Timothy W. Coleman
Articles by Timothy W. Coleman:
North Korea’s Provocative Pattern
March 17, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
The United States will add more ground-based ballistic missile interceptors to its arsenal to guard against increased threats from North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced at the Pentagon on March 15, 2013
North Korea, the recalcitrant hermit kingdom, has decided yet again that the international community is ignoring it. Pyongyang has voided the 1953 Korean armistice and warned that it will launch a nuclear attack on the United States as U.S.-South Korean military exercises involving 3,000 American and 10,000 South Korean soldiers began earlier this month.
Exactly how Pyongyang plans to launch a nuclear salvo on the United States is still unclear and whether it has the capacity is questionable. Most North Korea watchers remain doubtful that the belligerent nation has the technical means to deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental United States. This does not, however, undermine the seriousness of the threat nor detract from North Korea’s intentions to up the ante.
Already, Pyongyang has severed communications with South Korea and launched a propaganda campaign designed to seek out concessions from the United States while at the same time bolstering the credentials of Kim Jong-Un among North Koreans and the country’s military establishment.
Taiwan: Enhanced Bilateral Ties Spur Chinese Espionage
March 14, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
2006 photo of former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian riding past one of Taiwan’s E-2K Hawkeye early warning aircraft
Successful Chinese recruitment of high-level Taiwanese military leaders for espionage demonstrates a systemic counterintelligence challenge and an inherent weakness in Taiwan’s state security apparatus. A series of recently publicized examples of intelligence and military penetrations underscore the double edge sword of Taiwan’s desire to enhance bilateral relations with Beijing while protecting its core strategic national security interests.
China’s main espionage target has focused on military technologies, most of which have been exported to Taiwan from the United States. Internal security failures and unsuccessful counterintelligence by the Taiwanese has likely increased tensions between Taipei and Washington, its strategic ally and largest military benefactor.
For the full analysis, please visit LIGNET.com
Iran: Mounting Evidence that Sanctions Have Failed
March 12, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Iranians stand in a subway train headed to northern Tehran, on January 3, 2013
Testimony by senior-level U.S. military commanders before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week painted a bleak picture of the effectiveness of international sanctions at stopping Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. The testimony, and public polling results, also point to the sanctions’ unintended consequences.
Continuing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation do not appear to be lessening Iran’s drive to become a nuclear weapons power. Ongoing efforts by Western powers to coax Iran into negotiations have also yielded little progress. In fact, Iran continues t0 stall while at the same time agreeing to negotiations in order to forestall any real international action, serving to increase regional tensions and the possibility of military intervention.
To read the full analysis, please visit LIGNET.com
Hack Insight Magazine: Penetration Testing Distribution
March 6, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Check out the new edition of Hack Insight Magazine.
Some highlights of this months edition include ‘Seek & Destroy’ vulnerabilities using BackTrack and Nessus, hacking remote Windows or Linux PC using Java 7 Applet, defending against WPA2-Enterprise client compromises and countering to cracking WEP wireless networks using BackTrack.
Full Disclosure: While I did read a bunch of these articles and did some copyediting, it is far beyond my technical proficiency. Even so, take a look and give it a read.
The March edition is online for your reading pleasure HERE.
Russia: Borey-A Class Submarines to be Equipped with Fewer Missiles
February 24, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
The Borey-A Class (Борей), a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine produced by Russia intended to replace the Delta III, Delta IV and Typhoon. The class is named after Boreas, the North wind. Image via Military-Today
Russia announced that its Borey-A class nuclear powered strategic missile submarines will be outfitted and armed with 16 Bulava ballistic missiles. The announcement is a downgrade of previous pronouncements that the Borey-A class would be outfitted with 20 Bulava missiles. The submarine reportedly will still have significant upgrades including modernized sonar, navigation and communications systems.
The Borey-A class submarines also will have a significant stealth capability, as resources have been allocated to ensure it maintains a low electromagnetic signature. The Borey-A class submarines will replace Russia’s Typhoon class and Delta-3 and Delta-4 submarines.
They are expected to become the backbone of the Russian Navy’s strategic nuclear deterrence fleet. The announcement by Russia that its new submarine will carry fewer Bulava missiles may indicate that it is experiencing technical hurdles with the Borey-A class. However this could very well be a disinformation effort to muddy the waters regarding the submarines capabilities. Given there is no open source reports confirming or countering Russian claims, LIGNET does not take such reports from Russian officials at face value.
To read the full analysis, please visit LIGNET.com
Washington-area Defense Contractors Worry Over Sequestration Cuts
February 21, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brief the Pentagon press on sequestration cuts, Oct. 25, 2012
The looming March 1 deadline for across-the-board government spending cuts (known as “sequestrations”) is on everyone’s minds and everyone’s lips these days, including the Presidents. As President Barack Obama explained in his recent State of the Union Address, “In 2011, Congress passed a law saying that if both parties couldn’t agree on a plan to reach our deficit goal, about a trillion dollars’ worth of budget cuts would automatically go into effect this year. These sudden, harsh, arbitrary cuts would jeopardize our military readiness.”
While a deal was reached to prevent sequestration from taking effect last December, the outlook for a Congressional agreement on how best to bridge the political impasse looks far from certain. In fact, it is leaving many small and large businesses conducting business with the U.S. Government on edge as they attempt to navigate an uncertain future and ensure contingencies.
Impending budget cuts will hit local economies and businesses providing services and products directly, as well as indirectly, to the US government – especially area defense contractors.
Indian Submarine Nukes a Major Concern for China
February 20, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
India’s K-15, a medium-range ballistic missile, was launched from an underwater platform in the Bay of Bengal on January 27. It signifies a major advancement in India’s nuclear capabilities
India’s recent successful test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead underscores its efforts to develop a robust and diverse nuclear deterrent. The test will disturb its arch nemesis, Pakistan, which will see it as a direct military threat, but it’s probably China that is worrying the most.
India’s new submarine-launched ballistic missile can be used for a quick, retaliatory strike and would be almost impossible to take out in a nuclear ‘first strike.’ It is also evidence that India is nearing completion of a nuclear triad — a nuclear arsenal that includes land-based, air-based, and sea-based systems.
To read the full analysis, please visit LIGNET.com
Iranian Observers Attended North Korea’s Nuclear Test
February 18, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
South Korean protesters burn an effigy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during an anti-North Korea rally denouncing the North’s nuclear test in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Image via Timothy W. Coleman
Reports released yesterday indicate that a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, traveled to North Korea to observe the country’s recent nuclear test. Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi is believed to be in charge of Iran’s effort to miniaturize a nuclear warhead so that it can be outfitted on a ballistic missile. It is rare for Iranian nuclear scientists to travel outside of Iran, especially given the numerous high-profile assassinations that have taken place over the years. The trip suggests close relations between Iran and North Korea, and raises the possibility of nuclear collaboration.
While Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi’s focus on miniaturization could be perceived to support North Korea’s claim that its recent test employed a new, advanced miniaturized nuclear device, LIGNET maintains there is a high probability that North Korea does not yet possess the technical capability to produce a miniaturized nuclear device. To read the LIGNET analysis on North Korea’s recent nuclear test, please visit North Korea: Nuclear Test Shows Limits of Chinese Influence.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
Bahrain Disrupts Major Terror Cell
February 18, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Bahraini riot police enter a house during raids following clashes with protestors. Image via Timothy W. Coleman
Bahraini internal security forces announced yesterday it disrupted and thwarted a major terrorist cell with supposed direct links to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Bahrain’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa called the development a major “escalation” as internal dissent continues to fester.
According to the Interior Ministry, eight suspected terrorists were apprehended and have been accused of receiving foreign financial support as well as training in explosives and arms. The recent arrests indicate that internal security concerns on are on the rise and that political instability in the country remains a serious and ongoing concern. The increased security awareness is partially the result of increasing tensions between the Shi’ite majority and the Sunni government since February 10. The government of Bahrain has long accused the Shi’ite government in Iran of backing protestors in the country and fomenting discontent, and the arrests are likely linked to efforts to quell Shi’ite demonstrations.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
Russian Nuclear Bombers Intercepted by Guam
February 17, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
A Russian officer takes a picture of a Tu-95 bomber at a military airbase in Engels, roughly 559 miles south of Moscow. Reuters via Timothy W. Coleman
Two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H strategic bombers outfitted with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles were intercepted and shadowed by U.S. fighter jets on February 12. US F-15s were scrambled when the Russian planes were detected flying in the vicinity of Guam. The incident illustrates increasing tensions between the United States and Russia, especially since Guam is a strategic U.S. military base in the region and is a critical part of the U.S. ‘pivot’ to the Asia-Pacific.
“It shows that the Russians, like the Chinese, are not just going to sit idly by and watch the United States ‘pivot’ or ‘rebalance’ its forces toward Asia,” said former State Department security official and LIGNET’s Deputy Editor Mark Groombridge.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
Pakistan Conducts 2nd Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Test
February 17, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
On February 15, Pakistan successfully test fires the short range, surface-to-surface ballistic Abdali-I (codename Hatf II) from an undisclosed location
Pakistan successfully tested its short range, surface-to-surface ballistic Abdali-I missile on February 15. The Abdali-I, codenamed Hatf II, is capable of carrying a conventional and/or nuclear payload with a reported range of more than 110 miles. Earlier this week, the Pakistani military stated that it had also conducted a test of its NASR or Hatf IX short range, surface-to-surface missile, which is also capable of carrying a nuclear payload and has an estimated range of roughly 10 miles. The new round of nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile testing by Pakistan is likely in response to India’s recent submarine-based ballistic missile test.
Pakistan is likely trying to reassert its nuclear deterrence capability in the face of a widening capabilities gap with its archrival India. The tit-for-tat missile tests may also indicate that a nuclear arms race is in the offing. It will likely exacerbate regional anxieties and further complicate the already tense situation, especially in light of recent fatal cross-border incidents between India and Pakistan along the disputed Kashmiri border.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
2012 Gallup Poll on Iran Sanctions: Little Incentive, Little Support
February 10, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner announcing new sanctions on Iran from the Treaty Room at the State Department in November 2011
International sanctions are often used as the stick component in a carrot and stick approach to resolve international diplomatic disputes, especially with non-compliant nation states that operate outside the normative behavioral standards. Iran has long flouted and disregarded international norms. In fact, it has come to relish its role as an uncooperative state, which views itself beyond reproach. Iran’s conduct, consequentially, has subjected it to increasing economic and military sanctions.
Sanctions against Iran were initiated under President Carter and have been in place since the late 1970s. Additional sanctions on economic and military assets continued under President Reagan, and saw an increase under President Bush as well as President Obama. All the while, Iran has still refused to cave into demands by the international community to change its malicious behavior or become transparent about it nuclear weapons development effort.
NATO: Decreased Defense Spending Jeopardizes Readiness
February 1, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
NATO members need to bridge the spending gap and close the capabilities gaps, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said during his second Annual Report. Image via Timothy W. Coleman
NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fosh Rasmussen yesterday reiterated concerns shared by the US that some member states of NATO are falling behind militarily due to decreases in defense spending.
Rasmussen indicated that the continuing decline and uneven spending levels could potentially damage NATO. Only three NATO members, the US, UK, and Greece, spend two percent or more of GDP annually on defense. Slow economic growth, austerity measures and deficit reduction plans have contributed to decreased military spending by NATO members.
Even so, the failure to bridge the spending gap could undermine the effectiveness of NATOs collective military capabilities. If the pattern is not reversed and the growing disparity continues, it could also threaten political unity within NATO.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
North Korea: Martial Law Declared Ahead of Possible Nuclear Test
February 1, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Kim Jung-Un has ordered his troops to ‘be ready for war’. Image via Timothy W. Coleman
The South Korean media reported yesterday that a secret domestic security order was recently issued by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. The secret order essentially implements martial law. Reports indicate that senior North Korean security and military officials met on January 26 to discuss increasing the nation’s readiness level.
Following UN sanctions that were passed earlier this month North Korean officials stated that their nuclear weapons development effort would not be deterred. Reports that additional domestic security measures are being implemented and that the North Korean military is upgrading its readiness status reinforces analysis that the country may be preparing for a new provocative action, possibly a nuclear test.
To read more, please visit LIGNET.com
Hack Insight Magazine: Editorial Credit
January 27, 2013 by Timothy W. Coleman
Hack Insight Magazine
I helped edit the first edition of Hack Insight Magazine. Figured, I would assist a guy who published me in the past at his previous hacking magazine. He listed me as a proofreader in his launch edition. Proofreader vs. Copy Editor – same difference.
Thanks for the shout-out Pawel!
To read the first issue, please visit Hack Insight.
You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow the mag on Twitter.
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