Articles and analysis

The criminal gangs of Mexico and their weapons

By Fred Burton and Scott Stewart

Last week, the Mexican government carried out a number of operations in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, aimed at Jaime "El Hummer" Gonzalez Duran, one of the original members of the brutal cartel group known as Los Zetas. According to Mexican government officials, Gonzalez Duran controlled the Zetas' operations in nine Mexican states. The Nov. 7 arrest of Gonzalez Duran was a major victory for the Mexican government and will undoubtedly be a major blow to the Zetas.

Further delays for troops returning home

By Nigel Green

Soldiers flying home from Afghanistan are facing longer delays � despite attempts by the Government to solve the problem.Troops have to make up the time out of their own holidays and the revelation has led to an angry response. Soldiers get just two weeks' leave during their six-month tours and, with delays often stretching to 24 hours, the loss of time off can put extra strain on family lives. Nearly half of all flights from Kandahar to the RAF base at Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, are now delayed, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Medvedev, Iskander and US missile defence

By Ksenia Gorlevaya Research Associate, U K Defence Forum

On November 5, 2008, while many Americans were celebrating the victory of Barak Obama in the US Presidential elections, on the other side of the globe in Russia its President addressed the nation. It was by far the most outspoken, direct and firm speech made by a Russian President in the past 20 years. Amongst restatements of Russia's confidence in its position during the two major crises � the Georgian war and the global financial crisis - the part that attracted the most attention concerned new Russian military arrangements.

Articles and analysis

The criminal gangs of Mexico and their weapons

Further delays for troops returning home

Medvedev, Iskander and US missile defence

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