IRAN REPORTS

• Iran is proposing to have Russia enrich its uranium, to be able to resume its suspended activities but avoid being referred to the Security Council. The Europeans aren't biting.

• Barry Rubin doesn't think Iran will be stopped from getting its weapon.

• The US has ruled out offering Iran any more incentives.

• RegimeChangeIran has much more...

THE MIDDLE EAST

• The suspected mastermind of the recent attacks in Egypt "committed suicide" by bashing his head on his cell wall a lot. I've got a bridge to sell you...

• Swallow your drink, I'm not buying you a new monitor: the Saudis have almost eradicated terrorism.

• Has the Jihad entered a new phase in Egypt?

• Zarqawi's terrorists, on trial in Jordan for a chemical attack plot, are turning it into a circus.

• RAND Corporation predicts five million more Palestinians in five years. But can you really trust Palestinian population numbers?

• Why is it, despite their social popularity, that radical Islamic movements aren't taking over governments?

• Salon's Fred Kaplan brands Operation Matador a tactical success but a strategic failure for the US.

• Israel's catching netwar fever.

• Mubarak's newfound faith in democracy appears to be a sham given his actions.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS

• Domestic port security is improving, but it's still pretty much terrible.

• The administration is seeking to give the FBI power to obtain business records in terrorism investigations without judicial oversight.

• Vegas saw a surprise terrorism response drill.

• Cyberwarfare: the US faces IT security intrustion attempts more than daily.

• The FBI declared ecoterrorists and animal rights extremists to be the greatest current internal threat to the US.

• A number of "jihadist returnees" have turned up in Canada and some may be planning attacks.

• The ultraviolent MS-13 gang is using Arizona as a corridor into the country.

• The prospects for a revival of nuclear power for US energy independence look better with China's vow to build one reactor a year, leapfrogging the generation of neglect that nuclear technology has suffered.

• Two officers of a defunct Islamic charity/front operation for terrorist funding were arrested on charges of lying to authorities.

• Cuban terrorist Posada was charged with entering the US illegally, but US authorities have ruled out handing him over to Cuba or Venezuela.

• 60 illegal immigrants were arrested in six statesbecause they worked at "critical infrastructure locations".

• Scott McClellan said Jonathan Pollard will continue to serve his life sentence.

• The Minuteman project is coming to the California border in August.

AFRICA

• South Africa is applying its anti-mercenary laws to tamp down on mercenary activity, which embarrasses its government.

• 30 people were arrested for plotting the secession of the Katanga province from the Congo.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA

• The only surviving despicable bastard involved in Beslan was set to go on trial.

• The US and Pakistan are exploiting ethnic rifts in Al Qaeda, says this report.

• The Taliban is continuing its rampage on aid workers.

• Thai police seized Al Qaeda training videos in a raid on a madrassa.

• South Korea failed to get a North Korean pledge to return to the six-way talks but will resume regular cabinet-level talks.

• Australia pushed back by two years, to 2008, the final decision on whether to purchase $16 billion worth of the Joint Strike Fighter.

EUROPE

• President Bush's personal envoy asked the IRA to lay aside their arms soon.

• Fugitive Serbs are being hidden in Russia.

• Controversially, Spain is seeking peace with ETA.

• MI5 says that Russia has returned to Cold War levels of espionage against the UK.

• The UK is facing new challenges to its antiterrorism powers.

• Someone is finally being charged in the Omagh attack.

• Frank Gaffney looks at growing disturbing evidence that 3/11 was an inside job.

• Is the US abducting terrorists for rendition from Europe?

THE GLOBAL WAR

• Pakistan claims to have paralyzed Al Qaeda's ability to communicate.

• A French terrorism expert says Zarqawi is well-poised to surpass Bin Laden in importance.

• The chief of the nation's new National Counterterror Center, which puts together intel from 15 different spy agencies, is resigning.

• Congress is no longer confident that the military can simultaneously prosecute the global war on terror and fulfil its role in the war on drugs.

• May 17 was Armed Forces Day.

• This short analysis looks at America's space-based military capabilities, inadequacies, and ambitions.

• The Navy is fielding a new class of civilian-manned supply ships. Also, moisture-wicking shirts, T-72 tanks, Star Wars cutbacks, P-3 patrol planes, MH-60R Seahawks, Ohio-class submarines being converted from carrying cruise missiles to carrying Special Forces, and lots more at Joe's Defense Industry Daily.

• Congress wants to further tighten the rules on women being placed in combat roles. Here's a look at how commanders are using women in Iraq.

• The grenade that was found in Georgia was in fact a live grenade that failed to go off, said the FBI.

We try to close on a lighter note if possible.

• Is this the way to Armadillo?

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