Beijing War Prep – China moves mobile missiles near coast amid tensions with Japan over islands

The PLA war machine’s intimidation is more than a test for the Japanese. Rather, it’s a test for the United States to show itself to Japan as either a reliable ally or an unreliable ally. At the rate the USA is disarming combined with the economy’s effect on the military and national security, it’s no longer unthinkable that it wouldn’t even be able to protect itself within the next four to ten years — let alone Japan or another ally.

United States intelligence agencies recently detected China’s military shifting road-mobile ballistic missiles closer to its southern coast near the disputed Senkaku Islands amid growing tensions between Beijing and Japan over the islands dispute.

U.S. defense officials said the movements are being watched closely as China’s military is also holding large-scale military exercises that some fear could be a trigger for a conflict with Japan that could involve U.S. forces.

Red Cross: Europe must be ready for popular uprisings

While the Swiss call to take up arms, the Red Cross independently through its own observations, now echos the sentiment and prospect of violent riots taking place throughout Europe, sparked by economic fallout.

Millions of Europeans who were relatively prosperous, now so difficult to get food on the table, that Europe must be prepared for popular uprisings similar to those in North Africa.

The conclusion one is reached the International Red Cross because of the economic crisis in the EU.

The world’s largest humanitarian organization is therefore to establish a strategy for the first time in recent history to equip especially the Red Cross in southern Europe to to handle deep distress and conflict on an unprecedented level.

Russian specialists involved in Syria intercepting Turkish jet, sources say

Diplomatic sources talking to the Sunday Times say Syria shot down the Turkish plane to warn NATO not to intervene in the Syrian conflict.

Russian technicians were involved in the taking down of the Turkish fighter jet by the Syrian military last week the Sunday Times reported on Sunday.

Sourcing Middle Eastern diplomatic sources the Times reported that the decision to down the Turkish jet was intended to signal a warning to NATO to stay out of the conflict raging in Syria for over a year.

Russia supplied Syria with advanced anti-aircraft missile systems three years ago. It is believed that Russian specialists trained the Syrian forces to use them. According to diplomats that spoke with the Sunday Times some Russian specialists are still stationed at the missile battery control centers.

“We would not be surprised if these Russian experts, if they didn’t push the button, at least were beside the Syrian officers who did it,” an Israeli air force source told the British paper.

Full article: Russian specialists involved in Syria intercepting Turkish jet, sources say (Haaretz)

Khamenei: Syria’s Anti-Israel, So We’ll Defend It

“Iran will defend Syria because of its support for the anti-Zionist regime resistance,” Khamenei was quoted as having said as he received Erdogan in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

The supreme leader reiterated Tehran’s staunch rejection of foreign intervention in Syria, saying, “We are strongly opposed to any interference by foreign forces in the internal affairs of Syria… the reforms which have begun there should continue.”

Full article: Khamenei: Syria’s Anti-Israel, So We’ll Defend It (Arutz Sheva)

The Coming China Cyberwar

China’s Military Is Prepared to Wage Large-Scale Cyberwarfare Attacks Against U.S. Military, Civilian Networks

China’s military has developed highly sophisticated cyber warfare capabilities that would be used to cripple computer networks at the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Transportation Command that would direct American forces to defend Taiwan in a future conflict, according to a congressional report.

The cyber attacks would begin weeks before actual hostilities, as cyber warriors associated with two units of the People’s Liberation Army secretly penetrate networks and plant sleeper software that can destroy both hardware and software needed for moving and commanding troops and forces across the Pacific, according to a new report by the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

“Chinese capabilities in computer network operations have advanced sufficiently to pose genuine risk to U.S. military operations in the event of a conflict,” the report states.

The 136-page report, “Occupying the Information High Ground,” was produced by Northrop Grumman for the commission. It will be released Thursday and is based on Chinese military writings, Chinese government statements, and public analysis of recent Chinese intrusions into public and private computer systems.

Full article: The Coming China Cyberwar (Washington Free Beacon)

Vladimir Putin fires off nuclear threat over West’s ‘regime change’ plans for Iran

“Unfortunately, there are many regional conflicts and their number is only growing. But the balance of strategic forces will help avoid major conflicts,” he warned.

Mr Putin laid out a future Russian nuclear defence strategy that kept the United States from establishing a global monopoly on power.

“This is not only our national objective, but also an obligation before all humanity – to keep a balance of strategic forces and their capabilities,” he said.

“This is very important. After World War II, this balance ensured the absence of global conflicts.

Full article: Vladimir Putin fires off nuclear threat over West’s ‘regime change’ plans for Iran (The Australian)

Deciphering The Meaning Of Damascus For Moscow – Analysis

On Feb. 4, 2012, Russia vetoed the draft resolution that was presented to the UN Security Council regarding the condemnation of the violent acts in Syria.

Even though, in accordance with Moscow’s demands, many amendments were made to the resolution, which was drafted by the Arab League and supported by the West, the resolution was vetoed by both Russia and China. The resolution condemned the Damascus government, requested that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad turn his duties over to his assistant and further requested that the violent acts against civilians end. Russia objected to the resolution on the grounds of the text being “biased” and because it did not condemn the armed opposition. As Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, stated, “It is unacceptable to hold the government solely responsible for the violent acts.” Moscow also claims requesting that Assad step down means a regime change, and a regime change is still not acceptable to Russia. After the vetoed resolution, the common point of criticism in international public opinion toward Russia is that Moscow has been green-lighting the continued bloody conflicts in Syria. After the UN Security Council meeting on Feb. 4, the meeting on Feb. 7 between Lavrov and Assad was highly anticipated. The aim and result of this diplomatic endeavor by Russia, which repeatedly stated that a diplomatic solution is a must in Syria, was impatiently awaited by all actors.

Full article: Deciphering The Meaning Of Damascus For Moscow – Analysis (Eurasia Review)