December Jane's Geopolitical Roundup

By Rick Morris

Jane's Information Group has some of the best intelligence in the world at its fingertips. On matters ranging from military to security to weaponry and beyond, the staff at Jane's provides top-notch information to its subscribers and probably runs rings around our frequently inept CIA much of the time.The site includes free excerpts of its material in many different categories. From time to time here at The FDH Lounge Multimedia Magazine, we will link directly to their outstanding material on many subjects and allow those of you who are very much concerned with geopolitics and the world around us to keep up on important matters.

In addition to the material below, we refer you to the January, February, March, April, May, June/July, August, September, October and November installments of this series.

Highlights of this issue include: Iran potentially getting ready for a big regional war ... India was in no way ready for the big terrorist attack ... Pakistan may pay the price for the the bloodshed on Indian soil ... assessing the odds of a Mumbai repeat ... unmanned aerial vehicles becoming a much bigger part of national defense all over the globe ... defense industry may be counted on to help prop up the world economy ... Defense Secretary Gates prepares for a new administration ... Lockerbie: 20 years later ... Mexican Mafia expands outside of U.S. jails ... how U.S. aid to Sunni militias helped pacify Iraq ... waiting to see Obama's effect on aviation.

DEFENSE
UK MoD announces Paveway IV 'in service'
JDW Annual Defence Report: Asia Pacific
Daring handed over to UK Royal Navy
Iran accelerates missile production in preparation for possible conflict
Analysis: Will $5.4 billion package keep Russian reform on track?
RAF's Harrier fleet may face early retirement
Indian forces criticised for lack of co-ordinated response in Mumbai
India reserves right to strike Pakistan in response to Mumbai attack
Bell calls on India to end 'restrictive' offset rules
New BMP-2 IFV upgrade rolls out
Europe seeks to further develop its UAV sector
Pakistan Air Force prepares to induct UAVs into service
Vertical-launch VT1 missile gains new momentum
Advanced Hawkeye completes operational assessment
New missile marks 'significant leap' for Iran capabilities
USN nears completion of Hornet aircraft inspections
Mexican navy's budget increases by a fifth
Pakistan on verge of selecting HDW submarine
Interview: Captain Steve Chick, Commanding Officer, HMS Illustrious
Dragon enters the water as Dauntless starts
Nowhere to hide: LFAS systems evolve to meet ASW requirements
Chief of Defence Materiel questions UK budget shortfall
Analysis: Can the defense industry re-ignite the economy?
Analysis: Defense industry must look beyond hydrocarbons
Russia develops BREM-1M armoured repair and recovery vehicle
US Army awaits early-version Rifleman Radios
Moving the command posts: army leaders seek mobile HQ solutions
US Defense Secretary Gates sets out his continuing agenda
UN nations step forward to boost force numbers in DRC
Iran test-flies solid-propellant ballistic missile
China unveils new self-propelled howitzer system
Argentina launches Gaucho with new armor kit

PUBLIC SAFETY
Smiths Detection unveils eqo MMW full-body scanner

SECURITY
In the line of fire - Could Mumbai happen again?
UWSA sets up arms production
EULEX launches in Kosovo
European DNA ruling offers 'wriggle room'
Anti-terrorism training: Lockerbie
Global jihad versus national jihad
Prison break - Mexican gang moves operations outside US jails
Mumbai attacks highlight India's jihadist threat
Army quells Nigeria poll violence
Shrewd awakening - US aid for Sunni militias improves Iraqi security
Thai protesters surround parliament
Obama and the backyard
Pakistan's critical Khyber Pass reopened
ETA arrest unlikely to end violence
Fight and flight - The LTTE's air cargo ambitions

LAW ENFORCEMENT
European DNA ruling offers 'wriggle room'
European Court DNA ruling dismays UK Government
Critical questions
Final salute
The true Ronnie
Awards success for Britain's best bobbies
Hometown hero

TRANSPORT
SESAR aims to improve Europe's air traffic management with precision time-tracking
US DHS plans biometric fast-track scheme expansion
ATCA 2008: United flight saves 3.5% of fuel by green measures
Embraer issues 20-year forecast
The Obama effect: what next for US aviation?