Semaine du 03 au 09/03/2007


Etats-Unis - Full Text of Indictment in the Lewis “Scooter Libby” Case (October 28, 2005)
FindLaw

Voir aussi, See also :

Government exhibits in U.S. v. I. Lewis Libby (via U.S. Department of Justice)

Evidence Presented During the Trial and Timeline (via Washington Post)
Daily Trial Synopses (via Washington Post)


Etats-Unis, Israel, Iran - Israeli and US Strikes on Iran: A Speculative Analysis
Anthony H. Cordesman, Center for Strategic & International Studies March 5, 2007

"Israel and the US differ over the timing and level of risk posed by Iran's nuclear efforts. The US sees a mature or serious Iranian nuclear threat as coming well after 2010. Israel claims to see it as coming as early as 2009 -- although much of this may be Israeli hype designed to push the US into diplomatic action, and military action if that fails.

Official US policy is to leave all options on the table, and emphasize diplomatic activity through the EU3 and the UN. The US estimates of timelines for Iran's nuclear and missile efforts also leave at least several years in which to build an international consensus behind sanctions and diplomatic pressure, and a consensus behind military options if diplomacy fails.

The US would also have the potential advantage of finding any Iranian “smoking gun,” improving its targeting and strike options, and being able to strike targets in which Iran had invested much larger assets. The fact Iran can exploit time as a weapon in which to proliferate, doe not mean that the US cannot exploit time as a weapon with which to strike Iran.

Israel, on the other hand, sees Iran as an existential threat. A single strike on Tel Aviv and/or Haifa would raise major questions about Israel's future existence..."


Etats-Unis - Strengthening America’s Defenses in the New Security Environment: Second Report to Congress
The Commission on the National Guard and the Reserves 01/03/07

"...We believe that addressing the fundamental problems facing the National Guard requires a broader approach than the legislation envisions. It requires a strategic framework that focuses not only on the National Guard Bureau but also on the parent services of the National Guard, the organizational structure of DOD as a whole, the role of United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the role of the states and their governors, and the role of other government agencies involved in homeland security missions. In that regard, the Commission believes it necessary to consider how best to empower not exclusively the National Guard Bureau but rather overall national security capabilities—including those of the National Guard, as part of a much broader, integrated team..."


Irak - Iraq, its Neighbors, and the U.S. - Research and Experts Available to Journalists
U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) 01/03/07

"Researchers at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) are available to offer journalists insight and context to supplement coverage of this week’s announcement that the U.S. will participate in meetings between Iraq and its neighbors—including Iran and Syria—over the next two months..."


Russie, Moyen Orient - Putin's Middle East Visit: Russia is Back
Heritage Foundation, 3/5/2007

"Vladimir Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia on February 11 was the first ever for any Russian or Soviet leader. Putin also visited U.S. allies Jordan and Qatar. Coming from Munich, where Putin delivered his most bellicose anti-American speech, he further delineated a Russian Middle Eastern policy at odds with Washington's in an interview with Al-Jazeera. Putin reiterated Russia's opposition to the Iraq war and disputed the justice of Saddam's execution. He was also critical of U.S. democracy promotion in the Middle East, attributing the empowerment of Hamas and Hezbollah to January 2006 parliamentary elections promoted by Washington. At the same time, he justified Russia's refusal to recognize Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations due to their electoral victories..."


Russie, Caucase, Etats-Unis - Russia, the United States, and the Caucasus
Strategic Studies Institute March 08, 2007

"In the post-Soviet period, the Caucasus region has been a source of chronic instability and conflict. Many factors have ensured that the region would become a source of significant international engagement and concern. Conflicting interests that have made Russian-American relations in the region highly competitive are addressed as well as areas of shared priorities and mutual advantage that may provide a foundation for containing conflict and heading off further regional disintegration. However they are resolved, regional issues emerging from the Caucasus will have a significant impact upon the larger climate of U.S.-Russian relations in the years to come..."


Inde, Etats-Unis - Gauging U.S.-Indian Strategic Cooperation
Strategic Studies Institute March 05, 2007

"This volume consists of research that the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) commissioned and vetted throughout 2006. For at least half of the chapters, authors presented versions of their work as testimony before Congressional oversight committees. No matter what one’s point of view, these chapters deserve close attention since all are focused on what is needed to assure U.S.-Indian strategic cooperation succeeds. The volume offers U.S. and Indian policy and law makers a detailed checklist of things to watch, avoid, and try to achieve..."


Arabie Saoudite, Irak - Saudi influence grows amid tumult
Commentary by Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch (05/03/07)

"Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to help stop sectarian fighting in Iraq and Saudi influence as a US ally and key regional player is expected to increase when a US withdrawal eventually begins..."


Arabie Saoudite, Irak - Saudi Arabia's Own Iraq Nightmare
Salon, February 8, 2007

"Saudi Arabia is watching with fear as the United States debates whether to stay in Iraq or leave. For while Washington may walk away from Iraq if President Bush's so-called surge plan fails, Saudi Arabia, which shares a more than 500-mile border with Iraq, cannot..."


Pakistan - Waziristan - impact on the Taliban insurgency and the stability of Pakistan
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment 25/10/2006

"This report takes a closer look at the struggles currently taking place in the Federal Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, bordering with Afghanistan. It provides an overview of some of the militant factions who are active in the area, and analyses the Pakistani Government and Army responses to the violence. It argues that these responses may have backfired on the Pakistani authorities and created a vicious circle. Waziristan – and the other tribal districts – may have become a new ‘free haven’ increasingly capable of both harbouring and exporting local and foreign militants into Pakistan and Afghanistan. The recent shift in policy resulting in the (North-) Waziristan Accord between tribal leaders, militants and the Pakistani Authorities, is seen as a short-term effort to curb the militants in the area. The report discusses the value of such an accord and what long-term consequences this truce may have..."


Chine, Terrorisme - Al-Qaida's China problem
Commentary by Martin I Wayne (07/03/07 PacNet #8A)

"Al-Qaida has a China problem, and no one is watching. Despite al-Qaida's significant efforts to support Muslim insurgents in China, the Chinese government has succeeded in limiting popular support for anti-government violence..."


Terrorisme - Follow the Money: Challenges and Opportunities in the Campaign to Combat Terrorism Financing
Washington Institute for Near East Policy March 6, 2007

"The U.S. government's much-discussed but little-understood effort to combat terrorism financing faces both challenges and opportunities. Terrorist groups continue to evolve, proactively working to evade existing sanctions and minimize the impact of future ones. Meanwhile, interagency efforts are being called upon to meet some of the most pressing national security threats through targeted financial measures..."


Terrorisme - Al-Qaeda’s Resurrection
Council on Foreign Relations 05/03/07

"Barring any surprises, Osama bin Laden will mark his fiftieth birthday on March 10. Five years ago, it seemed unlikely that the man would survive to celebrate the occasion, at least not outside U.S. custody. Not only does al-Qaeda’s leader remain at large, but he is rallying the troops. Recent reports suggest bin Laden and his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri have reestablished their chain of command (NYT) and begun operating new training camps in the northwestern Pakistani region of North Waziristan. The top Taliban leader in southern Afghanistan recently told a British television station that he and bin Laden regularly “share plans” (CNN)..."


Lire également, Read also :

AL-QAEDA'S RESURGENCE, Part 2
Looking for a new home in Iraq
By Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times Mar 3, 2007

AL-QAEDA'S RESURGENCE, Part 1
Ready to take on the world
By Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times Mar 2, 2007


Terrorisme - External Signs of Radicalization and Jihadist Militancy
Jihad Monitor Occasional Paper 03/03/07

"Is it possible to know if we are before a jihadist judging solely by exterior appearances?

It is, in fact, very difficult to respond to this question in a definitive way. Certain appearances (referring as much to style of dress as observable behavior) can indicate a symptom that an individual is experimenting (or has already completed) a process of jihadist radicalization. That is, a process through which the person incorporates jihadi values and joins active militancy in an individual manner (exceptional “lone wolf” cases) or in a group.

But the problem lies in that external appearances usually only constitute weak indications. There is a risk in attempting to catalogue an individual as a jihadist through a superficial test..."


Immigration - Quantifying international migration : a database of bilateral migrant stocks
World Bank Policy Research Working Papers 2007/03/01

"This paper introduces four versions of an international bilateral migration stock database for 226 by 226 countries and territories. The first three versions each consist of two matrices, the first containing migrants defined by country of birth, that is, the foreign-born population; the second, by nationality, that is, the foreign population. Wherever possible, the information is collected from the 2000 round of censuses, though older data are included where this information was unavailable. The first version of the matrices contains as much data as could be collated at the time of writing but also contains gaps. The later versions progressively use a variety of techniques to estimate the missing data. The final matrix, comprising only the foreign-born, attempts to reconcile all of the available information to provide the researcher with a single and complete matrix of international bilateral migrant stocks. The final section of the paper describes some of the patterns evident in the database..."


ONU, Opérations de paix - The 2006 Peace Operations Year in Review
Peace and Security Section, United Nations Department of Public Information

"In the annals of United Nations peace operations, 2006 will go down as a record-breaker in terms of deployment, with just under 100,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the field by the end of the year..."


Droits de l'homme - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2006
US Department of State

"This report is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in
compliance with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (FAA),as amended. The law provides that the Secretary of State
shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate by February 25 "a full and
complete report regarding the status of internationally recognized human
rights, within the meaning of subsection (A) in countries that receive
assistance under this part, and (B) in all other foreign countries which
are members of the United Nations and which are not otherwise the subject
of a human rights report under this Act." We have also included reports on
several countries that do not fall into the categories established by
these statutes and that thus are not covered by the congressional
requirement..."


Criminalité économique, Terrorisme - Financial challenge to crime and terrorism
HM Treasury (UK) 28 February 2007

"The Government's anti-money laundering and terrorist finance strategy has been drawn up between law enforcement agencies; key policy departments and the private sector. It shows that the financial measures taken in recent years are already helping to deter, detect and disrupt crime and terrorism. To build on this progress, the strategy sets out the key priorities for increasing the financial challenge to crime and terrorism in the future, and announces new proposals that exemplify the Government's commitment to their delivery..."


Capital - The World's Billionaires 2007
Forbes special report 08/03/07

"It has been a busy year in the fortune-hunting business. Strong equity markets combined with rising real estate values and commodity prices pushed up fortunes from Mumbai to Madrid. Forbes pinned down 946 billionaires, including 178 newcomers and 17 people who climbed back into the ranks after being absent for a year or more. Two-thirds of last year's billionaires are richer. Only 17% are poorer, including 32 who fell below the billion-dollar mark. The billionaires' combined net worth climbed by $900 billion to $3.5 trillion. That equates to $3.6 billion apiece..."


Gouvernance - Excessive CEO Pay: Background and Policy Approaches
Congressional Research Service (via OpenCRS) February 13, 2007

"During the past several decades, average pay for non-management workers has stagnated, after adjustment for inflation, falling slightly since the early 1970s. In contrast, compensation of top corporate executives has risen dramatically. Supporters of current CEO pay levels argue that executive compensation is determined by normal private market bargaining, that rising pay reflects competition for a limited number of qualified candidates, and that even the richest pay packages are a bargain compared with the billions in shareholder wealth that successful CEOs create. Others, however, cite instances in which executive pay appears to be excessive. Some see a social equity problem in which CEO pay is seen to embody a troublesome rise in income and wealth inequality. Others see excessive pay as a form of shareholder abuse made possible by weak corporate governance structures and a lack of clear, comprehensive disclosure of the various components of executive compensation. This report describes the major legislative and regulatory proposals that have sought to remedy these perceived problems. It will be updated as events warrant..."


Europe, Energie - EU: Energy security to top summit agenda
By Ahto Lobjakas for RFE/RL (08/03/07)

"The European Union's two-day spring summit, due to begin in Brussels on 8 March, will focus on the bloc's energy concerns..."


Espionnage économique - A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Use of National Security Letters (Unclassified), March 2007
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General March 2007

"Our review found that the FBI’s use of national security letter requests has grown dramatically since enactment of the Patriot Act in October 2001. The FBI issues approximately 8,500 NSL requests in CY 2000, the last full year prior to passage of the Patriot Act. After the Patriot Act, the number of NSL requests increased to approximately 39,000 in 2003, approximately 56,000 in 2004, and approximately 47, 000 in 2005. During the period covered by our review, the FBI issues a total of 143,074 NSL requests pursuant to national security letter authorities"


Sécurité de l'information - Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business
Federal Trade Commission 2007

"Is your company keeping information secure? Most companies keep sensitive personal information in their files and on their computers—names, Social Security numbers, account data—that identifies customers or employees. You’ll need information like that to fill orders, meet payroll, or perform other necessary business functions. But if sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to fraud or identity theft. Safeguarding sensitive data is just plain good business. Are you taking steps to protect personal information? ..."


Logiciels - Foreign Influence on Software: Risks and Recourse
James A. Lewis, Center for Strategic & International Studies 07/03/07

"Globalization drives change. The immense economic transition that comes with globalization has brought an unprecedented prosperity to the world. The United States is among the chief beneficiaries. However, America and other countries have learned that with the benefits come new risks. Nations face different and unexpected threats to their safety. Opponents will look to the immense global economic machine created for commerce to find new ways to attack. Creating policies that can maintain economic opportunity while managing new risks is one of the most complex challenges that governments face today. This report looks at one new set of risks created by changes in how companies write software and considers how best to mitigate that risk..."