Tag Archives: US
14 June 2013
The US is going to provide direct military aid to the Syrian opposition, the White House announced on Thursday 13 June after having concluded that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons. The announcement comes after repeated statements by the Obama administration that the use of chemical weapons would cross a red line and violate international norms.
The details of the aid to be provided were not revealed, but officials were reported saying small arms, ammunition and anti-tank weapons could be included. According to the deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, the US is going to proceed on its own timeline but will take up the issue with allies in next week’s G8 summit. The US has previously said it preferred an endorsement by the UN on further action, but has suggested it’s decision would not depend on it.
Source: BBC | US says it will give military aid to Syria rebels
Source: The Guardian | US says it will arm Syrian rebels following chemical weapons tests
Source: Al Jazeera | US offers 'military support' to Syrian rebels
Source: El País | EE UU anuncia ayuda militar para los rebeldes sirios
12 June 2013
Documents leaked to the press on Friday 7 June on the US-run covert intelligence-gathering operation, entitled PRISM, reveal that the UK security agency GCHQ has gathered secret digital information through the program at least since June of 2010. According to the US National Security Agency (NSA), the service has also been made available to spy organizations from other countries, but did it not specify which ones. According to Reuters, Germany has not received any PRISM data.
The revelation on the NSA operation has triggered criticism in European capitals, including Dutch, German and Italian officials that denounced the practice of gathering secret data from the world’s largest internet companies as unacceptable and illegal under EU laws. Following denials from Facebook and Google that the companies are giving direct government access to their servers, reports suggested on Friday that Israeli companies may have been involved in wiretapping US telecommunications networks, which would allow the NSA to access data through major internet service providers.
Source: The Guardian | NSA snooping: Obama under pressure as senator denounces 'act of treason'
Source: The Guardian | UK gathering secret intelligence via covert NSA operation
Source: Reuters | UPDATE 1-U.S. surveillance revelations deepen European fears of Web giants
Source: The Daily Dot | Does the NSA's PRISM spying program violate EU law?
Source: GIGAOM | Europeans call for answers over U.S. web spying allegations
Source: Business Insider | DID YOU KNOW?: Two Secretive Israeli Companies Reportedly Bugged The US Telecommunications Grid For The NSA
3 May 2013
The Bangladesh garment building disaster has prompted western clothing brands, and also consumers to consider their shared responsibility. Some western clothing brands that were having items made there have promised financial compensation for the deaths. The European Union is reconsidering trade arrangements, and it is reported that ‘some consumers feel confused over whether they should feel a shared responsibility because of their low-price shopping habits.’
Bangladesh worst ever industrial accident (the third deadly accident in recent months) has killed over 433 people. Both the EU and the US, which are major importers, have pressured Bangladesh to raise the standards. Factory owners in Bangladesh as well as western apparel retailers have faced intense pressure from governments, consumers and labour groups to improve workplace safety.
Source: The New York Times | Bangladesh Fears an Exodus of Apparel Firms
Source: Euronews | Bangladesh workers dying for lack of responsible regulation
17 April 2013
The Constitution Project released a report on detainee treatment in the war on terror, concluding that the US engaged in torture and that many other states cooperated in the rendition programme.
The Constitution Project is a non-profit US based think tank on constitutional and legal questions. The report describes that international assistance in rendition ranged from capturing suspects and turning them over to US custody, assisting in interrogations and abuse, to allowing stopovers of known CIA flights carrying detainees.
Source: The Report of the Constitution Project's Task Force on Detainee Treatment | April 2013
Source: The New York Times | U.S. Engaged in Torture After 9/11, Review Concludes
14 April 2013
Officials and witnesses say eleven children have been killed in a NATO air strike in the Shigal district, in the Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan. The strikes were called in to support a major operation by US and Afghan government forces targeting senior Taliban commanders and a local weapons cache. The NATO-led International Security Assistant Force (ISAF) said: ‘The air support was called in by coalition forces – not Afghans’. A statement issued on behalf of President Karzai strongly condemned the NATO attack, and ‘military operations in residential areas that cause civilian deaths’.
Source: BBC | Afghan children 'killed by Nato air strike in Shigal'