European Union officials have announced the EU plans to significantly expand sanctions against Iran.

Diplomats Thursday said the EU has agreed to add about 100 companies to its embargo list in response to Tehran's refusal to halt its disputed nuclear activities.

The announcement comes after officials at the United Nations nuclear watchdog voiced concerns that Iranian intelligence might be hacking into International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) computers and cell phones.

Al-Qaida has released an audio recording in which its slain leader, Osama bin Laden, praises the protest movements that have swept across the Middle East.

In the 12-minute message posted on Islamist websites, bin Laden purportedly singles out the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, predicting the "winds of change" will spread across the entire Muslim world.

He makes no specific reference to Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, where pro-democracy supporters have had less success in toppling the government.

A top Chinese military officer says China never intends to challenge the United States military.

General Chen Bingde, chief of staff of China's People's Liberation Army, told an audience of U.S. military officers in Washington Wednesday that there is a huge gap between the Chinese and the United States. He says China does not have the capability to challenge the United States.

Later at the Pentagon, Chen told reporters that American weapons sales to Taiwan would affect Chinese-U.S. relations. He said how bad the impact would be depends on the types of weapons sold.

In a combat environment, the word liaison represents a means of communication for ensuring mission accomplishment, which is exactly the mission of 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company does.

2nd ANGLICO provides Marine commanders with liaison capability among joint, allied and coalition forces. Over the past six months, Marines of Supporting Arms Liaison Team Chuck, 2nd ANGLICO, have provided this capability to Regimental Combat Team 8 by partnering with the 32nd Georgian Light Infantry Battalion.

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, commanding general, NATO Training Mission -Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, announced on opening day of the Regional Support Command Commanders Conference May 17 that the Afghan Basic Patrolman Course will increase two weeks for a total of eight weeks of training.

The announcement was also made by the Afghan Ministry of Interior to that country.

An Afghan and International Security Assistance Force detained more than 10 suspected Haqqani Network insurgents during a security operation targeting senior Haqqani leaders in Khost province yesterday.

The Haqqani Network is an insurgent organization operating primarily in the Paktika, Paktiya, and Khost provinces. They conduct high-profile attacks against Afghan government officials, Afghan national army and coalition forces. Haqqani insurgents are also known to carry out attacks in both, Kabul and Jalalabad.

Joint Security Station Hussayniyah was officially transferred to Iraqi government authority in a ceremony held here, May 14, 2011.

The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who has operated from the base since 2010, relinquished its responsibility to the 33rd Iraqi Army Brigade who will use it for its future operations.

60 INSURGENTS WHACKED
Special Forces and Afghan Commandos took out 60 insurgents in an operation in Faryab Province.
http://www.sofmag.com/commandos-ussf-eliminate-60-insurgents-qeysar

Video by ISAF Regional Command South