Copyright: IRIN, 17th December, 2010

IRIN quotes Eric Gutschuss, Human Right’s Watch’s Nigeria researcher, who says: “Unless the government addresses the political and financial corruption – at both the state and federal level – that has robbed the people of their right to health, education and the development of their region, the anger that drives militancy and criminality will continue”.

Read full article: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=91402

Copyright: The New York Times, 9th December, 2010

Following a several days long campaign in which Brazilian police and army forces in Rio de Janeiro took over the Complexo do Alemão favela in a prolonged battle, reports surfaced of heavy police corruption. Impoverished residents claim military police officers broke into homes and extracted money from residents by threats of force. The municipal police is accused of dozens of abuses including robbery and pillaging homes. While the national police and army returned the money taken during the raid to local residents, Rio’s own police did not, raising the suspicion of corruption and abuse.

Read full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/world/americas/10brazil.html

Copyright: Bloomberg L.P., 9th December, 2010

In the US, various court cases are unfolding as claims are being brought up against Venezuelan officials in the military, government and financial regulators. High ranking officials are being accused of corruption, arms trafficking, drug smuggling and money laundering. The claims are often brought up by Venezuelans who immigrated to the US. Venezuelan officials responded by claiming that this is part of a well planned effort by the US government to discredit the Chavez government and undermine its legitimacy. Some experts argue that the US is using the courts to undermine Chavez while other pundits argue that there is no evidence for this and that such accusations are baseless.

Read full article: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-12-09/venezuelan-u-s-graft-cases-feature-chavez-officials.html

Copyright: The Telegraph, 8th December, 2010

Corruption investigations in Afghanistan came to a standstill when president Hamid Karzai objected to charges against Mohammed Zia Salehi, the head of administration at the national security council and a palace insider. Salehi was charged with soliciting bribes, and reported coordinated cash payments to Karzai supporters. Charges against Salehi were dropped when Karzai condemned his arrested and criticized Western involvement in anti-corruption cases, and the attorney general has refused to grant Afghan investigators warrants. Despite progress prosecuting kidnapping and trafficking cases, prosecution for corruption has come to a halt; a Western lawyer told the Telegraph that "[the Salehi case] has pretty much completely shut down any prospect of corruption prosecutions of high level officials in the near future."

Read full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/8189139/Afghanistan-corruption-investigations-frozen.html

Copyright: The Telegram, 1st December, 2010

The former defence Minister of Croatia Berislav Roncevic has stood trial on accusations of approving a "harmful deal." It consisted of purchasing unreasonably expensive military trucks, resulting in USD1.84million damage to the state. The allegation is that unlawful profit was obtained from the transaction. Mr. Ronsevic has denied the charges.

Read full article: http://www.thetelegram.com/Canada---World/Arts/2010-12-01/article-2008224/Croatias-former-defence-minister-denies-corruption-charges,-says-he-met-NATO-standards/1

Copyright: Reuters, 29th November, 2010

According to a report by the United Nations, criminal networks operating from within the Congolese Army are purposefully causing insecurity so that they are able to profit from illicit mining, smuggling, and poaching. The report relies on information both from the UN and from local groups and has been cross-checked by at least three independent sources. A resolution by the UN Security Council introduced due diligence guidelines forcing importers to conduct more thorough background checks on minerals.

Read full article: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE6AS5ME20101129

Copyright: Ria Novosti, 25th November, 2010

The Russian Ministry of Defence has allowed foreigners to join its armed forces. It is hoped that drawing the new recruits from the immigrant population will help address the deteriorating democratic situation and unwillingness of native Russians to serve. However, it is thought this plan is likely to be hampered by the corruption, brutality, and harsh conditions that Russian armed forces are known for.

Read full article: http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101125/161492830.html

Copyright: EU Observer, 18th November, 2010

The 2004 controversial submarine acquisition by Portugal, currently in the midst of a criminal prosecution, was highlighted as responsible the country's worsening economic situation. The issue was brought to the surface again ahead of NATO's Lisbon summit which took place on 19 November.

Read full article: http://euobserver.com/13/31297

Copyright: Dow Jones & Company, Inc, 18th November, 2010

Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer, was extradited to the US from Thailand where he will be charged with terrorism. Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov harshly denounced the extradition. Bout is suspected of having supplied arms to Liberia's Charles Taylor and to Lybia's Moammar Gadhafi, among others. Bout was captured during a sting operation as he attempted to sell shoulder-fired missiles to FARC, the Colombian guerilla group.

Read full article: http://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2010/11/16/suspected-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-extradited-to-us/

Copyright: Associated Press, 16th November, 2010

The Mexican army rounded up a large number police officers from the municipal police force in the southern town of Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacan on the suspicion that they were working for Zetas, a drug cartel. Nineteen police officers of a total of forty police personnel in the town were placed in custody. It is alleged that the local police collaborated with the drug cartel and helped it smuggle cocaine and marijuana throughout the state of Chiapas. The mayor and the mayor-elect disappeared following the arrests.

Read full article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40375029/ns/world_news-americas/

Copyright: Pablo Rojas Mejia, Colombia Reports, 16th November, 2010

Pablo Rojas Mejia, a Colombian analyst, argues that contrary to popular perception, the Colombian army and police is riddled with corruption. Over the past several years the army has been accused of murdering hundreds or even thousands of civilians while falsely misrepresenting them as guerrilla fighters killed during combat. The army has also been linked to the rape and murder of children in Arauca in the recent month and in Bogota, cameras captured drunk policemen attacking and harassing locals. In addition, according to Rojas, the National Narcotics Directorate, has been seizing property from drug lords while selling the very same properties to other drug lords. For these reasons and others, Rojas argues that President Santos mission to tackle corruption will be far from smooth or easy.

Read full article: http://colombiareports.com/opinion/the-colombiamerican/12937-the-pitfalls-of-santos-war-on-corruption.html

Copyright: E Financial News, 15th November, 2010

Blenheim Capital Partners is drawing close to selecting a manager for a private equity fund which will allow the offset funds to be injected alongside main defence acquisition deals. Offset payments will match the dividends paid to investors, and the fund will then be sued to compensate investors if the companies in the fund run across problems.

Read full article: http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2010-11-15/blenheim-conducts-private-equity-defence-auction

Copyright: The Monitor, 15th November, 2010

At least 10 ministers of President Museveni's cabinet have been accused of abuse of office or other forms of improper conduct in Uganda, regardless of the president's campaign promise to tackle corruption when he ran for re-election in February 2010. Amama Mbabazi, the Security Minister and the ruling party's Secretary General, has been accused by the Public Accounts Committee of interference and conflict of interest in the procurement of a communication system for the security agencies, awarding a contract that was much higher than most had expected. In 2008, a parliamentary inquiry had already found Mr Mbabazi guilty of influence-peddling together with a business associate, yet he was later on controversially cleared by Parliament while others involved are awaiting trial at the Anti-Corruption Court.

Read full article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201011150407.html

Copyright: BBC News, 10th November, 2010

The BBC has obtained evidence that Gen Gabriel Amisi Kumba installed a mining firm at the Omate mine through military corruption and in return for a 25% cut. It has become impossible to mine in this area without military support. The General allegedly ordered the regional army commander in North Kivu to evict a rival company in favour of the mining firm he then supposedly arranged the 25% deal with.D382+D13

Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11722142

Copyright: TIME, 24th October, 2010

Rumours are abound regarding the possibility of a military coup. This comes following reports claiming that Pakistan's military chief demanded the dismissal of several corrupt ministers. The growing pervasiveness of corruption within the civilian government has emboldened the military's position for a possible coup.

Read full article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2024229,00.html?iid=tsmodule

Copyright: Bloomberg Businessweek, 19th October, 2010

South Africa's biggest labour union, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, has stated that it is "extremely concerned" about the South African police ending a probe into corruption allegations surrounding the purchase of fighter jets and frigates more than ten years ago. The labour union demands that the investigation continues. In 1999, government officials had been accused of accepting bribes from e.g. BAE Systems Plc and a group including ThyssenKrupp AG.

Read full article: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-10-19/south-african-unions-wants-arms-deal-probe-reopened.html

Copyright: The Jamaica Gleaner, 19th October, 2010

In Jamaica, it has been reported that there is a growing demand for private security firms to fill in the security void. The 15,000 private security guards and armed response officers often see their work overlapping into police work and even military affairs. In some instances, private security officers have completely replaced the role of the police. The growing demand is due to the rampant nature of corruption within the police force.

Read full article: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101019/news/news3.html

Copyright: defenceWeb, 18th October, 2010

South Africa's chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts is demanding an explanation from the police for its decision to end its probe into allegations of corruption surrounding an arms deal. Reports claim that some individuals have been awarded sums upward of $3 million in commission.

Read full article: http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10087:scopa-to-query-arms-deal-probe-halt-&catid=54:Governance&Itemid=118

Copyright: Reuters, James Grubel, 18th October, 2010

Australia's Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, urged Afghan President to work harder in the fight against corruption. In a parliamentary debate, Smith said that Australia expects to see substantial improvement in governance and anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan.

Read full article: http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/10/18/idINIndia-52258620101018

Copyright: Strategy Page, 17th October, 2010

Whilst there cases of grand-corruption have been eliminated, petty corruption by the lower echelon of PLA soldiers remains an issue. Reports note that bribery and the illegal arms trade are some of the more common forms of corrupt practices. In an effort to reign in the military, the government is enacting new laws to tackle this corruption.

Read full article: http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20101017.aspx

Copyright: Defence Professionals, 15th October, 2010

The European Defence Agency has introduced a new code of conduct which restricts the use of offsets in attaining defence procurement contracts. The new regulations effectively places a 100% limit on offsets and will help shift the focus of procurement from quantity to quality. The implementation of the new Code is supported by a full array of reporting and monitoring institutions targeted at building transparency and accountability between EDA member countries.

Read full article: http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18775/

Copyright: TerraNet, 7th October, 2010

The US announced the FBI's largest anti-corruption. Operation Guard Shack was the largest police corruption investigation ever undertaken by the FBI. The operation raked in several police officials and also included three Puerto Rico National Guard soldiers and two US army officers. Those arrested are facing charges of drug trafficking and misuse of firearms.

Read full article: http://www.terra.net.lb/wp/Articles/DesktopArticle.aspx?ArticleID=540197&ChannelId=4

Copyright: The Brunei Times/ANN, 6th October, 2010

President Benigno Aquino has canceled the purchase of nine military helicopters worth nearly $93 million after allegations of corruption. However, the Filipino navy and air force both rejected the allegations of favoring a particular supplier of the seven air force attack helicopters and two navy helicopters saying the correct process had been followed.

Read full article: http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20101006-240862.html

Copyright: Trend, 5th October, 2010

Reports have stated that civil military relations in Armenia are growingly increasingly strained. In a statement released by the director of a Caucasus think tank, this worrying relationship poses a major threat to regional stability. Armenian soldiers claim that this strained relationship comes as a result of corruption in the military.

Read full article: http://en.trend.az/news/karabakh/1761708.html

Copyright: The Narcosphere, 4th October, 2010

US Troops in Mexico are providing Special Operations training but also counter narcotics efforts as well. These efforts have been crucial to restoring integrity within the Mexican military which has been plagued by complaints of human rights abuses and corruption with drug traffickers.

Read full article: http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/erin-rosa/2010/10/state-department-backing-us-troops-mexico

Copyright: The Washington Post, 4th October, 2010

The fight against corruption in Afghanistan is facing a steep challenge especially as US and NATO officials grow increasingly dependent on corrupt local officials. Abdul Razziq, a colonel in the Afghan Border Police is widely known to operate a vast corruption network that also runs a smuggling and illegal narcotics trade. Yet, his ability to ensure a high level of security in his zone, makes him an invaluable member to the international mission to restore security and governance to Afghanistan.

Read full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100304094_pf.html

Copyright: Financial News USA, 3rd October, 2010

8 private security firms including XE (formerly known as Blackwater) have been banned from operating in Afghanistan. This comes following last months presidential decree which ordered all such firms to disband within four months. Karzai ordered this as part of his anti-corruption strategy.

Read full article: http://www.financialnewsusa.com/more/52-world/18317-8-private-security-firms-banned-in-afghanistan

Copyright: The Washington Post, 1st October, 2010

GTSI, one of the government's largest contractors, was suspended from receiving new contracts. The company which has relied on the Pentagon and the federal government for more than 90% of its revenues could face the likelihood of permanent suspension. This comes on the basis of allegations of fraud, waste and abuse of government contracts.

Read full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/01/AR2010100106319.html?sid=ST2010100407247

Copyright: The Star, Ambika Ahuja, 28th September, 2010

Reports have raised serious questions over defence procurement projects and on abuses of power by the police. Furthermore, reports that the army's budget has doubled since the 2006 military coup raises deeper questions about the state of military corruption. The most embarrassing scam was a $11.4 million purchase of faulty and bogus military equipment.

Read full article: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/28/worldupdates/2010-09-28T123816Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-517824-1&sec=Worldupdates

Copyright: Examiner, 26th September, 2010

A report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies has stated that US fund distribution and contracting practices are enabling corruption in Afghanistan. Corruption within the Afghan National Police is rampant and directly disrupts the governance and service provision capabilities of the Afghan government.

Read full article: http://www.examiner.com/afghanistan-headlines-in-national/afghan-corruption-enabled-by-u-s-funding-and-contracting-practices