The Morning Brief - Lignet



Mandatory Military Service Could Break Israel's Government
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing the first crisis of his new governing coalition after it recommended eliminating the exemption that has allowed ultra-Orthodox Jews to avoid serving in the military. Navigating the country’s culture war is likely to be perilous for Netanyahu as one wrong move could splinter the coalition and bring down his government.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Syria: Assad Makes Gains as Fight Spills into Lebanon
In a sudden turn-around, the Assad regime is reportedly gaining ground across Syria thanks to an influx of Hezbollah fighters and military aid from Russia and Iran. A French official said over the weekend that a U.S.-Russia-backed Syria peace conference could still take place next month, but this seems unlikely.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Japan: How Abe's Crescent Strategy Will Benefit the US
In an exclusive interview with LIGNET, a senior adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described how Japan is countering China’s increasingly assertive foreign policy using diplomacy. The so-called "crescent strategy" has one aim: to mitigate Chinese influence in Asia. It appears to be working, and working to the advantage also of the United States.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

‘Money Mules’ Pose a Serious Threat to Online Banking
The U.S. government is warning about a new type of cyber crime that uses so-called “money mules” to either launder money or aid in a large-scale theft that cannot easily be traced. The “mules” are often recruited online by an offer of employment and end up having money stolen funds move through their personal bank accounts. They often become the victims of theft themselves.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Will the Bank of England Follow the Fed's Lead?

The appointment of a new governor of the Bank of England has prompted speculation worldwide of a shake-up at the bank. The appointee is a Canadian who favors an aggressive monetary policy to stimulate growth. He may want the Bank of England to follow in the footsteps of the U.S. Federal Reserve. But will he be able to make that happen?

Algerian Terror Boss Belmokhtar Taking on the World
One-eyed Muslim terrorist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar is on a roll after masterminding two major terror operations in the Sahara this year, but he is not motivated by the usual radical Islamist dogma. His steely pragmatism combined with an indifference to religious ideology makes him a different breed of terrorist. He may lack intellectual purity and spiritualism, but he has no shortage of military prowess and tactical genius.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Russia-U.S. Espionage Burning Hotter Than Ever
An alleged U.S. spy caught with an incriminating wad of cash and low-tech spy tools in Moscow is evidence that espionage between the two states continues at a high level despite the end of the Cold War more than two decades ago. While Moscow can be faulted for breaking unwritten rules among spies by its effort to exploit this incident for publicity purposes, the real issue here appears to be sloppy tradecraft by the CIA.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Can a Trading Bloc Help Latin America Outgrow Leftism?
The growing regional appeal of the new free trade bloc, the Pacific Alliance, founded last year by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, has the potential to undermine the radical leftism that is deeply engrained among Latin American leaders. The push for greater integration has already attracted a number of other countries and indications of further success could pose a major threat to the prevailing anti-American sentiment that has dominated the region for decades.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Iran: Sanctions, Diplomacy Failing to Slow Nuclear Program
The latest report on the Iranian nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency indicates that Iran continues to make steady progress in producing nuclear fuel in defiance of international sanctions and new diplomacy. This includes developing advanced uranium centrifuges and a heavy water reactor that Iran could use to significantly increase its production of enriched uranium and to begin to produce plutonium.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

No Change in North Korea, Despite Envoy’s Visit to China
In a largely symbolic gesture, a representative from North Korea traveled to China this week to soothe leaders in Beijing who have become increasingly annoyed by the antics of Kim Jong Un. China immediately attempted to tie the hands of the visiting official by releasing a statement claiming that North Korea had agreed to resume negotiations on its nuclear program, without details on the exact format and what, if any, preconditions would have to be met.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

Spain: Rajoy Risks Everything with School Cuts
Spain’s conservative government is facing protests and general strikes as it works toward cutting funding for education. Tens of thousands of students and teachers have taken to the streets, revealing the fragility of the situation in Spain as it implements the tough austerity measures required by its last-resort lenders.
To continue reading this LIGNET special report, upgrade your account status by clicking here.

 

See LIGNET.com Homepage