July 9, 2008
Dossier: King Abdullah



Saudi Arabia seems to have many friends, but what it mainly has is oil

BACKGROUNDER
Compiled by Bill Gertz

U.S. steps up intelligence collection on Iran

U.S. intelligence agencies have significantly increased the collection and analysis of intelligence on Iran, specifically its political and religious leadership.

Recent unclassified intelligence reports produced by analysts include detailed studies of the Iranian leadership, including the strengths and weaknesses of key leaders, factions and their power with the theocratic state, and a new reporting stream on Qom and its numerous religious complexes.

Additional reporting includes regular compilations of Iranian military activities, as well as Iranian military support for its Lebanese proxy forces of Hizbullah.

The increased reporting comes with the continued refusal by Iran to abide by International Atomic Energy Agency controls.



Naval task force on heightened alert, monitoring movements in Gulf

ABU DHABI — A Western naval task force has been on alert for an Al Qaida attack in the Gulf. Combined Task Force 152, a 20-member coalition that patrols the Gulf, has been on heightened alert in the central and southern Gulf. The task force, based in Bahrain, has urged civilian vessels to report any suspicious activity.      
Focus on Iran and Syria
Iran paid N. Korea for plutonium facility and had scientists based there   


N. Koreans cleaned out Al Kibar site months before IAEA showed up
Sequence of photos: By late October 2007, workers covered the site with earth [1], and subsequently laid a new foundation [2], and erected a light metal-framework building [3] over the site of the destroyed reactor.   GlobalSecurity.org
Focus on Lebanon
Hizbullah in de facto control of Lebanon government and military   
Military Technology
X-ray device can accurately scan baggage without opening   
Al Qaida and the Persian Gulf
Al Qaida's focus continues to be on Saudi oil infrastructure   
Northeast Asia Report
India counters China challenges in border areas, Sri Lanka    
East-Asia-Intel.com
New, massive riots embarrass Hu Jintao regime on eve of Olympics
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