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MOSCOW, December 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will gradually increase the annual amount of the state defense order to 2.8 trillion rubles (about $92 billion) by 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday.

“The state defense order will reach about 1.9 trillion rubles next year, about 2.2 trillion in 2014 and 2.8 trillion in 2015," Rogozin said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television.

Russia allocated about 908 billion rubles (about $30.7 bln) on state defense order spending in 2012.

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Update: Russia to triple military spending -- Examiner

My Comment: When a country is tripling their defense spending .... that's usually a sign that they are preparing to go to war. Fortunately .... Russia is not preparing to go to war .... they are implementing a massive modernization program. But they also see the U.S. as a declining world power that is creating a political/military vacuum in areas where Russian interests coincide. In short .... Russia is positioning itself for the worse. (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Central Asia, Chinese border disputes, unrest in Caucasus, etc.) just to name a few.

"The CIA is a lot different than Hollywood portrays it to be," reads an official explainer issued today by the Central Intelligence Agency — a thinly veiled attempt to continue debunking Zero Dark Thirty, the controversial Oscar favorite that its director admittedly hates. Referring to James Bond, the fictional MI6 agent, depictions of "shootouts and high speed chases," and scenes of "CIA officers chasing terrorists through the American heartland," the memo goes on to try and dispel an array of "myths" pertaining to the agency's operations, from its impact on foreign policy to its ability to spy on Americans. The effort follows a December 21 letter addressed to CIA employees from the agency's acting director, Michael Morrell, concerning the "artistic license" of Zero Dark Thirty. Today's release touches on the same themes: whether the CIA of our popular imagination corresponds to the CIA of reality, and how movies like Zero Dark Thirty (which isn't name-checked directly) blur the distinction between fact and fantasy. Should you believe the CIA's interpretation of Hollywood? We break down each agency claim with actual details from the movies — and Homeland, obviously.

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My Comment: This movie should be showing in my neck of the woods in a week or two .... will give my review then.

His official portrait still refers to Bashar al-Assad as “The Hope” of the Syrian nation, but signs are increasing that the man who presides over Syria’s embattled government has little of it left for himself.

Accounts of conditions inside the Syrian regime in recent days have shed new light on the psychological toll of the nearly two-year-old civil war on Assad, depicting the Syrian leader as isolated and fearful as his regime appears to be on the verge of crumbling around him.

After months of nearly continuous setbacks for his government, Assad all but vanished from public view in recent weeks, giving no interviews or speeches and making no “live” appearances on state-run television. U.S. and Middle Eastern officials now say Assad is nearly as invisible within the shrinking world of his presidency, restricting contacts to a small circle of family members and trusted advisers.

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My Comment: When you read stories like this one .... that is when you know that one day he will be killed/assassinated.

Syria faces a stark choice between a political solution to end 21 months of bloodshed or "hell", United Nations peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has warned.

Mr Brahimi, speaking after talks in Moscow, said the conflict had become more militarised and sectarian.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed talks were the only solution.

But he said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's removal could not be a condition for talks, as demanded by the Syrian opposition.

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Syria doomed to "hell" without political deal: envoy -- Reuters
Diplomats: Syrian conflict getting more militarized, sectarian -- CNN
Hopes for Syria breakthrough faint as U.N. envoy visits Russia -- Reuters
Peace Envoy in Moscow for Talks on Syria -- Voice of America
Russia, Brahimi support Geneva plan, with a caveat -- The Hindu
Insistence on Assad’s Departure Will Only Cost More Lives, Russian Official Says -- New York Times
UN Envoy Says Syrian Collapse Threatens Region -- ABC News/AP
U.N. confronts failure of diplomacy in Syria -- Reuters

From my inbox, submitted without comment.

* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
* Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
* New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
* Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000

Let’s now remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:

* Annual family income: $21,700
* Money the family spent: $38,200
* New debt on the credit card: $16,500
* Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
* Total budget cuts so far: $38.50

Make sense now?

WNU Editor: From Hot Air

My Comment: The sad part is that even if the US defense budget is cut 100% .... the U.S. debt is still climbing at an unsustainable rate.

Sequestration is now very likely. Your Intercepts correspondent was away at a somewhat secure, somewhat undisclosed location for a few days celebrating Christmas. Upon his return, the likelihood that massive defense cuts will be triggered this week seemed to grow exponentially.

President Obama met with House and Senate leaders in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, seeming to read them the riot act about getting enough of a deal done to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. But, as we noted in a piece posted Friday evening, none of the players involved in crafting the eleventh-hour plan uttered the word sequestration nor the phrase defense cuts.

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White House Says No Defense Programs Are Immune to Cuts -- Bloomberg
Fiscal cliff leaves contractors guessing -- DoD Buzz
Defense contractors mum as nation nears 'fiscal cliff' -- Star Telegram
Pentagon, defense industry brace for looming spending cuts -- FOX News
Defense Industry Seeks Relief as Fiscal Cliff Draws Near -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Defense sector braces for ‘self-amputation’ -- Politico
Senate Leaders Aim for Cliff Deal by Sunday; Still Unclear if DoD Cuts Will be Avoided -- Defense News
Big Defense Cuts Are Coming, Regardless of the Fiscal Cliff -- US News and World Report
Time running out on defense industry efforts to avoid sequestration cuts -- The Hill
Saving The Defense Industrial Base -- Marion Blakey, Aol Defense
Defense Contractors Wait to Hear About Budget Cuts -- Reason.com
America's Superpower Status Goes Over The Fiscal Cliff -- Mackenzie Eaglen, Aol Defense

My Comment: At least some people are not going to be affected.

WASHINGTON — Congress gave final approval on Friday to a bill extending the government’s power to intercept electronic communications of spy and terrorism suspects, after the Senate voted down proposals from several Democrats and Republicans to increase protections of civil liberties and privacy.

The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 73 to 23, clearing it for approval by President Obama, who strongly supports it. Intelligence agencies said the bill was their highest legislative priority.

Critics of the bill, including Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, a Democrat, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican, expressed concern that electronic surveillance, though directed at noncitizens, inevitably swept up communications of Americans as well.

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My Comment: When this Act was passed years ago by President Bush and a Republican Congress it was front page on the New York Times (as it should be). Now .... this story and this same bill is deeply buried in the New York Times that I only discovered accidentally today .... media bias .... nah.

TEHRAN, Dec. 29 — A senior Iranian lawmaker said Saturday that Tehran is determined to continue uranium enrichment to the purity level of 20 percent and considers that as an indispensable right of the Iranian nation, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Mansour Haqiqatpour, a member of Iranian Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Iran would never exchange this right for the world powers’ content.

Irrespective of agreement or disagreement of the P5+1 ( including the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany), the Islamic republic will not give up its right to nuclear technology and the production of 20-percent enriched uranium, which is needed for radio-medicine, Haqiqatpour was quoted as saying.

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My Comment: So much for speculation from the New York Times that the Iranians may want a deal.

Update: Not to be undone by the New York Times, The Washington Post is now expressing hope for a deal.

My Comment: I would also put Congress in this cartoon.

HAIFA, Israel – A single Syrian missile strike on a bakery near Hama killed more than 60 innocent civilians last week, so how did the Israel manage to fire more than 1,500 high powered missiles into densely-populated Gaza in November, with the total loss of 161 lives, of which 90 have been acknowledged by Hamas itself as active combatants?

The numbers speak for themselves, but very little credit has so far been given by foreign governments, NGOs, and the international media for the care taken by the Israeli military to avoid collateral damage during its recent vicious engagement with Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.

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My Comment: There is a lot of detail in this report. Bottom line .... the intelligence on the ground is what kicks into operation the drone operations that conduct surveillance and provide targeting intel to those who will drop the bombs.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Mohammad Jan’s killers did not even do him the decency of looking him in the eye.

In a distressing video aired on national television stations here on Thursday night, the Afghan National Army soldier first has his army identity card stuck in his mouth and is then ordered to say his name out loud, but can only mumble unintelligibly because of the card.

The scene cuts and one of the killers stands behind him and shoots him in the head with a pistol, five times. Another man stands off to the side, out of his victim’s view, and fires three bursts from his AK-47 rifle into his torso, which convulses at each round.

It was yet another example of a terrible truth, one that has been a commonplace for so long that it is seldom commented upon: insurgents in Afghanistan rarely take any prisoners

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My Comment: Airing this video on Afghan TV is only going to tell the Afghan soldiers that surrender is not an option .... that they must fight to the death. On the flip side .... I will not be surprised if we start hearing numerous reports of the Afghan Army executing Taliban prisoners. With U.S./NATO forces withdrawing, it will only be a matter of time before there will no longer be any ISAF supervision of prisoners captured, and Afghans will start to mete out justice the Afghan way.

Military Ends Transport-Plane Contract, Setting Back Bid to Make Local Forces More Self-Sufficient

KABUL—The U.S. military said it has scrapped plans to equip the Afghan Air Force with a fleet of Italian-made transport planes, a major setback in an effort to build a more self-sufficient Afghan military as U.S.-led forces withdraw.

Ed Gulick, a U.S. Air Force spokesman, said in an emailed statement that the service on Dec. 18 notified Alenia Aermacchi North America, a unit of Italian defense conglomerate Finmeccanica that a contract to maintain and support 20 refurbished transport planes for the Afghan military wouldn't be renewed when it expires in March because Alenia didn't deliver enough flyable planes.

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Explosion kill NATO soldier in southern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
US-led soldier killed in southern Afghanistan -- Press TV (Iran)
4 Afghan police killed with 'insider' help: officials -- AFP
Mission to help costs Griffin man his life -- AJC
Afghan Air Force Abondon Women Pilots -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan female air force pilots left grounded -- L.A. Times
Afghan air force snubs two women pilots -- UPI
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to re-open border -- Associate Press Of Pakistan
Torkham border closed after Afghan forces beat up 2 Pakistanis -- Pak Tribune
Afghanistan concerned over civilians torture in Pakistan -- Khaama Press
France doubles number of Afghans welcome to start a new life in France -- RFI
Paris opens door to Afghans working with French troops -- Khaama Press
In pictures: Afghanistan's 'safest province' -- Al Jazeera

(CNN) -- Russia's top diplomat and the international envoy to Syria warned Saturday that the Middle East nation's conflict is becoming more militarized and sectarian, further endangering the region.

The statements followed a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations envoy, which was aimed at bringing both sides of the civil war to the negotiating table.

"I think Sergey Lavrov is absolutely right that the conflict is not only more and more militarized, it is more and more sectarian, Brahimi told reporters following the talks in Moscow.

"And if we are not careful and if the Syrians are not careful, it will be a mainly sectarian conflict."

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Syrian refugee influx could break Lebanon and Jordan, UN envoy warns. UN envoy says Syrian collapse threatens region.

Assad's forces seize Homs district from rebels: activists.

Two more Syrian generals defect to Turkey.

Yemen says stopped Iranian arms vessel.

Thousands protest botched Turkish military attack that killed 34 Kurdish smugglers.

Fatah reinstates plans for Gaza anniversary event.

Iran sacks its only female minister.


Blast in Pakistan's Karachi kills six on bus, 48 hurt.

Pakistani Minister welcomes Taliban negotiation offer.

Japan new foreign minister vows China patch-up.

Taiwan and China move closer to peace accord?

China sets date for key legislative session.

N. Korea's China trade nearly triples in four years.

India gang rape victim dies in Singapore hospital. Death of India rape victim stirs anger, promises of action. Attackers in India rape case to face murder charge.

Philippines contraception law signed by Benigno Aquino.

S. Korea claims to retrieve debris from N. Korean rocket.

Pakistan: Cough syrup suspected in 33 deaths.

Heirs of Communist China's Eight Immortals 'have amassed huge wealth'.


CAR neighbours agree to send support troops.

War and peace in the shifting sands of Mali.

Armies of Sudan and South Sudan trade accusations of border violence.

Hundreds protest against militias in Libya's Benghazi.

Egypt opposition says Islamists trying to stifle dissent.

New Constitution divides Egypt as economy falters.

South Africa's painful slide through protest and scandal.


German finance minister says Euro-crisis worst is over.

Greek tax cheats list altered to hide names -court sources.

Russian passenger jet crashes at Moscow's Vnukovo airport.2 dead in Moscow airliner crash.

Russian police free child hostage, kill seven militants in Dagestan.

Macedonian opposition rallies to demand early elections.

French court overturns ultra-rich tax.

Monti says he will lead coalition in Italy’s February elections.

Former PM Thatcher describes ‘worst moment’ of her life in formerly secret Falklands documents. Falklands telegrams reveal UK response to invasion.

Congressional leaders hopeful as fiscal cliff deadline nears. Senate leaders to make last-ditch "fiscal cliff" effort.

Venezuelan vice president visits ailing Chavez in Cuba.

Obama signs law against Iran's Latin America influence.

Mexico finds smuggling tunnel near US border.

New York murders at record low.

U.S. population projected at 315.1 million on New Year's Day: census.

US requests Colombia Urabenos 'gang leader' extradition.

Argentine court rejects intervention in media case.


The Taliban crosses the line in Pakistan.

Alleged militants detained in Djibouti charged by U.S. court.

US drones kill 2 AQAP fighters in eastern Yemen.

Drone use surges in Yemen, the frontline against Al Qaeda.

More than a turnaround, Toyota sees record-breaking sales in 2013.

Deal reached to avert U.S. port strike for now.

Wall Street Week Ahead: Cliff may be a fear, but debt ceiling much scarier.

Following a meeting with President Obama, Senate leaders said Friday they intend to hammer out a plan that would avoid the fiscal cliff and present it to their caucuses on Sunday. But it remains unclear whether the last-minute package will delay or void pending military spending cuts.

Though lawmakers did not directly address whether the deal they are pursuing will delay a pending $500 billion cut to planned Pentagon spending, Obama seemed to indicate at least delaying them is a strong possibility.

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White House Says No Defense Programs Are Immune to Cuts -- Bloomberg

Fiscal cliff leaves contractors guessing -- DoD Buzz

Pentagon, defense industry brace for looming spending cuts -- FOX News

NATO Patriot Missiles Show Turkey's Military Weakness -- Al-Monitor

U.S. officials: Syria using more accurate Iranian-made missiles -- CNN

IRNA: Iran starts navy drills in Strait of Hormuz -- Jerusalem Post

Iran's navy to continue presence in international waters - commander -- Trend

New Radar in S. Russia to Go on Combat Duty Early in 2013 -- RIA Novosti

Russia to Triple State Defense Order by 2015 -- RIA Novosti

Anonymous blogger probe puts light on IDF suicides -- Jerusalem Post

Missile defense during Gaza op cost NIS 100M -- YNet News

Report: Iraq Defense Minister and 7 others accountable in Russian arms deal -- Alsumaria

China’s Giant New Warplane Will Look Awfully Familiar to the U.S. Air Force -- Danger Room

Chinese developing C-17 clone -- Defense Tech

Chinese military wants GPS system to be made more secure -- Zee News

N. Korea is nuclear test-ready: US think-tank -- Space Daily/AFP

The F-35 is useless for Pacific Rim ops -- Eric Palmer Blog

Final decision looming on relocation plan for air base on Okinawa -- Stars and Stripes

USS John Stennis enters Persian Gulf -- Voice of Russia

General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls win huge U.S. submarine orders -- Reuters

Lockheed Wins DoD Contracts Worth as Much $5.6 Billion -- Bloomberg

Lockheed wins $1.9 billion contract for two U.S. satellites: Pentagon -- FOX News/Reuters

Phantom bombers weigh down military budget -- DoD Buzz

Military Sexual Assaults In Combat Zones Happen Frequently: Study -- Huffington Post

The 8 Craziest Job Openings in the Military-Industrial Complex -- Danger Room

British amateur named world's top civilian cyber defender in hacking challenge staged by the U.S. military -- Daily Mail

No Foul Play Involved With British Agent Found Nude In Duffel Bag -- Business Insider/The Telegraph

Rose Parade float represents military dog monument -- L.A. Times

Gay marriage at Supreme Court: Will military couples get more benefits? -- Christian Science Monitor

An Overhyped Threat: Ballistic Missiles -- Robert Farley, The Diplomat

Remembering Gen. Schwarzkopf, 'Military Hero Of His Generation' -- NPR