ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

IMAGE: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP Written by  Victor Vic  exclusively for  SouthFront Together with the migration crisis the crime rate in European countries found an increase. Following investigations by security agencies, it was found that a large number of attackers were refugees entering Europe in this migration wave. After the investigations, it was found that a large number of attackers recently arrived in Germany and proclaimed themselves as Muslims. After thorough investigations, it was found that they were part of organized terrorist cells, operating outside, but also within European countries. German authorities have responded to this creating new security policies. These include a series of procedures that track the activity of terrorist suspects and monitor phone calls and internet activities. This phenomenon has taken has had such an impact, that it had the German Federal Government change its course and invest more in security and police. Thus, it can be deduced from t

Click to see the full-size image On November 16, 2 Argentine citizens with alleged links to Lebanon’s Hezbollah were arrested, Argentina’s security ministry said in a statement. The development took place ahead of the G20 summit due to take place in Buenos Aires at the end of the month. According to released data, the two men, 23 and 25 y.o, were arrested in a residence in the capital. Police seized several weapons, including a rifle, a shotgun and a number of pistols, as well as an image of the Hezbollah flag and a photo of the movement’s leader Hassan Nasrallah. Police stated that they had discovered evidence of travel abroad but provided no details on this issue. Click to see the full-size image Click to see the full-size image In July, Argentina froze the assets of the Barakat Group (also known as the Barakat Clan). This is a criminal organization, which is allegedly linked to Hezbollah. The Barakat Group operates in the area known as the “Triple border” made up

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: US NAVY / Reuters On November 5 th , Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa claimed that the country “will consider” hosting US warships if Washington were to ask to use the largest Spratly Islands in the South China Sea for security purposes. Yen De-Fa was answering hypothetical questions of a member of the opposition, Johnny Chiang in the Legislative Yuan. According to the Defense Minister, US warships could also possibly be allowed to dock at Taiping island, which is under Taipei’s control for humanitarian operations. Yen told Chiang that despite the island being for humanitarian purposes, the Taiwan government would consider using it for regional security if that suited the country’s interests. “If it is based on security concerns that would affect the region, we will consider that,” Yen said. “This must also be in line with our national interests.” According to Chiang, the regular presence of US aircraft carriers in the South China Sea

The Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs released  a study on the Human Cost of the Post-9/11 US Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan . Syria was not included in the study. Neta C. Crawford carried out the research. Overall, according to the study between 480,000 and 507,000 people have been killed in all of the conflicts. These include counts and estimates of direct deaths caused by war violence. The deaths in Syria, so far, are near 500,000 more, since 2011, with the US officially joining in August 2014. From the table it becomes apparent that even with the highest estimations in Iraq, the US and its allies have lost more troops than the “enemy.” However it should be noted that there are massive civilian casualties in all conflicts, with the one in Iraq outnumbering soldier deaths by a fair margin. Thus, the chances of being killed in a war if a person is a civilian in the Middle East is higher than they are a soldier or a militant. That

As reported last week, shortly after SWIFT caved to US pressure and defied the EU announcing it would cut off a selection of Iranian banks, on Monday, the US Treasury said the Iranian Central Bank has been officially cut off the SWIFT financial messaging system. The disconnection, which comes at a time when Iran’s economy is reeling and its currency is tumbling as a result of restricted oil exports (albeit offset by numerous temporary waivers for top Iranian oil clients), will made it far more difficult for the Islamic Republic to settle import and export bills. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the move is “the right decision to protect the integrity of the international financial system”, and comes after several days planning by SWIFT. Steven Mnuchin ✔ @stevenmnuchin1 I understand that SWIFT will be discontinuing service to the Central Bank of Iran and designated Iranian financial institutions. SWIFT is making the right decision to protect the integ

Israel is actively employing its Iron Dome anti-ballistic missile system  during the ongoing military escalation over the Gaza Strip . According to fresh reports, Palestinain forces have launched over 400 projectiles at targets in southern Israel since October 12. The Israeli military claims that at least 100 of these rockets were intercepted. Israel’s Iron Dome ABM System. Threats, Peculiarities and Development Prospects Iron Dome Origins Since its inception, Israel has faced difficult political and military challenges. It defines the operational space in which IDF exists, the nature of development of its armed forces, and of individual weapons systems it uses. The key objective and permanent factors include: Israel’s geography, with the 470km-long country being no more than 135km wide. Hostile environment, including unresolved territorial disputes with neighbors and the Palestinian problem. Close proximity to borders of major cities and critical infrastructure. At t