April 2012 Intelligence News

Remarks of John O. Brennan: "The Ethics and Efficacy of the President’s Counterterrorism Strategy" The White House 30 Apr 2012
Top US Official: Drone Strikes 'Legal, Ethical and Wise' in Terror Fight VOA 30 Apr 2012 -- A senior counter-terrorism advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama says targeted drone strikes abroad are a legal, ethical and wise option in order to ensure national security.
Official Confirms U.S. Carries Out Drone Strikes RFE/RL 30 Apr 2012 -- White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan has publicly acknowledged the practice of drone strikes against Al-Qaeda targets.
Obama Notes bin Laden Mission as Anniversary Nears AFPS 30 Apr 2012 -- President Barack Obama praised the U.S. military and intelligence communities as he reflected on the approaching one-year anniversary of the mission that killed al-Qaida leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
National Threat Intelligence Centre proposed for cyber security: India IRNA 30 Apr 2012 -- India’s Home Minister P Chidambaram disclosed that the government proposed to create a national structure for cyber security and establish a National Threat Intelligence Centre.
ONR-Sponsored Flexrotor Program Takes off for Next Phase NNS 30 Apr 2012 -- The Office of Naval Research-sponsored Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle enters the next development phase.
Alleged Document Leaker's Trial Set for September AFPS 26 Apr 2012 -- Army Pfc. Bradley Manning will go to trial this fall to face charges that he leaked hundreds of thousands of classified documents in what's believed to be the largest intelligence leak in U.S. history.
New 902nd MI complex dedicated at ribbon cutting Army News 26 Apr 2012 -- The 902nd Military Intelligence Group conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony and building dedication for its new headquarters and Army Counterintelligence Center complex on April 19.
Bin Laden Worried About Arab Spring, Says US Intelligence Chief VOA 26 Apr 2012 -- It was nearly one year ago - May 2, 2011 - that U.S. commandos killed the world's most wanted terrorist. After a decade of false leads and dead ends, Osama bin Laden was cornered in a walled compound in the city of Abbottabad, Pakistan, not far from that country's elite military academy, and shot dead. His body was buried at sea.
Former Libyan Rebel Sues Britain Over Torture Claim VOA 26 Apr 2012 -- A commander of the Libyan rebel forces that helped to oust Moammar Gadhafi last year claims British intelligence services played a key role in his capture and alleged CIA rendition back to Libya in 2004, where he says he was tortured. His lawyers say the case reveals the murky links between Western governments and Gadhafi before the 2011 uprising.
Motion Hearing Opens for Alleged Document Leaker AFPS 24 Apr 2012 -- The judge in the case against Army Pfc. Bradley Manning is expected to rule tomorrow on procedural issues that could have a major impact on his trial -- including whether the court should dismiss all charges against the alleged classified document leaker.
New Defense Service Enhances Intelligence Capabilities AFPS 24 Apr 2012 -- The Defense Department has begun a new effort to better integrate defense intelligence with the broader intelligence community and make the department a better, more versatile organization, a senior Pentagon spokesman told reporters today.
US Soldier Accused in WikiLeaks Case Seeks Dismissal of Charges VOA 24 Apr 2012 -- Lawyers for the U.S. Army intelligence analyst accused of leaking secret documents to website WikiLeaks are asking a military judge to dismiss all charges.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: Mapping Africa one country at a time Army News 23 Apr 2012 -- When the U.S. military wants to head into un-chartered, or minimally chartered territory, they call on the experts of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the NGA. By compiling the most current satellite imagery, existing maps, and layers of data like roads, rivers, and towns they are able to create custom maps and imagery for specific locations or events.
ISR chief outlines future programs AFNS 23 Apr 2012 -- While visiting deployed Airmen April 15-18, Brig. Gen. John Horner addressed the future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission programs.
US Lawmaker Dismisses Iran's Claims of Building Drone Copy VOA 22 Apr 2012 -- The chairman of the U.S. Senate's Homeland Security Committee is dismissing Iran's claim that it has reverse-engineered a U.S. spy drone it captured last year.
Pakistan PM suggests roadmap for re-engagement with US IRNA 19 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan PM Yusuf Raza Gilani has said a roadmap for re-engagement with United States, negotiation of new terms of engagement and transparency in US diplomatic and intelligence footprint in Pakistan are country’s fundamental policy parameters.
Taiwanese businessman questioned on suspicion of spying for China CNA 18 Apr 2012 -- A Taiwanese businessman was questioned by Taiwan's Investigation Bureau on suspicion of spying for China.
Taiwan debuts self-made drone in war games CNA 18 Apr 2012 -- A drone aircraft developed by Taiwan was debuted during the annual Han Kuang exercises, the country's most important war games involving its three branches of armed forces.
Iran Media Say Country Holding 'Israel-Linked Assassination Group' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2012 -- Some 15 Iranian and foreign nationals have been arrested for alleged spying for Israel, attempted assassination, and sabotage.
NGA: Mapping Africa One Country at a Time AFRICOM 17 Apr 2012 -- When the U.S. military wants to head into un-chartered, or minimally chartered territory, they call on the experts of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Going 'Gray' Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- A company of 1st Infantry Division Soldiers responsible for operating and maintaining an unmanned aerial system considered a "game-changer" downrange was officially activated.
Finnish Professor Charged with Spying for Russia RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2012 -- Authorities in Denmark have charged a Finnish academic with aiding alleged Russian spies in Copenhagen, Finland's national broadcaster YLE has said.
UN expert regrets US court decision preventing oversight of intelligence services UN News Centre 12 Apr 2012 -- An independent United Nations counter-terrorism expert today expressed profound regret at a decision by a United States court to refuse freedom of information requests by a British organization on extraordinary renditions.
Navy Investigates Unmanned Helicopter Mishaps NNS 10 Apr 2012 -- The Navy recently experienced two unrelated operational mishaps with the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.
Former KGB Chief Declared Winner of South Ossetia Presidential Election RFE/RL 09 Apr 2012 -- A former head of South Ossetia's KGB has been declared the winner of a presidential election in Georgia's breakaway region.
South Ossetia Elects ex-KGB Head as New President RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2012 -- Former South Ossetian KGB head Leonid Tibilov has been elected new president of the breakaway republic in a vote condemned by Georgia and welcomed by Russian lawmakers.
Georgia to Test First Domestically Designed UAV RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2012 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Monday he will attend Tuesday's test of Georgia's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Coup rumours in Pakistan after Osama death denied IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan’s former intelligence chief has denied rumours about a coup plot after the killing of Osama bin Laden in US military operation in May.
Pirates, Beware: Navy's Smart Robocopters Will Spy You in the Crowd NNS 05 Apr 2012 -- Navy unmanned aircraft will be able to distinguish small pirate boats from other vessels.
Army upgrading Unmanned Aerial Systems Army News 04 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Army is moving along with a series of upgrades and technological improvements to its Unmanned Aerial System platforms.
Interior Ministry Orders 8 Aerial Drones RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2012 -- Russia's Interior Ministry has said it plans to spend up to 120 million rubles ($4 million) to buy eight unmanned aerial vehicles.
Belarus to Build Vertical Takeoff Drones RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2012 -- The Belarusian State Military-Industrial Committee is planning to develop a range of unmanned aerial vehicles with vertical takeoff and landing capability.
Man Charged with Selling Classified Maps to U.S. RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2012 -- The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated a criminal case against an ex-serviceman accused of selling classified topographic maps of Russia to the US Defense Department.
Netherlands Identifies Agent of Russian Special Services RIA Novosti 02 Apr 2012 -- Police in the Netherlands arrested employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suspected of taking bribes and transferring classified information to Russian spies.
Putin Spokesman Denies National Guard Plans RIA Novosti 02 Apr 2012 -- Russian Prime Minister and president-elect Vladimir Putin has no plans to form any new special service divisions, including so-called national guard.
Bishkek Asks U.S. For Pilotless Drone Aircraft RFE/RL 02 Apr 2012 -- Kyrgyz officials have asked a U.S. military delegation for pilotless drone aircraft.

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