National Security Brief: U.S. Allows Funds To Syrian
Rebels

post from ThinkProgress on 01 August 2012 09:00:07 AM. © ThinkProgress

– The U.S. has given a Washington-based group clearance to provide funding for the Free Syrian Army. The rebel group has taken control of two police stations in Aleppo while President Bashar al-Assad issued a rare public statement urging his forces to fight.

– Iran has reportedly allowed the Taliban to open an office in eastern Iran and discussed providing them with surface-to-air missiles.

– A U.S. Senate subcommittee approved legislation yesterday that continues funding for the Pentagon’s use of biofuels in a move pushing back against critics trying to limit outlays on programs such as the Navy’s “Great Green Fleet.”

– Coalition casualties in Afghanistan in July hit the highest monthly total in nearly a year. As of Tuesday, 46 troops had been killed in July, according to iCasualties.org

– In its first terrorist threat report since Osama bin Laden’s death, the State Department said there is a growing terrorist threat from Iran as well as from al-Qaeda in Syria.

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http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/08/01/619831/national-security-brief-funds
-syria-rebels/