Friday, April 29, 2011
Inside A Nuclear Silo
Nuclear missile launch teams tether cases containing classified documents to their bodies before heading off to their 24-hour-alert shift in a Montana missile field. Jonathan TorgovnikMeet The Airmen Who Watch Over America's Nukes—And Await the Unthinkable -- Popular Mechanics
Deep underground in remote locales lies the United States' stockpile of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Though they are icons of the Cold War, ICBMs remain the cornerstone of U.S. nuclear defense, and stand at 99 percent readiness levels decades into their lifetimes. Popular Mechanics descends into a Montana bunker to meet the airmen who stand guard over America's nukes, awaiting the call they hope never to receive.
Read more ....
My Comment: It has cost the U.S. taxpayer almost $1 trillion to have such an arsenal .... an arsenal that we rarely get a chance to peek at (until now).
Libya War News Updates -- April 29, 2011
Libyan Forces Clash with Tunisian Soldiers -- Voice of America
Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi clashed with Tunisian soldiers Friday, after crossing the border while pursuing rebel fighters.
Witnesses say Tunisian forces fought back, pushing the pro-Gadhafi soldiers back into Libya.
Libyan forces have been trying to reclaim the border crossing, in the western Wazin region, which was seized by rebels last week.
Read more ....
More News On Libya's Civil War
Libyan forces breach border with Tunisia -- Yahoo News/AP
Pro-Gaddafi forces clash with Tunisian military -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Pro-Gadhafi forces clash with Tunisian military -- Haaretz
Libyan Fighting for Key Border Crossing Spills Into Tunisia -- Bloomberg
Libyan fighting spills into neighboring Tunisia -- Washington Post
Pro-Gaddafi forces flee into Tunisian border town: TAP -- Xinhuanet
Tunisia summons Libyan envoy over incursions -- Reuters
Battles rage at Misrata, Libya border post -- Yahoo News/AFP
Fighting Shows No Signs of Easing in Libyan City of Misrata -- Voice of America
Libyan government forces make another push for embattled Misrata -- CNN
Libya: Nato says Gaddafi tried to mine Misrata harbour -- BBC
Misrata rebel leader pleads for help to topple Gaddafi -- The Guardian
Evacuees flee Misrata for Benghazi -- Xinhuanet
Hundreds dead, bodies in the streets and a city reduced to rubble: Full horror of Misrata siege finally emerges -- The Daily Mail
US says Gadhafi troops issued Viagra, raping victims -- MSNBC/Reuters
Viagra allegations raised amid Libya divisions at UN -- AFP
U.S. Ambassador Alleges Qaddafi Issuing Troops Viagra -- New York Magazine
NATO mulls new plan to strike pro-Gaddafi forces -- Xinhuanet
NATO Says It Is Stepping Up Attacks on Libya Targets -- New York Times
Libya faces potential food crisis unless stocks are replenished soon, UN warns -- UN News Centre
UN says Libya will suffer food crisis within 2 months unless stock replenished -- Canadian Press/AP
Libya at risk of food crisis as domestic clashes continue -- Xinhuanet
US: Libya death toll could be as high as 30,000 -- SFGate/AP
In Egypt, Libyan Refugees Find Tough Conditions -- NPR
Misrata offers painful reality check for West -- Mary Dejevsky, Sunday Independent
Blame Italy for Libya -- Selig S. Harrison, National Interest
Unrest Grows In Uganda
Uganda Riots Over Kizza Besigye's Arrest -- BBC
At least one person has died in riots in Uganda's capital over the treatment of opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
Security forces have fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters burning tyres.
Mr Besigye sought medical treatment after being tear-gassed in his car and bundled roughly into a truck when he was arrested on Thursday.
It was his fourth detention this month for his participation in a "walk-to-work" protest over high prices.
President Yoweri Museveni has said the walking campaign over the rise in the cost of living is illegal.
After his arrest Dr Besigye was charged with inciting violence but released on medical grounds until 2 May.
Read more ....
More News On The Unrest In Uganda
Rioting breaks out in Ugandan capital -- AFP
Fresh Riots Erupt in Uganda -- Wall Street Journal
Ugandan Police Fire Bullets, Tear Gas in Kampala Amid Protests Over Prices -- Bloomberg
Uganda politician's arrest sparks deadly riot -- Al Jazeera
Uganda: Riots Break Out in Kampala, Leaving One Dead -- AllAfrica.com/RFI
Ugandan Opposition Leader Arrested Again -- Voice of America
Ugandan opposition leader heads to Kenya for care -- Reuters
In pictures: Uganda riots erupt over Besigye's arrest -- BBC
Both Uganda's protesters and its government draw lessons from Egypt revolution -- Christian Science Monitor
Guest post: Will Uganda's protests play out like Egypt or Libya? -- Michael Wilkerson, Foreign Policy
Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 29, 2011
WADI WATCH - U.S. Army Pfc. Aaron Birmingham keeps on eye on a wadi or dry gully in Andar, Afghanistan, April 21, 2011. Birmingham is an infantryman assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's Company D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. The area is known as a Taliban stronghold and is where the unit received small arms fire earlier in the month. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew GuffeyPetraeus’s Optimism About Afghanistan Not Shared At CIA -- Foreign Policy
CIA Director Leon Panetta and ISAF Commander Gen. David Petraeus will get new assignments Thursday, with Panetta being nominated to head the Pentagon and Petraeus replacing him at the CIA. But the CIA and the military have completely different assessments of the NATO-led force's progress in Afghanistan, placing Petraeus in charge of a bureaucracy largely skeptical of his optimistic analysis of the war.
Read more ....
More News On Afghanistan
Report touts progress in Afghanistan war -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghan violence rises amid troop surge-Pentagon -- Reuters
3 NATO Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan -- RTT News
Air Force Academy professor Phil Ambard killed in Afghanistan -- Denver Post
NATO officers: Taliban planning spate of violence -- Boston.com/AP
Tough summer ahead in Afghanistan, says Joint Chiefs chair -- Government Executive
NATO general: Mass Afghan jailbreak not endangering military gains -- M&C
Karzai considers military draft in Afghanistan instead of all-volunteer army -- Washington Post
To Lead Afghan War, Obama Chooses Marine Known for Swaying Sunnis in Iraq -- New York Times
Next ISAF commander Allen described as an educated, deliberate leader -- Stars And Stripes
How Allen's Time In Iraq May Serve Him In Afghanistan -- NPR (Audio)
Lt. Gen. John Allen to lead in Afghanistan -- Marine Times
U.S. military dismayed by delays in 3 key development projects in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Funding cuts delay Afghan programs -- UPI
AfPak envoy comes down heavy on Pakistan -- Hindustan Times
‘Pakistan, US will work together to resolve Afghan conflict’ -- Daily Times
Fareed Zakaria on scaling back the U.S. role in Afghanistan -- CNN
Taliban finding clarity as NATO struggles to deliver message -- Reuters
World News Briefs -- April 29, 2011
Prince William and Kate Middleton Exchange Vows at Royal Spectacular -- ABC News
With the bells of Westminster Abbey ringing across London, the newly married Kate Middleton and Prince William rode triumphantly in an open carriage waving to their cheering British subjects.
As the couple exited the abbey following their wedding in front of 1,900 guests, the bride curtsied to Queen Elizabeth and William bowed.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Syria Baath Party members quit; military defections reported.
Yemeni protesters decry Saleh transition deal. Yemen's Saleh threatens to quit transition deal.
US to reassess Palestinian aid after Hamas-Fatah deal. Surprise Palestinian unity deal challenges Israel.
In northern Iraq, attacks kill at least 12.
Syria was constructing nuclear reactor, IAEA chief suggests.
ASIA
Thai military: Deadly fighting resumes at Thai-Cambodian border. Thai, Cambodia clashes continue despite cease-fire.
U.S. military dismayed by delays in 3 key development projects in Afghanistan.
Jimmy Carter criticizes U.S., South Korea for refusing food aid to North.
Pakistan tests ballistic missile.
AFRICA
Latest military activity in Libya. Pro-Gaddafi forces clash with Tunisian military. Libyan government forces make another push for embattled Misrata.
Uganda riots reach capital as anger against President Museveni grows. Rioting breaks out in Ugandan capital.
Sudan: Bashir threatens south over Abyei.
Zimbabwe elections scheduled for this year may be delayed, Herald reports.
Egypt shows signs of new assertiveness abroad.
EUROPE
Watch the British royal wedding live. (ABC News) Britain celebrates monarchy as Kate, William wed. Royal Wedding coverage from Reuters. William and Kate marry as world watches.
Photo gallery of Royal wedding.
Putin eclipses Medvedev in run-up to 2012 election.
Earth to Greece: It’s over (a commentary).
AMERICAS
Survivors picking up pieces from deadly twisters. Sprawling devastation as US storm toll reaches 313.
Obama announces cabinet, Afghanistan changes.
Drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia allegedly supplied with weapons from Honduran military.
Self-rule on the rise in Mexico's prisons.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Terrorists discover uses for Twitter.
Morocco probes deadly Marrakesh cafe blast.
Al-Shabaab terrorists on the offensive in Somalia.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Growth data cast doubt over U.S. recovery.
Wal-Mart: Our shoppers are 'running out of money'.
Silver hits record near $50, first time since 1980.
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 29, 2011
Photo: Lt. Gen. John R. Allen. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images For The New York TimesTo Lead Afghan War, Obama Chooses Marine Known for Swaying Sunnis in Iraq -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — Lt. Gen. John R. Allen was called to the White House on Thursday for the formal announcement that he would take custody of the war in Afghanistan, now the focus of attention as the Obama administration moves toward withdrawing troops and handing over responsibility to the government in Kabul.
Read more ....
MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
Karzai considers military draft in Afghanistan instead of all-volunteer army -- Washington Post
Middle East Military Air Market to Showcase Robust Growth Between 2011 and 2020 -- Defpro
U.S. Probing Russian Openness to Tactical Arms Cuts, Lawmaker Says -- Global Security Newswire
Two Australians charged over military sex scandal -- AFP
Dutch Fighter Pilot Arrested for Divulging State Secrets -- Defense News
Fighter Jock Shortage? -- Ares/Aviation Week
With New Software, Drones Get Closer to Thinking Like Pilots -- Popsci
SECNAV: Women will serve on attack subs -- Navy Times
USAREUR retires Vietnam-era 'Huey' helicopter -- Stars And Stripes
DoD Moves Toward 'Should-Cost' Programs -- Defense News
Mullen: DOD Must Help Solve Federal Debt Crisis -- U.S. Department of Defense
Stanford Debates R.O.T.C.'s Return -- New York Times
Stanford faculty vote to invite ROTC back to campus after four decades -- L.A. Times
U.S. Army launching new email system -- Stars And Stripes
CIA failed to kill old Communist leaders, Cuban lawmaker says -- McClatchy News
Media tour prison where WikiLeaks suspect held. -- Washington Times
The Trouble With Petraeus -- Michael Cohen, Democracy Arsenal (a commentary)
Bob Gates leaves the Pentagon -- The Economist
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