Solar Flare Ups

Assas-SUN-ate

Iran (Country threat level - 3): Iranian authorities are denying allegations that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the target of an assassination attempt in Hamedan in western Iran on 4 August 2010.

The incident in question took place as Ahmadinejad traveled to the city to deliver a speech; an undetermined type of low-intensity, unsophisticated device allegedly exploded approximately 110 yd/100 m from the president’s motorcade. Security personnel quickly responded to protect Ahmadinejad, and there were no reports of damage or injuries resulting from the blast. Initial reports stated that the explosion was caused by a homemade grenade, but Iranian officials quickly denied the claims, instead stating that it was a minor incident in which a homemade firework was thrown as a sign of celebration. Ahmadinejad delivered the speech as planned.
The incident in itself is highly suspicious, and it is difficult to ascertain exactly what transpired given the media restrictions in place in Iran. In view of the fact that some sections of the population are hostile to the government, it remains very plausible that the incident was in fact some type of attack, even if it was not intended as an assassination.

 
SUN OF OSAMA?

Pakistan (Country threat level - 5): At least 13 people were killed overnight on 3-4 August 2010 in Karachi in ongoing violence. Riots first erupted on 2 August after a regional Pakistani political leader, Raza Haider, was assassinated while attending a funeral. Authorities have deployed additional security forces to patrol the city in an attempt to suppress further violence. Karachi's ruling political party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), to which Haider belonged, has accused its main political rival of supporting Islamic militant groups.

RED SUN

Thailand (Country threat level - 4): On 3 August 2010 intelligence officials in Thailand issued a warning of possible terrorist attacks on targets in the Bangkok metropolitan area. An official stated that "credible sources" had reported that militant groups are attempting to build car bombs that would be detonated in crowded areas of Bangkok such as the Silom financial center and the Yaowarat entertainment district. The intelligence report did not identify the militant groups involved or how advanced plans for the alleged attacks are. The official claimed that the same assailants responsible for a recent wave of low-level bombings in Bangkok could be looking to step up their campaign using more sophisticated explosives. In response to the terrorism warning, security checkpoints have been set up in 26 locations throughout the city to minimize the threat to government buildings, tourist sites and other likely targets. There have been no reports of widespread building closures or evacuations conducted in Bangkok as a result of the alert.

SUNS OF BITCHES

Israel (Country threat levels - 4 / 4): On 4 August 2010 senior officials with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that Israeli soldiers were not in Lebanese territory when the skirmish between Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanese troops erupted near the border. U.N. officials stated that the Israeli military had contacted UNIFIL officers and informed them that an operation would be taking place near the Israeli-Lebanon border to clear trees in the area. UNIFIL officials approved the plan and passed the information along to Lebanese army officials, who also reportedly acknowledged the plan. Israel asserts that its forces were in Israeli territory at the time of the incident and had not crossed the Blue Line (the border line separating the two countries). Israel has also stated that it suspects that the incident was an ambush pre-planned by elements of the Lebanese military who may be sympathetic to Hizballah, which is the dominant force in southern Lebanon. Lebanon has thus far denied the allegations. As of 4 August, the situation remains calm but very tense. Israeli forces have resumed their tree-clearing operations in the area, which Lebanon will likely view as provocative.

FUN IN THE SUN CITY

Kenya (Country threat level - 4): On 4 August 2010 Kenyans went to the polls to vote for a new constitution. Reports indicate that turnout is heavy, and that many voters showed up hours before the polls opened. Very long lines were reported at several polling locations around the country. Authorities had expressed concern over a possible repeat of the post-election violence that occurred during a disputed presidential election in 2008; however, the election has proceeded peacefully thus far, and there have been no signs of violence.

Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): On 3 August 2010 Nigerian fuel tanker drivers suspended deliveries to Abuja, the Nigerian capital, to protest the poor condition of the country’s roads. The drivers’ action follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum that their union, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), gave the federal government to take steps to fix the roadways. The drivers claim that the roads are especially poor in and around the capital and that the lack of maintenance often causes accidents and inconveniences to travelers. Government officials, representatives of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and NUPENG are expected to meet on 4 August to negotiate the terms of a settlement. The strike could seriously affect business operations in Abuja, but is not expected to affect fuel supplies in any other Nigerian cities.

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME