Enemies securing U.S. night-vision gear

[sabra]

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON — Thefts and illegal exports of advanced military night-vision gear are rising sharply and U.S. officials say some of the equipment has reached enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq, where it could erode the advantage U.S. troops have in after-dark combat.

The government has prosecuted more than two dozen businesses and individuals over the past 18 months for stealing night-vision gear or skirting prohibitions on foreign sales, according to a USA TODAY review of federal documents and public records.

In at least five cases, prosecutors linked shipments to terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. A few others were headed to Iran and Taliban forces in Afghanistan, court records show; several were destined for China and Japan.

"It's extremely serious — you're talking about adversaries of the United States getting equipment that we make to give our soldiers an advantage in the field," says Charles Beardall, the Pentagon's deputy inspector general for investigations.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-05-14-nightvision_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

[Mrs. Overall]

1. Let me guess the follow up story: Obama will go easy on see-in-the-dark binocular thieves...

[Javaman]

14. This just in...

The gop today has accused Candidate Barak Obama of going easy on the trading of X-Ray Specs technology!

Sen. Asswipe (r-of course) from the great state of denial stated, "this is some of the most sensitive technology around and Mr. Obama casually saying that he always fell for that cheap ad as a kid is just un-American! Something must be done, now!"

Repuke members of the house vow to launch an investigation into how much X-Ray Spec technology has been stolen while Candidate Obama runs for office. "we will get to the bottom of this! How are we to be feel safe and secure when Democrat Candidates allow our military technology to fall into terrorist hands???".

UPDATE: In a recent video by Osama Bin Laden, he is quoted as saying, "These things are bullshit, I can't see through burqas!"

[Lasher]

2. Penalties aren't stiff enough.

In another case, Shahrazad Mir Gholikhan, an Iranian, was sentenced this month to 29 months in prison for her role in a plot to send 3,000 night-vision systems to Iran, which the United States accuses of supplying Iraqi insurgents.

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed for doing pretty much the same thing.

[zonmoy]

3. Figure this story got planted to blame iran

when the cia black ops team plants them on so called insurgents.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. But it's AOK to for the Pentagon to sell counter-IED technology to the Iraqi government.

http://www.military.com/news/article/us-sells-secret-anti-ied-tech-to-iraq.html

[daleo]

5. Technological advantages never last for long

That's just how it goes. That's why peace is preferable to war, even for the side that is winning (for the moment).

[PFunk]

6. You know russia and china sell this stuff too folks

[Nihil]

7. "Newsflash: Hunters concerned that sitting ducks are securing binoculars and shotguns ...

.. and that this development could erode their advantage in the field ..."

If they were *really* concerned about this sort of thing then the US arms
industry would find itself in hot water. As it is, profits triumph over
any crocodile tears shed for the military as the MIC will just have to
develop better tools & counter-measures ...

If Charles Beardall et al could give a shit, they'd investigate exactly
why the "adversaries of the United States" are continually growing in
numbers and do something about it rather than fretting about how their
standard equipment sales may end up in the hands of buyers who aren't
too friendly towards the US.

Fear not, the world is *not* about to change and this was just another
bullshit press release from the Pentagon as no-one really cares.

[BearSquirrel2]

8. How about the internet ...

http://www.nightvisionoptics.com/nigvisgog1.html
http://www.thenightvisionstore.com/night-vision-goggles/8618+8619.cfm?source=googleaw&kwid=nightvision%20goggles&tid=phrase

I take it the Iraqi insurgency reads Soldier of Fortune and are therefore privy to the sources of such equipment.

[slackmaster]

15. None of that stuff is anywhere near as sophisticated as current US military gear

Anyone can buy Generation 1 night vision optics, and I do not believe there are any export restrictions on it. I have a Soviet Generation 1 night vision scope. It's an amusing toy, kind of fun out in the wilderness.

I believe the military is using Generation 4.

[CubicleGuy]

9. Our military hates it when...

... we have to fight somebody when our technology gets into the hands of the "enemy" and turns it into something more closely resembling a fair fight. These days, we only fight if we're guaranteed a win. If we can't be guaranteed an easy win, then we end up having to go that pesky "diplomacy" route, and as the President has made it clear, that's just for appeasers.

[Pavulon]

12. Fuck a fair fight

this is not the playground. The military is ORDERED to war by CIVILIANS. So when the decision is made to fight they deserve the technology to kill the other more efficiently. DU, UAVs, GPS guided weapons whatever tips the field to our advantage is fair game.

So that means better weapons, better training, and more money.

ITT makes a majority of what is used and they have had issues. If they continue screwing up they should have their contract yanked, if it was them.

Maybe CIVILIANS will think a bit more before using force. Consequences and all.

[LiberalFighter]

10. Which businesses were involved?

[TheDebbieDee]

13. If they're American businesses, then they're greedy traitors!

I'm sure that the DOD is paying them handsomely to outfit the US soldiers. These businesses are only selling these tools to our enemies to insure that the war continues, and so it goes on!

[unkachuck]

11. bushco and their corporate friends....

....don't care if our enemies have our advantage in the field because it will prolong their war....and the longer their war, the more profit they will make....

....Are we still in Iraq?....Why?

[Greyskye]

16. You mean this isn't about Bush?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/15/cheney-gives-bush-a-pair_n_101902.html

On the gift list required by government ethics laws, President Bush revealed he accepted (...) $579 night vision goggles from Vice president Cheney, (...)

[bdamomma]

17. hmmm.... I heard this story last nite on Keith, night vision goggles

for a coward how appropriate.