Melson’s explosive F&F allegations; ‘taxpayer dollars’ may have been used!

During an appearance Monday before Congressional investigators, Kenneth Melson, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alleged that the Department of Justice not only allowed criminals to smuggle guns to Mexico, but that “taxpayer dollars from other agencies may have financed those engaging in such activities.”

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/melson-s-explosive-f-f-all...

Article by Dave Workman

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb is claiming responsibility for an attack on a Mauritanian army base near the border with Mali.

An al-Qaida spokesman told the private Nouakchott news agency Wednesday two of the group's fighters died in Tuesday's attack – one from Algeria and another from Mali.

The Mauritanian army confirmed the attack near Bassiknou and said its forces launched a counter attack, killing 20 militants.

Mauritania and Mali have been engaged in an ongoing effort to chase al-Qaida's North African affiliate from camps near the border areas.

Suspected Islamic militants attacked a police patrol in northeastern Nigeria, wounding at least three officers.

Major General Jack Nwachukwu Nwaogbo said the attackers threw a bomb at the patrol in the city of Maiduguri Wednesday.

Witnesses report the blast was followed by sporadic bursts of gunfire.

Officials are blaming the Boko Haram sect for Wednesday's incident, as well as a series of other that have killed at least 40 people in the past two weeks.

New satellite images show a continued build-up of northern Sudanese forces in Southern Kordofan State.

While Southern Kordofan is part of north Sudan, it’s been the scene of border clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the SPLA, which is loyal to south Sudan. Civilians have been caught in the middle of the conflict since it began several weeks ago. The fighting continues, just days before southern Sudan becomes an independent nation.

A new study finds the global authorized trade in small arms, light weapons, and their ammunition is worth nearly $7.1 billion a year. In its annual report, the independent think tank, the Geneva Forum, also examines the serious impact small arms proliferation is having upon three so-called fragile states-Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Haiti.

Arms exporters

The first U.S. ground battle of the Korean War was remembered July 6, 2011, at a 61st anniversary ceremony on the same ridgeline where Task Force Smith made its stand against enemy forces in 1950.

Along with government officials, military leaders and veterans organizations, the ceremony was attended by Kyeonggi Province Vice Gov. You Yeon-chae, Osan City Mayor Kwak Sang-wook, retired Republic of Korea Army Gen. Paik Sun-yup, Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson and 2nd Infantry Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani Network leader during an overnight operation in Zurmat District, Paktiya province, yesterday.

While commanders cannot predict when an attack will happen, leaders can train their soldiers to treat casualties when an attack does occur.

Medics and health care providers with 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, practiced their skills at reacting to a simulated mass casualty event on Contingency Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, June 6.

The exercise was an opportunity to jump-start training for a group of medics and providers who recently arrived in Iraq.

The explosive hazard reduction course at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here, allows coalition forces instructors teach members of the Afghan National Security Forces the fundamentals of identifying and countering improvised explosive devices.

The course prepares members of the Afghan National Army, uniformed police and border police to operate in a partnership role with coalition forces when IEDs are encountered, the basics of insurgent IED tactics and how to handle and eliminate unexploded ordinance and munitions.