvised nuclear or radiological devices – could be traced back to their source through new forensic and DNA analysis developed by the Ministry of Defence, ministers have said. A nuclear forensics capability applying conventional forensics techniques to radiologically contaminated evidence will be set up at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston next month, they disclosed.

Nuclear and radiological materials have unique fingerprints – chemical and physical characteristics, officials said. "Potentially, they could tell what part of the world they come from," said one official.

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My Comment: I read a few years ago that the U.S. had this technology .... that if a nuclear device should explode in the U.S. (or elsewhere) .... they would be able to trace where it came from.

Memo to Pakistan, India, etc .... you better watch your nuclear stockpiles.

Is The Pentagon Covering Up Afghan Insider Attacks?

Pentagon Covers Up Afghan Insider Attacks -- IBD Editorial

War On Terror: The problem of insider attacks against coalition soldiers by Afghan security forces is worse than what's being reported. The Pentagon has covered up the full extent of the treachery.

On Monday, NATO reported that yet another uniformed Afghan soldier murdered two more coalition soldiers, bringing the official count of such "green-on-blue" casualties to 77. But the actual figure may be more than double. The Pentagon has made it look as if a number of American victims of insider attacks died while fighting in combat.

Take the case of Marine Lance Cpl. Edward J. Dycus, who died Feb. 1 from a gunshot wound while serving in Afghanistan. In the official announcement of his death, the Pentagon said Dycus died "while conducting combat operations."

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More News On Afghan Soldiers Murdering U.S./NATO Soldiers

Dempsey: Afghans Must Prevent ‘Green-on-Blue’ Violence -- US Department of Defense
Third NATO service member killed in alleged "green on blue" attack -- CNN
Three ISAF Soldiers Killed By Afghans In Uniform -- Radio Free Europe
Third Of Troop Deaths 'Green On Blue' -- WCVB TV News/CNN
Green On Blue Attacks: NATO Troops Killed By Afghanistan Soldier -- Huffington Post
Gen. Allen admits ‘green-on-blue’ attacks erode trust -- Washington Times
Panetta: No pattern of Afghan soldier attacks on NATO troops -- The Hill
Timeline: Rogue attacks against NATO troops in Afghanistan. -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Panetta: U.S. War Strategy Cannot Be Dictated By Polls

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson as the secretary arrives in Ottawa, Ontario, March 26, 2012, to attend meetings with Canadian and Mexican defense officials. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Panetta: Polls Won't Change Afghan Strategy -- CNN

Ottawa (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said Tuesday polls would not change the strategy in Afghanistan, underscoring the fact that he realizes the American people have tired of war.

"We cannot fight wars by polls," Panetta said in Ottawa, where he was attending a trilateral defense meeting with Canadian and Mexican officials.

Panetta was responding to a new New York Times/CBS poll showing that 69% of Americans want troops out of Afghanistan.

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More News On Panetta's Remarks That War Strategy Cannot Be Dictated By Polls

Panetta says focus on strategy, not polls in Afghanistan -- Reuters
Panetta: War strategy can’t be guided by polls as survey shows most Americans oppose war -- Washington Post/AP
Panetta says polls cannot dictate Afghan war plans -- AFP
Panetta: Polls Cannot Dictate Afghan War Strategy -- Voice of America
U.S. will continue with its plans for the Afghanistan war irregardless -- Examiner

The Afghanistan War Is Now More Unpopular Than The Iraq War

Afghanistan War Is Now More Unpopular Than Iraq War -- Danger Room

There is no “good war” anymore.

According to a New York Times poll, 69 percent of Americans think the U.S. shouldn’t be waging the Afghanistan war. That reinforces the findings of a recent Pew poll, in which nearly six-in-ten respondents supported bringing U.S. troops home ASAP. It’s a major hemorrhage of support. Just a few weeks ago, the war was merely unpopular, with 54 percent saying it wasn’t worth fighting.

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Update: Afghanistan Opinion Reaching Peak Anti-Iraq Levels -- Time

My Comment: Having the Afghan war reach this level of unpopularity is note-worthy for the simple fact that during the Iraq war the media/Democrats/academia/anti-war activists/etc. were consistent on a daily basis in their opposition to the conflict .... while in the case of today's Afghan war .... such consistent opposition is absent and/or mute at best. This is unfortunate because if this group exhibited the same intensity as they did with Iraq .... my prediction is that public opinion would have probably forced President Obama's to get out of Afghanistan a year or two ago instead of finding ourselves still mired in this hopeless conflict.

U.S. Public Support For Continued Involvement In The Afghan War Has Collapsed

Support In U.S. For Afghan War Drops Sharply, Poll Finds -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — After a series of violent episodes and setbacks, support for the war in Afghanistan has dropped sharply among both Republicans and Democrats, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

The survey found that more than two-thirds of those polled — 69 percent — thought that the United States should not be at war in Afghanistan. Just four months ago, 53 percent said that Americans should no longer be fighting in the conflict, more than a decade old.

The increased disillusionment was even more pronounced when respondents were asked their impressions of how the war was going. The poll found that 68 percent thought the fighting was going “somewhat badly” or “very badly,” compared with 42 percent who had those impressions in November.

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Previous Post: American Support For War In Afghanistan Hits An All-Time Low

My Comment: Public support for the war is weaker than what the poll indicates. Many Democrats still support the conflict, and I believe they do so out of loyalty to President Obama. If the President was a Republican, this low Democrat support for continued involvement in the Afghan war would probably be hitting zero instead of the 10% that the poll is indicating.

My prediction .... by this time next year 90% of the US public will be pushing for an early withdrawal from Afghanistan .... and I am one of them.

Why Did President Obama Intervened In Having A Reporter Jailed In Yemen

The Dangers Of Reporting The 'War On Terror' -- Al Jazeera

We look at Obama's role in the continued imprisonment of a Yemeni journalist and the issues behind it.

Rarely does the Listening Post dedicate a whole show to the story of a single journalist. But when that story speaks so eloquently of how world history is being written, or erased, we decided it was something we just could not ignore.

In December 2009, Yemen's air force claimed it had killed 30 suspected al-Qaeda operatives during an airstrike on a training camp in the southern Abyan province.

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My Comment: This is a shocking story. If true .... so much for the White House's (and President Obama's) commitment to the freedom of the press and human rights.

The Taliban Options Are Limited In Afghanistan

AFGHAN-LED MISSION
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Alejandro Santiago follows a patrol led by Afghan police in the Khan Neshin district, Afghanistan, March 24, 2012. Santiago is an assistant team leader assigned to the Police Advisor Team, Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. The police patrolled to Wali Jan, a small village almost three miles away from the Khen Neshin police precinct, to speak to elders to assess the needs of the village. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michael Cifuentes

Taliban's Peace Options Limited -- Brian M Downing, Asia Times

Over the past 10 years, the Taliban have recovered from their ouster and established a presence in half of Afghanistan's districts, where they have become a de facto government in many of them. The Afghan government is frail and unwilling to reform. The United States is war-weary and looking for the way out. Negotiations are in the offing.

One American and two Britons were killed this week by Afghan soldiers in separate incidents, bringing the number of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops killed in 2012 to 16. These 16 service members - 18% of the 84 foreign troops killed so far this year - have been shot and killed by Afghan soldiers and policemen or militants disguised in their uniforms.

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My Comment: This is one of the best reviews and analysis that I have read on Taliban strengths and weaknesses in their present (and future) fight in Afghanistan. Read it all.

A Thaw In U.S.-Pakistan Relations?

Barack Obama Welcomes Thawing Of US-Pakistan Relations -- The Telegraph

US President Barack Obama calls for balance in Pakistan's review of its relations with Washington.

In the highest-level contact between the uneasy allies since US commandos killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani military town last May, Barack Obama conceded relations had been strained in recent months.

Speaking on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Seoul on Tuesday, Mr Obama told Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani that he hoped a Pakistan parliamentary review of fraught ties with Washington would be balanced and respect US security needs.

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President Barack Obama participates in a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea, March 27, 2012. White House photo by Pete Souza

More News On U.S. - Pakistan Relations

Obama Concedes U.S., Pakistan Strains -- Time/AP
Pakistan PM holds security talks with President Obama -- BBC
Obama: U.S., Pakistan share common goals -- UPI
Obama Says Confident U.S., Pakistan Can Repair Strained Ties -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S., Pakistan Need to ‘Get it Right,’ Obama Says -- US Department of Defense
Obama calls for 'balanced approach' to U.S.-Pakistan relations -- CNN
Obama: Pakistan review must respect U.S. security needs -- Reuters
Obama Seeks Thaw With Pakistan at Seoul Summit -- ABC News/AP
Obama, Gilani vow to rescue anti-terror alliance -- AFP

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials On The War In Afghanistan -- March 27, 2012

Another Side Of Afghanistan -- Larry Towell, Time

Back in 2008, photographer Larry Towell’s agency, Magnum Photos, had contacted him about a project in Afghanistan that would require him to embed with the British military. Towell, having just completed work in Palestine, decided that he didn’t want to see Afghanistan for the first time with an embed, and instead set forth to see the country on his own. “It was important for me to learn more about the history of Afghanistan to get some perspective about what’s going on today and see if I even had anything to say,” says Towell, who was later awarded a Magnum Emergency Fund to aid his work. From 2008 to 2011, Towell traveled to Afghanistan five times, documenting in both photographs and videos the various social issues that plague its citizens, from drug addiction and poverty to the prevalence of landmines, many of which still remain from the Soviet occupation of the country during the 1980s.

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Commentaries, Opinions, Analysis, And Editorials On Afghanistan

US defeat won’t be Afghan victory -- Pervez Hoodbhoy, Express Tribune
War Chief: Afghans Will Take Combat Lead Next Year -- Danger Room
Nato deaths raise tension over Afghanistan strategy -- Nick Hopkins, The Guardian
Rushing for the exits: The wrong lesson of A’stan -- Arthur Herman, New York Post
War Fatigue -- Mark Thompson, Time
Afghans do not want the tanks to leave, and nor should we -- Jillian Hocking, Sydney Morning Herald
O'Hanlon: My interview with General John Allen -- CNN
Kandahar massacre par for the course in Afghanistan -- Jean MacKenzie, Global Post
War Atrocities in Afghanistan: Who Is Blameworthy? -- Mark C. Russell, Huffington Post
Could we leave Afghanistan early? -- Juan Williams, FOX News
Who’s Going to Foot This Bill? -- Chuck Spinney, Time
Afghanistan and the long war -- George Friedman, Business Insider/Stratfor
How Would A President Romney Handle Afghanistan? -- Ari Shapiro, NPR
Obama’s ambivalent leadership on Afghanistan -- Michael Gerson, Washington post
Another Side of Afghanistan by Larry Towell -- Time
Afghanistan: Calm thoughts in hard times -- Ronald E. Neumann, The Hill
US counts the cost in Afghanistan -- Alan Fisher, Al Jazeera
Time to cut our losses in Afghanistan -- E. Thomas McClanahan, Kansas City Star/McClatchy News
Civilian Massacres and Koran Burnings: A Tale of Two Misdeeds in Afghanistan -- Aryn Baker, Time
Analysis: Why the aid drawdown in Afghanistan could be a good thing -- IRIN
Robert Bales and the Twin Lessons of Afghanistan, 170 Years Apart -- Mort Rosenblum, New York Times
Britain's war cemetery in Kabul is a sobering reminder of our sacrifice in Afghanistan -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph
Sustaining success in Afghanistan -- John McCain, Joseph I. Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, Washington Post
Don’t Stay the Course: A response to McCain, Lieberman, and Graham -- Andrew C. McCarthy, NRO
Charges in Afghan Shooting Will Be Start of Long Legal Journey -- Yochi Dreazen, The Atlantic

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- March 27, 2012

Obama’s Secret Plan -- Brett M. Decker, The Washington Times

National security takes a back seat to president’s re-election

There is only one thing scarier for the future of America than all of the debt and bad policies President Obama has built up since his 2008 election: It’s what the prospect of an Obama second term would bring. And the president isn’t being honest about what his secret plans are.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Will Voters Give Obama The Flexibility To Surrender? -- IBD Editorial

Deja Nukes: The U.S. Must Not Be Fooled Again by North Korea -- Paul J. Leaf, Foreign Policy

Pyongyang Testing Obama's Patience -- Michael Auslin, Real Clear World/wall Street Journal

Education about N. Korea -- Andrei Lankov, Korea Times

As Assad ‘Accepts’ Peace Plan, Can Syria Reset its Rebellion? -- Tony Karon, Time

Assad's killing fields: Our view: Options to stop Syrian despot's brutality are limited -- Baltimore Sun editorial

Syrian Uprising: Why It Matters -- CBS

The United States Can't Buy Peace in the Middle East -- Neil Snyder, American Thinker

Jerusalem is at the heart of the Palestinian struggle -- Sarah Colborne, The Guardian

Dissidents Warn Iran's Supreme Leader -- Reza Kahlili, American Thinker

Understanding the Sanusi of Cyrenaica: How to avoid a civil war in Libya -- Ambassador Akbar Ahmed and Frankie Martin, Al Jazeera

China Offensive Roils Africans -- Bruce Loudon, Real Clear World/The Australian

Analysis: French shooting case shows counterterrorism limits -- Mark Hosenball, Reuters

Toulouse gunman puts spotlight on France's growing illegal gun trade -- Bastien Inzaurralde, Christian Science Monitor

Good Luck Trying to Get People to Care About Nuclear Security -- Michael Crowley, Time

The dirty little secret about second-term presidents -- Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Policy

Obama World Bank Pick: Growth Kills -- Abe Greenwald, Commentary

World News Briefs -- March 27, 2012 (Evening Edition)

Photo: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday. Credit: Ekaterina Shtukina / Ria Novosti / Kremlin pool

Medvedev, Obama Fire Back At Critics Over Missile Comments -- L.A. Times

SEOUL -- U.S. politics combined with diplomacy as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took a swipe at Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama pointed to an uncooperative Congress to explain why he was delaying negotiations with Russian leaders over missile defense.

Romney, in a CNN interview Monday, had referred to Russia as “our No. 1 geopolitical foe,” prompting Medvedev to tell reporters here that the former Massachusetts governor’s language seemed out of date and “smelled of Hollywood” stereotypes.

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MIDDLE EAST

Annan says Syria has accepted his plan to end violence. Syrian government accepts Annan peace plan. Annan says Syria accepts peace plan, fighting enters Lebanon.

Assad forces still battling Syrian rebels for control of Homs.

Dubai says Islamists trying to weaken UAE via Twitter.

Arab spring leads to wave of Middle East state executions.

Baghdad hopes Arab League summit stakes its place in changing Middle East.

Iraq's ominous trendline of violence.

US eager to send foreign aid to Yemen, a land battling poverty and Al Qaeda.

ASIA

Seoul nuclear summit: North Korea snubs Barack Obama over missile.

Japan goes off script at nuclear summit to slam North Korea.

Crime crackdown adds to scandal surrounding former Chinese official.

US spy drones may fly from Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Cocos Islands. US and Australia discuss drone flights over Indian Ocean.

Barack Obama welcomes thawing of US-Pakistan relations. Obama concedes U.S., Pakistan strains.

Kazakhstan files official complaint over use of Borat anthem.

AFRICA

At least 50 people killed in south Libyan tribal clashes. East Libyans threaten to stop oil to press govt.

Thousands of Tongans line streets for King George V's funeral cortege.

Somali pirates 'seize ship off Maldives'.

Al-Shabab forces lose Somali base of El Bur.

Sudan sends warplanes over South Sudan as border conflict rages. Border clashes erupt as Sudan peace talks approach. Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes.

Mali's military junta appeals to Tuareg rebels for talks. Malians return to work after coup.

Ethiopian troops seize main rebel town in central Somalia.

Islam won't be basis of new Tunisian constitution.

Egypt's Brotherhood considering presidential run.

EUROPE

Sarkozy urges media not to show Merah shootings video. Al-Jazeera will not air video of French attacks.

OECD urges eurozone rescue fund boost to 1tn euros.

Eurozone firewall talk fails to quell fears.

Arab Spring helps push 2011 asylum claims up 20 percent in the West.

EU gives free rein to anti-pirate warships.

Spanish deficit alarm grows.

Mystery gas leak forces hundreds of oil workers to be evacuated from North Sea platform amid fears of explosion.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn faces formal investigation in French prostitution case.

AMERICAS

Day 2 in Cuba: Pope Benedict set to meet Raul Castro in Havana. Pope Benedict gets warm welcome in Cuba in first visit in 14 years.

Colombia says 36 FARC rebels killed in air raid.

Potential for major Falklands oil find infuriates Argentina.

Britain, Argentina clash over "nuclear sub" comment.

Bernanke: U.S. job market 'quite weak'.

Landmark ruling legalizes brothels in Ontario.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

National security concerns may keep USS Cole planner’s Guantánamo testimony secret.

Source: Killer didn't send French attacks video.

Al-Jazeera has video of France's terror attacks.

Pakistani court to charge bin Laden's family for illegally entering country.

Al-Qaeda plotting cyanide attack at London Olympic Games.

Inside Hezbollah’s terror tech museum.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Mark Rypien is lead plaintiff in lawsuit against NFL over head injuries.

Is QE3 back on?

Will Stockton be the biggest U.S. municipal bankruptcy ever?

BMW recalls 1.3 million cars worldwide.

Mali Suspended From ECOWAS In Response To The Military Coup

ECOWAS Suspends Mali’s Membership Over Coup -- Voice of America

A West African regional group has suspended Mali's membership in response to a coup carried out by renegade soldiers last week.

Representatives of 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, held an emergency meeting Tuesday in Ivory Coast. President Alassane Ouattara, who chairs ECOWAS, told the representatives the group must take immediate steps to defend democracy in Mali.

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More News On The Coup In Mali

W. Africa regional bloc suspends Mali after coup -- AP
Neighbours look to sanction Mali coup leaders -- Reuters
Mali suspended from ECOWAS regional bloc after coup -- Reuters
Malians go back to work as regional leaders weigh coup -- AFP
US says still time to reverse Mali coup -- AFP
US suspends Mali aid after coup -- AFP
Mali's Amadou Sanogo comes from obscurity to head junta -- AFP
EU Calls For Restoration Of Mali Constitution After Coup -- RTT News
South Africa: Mali's Coup and Lessons for the Country -- Khadija Patel, All Africa

Russian President Responds To Mitt Romney's CommentThat Russia Is Foe Number One

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev attends a news conference at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul March 27, 2012. Regarding ideological clichés, every time this or that side uses phrases like 'enemy number one,' this always alarms me, this smells of Hollywood and certain times (of the past)," Medvedev said at the end of a nuclear security summit in the South Korean capital. REUTERS/Ekaterina Shtukina/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

Russian President Shoots Back At Romney Over 'Flexibility' Attack -- L.A. Times

U.S. politics combined with diplomacy as Russian President Dmitri Medvedev took a swipe at Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Obama pointed to an uncooperative Congress and a toxic political environment at home to explain why he was delaying negotiations with Russian leaders over missile defense.

Romney, in a CNN interview on Monday, had referred to Russia as "our number one geopolitical foe," prompting Medvedev to tell reporters here that the Republican front runner's language seemed out of date and "smelled of Hollywood" stereotypes.

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More News On Russian President Medvedev's Response To Gov. Mitt Romney's Remarks On Russia being America's Number One Geopolitical Foe

Russian president suggests Romney use reason, head -- AP
Medvedev says Romney's anti-Russia comment smacks of Hollywood -- Reuters
Medvedev To Romney: Use Your Head -- RTT News
Russian president blasts Mitt Romney over comment -- Boston.com
Russia's Medvedev suggests Romney 'use his head' -- FOX News/AP
Medvedev blasts Romney for 'number-one foe' remark -- BBC

My Comment: I am not a fan of Russian President Medvedev, but he is right on this issue. The Cold War ended decades ago .... we are living in a very different world and time today.

Update: The Republican Party is not unified in criticizing President Obama on this diplomatic trip.

Deadly Clashes In Libya Raises The Prospect That The Country May Be Split Into Two

Libyan Violence May Break Into At Least Two States -- Herald Sun/AP

LIBYA's leader has acknowledged that his government has failed to act quickly to restore stability, just as at least 20 people were killed in tribal battles in a southern city.

The deadly clashes underlined the fragile nature of Libya after the fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The central government has been unable to impose its authority even in the capital, and Libya is ruled instead by squabbling tribes and militias.

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More News On Reports of Tribal Clashes In Libya

Deadly tribal clashes in Libya amid separatist threat -- AFP
At least 50 killed in south Libyan tribal clashes -- AP
Militia clashes in southern Libya kill 50 -- Reuters
Libyan militias clash in city of Sabha -- BBC

Arab League Summit Starts In Iraq Today

For Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Arab League summit in Baghdad also offers an opportunity to shore up his position after he emerged from the country's worst political crisis in a year. (File photo)

Iraq Hosts Arab Summit Amid Regional, Internal Tensions -- Voice of America

As Iraq prepares to host a summit this week of Arab leaders in Baghdad, tensions over the conflict in Syria and Iraq's internal problems threaten to deepen divisions rather than promote accord.

Iraq is hosting the Arab League summit for the first time since 1990, just months before Iraq's Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait. It is also the first league summit since the Arab Spring movement swept the region last year and comes amid continuing tensions over Syria. The main gathering of the Arab leaders is planned for Thursday.

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More News On Iraq Hosting The Arab League Summit

Iraq tests regional muscle with Arab summit -- Reuters
Economic talks open Arab League meeting in Iraq -- Boston.com/AP
Syria to Top agenda at Summit in Baghdad -- Time/AP
Iraq hosts Arab League summit, sees it as sign of re-emergence -- Seattle Times/Washington Post
Iraq takes pride in 'Arab Spring summit' -- The National
Iraq Is Neither Sovereign, Stable nor Self-Reliant -- Bernhard Zand, Spiegel Online
Iraq's ominous trendline of violence. Terrorism is up in Iraq, as are political tensions. -- Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor

What A 10 Kiloton Nuke Blast Will Do To Washington DC

Government Report: D.C. Nuke Blast Wouldn’t Destroy City -- Washington Times/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hollywood has destroyed Washington — or New York or Los Angeles — lots of times with nuclear bombs detonated by terrorists. It turns out to be harder in real life.

Thinking about the unthinkable, a U.S. government study analyzed the likely effects from terrorists setting off a 10-kiloton nuclear device a few blocks north of the White House. It predicted terrible devastation for roughly one-half mile in every direction, with buildings reduced to rubble the way that World War II bombing raids destroyed parts of Berlin. But outside that blast zone, the study concluded, even such a nuclear explosion would be pretty survivable.

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More News On The Impact Of A 10-Kiloton Explosion On Washington DC

US: Even a 10-kiloton nuclear bomb won’t destroy Washington -- First Post

Gov't report: DC nuke blast wouldn't destroy city -- Boston.com/AP
Thinking the unthinkable: Gov’t considers effects of nuclear terror attack in Washington -- Washington Post/AP
Here’s What Happens When Our Nation’s Capital Is Nuked -- Gizmodo
Here's What Happens If Someone Decides To Nuke DC -- Business Insider
Good News! A Nuclear Blast Wouldn’t Destroy D.C. -- New York Magazine

My Comment: A 10-kiloton explosion in the middle of Washington DC will make 9-11 look small and insignificant in comparison .... and while it would not be the end of Washington DC .... it will be the end of our way of life as we know it.

Both Sides In Syria's Civil War Have Accepted Assad's Peace Plan, But Fighting Continues

Annan's Six-Point Plan For Syria -- CNN

(CNN) -- U.N.-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan is promoting a six-point initiative to end the violence, bring in relief, and forge a political process to address grievances in Syria.

The U.N. Security Council endorsed a presidential statement last week welcoming Annan's recent appointment as a special envoy on the crisis. It also backed the six-point plan submitted to Syria, which Annan's office said was accepted by President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

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Update #1: Annan says Syria accepts peace plan as troops enter Lebanon -- Reuters
Update #2: Syrian opposition backs Annan plan, wants Assad to halt attacks -- Reuters

My Comment: I am deeply skeptical that this is going work, especially when I am reading reports like this one.

Update: U.N. raises Syria death toll estimate to more than 9,000 -- Reuters

Al Jazeera Will Not Air French Killings Video

Toulouse Shootings: al-Jazeera Decides Against Airing Video -- The Guardian

TV channel says it will not screen footage that appears to show Mohamed Merah's deadly attacks at a school and a barracks

Al-Jazeera has decided against airing a video that purports to show the attacks on soldiers and a Jewish school in south-western France, which was apparently filmed by the killer, and includes the cries of his victims.

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, other French officials and family members of the victims had asked for it not to be broadcast.

The station later posted a brief statement on its website, saying: "al-Jazeera will not air video of French shootings.

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More News On Al Jazeera Decising To Not Air The Toulouse Shooting Video

Source: Killer didn't send French attacks video -- AP
Al Jazeera not to air French killings video -- Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera says won't air French gunman film -- Reuters
Al-Jazeera not to air France shootings video -- AFP
Network won't show France killings video, it says -- CNN
Al Jazeera Will Not Air Toulouse Massacre Video -- RIA Novosti
Al-Jazeera opts not to air Merah shootings video -- BBC
France shootings: What the 'Merah video' contains -- BBC

Heavy Fighting Reported Between Sudan And South Sudan Armies

S. Sudan, Sudan Clash Along Border -- Voice of America

South Sudan is accusing Sudan of launching a second day of airstrikes on oil-rich territory along their disputed border, one day after a rare direct military confrontation between the two rivals.

South Sudanese Information Minister Gideon Gatpan says the north's Antonov fighter planes dropped at least two bombs early Tuesday on oil fields in the south's Unity state.

Read more ....

More News On The Military Clashes Between Sudan And South Sudan Armies

Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes -- BBC
Sudan, S. Sudan armies clash, Bashir suspends trip -- Reuters
Fresh air strikes on South as Sudan quits summit -- AFP
South Sudan Says Sudan Bombed Oil Field as Bashir Cancels Summit -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Fighting Intensifies Along Sudan's Southern Border -- Washington Post
South Sudan Official Says Sudan Bombs Oil Field -- ABC News/AP
South Sudan says Sudan bombs oil fields in border region -- Euronews/Reuters
South Sudan accuses North of bombing oil fields -- France24

My Comment: This can quickly escalate into an all-out war.

President Obama Clarifies His Missile Defense Remarks

Obama Explains Missile Defense Remarks -- Voice of America

U.S. President Barack Obama set out Tuesday to clarify private remarks about missile defense to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev inadvertently picked up by a live microphone.

At the Seoul nuclear summit, Obama privately told the Russian president that this year is his last election and that he would have more flexibility after he is elected.

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More News On President Obama Clarifying His Remarks To Russian President Medvedev

Obama: I'm not "hiding the ball" on Russia -- CBS/AP
Obama seeks to defuse controversy on missile comments -- Reuters
President Obama defends ‘flexibility’ remarks to Medvedev -- Washington Post
Obama Makes Light of Missile-Shield Remark -- Wall Street Journal
Obama clarifies hot mic comment made to Russian president -- L.A. Times
Barack Obama defends Dmitry Medvedev microphone 'gaffe' -- The Telegraph
Obama hits back in Russia 'hot mike' row -- AFP
Obama hits back on microphone slip -- Sydney Morning Herald

Amnesty International: Surge In The Number Of Executions Worldwide In 2011

'Alarming' Surge In Executions, Says Amnesty -- BBC

Amnesty International says there was a surge in the number of executions carried out worldwide in 2011, mainly centred in the Middle East.

In an annual report, the group said Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia were most responsible for the increase.

But it also noted that China executed more people than the rest of the world put together.

Overall however, fewer countries now practise the death penalty, the group noted.

It said the number of countries using capital punishment has fallen by a third, compared to a decade ago.

"Only 20 countries are known to have carried out executions which means that 178 are not carrying out executions," Amnesty's general secretary Salil Shetty told the BBC.

Read more ....

More News On Amnesty International's Report On Executions

U.S. ranks fifth in global execution league table as it’s revealed 18,750 people in the world are still on death row -- Daily Mail
Amnesty International: Fewer nations execute more -- CNN
Worldwide Executions 'Surge' - Amnesty International -- RIA Novosti
Amnesty alarmed by execution surge -- Al Jazeera
Executions on the Rise Around the World -- Atlantic Wire
Middle East tops Amnesty International’s annual capital punishment report -- Foreign Policy
Group: US is 5th-leading global executioner, but more of its states edge toward abolition -- Washington Post/AP
Amnesty International Says Executions Up In Middle East, Fueling Global Increase -- Radio Free Europe
Arab spring leads to wave of Middle East state executions -- The Guardian
Map: Nations that used the death penalty last year -- L.A. Times

Afghanistan War News Updates -- March 27, 2012

Mass Suicide Attack Foiled On Same Day As Two British Soldiers Were Shot Dead By Afghan Army Officer At Compound Gates -- Daily Mail

* Planned attack targeting buses in capital of Kabul
* 11 suicide jackets seized from ministry of defence
* Army officer told sentries he was government security
* Soldiers shot dead attacker in gunfight

A mass suicide attack which was to target buses in the Afghan capital of Kabul has been foiled.

Intelligence officials seized 11 custom made 'suicide jackets' in the country's ministry of defence, less than a mile from the presidential palace.

Several Afghans, some reportedly soldiers in the Afghan National Army, were arrested and are now being questioned.

The discovery came on the same day two British servicemen were murdered by a renegade Afghan soldier who tried to trick his way into their fortified base.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command morning operational update - March 27, 2012 -- ISAF
Afghanistan: Overview -- Yahoo News
War In Afghanistan News - 27 March 2012 -- War On Terror News

Militant leader in Afghanistan reportedly killed in joint strike -- Washington Post
Senior IMU Leader Reported Killed In Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe
NATO says kills senior militant in Afghanistan -- Reuters
Senior Leader Of Uzbek Terror Group Killed In Afghanistan -- RTT News

Afghan arrests after authorities foil 'suicide attack' -- BBC
Suicide Vests Found Inside Afghan Defense Ministry, Soldiers Arrested -- NPR
Afghan Soldiers Arrested in Suspected Attack Against Government -- New York Times
11 suicide vests found at Afghan military HQ -- CBS
'Mass Suicide Attack' Foiled In Afghanistan -- SKY News
Afghanistan Rejects Reports Of Foiling Massive Suicide Attack -- Radio Free Europe

Afghan security forces kill 3 NATO troops, reflecting a spike in tensions -- Washington Post/AP
Three ISAF Soldiers Killed By Afghans In Uniform -- Radio Free Europe
Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan sees success despite troop slayings -- Washington Times
Top US Commander Examines Leadership Issues in Afghan Killings -- Voice of America
Gen. Allen: Afghan relations bruised, not broken -- CBS
Leon Panetta says attacks by Afghans are not a trend -- The Telegraph
ISAF commander: rogue Afghan army attacks 'to be expected' -- The Telegraph
Two British troops killed in Afghanistan: timeline of 'green on blue' killings -- The Telegraph

'You did your absolute best': Coroner praises comrades of tragic woman soldier who risked their lives to save her after mine blast -- Daily Mail
Soldiers risked lives trying to save fatally injured colleague in Afghanistan -- the Guardian
Bomb disposal expert Lisa Head died after Afghanistan blast -- BBC

Poll: Support for war in Afghanistan hits all-time low -- CBS
Poll: Support for War in Afghanistan Drops Sharply -- Report -- Yahoo News/National Journal
Poll: Record 69% oppose Afghanistan war -- Politico

Billions in cash smuggled out of Afghanistan every year -- CNN
US advisers teach self defense to Afghan air force women -- Dvids
3 Issues Driving White House's Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal Plans -- US News and World Report

Taliban's peace options limited -- Brian M Downing, Asia Times
War Chief: Afghans Will Take Combat Lead Next Year -- Danger Room
Nato deaths raise tension over Afghanistan strategy -- Nick Hopkins, The Guardian
Rushing for the exits: The wrong lesson of A’stan -- Arthur Herman, New York Post
War Fatigue -- Mark Thompson, Time
Afghans do not want the tanks to leave, and nor should we -- Jillian Hocking, Sydney Morning Herald
O'Hanlon: My interview with General John Allen -- CNN

World News Briefs -- March 27, 2012

World Leaders Vow Nuclear Security Action -- CBC

Leaders from more than 50 countries have wrapped up a conference on nuclear security in Seoul, South Korea, by pledging to work together to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism.

They agreed to work on securing all nuclear material by 2014.

"The security of the world depends on the actions that we take," U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday at the end of the two-day meeting.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Annan says Syria has accepted his plan to end violence. Syrian government accepts Annan peace plan. Annan says Syria accepts peace plan, fighting enters Lebanon.

Assad forces still battling Syrian rebels for control of Homs.

Baghdad hopes Arab League summit stakes its place in changing Middle East.

Iraq's ominous trendline of violence.

US eager to send foreign aid to Yemen, a land battling poverty and Al Qaeda.

ASIA

Seoul nuclear summit: North Korea snubs Barack Obama over missile.

Japan goes off script at nuclear summit to slam North Korea.

US spy drones may fly from Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Cocos Islands. US and Australia discuss drone flights over Indian Ocean.

Barack Obama welcomes thawing of US-Pakistan relations. Obama concedes U.S., Pakistan strains.

Kazakhstan files official complaint over use of Borat anthem.

AFRICA

Border clashes erupt as Sudan peace talks approach. Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes.

Mali's military junta appeals to Tuareg rebels for talks. Malians return to work after coup.

Ethiopian troops seize main rebel town in central Somalia.

Islam won't be basis of new Tunisian constitution.

Egypt's Brotherhood considering presidential run.

EUROPE

Sarkozy urges media not to show Merah shootings video. Al-Jazeera will not air video of French attacks.

Eurozone firewall talk fails to quell fears.

Arab Spring helps push 2011 asylum claims up 20 percent in the West.

EU gives free rein to anti-pirate warships.

Spanish deficit alarm grows.

Mystery gas leak forces hundreds of oil workers to be evacuated from North Sea platform amid fears of explosion.

AMERICAS

Pope Benedict gets warm welcome in Cuba in first visit in 14 years.

Colombia says 36 FARC rebels killed in air raid.

Potential for major Falklands oil find infuriates Argentina.

Britain, Argentina clash over "nuclear sub" comment.

Bernanke: U.S. job market 'quite weak'.

Landmark ruling legalizes brothels in Ontario.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistani court to charge bin Laden's family for illegally entering country.

Al-Qaeda plotting cyanide attack at London Olympic Games.

Al-Jazeera has video of France's terror attacks.

Inside Hezbollah’s terror tech museum.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Is QE3 back on?

Will Stockton be the biggest U.S. municipal bankruptcy ever?

BMW recalls 1.3 million cars worldwide.