Oil experts say Venezuelan production is slipping and Chávez’s industry policy for the long term is risky. Venezuela, like Mexico and Iran, needs reinvestment and foreign investment to keep its $100 billion industry in prime condition. But with China’s and India’s demand for crude inspiring projections for exponential growth and the U.S.’s determination to remain [...]

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The arrests of three men who allegedly tried to sell contraband uranium for $1 million show how a shadowy market for nuclear components has survived despite tightened security at nuclear facilities, experts said yesterday.
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There are signs, however, that discontent with Chavez is growing. Earlier this month, Gen. Raul Isaias Baduel, former defense minister and a long-time Chavez supporter, labeled the proposed constitution a “coup d’etat.” Dissent is appearing within the ranks of the military as well (Miami Herald). “There is a fairly widespread discontent, which doesn’t have much [...]

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Russians go to the polls on Sunday. The dominant party, United Russia, enjoys moderate support, but its leaders expect nothing short of a resounding victory. SPIEGEL presents five regional snapshots of a nation with eleven time zones, pinning its hopes on one man — Vladimir Putin. By Uwe Klussmann, Walter Mayr and Matthias Schepp more…

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Japan has refused a Chinese request to tour an advanced combat ship as the US-China spat over Beijing’s refusal to allow a US aircraft carrier to dock in Hong Kong last week spilled over into Sino-Japanese military relations.
A person familiar with the Japanese decision said that the Pentagon said the move would not be appropriate [...]

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The head of Britain’s domestic security service has warned business leaders that China has been carrying out state-sponsored espionage against vital parts of the economy.
The director-general of MI5, Jonathan Evans, wrote to 300 chief executives and security heads at banks, accountancy and legal firms, warning them they were under attack from “Chinese state organisations” via [...]

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The Ashoura is a multi-stage, solid-fueled missile that could be very effective for long-range strategic use. The stated range of the Ashura is 1,240 miles.
The Shahab-3 is a single-stage, liquid-fueled missile, and that makes it much more difficult to use than the recently announced solid-fuel “Ashoura” missile. The range of the Shahab-3 is in question. [...]

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French authorities express concern over Iran’s newly developed missile, which is capable of hitting targets within a 2,000 km range.
French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Pascale Andreani said Tuesday that Paris considers Tehran’s announcement a ‘great concern’.
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Iran’s avowed new missile, Lt Gen Obering said, “is different, that’s what surprises us.” He would not elaborate on how. “That’s what we’re concerned about, this unbridled, continuing development and potential proliferation of these weapons. That’s why we think it’s important to begin now” on a European missile defence, he said.
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Iran’s new missile, military [...]

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Putin suspends Russian adherence to Cold war arms treaty: Kremlin
AFP - 4 hours ago
MOSCOW (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a decision to suspend Russia’s adherence to a Cold war treaty limiting military forces in Europe …
Russia suspends arms control pact BBC News
Putin signs law suspending Russian participation in CFE treaty Jerusalem Post
Russia [...]

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China’s show of strength ups military ante
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - 3 hours ago
Among new weapons tested at the maneuvers were 022 stealth missiles and Russian-made SS-N-27 “Club” anti-ship cruise missiles. …

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