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Category Archives: Uncategorized
UN Security Council Resolution on Syrian CW–Good, But Who’s in Charge?
The UN process took a good step forward with the approval of UNSCR 2118 (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11135.doc.htm). It is important to remember that this will be the mechanism for eliminating the Syrian CW. The other UN activity–headed by Ake Sellstrom and presently … Continue reading
Posted in Syria CW, Uncategorized, United Nations, WMD
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Syria CW: How Can We Make it Worse?
Answer: The United States could destroy Bashir’s control over his chemical weapons. ForeignPolicy.com and others report that communications intercepts suggest some confusion over the order to use CW. If you were to make a list of things to worry about, … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Syria CW, Uncategorized, WMD
Tagged Chemical Weapons, Syrian CW, WMD
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Sniper Attacks on UN Inspectors – Not Surprising
Dr. Ake Seltron’s UN inspection team has now drawn sniper fire. Unfortunately, the UN inspectors are easy targets. To do their job, they have to be out in the open. Using highly visible UN SUVs may be questionable, but committed … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Syria CW, Uncategorized, WMD
Tagged CW, Syria, Weapons Inspections
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Syrian Agreement for Inspections–Why?
If Damascus is permitting the weapons inspectors access to the sites of recent apparent CW attack sites (as reported Sunday 25 August 2013) then why, if they had a role in the recent attacks? First, the weapons inspectors are only … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Syria CW, Uncategorized, WMD
Tagged CW, Intelligence, Syria, Weapons Inspections
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Syria CW Use: Who crossed whose red-line?
Did Bashir cross Obama’s redline, or the other way around? The perspective in Damascus may be different. The Syrian situation has taken yet another turn for the worse. Which is to say it has become even more unpredictable. The apparent … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Syria CW, Uncategorized, WMD
Tagged CW, Syria, weapons inspectors, WMD
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Syria CW Conundrum – Risks, Options, Consequences and Mitigation Measures
So far, Syrian chemical munitions seem to have been protected and have not been used by the Syrian government. There were reports of steps being taken to prepare them for use, but it seems Syria has walked back from that … Continue reading
Posted in Syria CW, Uncategorized, WMD
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Investigations and Elections – Personal Experience
I have no idea what the facts are about the FBI investigation that led to the Petraeus resignation. I also do not know the details behind the investigation of the Benghazi Attack. However, I had the experience of investigation an … Continue reading
Posted in Intelligence, Uncategorized
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Leading the CIA
The Petraeus resignation may look different if you are sitting in the CIA. A salient aspect would be the contrast between the standards Petraeus is reported to have ratcheted up inside the Agency and the ones he lived. During the … Continue reading
Politics in Washington and Beijing
With the United States self-absorbed in its own elections…staring at its navel…it is interesting to see other capitals focusing attention on the upcoming 18th Party Congress that begins two days after the US election. Leadership will change in China and … Continue reading
Iran: The Crisis Grows and US Lacks Influence
The Iran nuclear problem is approaching crisis stage and the IAEA is in a critical position. They have done a remarkable job in being steadfast in working toward their larger objectives and in maintaining credibility in a highly charged political … Continue reading