Latest CyberSec News & Related

ꕤ Article SOURCE as indicated Universal Music abusing the DMCA ie #Copyright Act rightsholders MUST consider FAIR USE prior take-down issues http://boingboing.net/2015/09/14/eff-scores-a-giant-victory-for.html #India IT security =  1.2 billion in 2016 http://www.consultancy.uk/news/2591/indian-IT-security-market-reaches-12-billion-next-year #Microsoft signs landmark agreement with #NATO re govt #cybersecurity / solidification relationship http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-signs-agreement-with-nato-to-bolster-government-cybersecurity Intel in #cybersecurity - auto-mobiles auto security board set up: Automotive Security Review Board (ASRB) Intel Security (formerly McAfee) published a whitepaper re automotive security best practices http://forexreportdaily.com/2015/09/14/6873-intel-in-cyber-security-driving-seat-sets-up-connected-auto-security-board/ NSA Recruiting / Scholarships USA Colleges vie to entice w. NSA cyber program scholarship stipulation = NSA job on degree http://fedscoop.com/colleges-vie-to-entice-students-with-nsa-cyber-program USA + China meet re #cybersecurity - White House Kerry, Rice + Homeland Sec. Jeh Johnson > comm. competition blocks USA whining that the following  stop US competing on level playing field in China: fines opaque regulatory system http://www.lidtime.com/u-s-chinese-officials-meet-on-cyber-security-issues-white-house-5652/ University of Texas at San Antonio grant puts city on centre #cybersecurity stage emerging cybersecurity + tech hub / expressnews (subscipt) #cybersecurity #hacker Millennial Gen / Gen Y born post 1980 social media over-sharing / lax security http://www.afr.com/technology/a-third-of-millennials-warned-by-employers-over-social-media-posts-norton-20150914-gjlw1h Cybersecurity Bill  |  CISA   |  USA Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) Light on Security legal immunity for sharing cyber-intel with govt PRIVACY implications / poised to pass http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/14/a-cybersecurity-bill-light-on-security-heavy-on-corporate- Jeb Bush wants USA Internet gov. against transfer of  ICANN oversight to multistakeholders Following Presidential candidates also get a mention re cybersec: Rubio - Marco Rubio Fiorina - Carly Fiorina http://fedscoop.com/jeb-bush-unveils-cybersecurity-plan Clinton appears to be  the CYBERSEC & MILLENNIAL candidate #Clinton2016 'Best Choice' Cybercrime Wakefield Research poll - 42% over half millennials Dems better http://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/poll-hillary-clinton-most-qualified-presidential-candidate-for-cyberattack.html Hackers hit the Kremlin  #Russia target: election commission website sounds like DDoS http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/253609-hackers-hit-the-kremlin #cybersecurity #banking #cloud x4 US banks agreement w/ regulators re 'guaranteed data deletion' issues Symphony = service created thru consortium of 14 financial instutions Goldman Sachs Deutsche Bank Credit Suisse Bank of New York Mellon = guaranteed data deletion / hinder regulators + prosecutors to investigate misconduct? Does use of Symphony re communications = regulators avoidance? [ I'm not clear on that] http://www.stockhouse.com/news/newswire/2015/09/14/four-us-banks-reach-agreement-with-regulators-on-guaranteed-data-deletion-issues #Russia Yuri Ushakov fmr career diplomat fmr deputy Foreign Minister PhD:  history 2008 appointment Putin deputy chief staff foreign-policy + international economics [various sources - incl. Foreign Policy] #cybersecurity DECEPTION SOFTWARE  / HONEYPOT SOFTWARE Deception to Catch #hacker fake network component, server or database to study their behaviour DECEPTION cybersecurity aims: 1. ID intruders / share info 2. drains hacker resources until aware duped 3. study hackers Deception has long been part of the art of war WWII, USA & British armies set up fake camps to dupe Germans / Penny Crosman {cybersec} Honeypot software = fake system = sits on network = exposes fake or real services to the attacker new gen. honeypot software = called 'deception software' centrally managed, integrated w/ other security software deception software popular with:  financial services x4 layers  (ie "deception stack"): network endpoint application data each layer of x4 deception software = has deception capabilities deception layers: eg. fake credentials in browser caches of decoy workstations, phony files & data sets. deception layers: eg. endpoint set up to look like it runs eg Windows, when is a Linux machine. deception layers: eg. fake OS = deceive malware into attacking vulnerabilities OS does not have. deception strategy: once intruder detected / continue to 'entertain' *find out what intruder knows re system decoy documents eg fake 'new product designs' = embedded w/ tracking element = knowing when & where opened deception software hidden tech in documents = beacon calling 'home' = info re intruder DECEPTION software providers: Attivo Networks TrapX Security Allure Security Technology CyberTrap Cymmetria ForeScout GuardiCore Hexis Cyber Solutions LogRhythm Percipient Networks Rapid7 Shape Security Specter TopSpin Security DECEPTION software LIMITATIONS If the hacker: 1) obtained correct credentials re system 2) knows where to look ie ... if not rummaging, knows where to go & where to get it, deception software ineffective Deception software = not foolproof = but significantly raises odds of detection & lowers false positives http://www.americanbanker.com/news/bank-technology/deception-may-be-the-best-way-to-catch-cybercriminals-1076667-1.html #cybersecurity US Dept Commerce rethinking proposed rule controlling  EXPORT of hacking TOOLS / intrusion software b/c stifles research source (subscription) http://www.law360.com/articles/702478/commerce-to-revise-cyber-rule-said-to-hamper-research #cybersecurity #hacker Cisco routers vulnerable to new attack attacks replace OS used in network Cisco equip. Cisco router attacks = x14 instances of router implants found in: India Mexico Philippines Ukraine http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/15/us-cybersecurity-routers-cisco-systems-idUSKCN0RF0N420150915 Malvertising #cybersecurity #hacker Malvertising Campaign Rages Undetected For 3 Weeks / manipulate ad networks' chain of trust Malvertising = number of new tactics to make attackers harder to track down eg use domain names registered years ago w/ BBB #Hacker = look like legit bus. using real-time bidding = ads clean = ads redirected to point for download malicious code ads  thru encrypted HTTPS channel = lets third party directly serve up content + encrypt comm. / no inspect. Malvertising attackers used Google URL shortener in redirects Malwarebytes + Google working to solve Malvertising hits, incl: http://ebay.co.uk  http://drudgereport.com  http://answers.com Malvertising compromised various small ad networks + major ad networks, incl DoubleClick, AppNexus + ExoClick Malvertising hits, adult, incl: nuvid.com upornia.com eroprofile.com very low-cost intro packages = attacker opportunity for short campaigns w/ small investments http://www.darkreading.com/attacks-breaches/malvertising-campaign-rages-undetected-for-3-weeks/d/d-id/1322169 #cybersecurity National Cyber Security Hall of Fame 2015 INDUCTEES Thu 29th Sept x5 - listed http://news.sys-con.com/node/3456101 #cybersecurity - REPORT - Insurance PWC Insurance 2020 & beyond: Reaping the dividends of cyber resilience http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/financial-services/insurance/publications/insurance-2020-cyber.html #cybersecurity #insurance market to reach $7.5 billion annual premiums by end 2020 & min.  $5 billion by 2018 insurance co's may MITIGATE risks by partnering w/ technology co's + data sharing b/w insurance co's Insurer mitigation also by: conditional regular risk assessments of client ops & required remedies re reviews http://www.pymnts.com/in-depth/2015/cyber-insurance-market-to-thrive-triple-by-2020/ #military DOD - Overhaul of Military Ground Systems in favour of single UNIFIED system for satellite networks Satellite networks multiple siloed ground systems aka “stove-piped” =  inhibits security, resiliency, agility & affordability stovepiped / single ununified systems =  op systems each functioning w/ unique proprietary software from contractors #military ground systems - USG wants to move away from reliance original contractor / own tech baseline / free up competition DOD overhaul aim: *control interfaces + standards *no limits interface / proprietary s/w *no contractor control architecture DOD overhaul of military ground systems goals  *agility  *automation  *security  *resilience  Cost savings = inherent result cybersecurity = too many interfaces + incongruous software: *multiple cyber attack surfaces *must be defended individually Enterprise Ground System (EGS) / DOD interested in using #cloud tech for EGS / type undecided / Airforce favours private (b/c physically reside w/in operation centres) http://www.satellitetoday.com/regional/2015/09/14/dod-prepares-for-overhaul-of-military-ground-systems/ NYSE STUDY by Veracode 2015 Survey #cybersecurity in the Boardroom - 8pg PDF https://www.veracode.com/sites/default/files/Resources/Whitepapers/cybersecurity-in-the-boardroom-whitepaper.pdf Associated article: Boardrooms and cyber security http://thetandd.com/news/boardrooms-and-cyber-security/article_5edccb5b-aed1-5e88-b2e4-0dd396d5540d.html Twitter hired a trio of firms / first outside lobbyists to work DC spent $160K / first-half http://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/5332/2015-09-14/twitter-enters-dc-lobbying-fray.html quantum encryption quantum random number  generator | Entropy Engine / 200 million random Nos. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/health_and_science/science-on-the-hill-for-cybersecurity-in-quantum-encryption-we/article_2ce4c8bb-78fa-5dbc-826f-ffdd33501ae3.html WEBINAR - cybersecurity Former NSA Tech. Dir. Jim Penrose cyber ops expert subtle traces compromise detection http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/webinars/view-from-inside-intelligence-driven-approaches-to-cyber-detection-w-764 #Germany #cybersecurity new IT Security Law July 24, 2015 foresees admin fines 4-yr evaluation *overview & links http://www.natlawreview.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-germany-s-cybersecurity-law #cybersecurity #hacker 9 FBI Warnings / risks posed by Internet of Things ('IoT') x10 device examples http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2015/09/fbi-department-homeland-security-warnings-internet-connected-everyday-objects/120905/ IronNet fmr  NSA Director Keith Alexander raised $7.5 million in equity re IronNet #Cybersecurity pt  $25-m Trident Capital financing IronNet Cybersecurity funds to go to: *cybersecurity products *building the company’s workforce http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/blog/cyberbizblog/2015/09/keith-alexander-led-ironnet-cybersecurity-raises-7.html #cybersecurity digital tax fraud  skyrocketed over last year / data breaches PROPOSED bill re notices ID theft almost half USA states = reported spikes in electronic filing fraud = Minnesota stopped accepting some electronic returns http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/253542-senate-committee-will-mark-up-digital-tax-fraud-bill #cybersecurity new chip developed by Xerox = self-destruct on command Gorilla Glass / shattering chip Potential use:   storage device for encryption keys https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/2015/09/14/self-destructing-chip-xerox Korean-based SK Telecom + Greenville USA co. to develop vehicle cybersecurity /  Quantum Cryptography ... securely distributes a secret key to legitimate parties. Here, a key is a table of random numbers shared by legitimate users in such a way that the information is known only to them, and secure means secure against any possible eavesdropping, which is the highest level of security. The system is expected to enhance security of critical network infrastructure. Currently, most systems, including the connected vehicle ecosystems, use software-based pseudo-random number generators for encryption, meaning that they can fall vulnerable to hackers who decrypt the sequence of digits. Once developed for commercial use, SK Telecom’s technology will eliminate such concerns for security as it generates true random numbers based on hardware. http://gsabusiness.com/news/55654-greenville-center-korean-firm-to-develop-vehicle-cybersecurity #cybersecurity E-ZPass vulnerable to hackers, ID thieves + govt spying / not using encryption E‑ZPass = electronic toll-collection system =  tolled roads, bridges, & tunnels USA http://www.whdh.com/story/30022568/report-e-zpass-vulnerable-to-hackers-identify-thieves #SouthAfrica #law proposed bill too broad consequences beyond remit / state cyberwarfare / warrantless seizure #SouthAfrica /  penalties - to 25 years in prison /  has until Nov 30 to submit comment on proposed bill. http://www.zdnet.com/article/south-africa-gets-first-look-at-cybercrime-bill-that-comes-with-25-year-jail-terms/ #Tor .onion domain = formal recognition granted security certificates available to site admins http://www.cbronline.com/news/cybersecurity/business/regulators-give-tors-onion-domain-name-special-use-status-4669709 USA Dept Energy DOE REPORT linked US #Energy Tech Exports = cybersecurity risks - b/c rely on digital tech http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1751096-global-energy-growth-could-disrupt-americas-grid-security-doe-report-says/ ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Bunch of random stuff I looked at. It all seemed very exciting ... at the time.  Now, I'm not so sure.  lol The onion domain news and the self-destructing chip is exciting, I guess. I'm no techie, so the 'internet of things' doesn't bother me.  I like everything manual, if I can help it.  lol Twitter hiring Washington lobbyists is kind of exciting.  Wonder why? The US military proposed overhaul of ground satellite communications (if I understand correctly), is pretty cool. Surprise that it has taken them until 2015 to come up with those ideas, when they're in the business and should know what they're doing when it comes to multiple contracts and software applications etc. It doesn't sound too efficient at the DOD. Digital tax fraud sounds boring.  I don't even know what the point of it is.  lol  People pretend to be someone else ... but then what? Oh, the best news it the Ninth Circuit Court ruling regarding copyright! Take that, Universal Music a#@!@#s! ꕤ

Intel & Surveillance News

US vows to help #Philippines in intel gathering / oldest US ally in Asia no specifics re support see Territorial dispute South China Sea #China claim Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei + Taiwan have overlapping claims http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/08/26/1492532/us-vows-help-philippines-intel-gathering MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Lttd /MDA CA$3.9 million contract with National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency http://softwaredev.itbusinessnet.com/article/MDA-to-provide-operational-enhancements-for-information-solution-to-support-flight-operations-at-airports-4038599 other MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Lttd /MDA  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacDonald,_Dettwiler_and_Associates National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency combat support agency, under USA DOD & intelligence agency US intel comm GEOINT NGA credited by WH military officials for providing info re Op Neptune's Spear 2011 / bin Laden #Serbia National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency cause of #NATO Bombing of Chinese embassy in Belgrade / CIA argues otherwise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency USA military - DRONES Spent last decade amassing over 7,000 surveillance drones / some size of birds / others as big as as jetliners Drone technology = USA spy planes will be phased out starting in 2018 Without US ground troops in Iraq and Syria, #USA commanders rely on airborne #surveillance more than ever before Iraq war - USA had plenty fighter pilots - low on aerial surveillance re what happening ground / long distance pilots on amphetamine paste Over decades, U-2 spy plane claimed lives of 30 pilots / many have nearly crashed after suffering decompression sickness Russia U-2 spy plane shot down over Soviet Union in 1960 / capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers / traded for Soviet spy 1962 It is after satellites could be relied upon for remote control that drones could be used for surveillance. US Airforce trained: x18 U-2 pilots trained 2014 x57 ground-based pilots for Global Hawk (drone) [ looks like drones are the go ] DRONES = cost about half what the U-2 spy planes cost per flying hour to operate Global Hawk = drone http://www.latimes.com/nation/great-reads/la-na-c1-spy-plane-pilot-20150826-story.html Potomac Advocates (PRASAM) PRASAM, intel community's 'official' lobbyist grabbed lion’s share of USG lobbying 4 intel community /subsription http://www.intelligenceonline.com/government-intelligence/due-diligence/2015/08/26/prasam-intelligence-community-s--official--lobbyist,108088706-ART More Potomac Advocates http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/firmsum.php?id=D000036775 Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc provides war fighter solutions and security related services engineering, Information Technology services and war fighter solutions primarily for US National Security priorities services include command, control, communications, computing, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (c5ISR), weapon systems lifecycle support, military weapon range and technical services, network engineering services, advanced information technology services, security and surveillance systems, and critical infrastructure design and integration services. http://www.americantradejournal.com/kratos-defense-security-solutions-inc-short-interest-update-2/657949/ #Canada Surveillance Police surveillance camera goes up in East Vancouver neighbourhood / gang violence issue http://www.news1130.com/2015/08/25/police-surveillance-camera-goes-up-in-vancouver-neighbourhood/ #Surveillance Windows 10 heralds a future in which the cloud rules and computers snitch on us by default default / automatic sharing of data the new normal — from your voice & typing patterns to unique machine ID s/ track & target #surveillance By default, users of Mac OSX & Ubuntu Linux transmit local search terms to respective companies + third parties http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/8/when-surveillance-is-a-feature-not-a-bug.html #AmericanAggression masked as deterrence to 'Russian aggression' USA send F-22 Raptors to Europe European Reassurance Initiative $985 million in overseas contingency operations USA funding - 2015 current fiscal year. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-08-25/us-will-send-f-22s-europe-bolster-allies-deter-russia Understanding Indications & Warning Efforts Of US Ballistic Missile Defence – Analysis http://www.eurasiareview.com/26082015-understanding-indications-and-warning-efforts-of-us-ballistic-missile-defense-analysis/ Surveillance / Militarised Police #Baltimore police Coming Storm 'Stingray' Surveillance by Police http://www.citylab.com/crime/2015/08/youre-going-to-hear-a-lot-more-about-police-use-of-stingray/402283/ USA Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act | CISA concerns re proposed Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act ie - nature and volume of private data about users being funneled to the government (and intelligence agencies) by companies who opt to participate in the information sharing scheme contemplated by the law https://www.justsecurity.org/25475/cisa-surveillance-law-xss-attack/ USA - Surveillance Act (FISA) electronic surveillance under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) fed appeals court upheld sentence http://www.startribune.com/federal-appeals-court-upholds-women-s-prison-sentences-in-terror-case/322843851/ Military Drones Market to Reach $11 Billion by 2021 From $3 Billion in 2014 http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12106991/military-drones-market-to-reach-11-billion-by-2021-from-3-billion-in-2014 Ghostery privacy extension / Ghostrank Ghostery privacy extension http://www.extremetech.com/internet/212476-is-it-safe-to-use-the-ghostery-privacy-extension ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- COMMENT Random surveillance articles.  Bit of a mixed bag that's thrown up some military stuff.  Mostly just skimmed. The ballistic missiles article could be interesting, as it's a bit hard to apply lessons of history to present day strategy, without knowing anything about today's military capabilities.  That might be a reading list article.  Not sure I'll get there.  Swamped with all the earmarked stuff I think might be a good read.  Not enough time in the day for all this stuff.  lol The US proposal for companies to share info with government and spy agencies is about as totalitarian as it gets. ꕤ

Intelligence Trivia - USA

Intelligence Trivia World War II close cooperation b/w USA & British intelligence began / Allen Dulles selected by Dwight Eisenhower to run CIA Allen Dulles, CIA later managed ops in Switzerland, a neutral operating ground for agents of the Allies & Nazis USA 1967 amid civil rights & anti-Vietnam War protests US Army Gen. William P. Yarborough, initiated Army intel + CIA + NSA domestic surveillance 1970s USA Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho curtailed extensive USA domestic surveillance program http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635176/Arthur-Cyr-Intelligence-involves-art-along-with-science.html?pg=all Arthur I. Cyr Professor Carthage College author of four books on international relations and British politics prior:  vice president of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations & other 1966 UCLA Ph.D. with distinction in political science from Harvard University in 1971. ꕤ

SWEDEN - SAPO - RUSSIAN SPIES & WAR PROPAGANDA

PROPAGANDA Associated Press  SAPO - chief analyst Wilhelm Unge accused Russia of conducting "extensive" espionage op Well, when it's published in 'The Eagle' in Texas .. it must be true. Hey, Wilhelm: #FreeASSANGE http://www.theeagle.com/news/world/sweden-russia-biggest-threat-of-its-envoys-are-spies/article_00d05a63-3093-5f22-a375-415fc0902488.html CHECK this out: More Sapo fairytales - April 7, 2014 Wilhelm Unge says Russia spies & war! http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/04/07/Russia-intensifies-espionage-in-Sweden-security-service-says/7991396892729/ Russia intensifies espionage in Sweden, security service says Sweden's Sapo intelligence service noted an increased involvement in Russian espionage in Sweden, including possible war plans. By Ed Adamczyk Follow @adamczyk_ed Contact the Author | April 7, 2014 at 2:16 PM STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 7 (UPI) -- Russia’s intensified espionage efforts in Sweden include preparations for war, the Swedish government security service Sapo warned Monday. “The most serious threat we see right now are war preparations,” Sapo chief counter-intelligence analyst Wilhelm Unge said. “It’s no secret Russia is engaged in this. It’s a little bit worrying.” He stressed, though, that alleged Russian preparations did not signify anything dramatic. Unge said evidence included simulated flight attacks on Swedish targets, an increase in attempted recruitment of spies, increased signals intelligence and the purchase of a large number of maps. Of the simulated flight attacks, Unge said, “You don’t carry out these kinds of things unless you can actually conceive carrying out an attack in the future.” The comments came as part of Sapo’s annual intelligence assessment, which noted 14 other countries, including China and Iran, having espionage interests in Sweden. Russia has, by far, the largest, Sapo said. Unge noted the increased spying by Russia was likely a result of Russia’s interest in Crimea and Ukraine, but gave no other details. [The Local] http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/04/07/Russia-intensifies-espionage-in-Sweden-security-service-says/7991396892729/ COMMENT All fun stuff, but Sweden's Sapo article circulated by Associated Press gave me the most laughs. So about this time every year, someone at Sapo is going to make an announcement that the Russians are preparing for war and that they're on an aggressive Sweden spy recruitment and snooping drive? LMAO  COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. About as convincing at that Russian 'submarine' Sweden and NATO were scaremongering about. Speaking of NATO, it's the US colonies in the Baltics and Eastern Europe on steroids. Check out this random list of maybe a just a couple of days of news: ........ USA and NATO Launched joint drills in Black Sea 6 warships, incl. US guided missile cruiser Vicksburg >Canada >Germany >Romania >Turkey >Italy vs x3 Russian navy fleets drills http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/12/c_134062480.htm USA announced non-lethal aid package to Ukraine >drones >30 armoured Humvees >to 200 unarmoured Humvees http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/12/c_134062480.htm USA announces: 3,000 soldiers to be deployed to Eastern Europe >> training exercises with: Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/12/c_134062480.htm NATOAggression Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov slammed NATO for its increasing military activities near Russian borders http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/12/c_134062480.htm -- NATO Massive training exercise off Scotland will showcase Nato military might Joint Warrior Apr 13-24 12,000 armed forces, allied [Herald Scotland] 58 warships + submarines Over 50 fixed-wing aircraft abt. 3000 land forces prep for next drill: Trident Juncture [Herald Scotland] NATO Trident Juncture Sept-Nov 2015 Iberian Pen. * largest live exercise of kind for over decade * http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/massive-training-exercise-off-scotland-will-showcase-nato-military-might.120644424 NATO Nato's HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps - based in Gloucestershire = standby Joint Task Force Headquarters in 2015/16 Alliance will run training exercise involving abt 850 UK troops. [HeraldScotland] NATO Exercise Arcade Fusion = in Baltic States towards late 2015 for devel. of NATO Very High Readiness Joint Taskforce UK = lead nation NATO Very High Readiness Joint Taskforce to be established 2017 drills meantime in Baltic States http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/massive-training-exercise-off-scotland-will-showcase-nato-military-might.120644424 -- USA NATO EU BALTIC 3,000 US military to be deployed to Eastern Europe starting next wk training w forces fm Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania -- GEORGIA NATO selected site 20km from Tbilisi,Georgia military exercises to start this year South Ossetian & Russia to take measures NATO creep RUSSIA - signed Integration Treaty with SouthOssetia in response to NATO expansion into Georgia http://www.eurasianet.org/node/72526 -- BULGARIA Bulgaria joint military drills NATO allies Bulgaria + US held next 3.5 mths abt 350 US military in Bulgaria bilateral drills [gulftimes] Bulgaria US NATO drills to involve: >armoured personnel carriers >helicopters >tanks http://www.gulf-times.com/opinion/189/details/430788/waiting-game-in-ukraine-as-ceasefire-holds -- USA NATO guided-missile destroyer USS Cole wraps up EU deployment / Black Sea Patrolling Mediterranean providing Ballistic Missile Defence https://www.dvidshub.net/news/157005/uss-cole-wraps-up-deployment-returns-norfolk -- Norway Largest military drill in Finnmark since 1967 navy’s new frigate made port at Kirkenes only few miles from border to Russia’s Kola Pen ............................................... So much for: 'the Russians are coming!' [ Oops, in a rush - layout a work in progress. ]

War in Iraq Cost Over $1.7 trillion dollars / Private Contractors PROFIT from US War: $138 billion US taxpayer to private contractors

Cheney's Halliburton Made $39.5 Billion on Iraq War By Angelo Young, International Business Times 20 March 13 The accounting of the financial cost of the nearly decade-long Iraq War will go on for years, but a recent analysis has shed light on the companies that made money off the war by providing support services as the privatization of what were former U.S. military operations rose to unprecedented levels. Private or publicly listed firms received at least $138 billion of U.S. taxpayer money for government contracts for services that included providing private security, building infrastructure and feeding the troops. Ten contractors received 52 percent of the funds, according to an analysis by the Financial Times that was published Tuesday. The No. 1 recipient? Houston-based energy-focused engineering and construction firm KBR, Inc. ..., which was spun off from its parent, oilfield services provider Halliburton Co. ..., in 2007. The company was given $39.5 billion in Iraq-related contracts over the past decade, with many of the deals given without any bidding from competing firms, such as a $568-million contract renewal in 2010 to provide housing, meals, water and bathroom services to soldiers, a deal that led to a Justice Department lawsuit over alleged kickbacks, as reported by Bloomberg. Who were Nos. 2 and 3? Agility Logistics ... of Kuwait and the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Together, these firms garnered $13.5 billion of U.S. contracts. As private enterprise entered the war zone at unprecedented levels, the amount of corruption ballooned, even if most contractors performed their duties as expected. According to the bipartisan Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the level of corruption by defense contractors may be as high as $60 billion. Disciplined soldiers that would traditionally do many of the tasks are commissioned by private and publicly listed companies. Even without the graft, the costs of paying for these services are higher than paying government employees or soldiers to do them because of the profit motive involved. No-bid contracting - when companies get to name their price with no competing bid - didn't lower legitimate expenses. (Despite promises by President Barack Obama to reel in this habit, the trend toward granting favored companies federal contracts without considering competing bids continued to grow, by 9 percent last year, according to the Washington Post.) Even though the military has largely pulled out of Iraq, private contractors remain on the ground and continue to reap U.S. government contracts. For example, the U.S. State Department estimates that taxpayers will dole out $3 billion to private guards for the government's sprawling embassy in Baghdad. The costs of paying private and publicly listed war profiteers seem miniscule in light of the total bill for the war. Last week, the Costs of War Project by the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University said the war in Iraq cost $1.7 trillion dollars, not including the $490 billion in immediate benefits owed to veterans of the war and the lifetime benefits that will be owed to them or their next of kin. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/308-12/16561-focus-cheneys-halliburton-made-395-billion-on-iraq-war COMMENT The things that stood out for me are: War in Iraq cost $1.7 trillion dollars PLUS $490 billion in immediate benefits owed to veterans PLUS lifetime benefits owed to them or their next of kin Privatization of US military operations rose to unprecedented levels Private contractors (companies) received min.  $138 billion of US taxpayer money for contracts doled out by US govt Half (52%) of that went to 10 govt contracts Biggest recipients: KBR, Inc ie parent, oilfield services provider Halliburton Co received:  $39.5 billion in Iraq-related contracts over past decade Agility Logistics (of Kuwait) &  state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp Kuwait contractors received  $13.5 billion of US contracts (jointly) Private enterprise entered the war zone at unprecedented levels Amount of corruption ballooned Costs higher than paying government employees Professional, disciplined soldiers - displaced No wind-back by Obama admin on doling out contracts (without public tender process) - on contrary: increase of such contracts Iraq = private contractors remain on the ground, although US military has largely pulled out of Iraq eg.  $3 billion taxpayer money to private guards for USG sprawling embassy in Baghdad This is really mindblowing.   The amount of money that is made by PRIVATE companies enriching themselves through war is staggering. Bear in mind also, that those who PROFIT from war will lobby FOR WAR. What is also staggering is that the functions of the US military have been farmed out. The danger of that is lack of (a) accountability and (b) transparency. So, really, the government is pulling a stunt where they've probably got an 'anything goes' thing happening, because what's going on is contracted and therefore beyond public scrutiny. Hopefully, that makes sense.  I don't have a way with words.  But I hope that idea comes across. If the military screws up, it is on government heads.  But if private contractors screw up, it is passed off as a bad apple, renamed and redeployed as a mercenary. The 'decommissioning' of the US military for these private contractor forces or functionaries is worthwhile considering. And there's also the costs incurred by the taxpayer funding those that: do the job at higher price than professional soldiers introduce corruption and those that don't even compete (put in tenders) but I think these aspects aren't half as important as the establishment of 'private' State armies and functionaries that are arm's length and beyond public accountability and scrutiny. What's also interesting is the Kuwait profits.

Israel Inks Weapons Deal with US and Canada

Israel Inks Weapons Deal with US and Canada By: Jspace Staff October 29, 2014 at 1:43 PM Israel and the United States announced the continuation of a sale of 19 new F-35 multipurpose fighter planes to Israel, as well as approval for a second squadron. Israel Aerospace Industries will be assembling the wings of this new fighter, which will also include Israeli-made components. The assembly line for the F-35 parts manufactured in Israel is expected to be inaugurated next week. Other deals, such as the continued joint development the David’s Sling and Arrow missile intercept systems, were also reached. These deals were discussed and agreed to by Secretary of Defense Moshe Yaalon and his American counterpart Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, when they met in Washington last week. Elbit Systems also announced a deal to supply the Canadian Armed Forces with mobile satellite communication systems. The systems being sold are exclusive, as they have the ability to connect to the US Defense Department satellite network. Despite recent comments made by unnamed American officials regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu, the deals point to a working relationship, and continued alliance, between the Unites States and the State of Israel. The news comes amid a media skirmish, after an Atlantic report yesterday quoted anonymous sources in the White House as calling Benjamin Netanyahu a “chickens**t.” SOURCE http://www.jspacenews.com/israel-inks-weapons-deal-us-canada/ COMMENT Looks like Canada is a buyer of fancy Israeli 'mobile satellite communications systems'.

Japan $35 Billion Investment into India - joint Indo-Japanese military industrial complex.

Modi's Japan visit is soaked with infra-speak Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Hindustan Times New Delhi, September 02, 2014 First Published: 18:55 IST(2/9/2014) Last Updated: 18:59 IST(2/9/2014) Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe were always expected to get along. They’ve known each other for years. Both are driven by a domestic vision of national rejuvenation. And both see each other’s countries as offering a means to accomplish their goals on the home front. But Modi is known to be a hard-nosed man of business. The true test of a foreign relationship is less the geopolitical element than how much a country can deliver on key, largely domestic, policy objectives. At the top of the list of this is providing India a world-class infrastructure on which he can then build smart cities, a revived manufacturing base and so on. What has come out of the Japanese visit is soaked with infra-speak. The key part is the “partnership for prosperity” section and the lines “Abe affirmed a broader and stronger Japanese partnership” for Modi’s “vision for accelerating inclusive development in India, particularly by transforming the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.” Modi’s praise of Japan as the country that “has done more for modernising India’s infrastructure” than any other is about as fervent as it gets in his foreign policy vision. Even Japan’s “intention” to funnel $35 billion of investment into India targets “next generation infrastructure, connectivity, transport systems, Smart Cities, rejuvenation of the Ganga and other rivers, manufacturing, clean energy” and so on. Greenfield factories and the like don’t get a mention. Modi took a swipe at China, without actually mentioning the country. And he embedded it in a vision of Asia moving down a path of co-prosperity -- inviting Beijing to say that it wants to do the same and allowing him to then say, "Show me your money." My sense is that he wants evoke a sense of competition between Tokyo and Beijing -- because nations see the India $1 trillion infrastructure market as something that could lift their domestic economies for decades and give their huge pile of savings a place to get a decent return. So he’ll play one against the other a bit, even if he trusts Japan a lot more. As one official in his office said, "We have to avoid having the Japanese believe we are desperate for their investment, which sometimes comes through in our talks." China has and will say little about being called "expansionist" and "18th century." Xi Jinping will land in New Delhi in mid-September and he accepts the trust deficit with India will require some work to bridge. In any case, China was always more worried about Indo-US relations than any other, and that bilateral tie-up is a road under repair. The joint statement and fact sheet had a lot of talk about defence technology and manufacturing cooperation between India and Japan. Again, the foundation of this is the Chennai-Bangalore corridor which notably got more mention than the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This is partly because the southern corridor will be the infrastructure base for what may prove to be a joint Indo-Japanese military industrial complex. None of this will be easy. Balancing between Japan and China will be diplomacy at its most hair-raising. And while lining up foreign capital for Indian investment is clearly doable, cutting through the thicket of regulations and godawful legislation that holds back infrastructure in India has brought almost everyone who's tried it to their knees. One reason Japan and China are taking Modi seriously is that they sense that in him, unlike Manmohan Singh (who’s vision of Japan was similar), they have an Indian leader who can deliver on his promises. That is the deliverable that will become tangible in time. http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/analysis/modi-s-japan-visit-is-soaked-with-infra-speak/article1-1259182.aspx

This struck me as rather big news.

Note also, the US has been hanging around India and India recently visited US.

So the US probably want a piece of the action.

Also, the US big ally in the Asia region is Japan ... so I wonder if there's any quiet investment by US???

GERMANY'S SYMBOLIC MOVE - CANCELLED $165M RHEINMETALL RUSSIAN DEFENCE DEAL

Germany just cancelled a defense deal with Russia—who’s next? By Devjyot Ghoshal @DevjyotGhoshal August 5, 2014 As European countries try to balance their economic dependence on Russia with their desire to punish president Vladimir Putin for meddling in Ukraine, Germany has stepped ahead of the pack to poke the bear in the eye, canceling a €123 million ($165 million) defense deal (paywall) with Moscow earlier this week. In response, the Kremlin has said it will sue Rheinmetall, the German defense firm that was to supply parts for a military training facility for the Russian military. The deal, signed in 2012, was suspended by Berlin shortly after the annexation of Crimea in March; this week’s move permanently bars the delivery of the equipment. Last week the European Union banned all arms exports to Russia, but that only covers future deals. Germany’s decision may inspire other European nations to cancel previously agreed defense deals with Moscow. Here are Russia’s other big suppliers in the EU: France Europe’s second-largest arms exporter after Germany is under intense pressure (paywall) to cancel its €1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) deal with Russia for two Mistral-class warships. But the French have a long-standing relationship with Russia, ... Italy Italy sold Russia about €15 million ($21 million) worth of military equipment in 2012—and over €51 million ($69 million) between 2001 and 2012, according to European Union and CAAT data. In 2010, when Russia began to greatly increase defense purchases from Europe (including the order for the French Mistrals), Italian exports soared to €14 million ($19 million), from just about €640,000 ($800,000) the previous year. United Kingdom British prime minister David Cameron has been one of the most vocal European leaders calling for the cancellation of deals with Moscow, calling France’s insistence on delivering warships to Russia “unthinkable.” At the same time, the British prime minister has recently taken heat from parliament to definitively scrap the country’s many arms export licenses to Russia. The UK’s defense exports to Russia, according to EU documents, were worth about €10 million ($13.4 million) in 2012, the most recent year for which figures are available. British exports consisted of small arms, naval vessels and aircraft, and related equipment.  [UK's running out of energy options, by the look of it] Czech Republic Prague has sold Russia planes, ammunition, light weapons, small arms, explosives and more—amounting to about €34 million ($46 million) of exports in the past 10 years. Exports in 2012 were about €5.5 million ($7.3 million), dominated by light transport aircraft and ammunition. As these numbers indicate, Moscow’s military imports from Europe—barring those Mistrals—are mostly small-bore. They certainly pale in comparison with Russia’s own exports worldwide: $13.2 billion in 2013. But Germany’s cancelled deal was meant to be symbolic, and other European governments will likely come under pressure to stand with Berlin. http://qz.com/245193

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Germany cancelled

€123 million ($165 million) defense deal (paywall) with Moscow

Kremlin has said it will sue Rheinmetall, the German defense firm

German's deal is 'symbolic'

Russia does more exporting than it does importing of arms

 

Death March - West's Plan to Suppress Domestic Dissent

Death on the march: The West’s plan to suppress domestic dissent is well under way Published time: August 01, 2014 13:37  In what must surely rate as one of the Western leaders’ most perverse weeks since the end of World War II, further economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia while the death toll in Israel’s Gaza genocide topped 1,000 innocent civilians. With all eyes on the United States, hoping to see a little political pressure to stop the slaughter of Palestinians, the White House moved only to replenish Israeli stockpiles of ammunition. Questions must be answered, particularly by the German leadership, about their failure to confront this latest genocide in the Holy Land. Also, about Chancellor Merkel continuing to bankroll Ukraine's Nazi Pravy Sektor and neo-Nazi Svoboda parties who continue to hold key security and defense portfolios in her Brussels-backed Kiev government. The two conflicts are intimately connected since the West's actions in Ukraine are widely seen to be a reaction to the Crimea-based Russian Black Sea fleet's support last summer for Syria, downing US or Israeli missiles bound for Damascus.  ... FULL @ SOURCE SOURCE - RT NEWS - HERE.

Missiles launched in Mediterranean towards Syrian coast, claims Russian defence ministry Russia has claimed that its missile early warning system has detected the launch of two missiles from the central part of the Mediterranean Sea fired towards the Sea's eastern coastline. 10:29AM BST 03 Sep 2013 The launches took place at 10:16 am Moscow time (0616 GMT) and were detected by the ballistic missile early warning system in Armavir in southern Russia, the defence ministry said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies. Shortly after 11am, Israel announced that it had carried out a joint missile test with the US in the Mediterranean, using a missile designed to shoot down incoming missiles. Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency said both missiles then crashed into the sea, citing a source in Damascus. The Russian embassy in Syria said there was no sign of a missile attack or of explosions in Damascus. The Ministry of Defence in London confirmed that the missiles were not British. ... Russia had earlier criticised the United States on Tuesday for sending warships close to Syria, saying the deployments would exacerbate tension as Washington prepares for a possible military strike. "The pressure being applied by the United States causes particular concern," Russian Defence Ministry official Oleg Dogayev was quoted as saying by the state-run Itar-Tass news agency. He said "the dispatch of ships armed with cruise missiles toward Syria's shores has a negative effect on the situation in the region." Five US destroyers and an amphibious ship are in the Mediterranean, poised for possible cruise missile strikes against Syria, and American officials said the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and four other ships in its strike group moved into the Red Sea on Monday. Russia, one of the Syrian government's main arms suppliers, opposes military intervention over an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria. Moscow is also sending new warships to the Mediterranean but says it is just rotating ships in the area. FULL @ SOURCE SOURCE - THE TELEGRAPH - HERE.

Wow, who knew this stuff?

Don't know what to make of it.

Got to dash. Think later. LOL