Because You Need To Know.

Luxembourg - ISS World and Naked Intelligence are working to create the world’s most unique Intelligence Support Systems and Intelligence Gathering conference. This is an event that combines hands-on access to intelligence support systems solution providers and valuable insight and know-how presented by experienced practitioners of intelligence.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to deliver a comprehensive event to a wide range of IC and LE professionals and to continue the tradition of the DNI organized OSINT conferences that were so useful to us in the past.” Said Mr. Schneider, founding partner of Sandstone s.a. and one of the Naked Intelligence conference’s organizers.

The ISS World Americas and Naked Intelligence conferences will take place on October 11-13, 2010 in Washington D.C. They will share an exposition hall that will showcase both tools and services for the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Communities. Registrants will be able to attend both conferences with a single registration and choose among several tracks focused on both Intelligence Support Systems and Open Source Intelligence methods and techniques.

“We see this venture as a truly, mutually beneficial opportunity for us to deliver great training and know-how together.” Said Dr. Lucas, CEO of TeleStrategies, the ISS World conference owner.

About Naked Intelligence
Naked Intelligence, “Gathering Knowledge in a See Through World”, is a conference created by Sandstone s.a. (www.sandstone.lu) and Infosphere AB (www.infosphere.se), both leaders in the practice of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) production. For more information see www.nakedintelligence.org or contact nakint@sandstone.lu

About ISS World
Created by TeleStrategies, a market leader in telecoms, IC and LE conference and event organization, ISS World Americas is in its 8th year and has become one of the industry’s most respected Intelligence, Security and Law Enforcement conferences. For more information see www.issworldtraining.com or contact talucas@telestrategies.com

(Photo: International Spy Museum, Washington D.C. / Credit: Wikimedia Commons - Aude)

The surprise resignation and “retirement” of Sanader as Prime Minister should come as no surprise to many, especially those from within his own party. Sandstone believes that overbearing pressure coming from many areas finally paralyzed Sanader thus making his resignation the best option for his party and for his eventual return to power.

Although eager to please and adroit at maintaining favorable press coverage, Sanader’s promotion of Croatia’s cooperation with the Hague tribunal and his dedication to the admission of Croatia into the EU resulted in many vows that will be difficult, if not impossible, to implement in practice, especially considering the general opposition within the majority of voters of his own Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ) to the absolute cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and to the EU requirements process.

Furthermore, the general public opinion in Croatia and her neighbors is negative towards each other and there remain open issues with respect to borders and energy, notably with Slovenia, that will make Croatia’s entry into the EU difficult. The open press speculation that Slovenia will block Croatia’s entry into the EU has only exacerbated the problem for Sanader.

Internally, Croatia has let politics override the sensible investment of public funds. These investments and the commitments of the Croatian government have led not only to an near imminent crisis in the Croatian economy but also to public distrust of the handling of public funds. This has manifested itself in a general fear that the planned privatization of Croatia’s shipyards, a national industrial symbol, could be handled in a corrupt manner that would lead to job loss and misuse of public funds. Sanader is suspected of being involved in some corrupt deals: notably the purchase of trucks for the Croatian Army and a scandal relating to the prostitution of young girls in state foster care has happened during his tenure and coincided with the replacement of the chief of police which effectively preempted any investigation.

On a personal level, Sanader has been very active and very dynamic lately and may be genuinely “tired”. There is also some speculation that his resignation is due to organized elements forcing him out with evidence of his and his party’s involvement in corruption.

As reality diverged from the platform on which Sanader positioned himself, the pressure to find a way out of the situation became increasingly great and therefore we see this drastic, although logical, measure being used by the HDZ to retain power and possibly even gain traction at the end of the year.

In the coming weeks a new government will be formed, probably led by Kosor. However, the soft tourist season, the end to the construction season, and the continued economic decline will probably lead to autumn strikes and public disorder. This will be a pretext for extraordinary parliamentary elections that would benefit the HDZ at that time. The opposition Croatian People’s Party (HNS) and President Mesic most likely recognize this and may call for immediate parliamentary elections.

In effect, with his resignation Sanader is taking many of the problems his party faces into the background with him in an attempt to pave the way for their continued strength and his own eventual resurgence – possibly as an independent candidate in a fall election.