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BASIC IN THE MEDIA, 2004

• Indonesia, Russia cozy up over arms sales, article by David Isenberg on December 2 describes the four-day Indo Defence Expo in Jakarta and details Indonesia's dealings with various arms suppliers. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FL02Ae02.html

• Congress slashes nuclear spending, Matt Martin quoted in the New Scientist on December 2 article on Congress's funding cuts for research into new nuclear weapons. A cautious Martin noted that the US administration's nuclear ambitions may not have disappeared. http://www.newscientist.com

• Bush Administration may yet pursue new nuclear weapons capabilities, Matt Martin quoted in s Global Security Newswire article on November 30 which examines the possibility that Bush will continue with plans to pursue new nuclear weapons despite Congress' recent funding cuts for nuclear programs. http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2004/11/30/b1659166-0726-4af6-9db0-8251a97906ec.html

• American missile interceptors in Europe, letter by Ian Davis in the Independent on Sunday on November 28 revealing inconsistencies between Geoff Hoon's and Lt-Gen Obering's comments on the placing interceptors in Britain.

• The burden of the wounded, article by David Isenberg on November 25 explores the plight of US soldiers injured in Iraq & Afghanistan. http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FK25Ak03.html

• Nuclear fear over Iran, Letter by Ian Davis on November 25 in the Guardian, expressing hopes that the NPT review conference next year will help draw the international community back from the nuclear brink. http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,1358876,00.html

• UK-US Mutual Defense Agreement extended, Matt Martin quoted in a Global Security Newswire article on November 24 revealing the 10 year extension to the Mutual Defense Agreement despite relatively little debate. http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2004/11/24/cc7486eb-923f-40e5-a9d0-0abafc0b340c.html

• Hoon sorry now? Letter to the Observer on November 21st by Ian Davis on Geoff Hoon's failure to keep the public informed over the basing of US interceptor missiles at Fylingdales. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,6903,1356038,00.html

• How Russia keeps China armed, article by David Isenberg on November 19 in the wake of the EU's decision not to lift the arms embargo on China. Isenberg explains China is able to obtain arms from Russia as and when is necessary. http://atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FK19Ag02.html

• US contractor fails mission to train Iraqi military, article on November 16 uses BASIC's PMC report to highlight the failure of Vinnell, a private military contractor, to meet its goal of training nine battalions of the Iraqi army. http://geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2004/11_16/1.asp

• Occupazione/Presenze militare, article on November 16 in Italy's online Osservatorio Iraq cites the PMC report. http://www.osservatorioiraq.it/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=175

• Canadian BC, 12 November, Paul Ingram discusses Bush-Blair summit and the future of the transatlantic relationship.

• BBC Breakfast TV, Paul Ingram interviewed on November 6. Discussed the prospects of the Falluja attack and possible negative consequences.

• BBC Radio Five Live, Paul Ingram discusses the Falluja attack and its consequences on November 6

• More strain, more stress for US forces, article by David Isenberg on November 5 revealing the extent to which US forces have been stretched as a result of deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FK05Ak01.html

• Scotsman, Paul Ingram in article on November 5 on where we are going in Iraq

• Lebanese American security firm leaving Iraq, article on November 4 about the winding up of the security company the Al Safar Group refers to BASIC's PMC report. http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=11784

OCTOBER 2004

• 'Iraqi forces short on security', David Isenberg in the Asia Times on October 20 reveals that Bush's promise to have 125,000 Iraqi troops trained by the end of the year is unrealistic. http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FJ20Ak01.html
• 'UK reportedly to join U.S Missile Defence System' October 18, Global Security Newswire quotes Nigel Chamberlain saying that Fylingdales is not a likely site for missiles to be based, should the UK join the US missile defence system. http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2004_10_18.html#D2D39A0D
• 'BBC Brazil' October 15, Matt Martin gives radio interview on Brazil's nuclear fuel cycle and IAEA inspections
• 'Private military companies paying big bucks for elite soldiers in Iraq' BASIC report on private military companies discussed in World Tribune online on October 15 http://216.26.163.62/2004/me_iraq_10_15.html
• 'Iraqi military firms hire mideast soldiers' BASIC's report on PMC's cited in Middle East Newsline on October 15. http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2004/october/10_15_1.html
• Radio station WTOP. David Isenberg gives a radio interview on the PMC report with Chas Henry, national security correspondent on October 14
• 'Basic report analyzes contractors in Iraq' The first issue of International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) quarterly on October 13 gives the PMC report a one page write up. http://www.ipoaonline.org/uploads/IPOANewsletterOct2004.pdf
• PMC report cited in http://www.defense-aerospace.com, October 11
• 'Defence bigwigs who graduated from the school of Arthur Daley' The Guardian on October 11 cites Paul Ingram's 'Escaping the Subsidy Trap.' Article examines the UK defence industry with particular focus on defence procurement. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1324241,00.html
• 'Global Beat online' cites PMC report on October 7 and links to BASIC website http://www.globalbeat.org
• 'PMCs deserve credit but need regulating' Lebanon's Daily Star cites PMC report on October 6. Executive summary reprinted http://www.iht.com/pdfs/dstar/DS11-06_10.pdf
• 'No killing, just more pain for Iraq' David Isenberg's article in Asia Times on October 5 explores usage of non-lethal weapons. (Reprinted in October 6 DoD Current News Supplement) http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FJ05Ak02.html
• Blackwater Tactical Weekly (weekly email newsletter) cites PMC report on October 5

SEPTEMBER 2004

• 'Private Militärfirmen auf dem Vormarsch' Die tageszeitung on September 29 cites Basic's report A Fistful of Contractors: The Case for a Pragmatic Assessment of Private Military Companies in Iraq. The article warns against the growing impact of private military companies on U.S. policies http://www.taz.de/pt/2004/09/29/a0121.nf/text
  
  
• 'Will the US now attack Tehran' New Statesmen on September 27 cites BASIC's report Escaping the Subsidy Trap Why arms exports are bad for Britain. Article reflects on how arms exports issue could galvanise electoral debate in Britain http://www.newstatesman.com/site.php3?newTemplate=
  NSArticle_World&newDisplayURN=200409270001
  
  
• 'Protecting Iraq's precarious pipelines'. David Isenberg in The Asia Times on September 24 explores the problems related to the protection of Iraqi oil wells http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FI24Ak01.html
  
  
• 'Support for arms sector draws salvo of criticism'. Financial Times on September 22 features Basic's report regarding arms export subsidies. Article underlines that procurement decisions are being distorted by government subsidies for arms exports
  
  
• 'Cost of aiding arms exports'. The Guardian on September 22 cites BASIC's report regarding arms control subsidies. An investigation into how the government exaggerates the importance of arms exports for maintaining jobs http://politics.guardian.co.uk/economics/story/0,11268,1309838,00.html
  
  
• Satellite TV Company, September 15. Andreas Persbo interviewed on IAEA meeting on Iranian nuclear programme.
  
  
• 'Iran's nuclear ambitions' Nature Magazine on September 14 quotes Nigel Chamberlain. How the Western powers are struggling to decide how to react to Iran's fledgling nuclear programme http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040913/full/040913-6.html
  
  
• 'US Official's Stance Has Increased Security Concerns', Financial Times on September 10. A letter by Ian Davis in response to FT article by John Bolton, the US under-secretary of state for arms control and international security, on the need to take robust action against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The letter also appeared in US DoD's Current News Supplement
  
  
• 'We'll always have cipro' by David Isenberg in Harper's Magazine on September 1. Letter that makes clarification to Ed Regis's informative report Our Own Anthrax on the actual United States' bioweapons program.
  
  

AUGUST 2004

• BBC Radio 4 PM Programme, August 26, Nigel Chamberlain interviewed on the prospects for a UK replacement for Trident
  
  
• 'Taiwan: subtext on deferred submarine deal' David Isenberg in The Asia Times on August 25 claims that Taiwan is in no rush to buy new weapons from the U.S. Although the Taiwanese cabinet approved the special budget of NT$610 billion for the purchase of advanced weaponry from the United States legislators are fighting over what to buy, especially since Taiwan's budget deficit is close to 5% of its gross domestic product http://atimes.com/atimes/China/FH25Ad01.html
  
  
• 'The fog and dog of war' by David Isenberg in The Asia Times, August 21. This article looks into the controversial case of Jonathan Keith "Jack" Idema, arrested in Kabul for conducting a self-appointed, freelance so-called counter-terrorism mission http://atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FH21Ag02.html
  
  
• 'Reshaping Washington's global footprint', The Asia times, August 20. David Isenberg discusses the Global Posture Review, the President Bush's administration plan that involves redeploying US military forces currently stationed around the world. http://atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/FH20Aa01.html
  
  
• U.S.-British Nuclear Agreement Heads Toward 10-Year Extension Despite Concerns on Pact, Global Security Newswire on August 2 quotes Matt Martin. Article reveals that the agreement between the United States and United Kingdom to share nuclear weapons information and technology appears set to be quietly extended for another decade http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2004_8_9.html#26D4854A

• In a letter to the editor of Arms Control Today (ACT), Ian Davis congratulates the editor on an article in the June issue of ACT which explores the momentum that has gathered around the Proliferation Security Initiative with the joining of Russia as well as the promise of John Kerry to increase its relevance if elected. http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2004_07-08/LetterstotheEditor.asp

• 'Iraq: political and security issues at the handover' House of Commons Research Paper 04/58 by Tim Youngs and Claire Taylor. Paper deals with the role of NATO in post-Saddam Iraq and quotes BASIC as saying "NATO will not play a major role in Iraq in the short-term".

• 'Lawyers blast nuclear pact as a breach of disarmament treaty' The July issue of Nature cites BASIC's report on the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement. Article as possibly breaching the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040726/full/040726-6.html

• 'The fallacies of military transformation' by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on July 28. Reports on the study by US army officers and civilians that explored the reasons behind the "resounding success" of US-led military forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The "limited distribution" study concluded that while the success of the US military was due to the Iraqi failure to exploit the US vulnerabilities, the US "cannot be sanguine about the prospect that future opponents will be so inept". http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FG28Ak01.html

• 'Nuclear weapons treaty may be illegal' The Guardian on July 27 cites BASIC's report on the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement. Article reports that the nuclear weapons treaty between the US and UK could be "in breach of international law". http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1269988,00.html

• 'Call to Ministers over Nuclear Agreement' The "PA" News on July 27 cites, according the Basic, the "breaching" of the Non-proliferation Treaty by the Mutual Defence Agreement. http://news.scotsman.com/print.cfm?id=3258428&referringtemplate=http%3A%2

• BBC Today Programme July 26. BASIC's report on the "incompatibility" between the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty to the extent that the MDA may be breaching international law.

• 'Pressure mounts for Nuclear tests' The Deseret Morning on June 30 cites Basic's report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement and includes quotes by Nigel Chamberlain. Article explores the increasing interest by the US to resume underground nuclear testing as well as the fear that the UK might join such testing for the purpose of modernising its nuclear stockpile. http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,595074120,00.html

• WBAI Radio, New York, NY, June 30. Matt Martin interviewed on "Explorations in Science," hosted by Dr. Michio Kaku, on North Korea, Iran, and nuclear non-proliferation.

• 'Nukes: Is Pandora Chinese - Part 3: Pointing fingers" by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on June 25. The third and final part of this report reveals that the criticism given to China for what certain nations see as "worrisome" proliferation practices could also be applied to Libya, North Korea and Pakistan as well as the sometime "obstructionist" policies of the US when dealing with nuclear arms control initiatives. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FF25Ad06.html

• Les Echos (French subsidiary of Financial Times), June 25. David Isenberg interviewed at the BASIC office by Nicolas Madelaine, East Coast correspondent, on role of PMCs.

• 'Nukes: Is Pandora Chinese - Part 2: All the right noises" by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on June 24. This, the second part of a three part report reveals that over the previous decade, China, through a series of initiatives and programs has "become much more engaged with the world community on arms control issues". http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FF24Ad03.html

• 'U.S., Britain violating terms of NPT' The Tehran Times on June 24 repeats the Mehrnews article regarding Basic's report on the Mutual Defence Agreement. http://www.tehrantimes.com/description.asp?Da=6/24/2004&Cat=14&Num=001

• BBC Radio 4, June 24. Ian Davis interviewed on the lessons from containment and inspections policy in Iraq, for a series of programmes to coincide with the handover of sovereignty to Iraq.

• 'Nukes: Is Pandora Chinese - Part 1: The 'arch-proliferator" by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on June 23. The first of three reports exploring the belief that China is regarded as "the world's arch-proliferator" in weapons of mass destruction. Part 1 attempts to discover if China from past dealings can be considered "a proliferator or a non-proliferator". http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FF23Ad02.html

• 'U.S., Britain violating terms of NPT' The Mehrnews on June 23 cites Basic's report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement. Article asks that in light of the deepening "special relationship" between the US and UK on the development of nuclear weapons, in violation of non-proliferation commitments, are these two countries "qualified to supervise the implementation of the NPT?" http://www.mehrnews.com/wfNewsDetails_en.aspx?NewsID=89397&t=political

• 'With great Diligence, in Iraq' The Haaretz on June 20 quotes David Isenberg. Reveals how British and American security firms in Iraq, some with former senior officials, including George Bush, as their figurehead are reaping large profits. The shadowy past of these groups are revealed by David Isenberg who explains that certain former US administration members are heads of multiple companies http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440524.html

• 'Conspiracy threat to anti-nuke treaty' The New Scientist on June 19 features Basic's report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement. Articles claims that the "secret swapping of nuclear know how" between the US and UK under the mutual defence agreement is "undermining global stability". http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996016

• 'MPs demand details of nuclear treaty' The Guardian on June 18 cites Basic's report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement. Article reveals the rising pressure on the UK government from MPS, to reveal the details of the "secret nuclear weapons treaty" that is currently being renegotiated. http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1241496,00.html

• 'Conspiracy threat to anti nuke pact' The IRIB on June 17 quotes Basic's report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement. Reveals how the US and UK collaboration under the Mutual Defence Agreement may be in violation of the Non Proliferation Treaty. Nigel Chamberlain is quoted as saying, 'that the agreement promotes just the kind of proliferation that the NPT was designed to prevent'. http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=206079

• Channel Four News, June 9. Paul Ingram interviewed at the BASIC office for a 10-minute 'special report' on arms export subsidies.

• 'Policing the High Seas' by Ian Davis in The Guardian on June 8. An investigation into how, a year after the creation of the much promised Proliferation Security Initiative, created for the interdiction of nuclear, biological and chemical proliferation materials on the high sea, it remains largely toothless. http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1234008,00.html

• 'Fuzzy math on Iraq' by David Isenberg in Coalition for a Realistic Foreign Policy on June 7. How the manner in which the US counts the cost of the war in Iraq in terms of soldier's lives is being increasingly shrouded in confusion. http://www.realisticforeignpolicy.org/content/view/35/

• 'US pledges to halve its nuclear stockpile' The New Scientist on June 4 quotes Matt Martin. Article explores how the US decision to cut its nuclear arsenal may be the prelude to the construction of more "useful" mini nukes. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995075

• 'Corporate Mercenaries: Myths and Mysteries' by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on May 20. This article looks past some of the sensationalised views of private military contractors operating in Iraq and explores why the U.S. decided to privatise aspects of the war in Iraq as well as asks the question if pmc's provide value for money. http://atimes.com/atimes/middle_east/FE20Ak02.html

• 'Corporate Mercenaries: Profit comes with a price' by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on May 19. How the increasing "heated" publicity surrounding private contractors in Iraq, especially those providing security and military functions, ignores the fact that there is a long tradition of such groups and the tasks they perform. http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE19Ak01.html

• 'Scrap our nukes now' Sunday Express on May 23 cites a BASIC report regarding the Mutual Defence Agreement between the U.K. and U.S. Article reveals, through a secret Mori poll, that half of the U.K. population believe nuclear weapons are no good for fighting terrorism.

• Radio America Network, May 13. David Isenberg interviewed on the 'Battleline Program' regarding the Iraq prison scandal

• 'Private Contractors and Torture at Abu Ghraib, Iraq' Democracy Now on May 12 quotes David Isenberg. Article reveals the role of private military contractors in the prison abuse scandal as well as the rationale behind the ongoing privatisation of war. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/12/1420257

• WBZ-AM, May 11. David Isenberg interviewed by Jane Silk, host, 'News You Can Use', on the report by General Taguba & his Senate testimony.

• National Public Radio, May 11.David Isenberg interviewed by Sarah Gardner of 'Marketplace', regarding PMCs in Iraq.

• 'United Kingdom Seeking Greater Nuclear Weapons Collaboration With United States' Global Security Newswire on May 10 repeats the quotes of Nigel Chamberlain made on May 9. http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2004_5_10.html

• 'UK role in nuclear build-up under fire' The Observer on May 9 quotes Nigel Chamberlain. Article refers to how there is now a requirement for revelation of the role of the U.K. in the planned expansion of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1212649,00.html

• 'Private contractors face heat over Iraqi prisoner abuse' Hi Pakistan on May 9 quotes David Isenberg. Article explores the need for building for tighter regulation of private military contractors after allegations they took part in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison. http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en63848&F_catID=&f_type=source

• CNN International, May 9. David Isenberg spoke regarding the prison abuse scandal in Iraq

• WWPR Radio, Bradenton, FL. May 7. David Isenberg interviewed by Henry Raines on PMCs.

• 'Confronting the demons of urban warfare' by David Isenberg in The Asia Times on May 5. How urban based violence in Iraq has negated the technological superiority of U.S. forces and has forced them to fight at the time and choosing of the Iraqi insurgents http://www.atimes.com/middle_east/FE05Ak04.html

• KPCC FM, Pasadena, CA, May 5. David Isenberg interviewed with host, Larry Mantle, on the role of PMCs in Iraq.

• KXCI-FM, Tucson, AZ, May 5. David Isenberg interviewed on David Yerkey, 'View from Slightly Off Center', on the role of PMCs.

• WRVC Radio, Huntington, W VA, May 5. David Isenberg interviewed on PMCs.

• Voice of America Radio, May 4. David Isenberg interviewed on 'Talk to America' regarding the situation in Iraq.

• WOON AM, May 3. David Isenberg spoke regarding the prison abuse scandal in Iraq.

• 'Silence of the Hawks' by Nigel Chamberlain and Ian Davis in Red Pepper Magazine. Article which exposes the lack of debate over Britain's decision to support George W Bush's Missile Defence Programme.
  http://www.redpepper.org.uk/Feb2004/x-Feb2004-Hawks.html
  

• 'Warming up for a new arms race' by Nicola Butler in Red Pepper Magazine. A focus on the United States - United Kingdom 'special military relationship' and the significance of the soon up for renewal Mutual Defence Agreement on nuclear collaboration.
  http://www.redpepper.org.uk/Feb2004/x-Feb2004-Butler.html

• ITN Questions and Answers, February 2. Regarding David Kelly and the call for an independent inquiry into the US and UK intelligence which "justified" the war in Iraq.

• WCTC AM Radio, February 2. A member of BASIC is interviewed regarding David Kelly and the search in Iraq for evidence of Saddam's program to create WMD.

• 'The scandal of the shambolic search for Saddam's WMD' in the Independent on Sunday on February 1 cites David Isenberg. Article reveals the difficulties and problems faced by coalition WMD hunters in Iraq in regard to the millions of document concerning Saddam's regime that must be translated and investigated.
  http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=486652

• 'The heart of the matter...did Iraq have WMD' in the Sunday Herald on February 1 cites the report by BASIC on Iraq and WMD. Article reveals how the claims to 'justify' war in Iraq are unraveling fast amid claims of exaggerated intelligence and false claims.
  http://www.sundayherald.com/print 39656

• 'Minister's DID spin threat of Saddam's WMD' in the Sunday Express on February 1 quotes Ian Davis as well as the BASIC report concerning Iraq and WMD. Report asks why US and UK spy chiefs got the intelligence regarding Iraq's WMD wrong and the calls now for a public inquiry. Into such exaggerated claims.
  

JANUARY 2004

• 'Iraq defies the script' The Hindu on January 28 cites the same BASIC report and explores how not only are reasons for war in Iraq becoming undone but the peace there as well.
  http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/28/stories/2004012802481000.htm

• 'Was the U.N. right about Iraq to begin with?' The Global Beat on January 26 references a BASIC report concerning WMD and Iraq. Article asks how the US-UK intelligence agencies got the reports about Iraq's WMD wrong while the United Nations weapons inspectors have been proved largely correct.
  http://www.nyu.edu/globalbeat/index012604.html

• Islamic Broadcasting Network, January 8. David Isenberg interviewed for Iraq today program regarding the continuing search in Iraq for evidence of WMD.

• ITV News, January 5. Ian Davis interviewed at BASIC on the threat to civilian aircraft by the proliferation of MANPADS and other surface to air missiles on the black market.

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