Venezuelan President Chavez said in Moscow Sunday he had obtained a $2.2-billion line of credit from Russia for 90 T-72 tanks and an advanced long-range air defense system.

VOA: standard.2009.09.15

Many of the 17 rare minerals are crucial to advanced defense and civilian technologies.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

"Pakistan has accomplished two objectives, " remarked Lt Col Tony Shaffer, who served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan in 2003, and is now at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies in Washington.

BBC: Pakistan's push for new role in Afghanistan

In addition, Dr. Leitner is a Professor with the National Center for Biodefense at George Mason University as well as a Senior Fellow and Professor with the Center for Advanced Defense Studies responsible for Terrorism, Intelligence, and Cyber War issues.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Peter Leitner on Somali Pirates, Shariah & the DHS Report