The Andes

US signs military base plan with Colombia

Ambassador William Brownfield and Colombian ministers signed a pact to expand Washington’s military presence in the Andean country, but said the US Congress would have to ratify it.

North America

More (specious) terror busts in the news

Specious terrorism busts in which a close reading of news accounts reveals that the supposed plot actually originated with police or FBI infiltrators continue to be alarmingly common.

Central America

Honduras: talks stall, election in doubt

Negotiators for deposed Honduran president Manuel Zelaya gave up on talks to end the political crisis, saying they were “worn down” by the intransigence of the de facto government.

Central America

Honduras: poll shows growing opposition to coup

A poll by the DC-based Greenberg Quinlan Rosner firm found that 60% of Hondurans disapproved of the June 28 removal of President Manuel Zelaya from office, while only 38% approved.

Central America

Honduras: was the coup legal?

Legal experts are challenging a Law Library of Congress report claiming that the overthrow of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya was in accordance with Honduras’ 1982 Constitution.

Iran

Report: Iranian incursion into Pakistan

Pakistani security forces reportedly arrested 12 personnel of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards near the border town of Mashkel in the restive Baluchistan region.

Afghanistan

US denies Blackwater arms stockpiling in Pakistan

The US embassy in Pakistan rejected claims that an Islamabad warehouse in the possession of a subcontractor to Blackwater/Xe was used to store heavy arms and ammunition for the company.