News Stories

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Tsuyoshi

I just doubt she's a spy because she wouldn't have continued her show after being exposed like that

On the contrary, her reputation for espionage seems to have boosted her public celebrity in Russia. That "exposure," as you so carefully put it, seems to have happened only since we sent her packing. I do wish the BBC article had chosen to show us some of that exposure by linking to that "photo shoot for a men's magazine wearing very little and brandishing a pistol" that is mentioned there. I guess they leave that sort of thing to The Sun.

In other news, the Libyan rebels seem to have made a major comeback once Western air power decimated Qaddafi's forces along the coastal highway. It was less than a week ago that I saw BBC commentators saying that the untrained and lightly-armed rebels were no match for Qaddafi's forces and had been pushed back to Benghazi. Now, in the wake of the air strikes, the rebels appear to have taken back a number of towns along the road and are fighting a major battle for Sirte.

What struck me watching the coverage is the sudden improvement in the armament the rebels have available to them. At the outset, we saw photos and videos of guys riding in pickup trucks brandishing AK's. Then we started seeing machine guns on those trucks. Over the weekend, though, those trucks started carrying missile launchers as well. Do you suppose they're just scavenging these arms from the remains of Qaddafi's forces, or are they "mysteriously" falling from the sky or washing up on beaches around Benghazi?

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

On the contrary, her reputation for espionage seems to have boosted her public celebrity in Russia. That "exposure," as you so carefully put it, seems to have happened only since we sent her packing. I do wish the BBC article had chosen to show us some of that exposure by linking to that "photo shoot for a men's magazine wearing very little and brandishing a pistol" that is mentioned there. I guess they leave that sort of thing to The Sun.

That's exactly what I mean. She got so much exposure as a spy and became famous for it. If she really was a spy, none of that would've happened. At least, that's what my take on it is.

[SeijiSensei]

Japan allows foreign doctors to help treat disaster victims

Japan agreed to allow a 53-person Israeli medical team, including fourteen doctors, seven nurses, and interpreters, to enter the country on Sunday.

According to a Foreign Ministry official, it's much harder to accept groups of doctors than search and rescue teams because the former require more coordination between governments and local municipalities. The doctors must be self-reliant, and qualified interpreters must be on hand to help the doctors and patients communicate with each other."

Locals will be very surprised if a foreign medical team arrived out of the blue," an official said. "It is the same when a Japanese medical team goes abroad — there needs to be thorough coordination with the government, matching the needs of the people and the offers from abroad."

Are the Japanese really that insular? Would the Israelis have been refused entry if they didn't bring their own interpreters? The article points out that the Israelis are building on ties established during the 2008 earthquake that struck Miyagi Prefecture. Does this mean that the hundreds of American military medical personnel in Japan and on nearby ships are not involved in treating the victims?

The Japanese government has also needed to override a standing law that forbids foreign medical personnel from practicing in Japan. This emergency suspension extends only to the damaged regions.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Are the Japanese really that insular? Would the Israelis have been refused entry if they didn't bring their own interpreters? The article points out that the Israelis are building on ties established during the 2008 earthquake that struck Miyagi Prefecture. Does this mean that the hundreds of American military medical personnel in Japan and on nearby ships are not involved in treating the victims?

the Israeli team is technically a military expedition force (despite being entirely medical), hence, would require approval before setting up shop in another country.
otherwise, its an invasion.

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

the Israeli team is technically a military expedition force (despite being entirely medical), hence, would require approval before setting up shop in another country.
otherwise, its an invasion.

I haven't seen that point made in the two English-language sites I read about this. The only issue that was discussed in those places was the ban on foreign medical practitioners being lifted for emergency purposes.

Even stranger is that this article at Medicins sans Frontieres reports they've had a 12-person medical team on the ground for twelve days. Now I don't understand why the Japan Times article claims the Israeli group are the first foreigners permitted to practice. Maybe it's the civilian/military distinction you mentioned? Or maybe it's because MSF is a non-governmental organization? Very confusing.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

On the contrary, her reputation for espionage seems to have boosted her public celebrity in Russia. That "exposure," as you so carefully put it, seems to have happened only since we sent her packing. I do wish the BBC article had chosen to show us some of that exposure by linking to that "photo shoot for a men's magazine wearing very little and brandishing a pistol" that is mentioned there. I guess they leave that sort of thing to The Sun.

In other news, the Libyan rebels seem to have made a major comeback once Western air power decimated Qaddafi's forces along the coastal highway. It was less than a week ago that I saw BBC commentators saying that the untrained and lightly-armed rebels were no match for Qaddafi's forces and had been pushed back to Benghazi. Now, in the wake of the air strikes, the rebels appear to have taken back a number of towns along the road and are fighting a major battle for Sirte.

What struck me watching the coverage is the sudden improvement in the armament the rebels have available to them. At the outset, we saw photos and videos of guys riding in pickup trucks brandishing AK's. Then we started seeing machine guns on those trucks. Over the weekend, though, those trucks started carrying missile launchers as well. Do you suppose they're just scavenging these arms from the remains of Qaddafi's forces, or are they "mysteriously" falling from the sky or washing up on beaches around Benghazi?

they still aren't very organize through. While the better armaments will help, in a straight up fight without coalition airstrike support my money is still on Gaddafi's army. Even with coalition air support it is still going to be tough fight, no better the 50% chance of winning.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

I haven't seen that point made in the two English-language sites I read about this. The only issue that was discussed in those places was the ban on foreign medical practitioners being lifted for emergency purposes.

don't know about that.
kinda makes sense for them to insist that doctors who do not have a Japanese medical licence only be allowed to work in Japan with specific permission.

still, it might also have to do with the military nature of the expedition.

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

they still aren't very organize through. While the better armaments will help, in a straight up fight without coalition airstrike support my money is still on Gaddafi's army. Even with coalition air support it is still going to be tough fight, no better the 50% chance of winning.

and assuming Coalition ground forces ?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

don't know about that.
kinda makes sense for them to insist that doctors who do not have a Japanese medical licence only be allowed to work in Japan with specific permission.

still, it might also have to do with the military nature of the expedition.



and assuming Coalition ground forces ?

with real tanks and everything? 100%. Advantage in both numbers and armament.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

with real tanks and everything? 100%. Advantage in both numbers and armament.

it might end up coming to that.
the west already made its play against Gaddafi, so allowing him to remain in power is not an option.
if the protesters prove unable, it might just end up falling to coalition ground forces to deal with him.

mind you, it wouldn't take more then one armored division to deal with anything Gaddafi has to offer as far as military goes.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

it might end up coming to that.
the west already made its play against Gaddafi, so allowing him to remain in power is not an option.
if the protesters prove unable, it might just end up falling to coalition ground forces to deal with him.

mind you, it wouldn't take more then one armored division to deal with anything Gaddafi has to offer as far as military goes.

that is what i figure, once you start shooting you can't let the other stick around afterward. 1 division each form the British and the French and air support form the US.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

that is what i figure, once you start shooting you can't let the other stick around afterward. 1 division each form the British and the French and air support form the US.

would you really need 3 divisions ?
Gaddafi only has a few hundred T-72s, and all the other tanks are basically the kind of tanks that an M1A2 or Challenger 2 drive over on the way to fighting the T-72.

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

that is what i figure, once you start shooting you can't let the other stick around afterward. 1 division each form the British and the French and air support form the US.

I don't know if the french or the british have any amphiby troup near Libya but the US still have thoses embarqued Marines. Not sure if thoses would be enough...

[Ithekro]

It isn't all that far from France or the UK. It is just across the Sea from France, and Italy. Home Fleet type operations. The French Amphibious Assualt Ship Mistal is off Libya.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by Ithekro

It isn't all that far from France or the UK. It is just across the Sea from France, and Italy. Home Fleet type operations. The French Amphibious Assualt Ship Mistal is off Libya.

would be nice to see a Leclerc in action finally.

[Ithekro]

What I found odd. If you look under the main media listed name for the operation, you find the American forces and a few token European and Arabic nations military forces. However, if you search a little more, you find each major player has their own operation name and force going on in Libya.

The French have their carrier off Libya, an Italian carrier is deployed off Lybia. The United States has an amphibious assault ship with a second on its way to releave it eventually. Plus lots of escorts from all the nations involved.
(UK, US, France, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Turkey.) Plus Air Forces from, Norway, Denmark, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

[JMvS]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

would be nice to see a Leclerc in action finally.

Were they refit with aircon already?

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

What struck me watching the coverage is the sudden improvement in the armament the rebels have available to them. At the outset, we saw photos and videos of guys riding in pickup trucks brandishing AK's. Then we started seeing machine guns on those trucks. Over the weekend, though, those trucks started carrying missile launchers as well. Do you suppose they're just scavenging these arms from the remains of Qaddafi's forces, or are they "mysteriously" falling from the sky or washing up on beaches around Benghazi?

The missile launchers looks more Russian to me. As for those technicals (MG on pickups), they are probably retrofitted from the stuff found in rebel-run military bases and ammo-ed by captured ammunition trucks.

Either that or China is selling them stuff through black-market channels.

[AnimeFan188]

"Boffins in America say they're on the track of a backpack electro-beam forcefield
device capable of snuffing out raging fires without any need for water, hoses or other
traditional firefighting apparatus. Apart from portable applications, they raise the
possibility that the new technology might replace building sprinkler systems with ceiling
mounted conflagration-squelching zapper terminals."

See:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03...ame_squelcher/

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by bladeofdarkness

would you really need 3 divisions ?
Gaddafi only has a few hundred T-72s, and all the other tanks are basically the kind of tanks that an M1A2 or Challenger 2 drive over on the way to fighting the T-72.

just 2, 1 british and 1 french. US will provide air and missile support. While only 1 is needed, it is better for pr purpose to have a multi-national force.

[bladeofdarkness]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

just 2, 1 british and 1 french. US will provide air and missile support. While only 1 is needed, it is better for pr purpose to have a multi-national force.

and the U.S doesn't send ground forces to avoid being accused of trying to occupy Libya to steal its Oil...
Clever.