Is this surprising to anyone? As Iran loses it's only ally in the region and as the international community brings unprecedented pressure on Iran's nuclear weapons program, the Islamic Republic is desperately reaching out for any way to hit back. This story of subversion is one to watch, particularly after Hizbullah's terrorist attack on Israelis in Bulgaria last week. - R.O.

Dubai police chief warns of Muslim Brotherhood, Iran threat

Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:40am EDT

DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai's chief of police has warned of an "international plot" to overthrow the governments of Gulf Arab countries, saying the region needs to be prepared to counter any threat from Islamist dissidents as well as Syria and Iran.

The comments by Dahi Khalfan, one of the most outspoken security officials in the United Arab Emirates, follow the detention in the UAE since April of at least 20 dissidents, according to relatives of the detainees and activists.

"There's an international plot against Gulf states in particular and Arab countries in general...This is preplanned to take over our fortunes," Khalfan told reporters at a gathering late on Wednesday marking the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"The bigger our sovereign wealth funds and the more money we put in the banks of Western countries, the bigger the plot to take over our countries...The brothers and their governments in Damascus and North Africa have to know that the Gulf is a red line, not only for Iran but also for the Brothers as well."

Most of the detainees since April are Islamists, targeted by an official clampdown amid concern they may be emboldened by the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in other Arab countries such as Egypt.

UAE Interior Ministry officials have not been available to comment on the arrests. Last week, UAE officials announced that authorities were investigating a foreign-linked group planning "crimes against the security of the state".

"I had no idea that there is this large number of Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf states. We have to be alert and on guard because the wider these groups become, the higher probability there is for trouble," Khalfan said on Wednesday.

"We are aware that there are groups plotting to overthrow Gulf governments in the long term."

(Reporting by Mirna Sleiman; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Pravin Char)

Hillary Clinton: The Art of Smart Power

New Statesman - The art of smart power
An impressive summation of American foreign policy today and the overwhelming burden of leading the free world. A worthy read for anyone interested in geopolitics. -R.O.

Blast kills Syrian defense minister, Assad’s brother-in-law

Blast kills Syrian defense minister, Assad’s brother-in-law
If this was indeed the work of a suicide bomber, the Assad regime is in its death throes. Things are heating up. -R.O.

Egypt's New President Morsi: ”Our Capital Shall Be Jerusalem, Allah Willling”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zka-gk6vXo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Watch Egypt's newly elected Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi in his speech this past May, chanting that "Allah willing", "millions of martyrs will march on Jerusalem" as he declares that Egyptians are "all Hamas". Watch as eager crowds jump and scream and cheer this radical Islamist on, surely buoyed by delusions of heaven-bound suicide bombing madness.
The Islamist Morsi has since indicated that he will "revisit" Egypt's long-standing peace treaty with Israel. This was after he was elected. After!
Clearly, then, what the economically-broken, revolution-strained nation of Egypt needs is a devastating war with Israel, at a time when Syria is collapsing and negotiations with Iran are at an impasse. Not.
Morsi's rhetoric is despicable but unsurprising. If he starts a war with Israel, he can guarantee three things will come to an abrupt end: his Presidency; the Egyptian revolution; and any chance of a peaceful, democratic Egyptian state.
Is Morsi's hate-filled bile what the Arab Spring has wrought? Can we expect a similar Islamist whacko to take power in Syria should Assad fall?

If history has taught us anything, it's that Israel will not tolerate even a hint of warmongering from Morsi. This is an incredibly dangerous way to start your term, Mr. Morsi. Watch it.

3D Cities in Google Earth - what's next?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Douyfa7l8&sns=em

Where will Google stop? With the introduction of fully rendered 3D cities in Google Earth, the world's must influential tech company unleashes never before seen detail and depth, while adding a new realm to the Google user experience.

This is truly remarkable technology, almost unthinkable a mere five years ago. More striking is that the level of topographical precision available in Google Earth provides a tactical capability that will soon be in the hands of every smartphone user worldwide.

While impressive, the prospect of providing fully rendered 3D overviews of every major city raises questions about how such information could be used in the wrong hands. What was once the purview of superpower spy surveillance satellites is now effectively in the pockets of your average citizen - and your potential enemy.

As the technology develops, it will be interesting to see how Google finesses the fine line between pushing new technical frontiers and crossing old fashioned national security boundaries.

-R.O.