Fresh start from commit 85df488cc66fa4934e54d62f1eaeffd274743b7a

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Afghanistan.md

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+[[Afghanistan]] is a country in Central [[Asia]] that was the site of a significant conflict involving the Soviet Union and the [[Mujahideen]]. It is also mentioned as one of the countries whose economies are dependent on the drug trade.[^1]
+
+### Soviet-Afghan War and Mujahideen Support
+
+[[Afghanistan]] was the focus of a worldwide support network for the [[Mujahideen]], the Afghanistan Resistance Movement against the [[Soviet Union|Soviets]]. This network involved figures like [[Ralph Olberg]] and [[Tim Osman]], who were instrumental in procuring [[United States|U.S.]] weapons and technology for the Mujahideen. Discussions included the Mujahideen's willingness to field test new and esoteric weapons and provide research reports with photos. The exchange of arms for drugs, with cocaine or heroin being used as payment for weapons.[^1]
+
+[[Michael Riconosciuto]] was involved in discussions about analyzing a Soviet-directed weapons system called "Blue Death," captured by the Afghan rebels, to help develop effective countermeasures. Plans also included a military joint venture in [[Turkey]] to produce specialized ammunition and a lobbying effort to legally obtain Stinger II missiles and their variants for the Mujahideen. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] was tasked with formulating a plan to sanitize the electronics of any Stingers at risk of Soviet capture.[^1]
+
+[[Ralph Olberg]]'s arms assistance project to the Afghan rebels was understood to be legally sanctioned, operating through the State Department and Senator Humphrey's office. However, there was a "turf battle problem" with certain factions of the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] and their group, MSH ([[Management Science For Health]]), who questioned whether Olberg and Osman's group truly represented the leadership of the Afghan rebel resistance.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Australia.md

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+[[Australia]] is a country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere. It is mentioned in connection with [[Nugan Hand Bank]], which was an [[Australia|Australian]] bank co-founded by [[Michael Hand]] and [[Frank Nugan]]. This bank reportedly laundered profits from drug trafficking in the [[Golden Triangle]] and financed subversive paramilitary activities in Southeast [[Asia]]. The bank collapsed in 1980, $5 billion in debt, and [[Michael Hand]] disappeared from [[Australia]].[^1]
+
+[[Michael Hand]] reportedly fled [[Australia]] under a false identity on June 14, 1980, on a flight to [[Fiji]]. He was allegedly helped to escape by an American code-named "Charlie," identified as a former member of the [[United States Army Special Forces|U.S. Special Forces]] and ex-[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed to have handled money transfers for Hand when he fled [[Australia]].[^1]
+
+[[Brian Toohey]], a top [[Australia|Australian]] journalist, reported in his *The Eye* magazine in 1991 that [[Michael Hand]] had a postal drop in Washington State, and his wife was reportedly living with him there.[^1]
+
+[[Robert Booth Nichols]] also listed [[Australia]] as one of his residences.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Austria.md

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+[[Austria]] is a country in Central Europe. Its capital, Vienna, is home to the [[United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control|United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control]] (UNFDAC). The UNFDAC was a funding source for the purchase of computer software and hardware systems, including [[PROMIS]] software, by drug abuse control agencies in the Middle East.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Colombia.md

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+[[Colombia]] is a country in [[South America]] that has been significantly impacted by drug trafficking, particularly through the operations of the [[Cali Drug Cartel]]. The country's political landscape has also been influenced by these illicit activities.[^1]
+
+### Drug Trafficking and Political Influence
+
+The [[Cali Drug Cartel]], led by figures like [[Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela|Gilberto Rodriguez]] and [[Jose Santacruz Londono|Jose Londono]], controlled a vast portion of the world's cocaine trade. The cartel's influence extended to the highest levels of Colombian government, with allegations that the newly elected president, [[Ernesto Samper Pizano]], accepted $3.7 million in campaign funds from [[Gilberto Rodriguez]], effectively aligning him with the drug lords.[^1]
+
+[[Michael Abbell]], a former [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] official, was indicted for laundering money for the [[Cali Drug Cartel]]. Surveillance reports indicated his frequent visits to [[Gilberto Rodriguez]]'s home in Bogota, [[Colombia]]. The law firm of Kaplan, Russin and Becchi, where Abbell worked after leaving the [[United States Department of Justice|DOJ]], had offices in Bogota.[^1]
+
+[[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed that [[Robert Booth Nichols]] paid Abbell to "crowbar" the extradition of Cali Cartel leaders, as they were considered "intelligence people." This suggests a complex interplay between drug trafficking, intelligence operations, and political influence within [[Colombia]].[^1]
+
+### Financial Operations
+
+[[Michael Riconosciuto]] also mentioned the "[[Workers Bank]]" in [[Colombia]] in the context of money laundering operations for the [[Wackenhut Corporation|Wackenhut]] people. He claimed to have set up "virtual dead-drops" for this bank, a method to circumvent ACH reconciliations on a daily basis, indicating sophisticated financial illicit activities originating from or passing through [[Colombia]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Cyprus.md

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+[[Cyprus]] is an island nation in the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of [[Lebanon]]. Its capital, Nicosia, became a significant location for various intelligence and drug trafficking operations, particularly during the 1980s.[^1]
+
+### Role in Drug and Intelligence Operations
+
+Nicosia, [[Cyprus]], served as a base for the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operations, notably through the [[Euramae Trading Company]]. This company, described as a [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]]/[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] "front," was established in Nicosia by the Cypriot Police Narcotics Squad. It functioned as a transit point for heroin from the Bekaa Valley in [[Lebanon]], cash, documents, and bootleg computer software moving along the Beirut-Nicosia-U.S. pipeline. It was also intended as a meeting place for [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agents with informants and clients, a message drop for [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] arms dealers supplying [[Iraq]] and the [[Mujahideen]] in [[Afghanistan]], and a waiting room for [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] confidential informants and couriers from [[Lebanon]].[^1]
+
+[[Michael T. Hurley]], the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] Country Attache in Nicosia, had overall responsibility for [[Euramae Trading Company]] and its initiative to sell [[PROMIS]] software to Middle Eastern countries for drug abuse control. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed to have handled communications protocol and financial transactions for operations in [[Lebanon]] from [[Cyprus]], including those involving [[Maurice Ghanem]] and [[George K. Pender]].[^1]
+
+[[Lester Coleman]], a [[Defense Intelligence Agency|DIA]] covert intelligence officer, worked in the office of [[Euramae Trading Company]] in Nicosia. He claimed that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]], along with Cypriot, German, and British police, ran a "drug sting operation" code-named "Khourah" through [[Cyprus]] and airports in Europe, which involved delivering heroin from the Bekaa Valley to the [[United States]]. This operation allegedly used Pan Am Flight 103 as a "controlled delivery" flight, which later tragically exploded over Scotland.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Fiji.md

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+[[Fiji]] is an island nation in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. [[Michael Hand]] reportedly fled [[Australia]] under a false identity on June 14, 1980, on a flight to [[Fiji]]. He was allegedly helped to escape by an American code-named "Charlie," identified as a former member of the [[United States Army Special Forces|U.S. Special Forces]] and ex-[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Guatemala.md

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+[[Guatemala]] is a country in Central [[America]]. It is mentioned in connection with political instability, military coups, and U.S. involvement in the region.[^1]
+
+[[General Ríos Montt]] became president of [[Guatemala]] in an army coup in March 1982. He was supported by the [[Ronald Reagan]] administration and aided by Full Gospel businessman [[John Carrette]]. Montt's military regime (1982–1983) was involved in severe atrocities during [[Guatemala]]'s 36-year civil war. Despite this, the [[Ronald Reagan]] administration continued its support, with [[Ronald Reagan]] praising Montt's integrity and commitment. In January 1983, Reagan agreed to sell [[Guatemala]] millions of dollars worth of helicopter spare parts without Congressional approval.[^1]
+
+Montt's extreme Christian fundamentalism eventually led to his ousting in another coup in August 1983 by General [[Oscar Mejia Victores]]. However, [[Ronald Reagan]] later pressured Congress to approve $300,000 in military training for the Guatemalan army.[^1]
+
+[[Jimmy Hughes]]' mother was a Christian missionary in [[Guatemala]]. Hughes also moved to [[Guatemala]] after leaving [[Los Angeles]] and before joining FGBMFI in [[Honduras]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Honduras.md

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+[[Honduras]] is a country in Central [[America]]. It has been a focal point for political instability, military operations, and the influence of various international actors, particularly in relation to drug trafficking and U.S. foreign policy.[^1]
+
+### 2009 Coup d'état
+
+On June 28, 2009, the president of [[Honduras]], [[Manuel Zelaya]], was ousted from his home in Tegucigalpa and exiled at gunpoint to [[Costa Rica]]. The Honduran Supreme Court reportedly ordered the military to detain the president, and the Honduran Congress formally removed Zelaya from the presidency, naming congressional leader [[Roberto Micheletti]] as his successor. The [[United States]] and other countries condemned the coup.[^1]
+
+The coup was allegedly designed by [[General Daniel Lopez Carballo]] and [[Romeo Vásquez Velásquez]], both friends of [[Jimmy Hughes]]. [[General Daniel Lopez Carballo]] justified the coup by stating that [[Venezuelan President]] [[Hugo Chávez]] would eventually be running [[Honduras]] by proxy if the military had not acted. Zelaya had been in the process of forming a friendship or alliance with [[Hugo Chávez]], who had reportedly formed an alliance with [[Iran]] and offered military support to [[Iran]] in the event of a war with the [[United States]].[^1]
+
+### U.S. Military Presence and Drug War
+
+The [[United States]] operates an airbase in [[Honduras]], the Soto Cano Air Base (commonly known as Palmerola Air Base), near Comayagua. This base is a joint Honduran and U.S. military facility. The [[United States]] has been expanding the infrastructure of the Soto Cano Air Base, which is used as a launching point for its war on drugs efforts in Central [[America]] as well as humanitarian aid missions throughout [[Honduras]] and Central [[America]].[^1]
+
+The Honduran Constitution does not permit a permanent foreign presence in [[Honduras]]. A "handshake" agreement between the [[United States]] and [[Honduras]] allows the U.S. military's Joint Task Force (JTF-Bravo) to remain on a "semi-permanent" basis. This agreement, an annex to the 1954 military assistance agreement, can be abrogated with little notice. [[Oliver North]] once used this air base as a base of operations for the [[Contras]] in the 1980s.[^1]
+
+### Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Connections
+
+[[Jimmy Hughes]] Ministries, founded by [[Jimmy Hughes]], operates in Zambrano, [[Honduras]], where Hughes ministers to the military and trains military personnel. Hughes, [[General Daniel Lopez Carballo]], and [[Romeo Vásquez Velásquez]] were all members of FGBMFI. The influential FGBMFI has a history of strong military connections and wide-ranging effects on foreign policy in Central [[America]] under the [[Ronald Reagan]] administration.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Jordan.md

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+[[Jordan]] is a country in the Middle East. Its capital, Amman, is home to the Arab Bank Limited. The Arab Bank Limited, under the leadership of Chairman and General Manager [[Abdul Majeed Shoman]], expressed willingness to cooperate with [[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]] concerning a fund to reconstruct [[Lebanon]]. The bank confirmed its capacity to handle a financial transaction of "US$ three billion or more" for this purpose, provided the conditions in [[Lebanon]] were clear and subject to the approval and counter guarantees of the Lebanese Authority.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Kuwait.md

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+[[Kuwait]] is a country in the Middle East. [[Lester Coleman]]'s affidavit states that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] was using [[Euramae Trading Company]] to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries, including [[Kuwait]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Laos.md

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+[[Laos]] is a country in Southeast [[Asia]]. It is mentioned in connection with the clandestine [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] war and drug trafficking activities in the [[Golden Triangle]].[^1]
+
+[[Michael Hand]], co-founder of [[Nugan Hand Bank]] and a highly decorated [[United States Army Special Forces|Special Forces Green Beret]] soldier, moved to the clandestine [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] war in [[Laos]] after his first stint in [[Vietnam]], according to [[Ted Shackley]], a former station chief in Indo-China.[^1]
+
+[[Bo Gritz]] staged several expeditions to [[Laos]] in search of missing POWs. During these expeditions, he reportedly stumbled upon a "massive drug network in Southeast [[Asia]]" that was intertwined with American POWs.[^1]
+
+[[Danny Casolaro]] was investigating [[Bo Gritz]]'s expose of [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] drug trafficking in the [[Golden Triangle]] and had requested to meet with a former police officer who had information on Laotian warlord [[Kuhn Sa]]'s Golden Triangle drug trade proposal to the [[United States]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Lebanon.md

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+[[Lebanon]] is a country in the Middle East that has been a focal point for various international political, military, and illicit activities, particularly during the 1980s. Its strategic location and internal conflicts made it a significant area for intelligence operations, arms dealing, and drug trafficking.[^1]
+
+### Political and Military Landscape
+
+In 1982, [[Israel]] invaded [[Lebanon]] with the aim of crushing [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] strongholds and installing the Gamayel family in power. At this time, Tel-Aviv supported the ultra-right Christian Phalange militia. The Christian Phalangist militia was instrumental in introducing [[Lebanon]] into the heroin trade. The powerful Christian Gamayel family sought external support for money, weapons, and political backing, with the international heroin trafficking network being a primary source.[^1]
+
+Following the Israeli invasion, the Lebanese Parliament elected [[Bashir Gemayel]] to the presidency, who was reportedly on the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] payroll. However, Bashir was assassinated before taking office, and his brother, [[Amin Gamayel]], was subsequently installed as president.[^1]
+
+In 1990, an accord was reached that granted Christians and Muslims equal representation, officially ending the civil war. Under this accord, [[Syria]] maintained control of the Bekaa Valley, including notorious drug ports north of Beirut.[^1]
+
+### Drug Trafficking and Intelligence Operations
+
+[[Lebanon]] became a significant hub for drug trafficking, particularly heroin. The Bekaa Valley saw an explosion in heroin production under Syrian occupation, with Syrian forces reportedly profiting from and protecting the trade. Estimates suggested that up to $2 billion in protection money was paid annually by dope plantation operators to Syrian occupation forces. The Bekaa also served as a center for processing Colombian cartel cocaine for re-export to European markets.[^1]
+
+Various intelligence agencies and organizations were involved in [[Lebanon]]'s drug trade:
+
+*   **[[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]]:** This company, reportedly a [[National Security Council|NSC]] cutout, was involved in [[Lebanon]] to arrange the release of a prisoner and discussed a multi-billion dollar financial transaction for the country's reconstruction. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed that [[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]] had a companion company, Euramae Trading, which operated throughout the Middle East and was involved in the drug trade as an [[National Security Council|NSC]]-directed operation.[^1]
+*   **[[Euramae Trading Company]]:** Described as a [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]]/[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] "front" in Nicosia, [[Cyprus]], Euramae was a transit point for heroin, cash, documents, and bootleg computer software moving along the Beirut-Nicosia-U.S. pipeline. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed to have handled communications protocol and financial transactions for operations in [[Lebanon]], including those involving [[Maurice Ghanem]] and [[George K. Pender]].[^1]
+*   **U.S. Government Presence:** The [[United States Government|U.S. government]]'s presence in [[Lebanon]] was significant. [[Lester Coleman]], a [[Defense Intelligence Agency|DIA]] covert intelligence officer, ran a network of agents in Beirut to find American hostages. He claimed that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]], along with Cypriot, German, and British police, ran a "drug sting operation" code-named "Khourah" that involved delivering heroin from the Bekaa Valley to the [[United States]]. This operation allegedly used Pan Am Flight 103 as a "controlled delivery" flight, which later tragically exploded over Scotland.[^1]
+*   **Syrian Involvement:** [[Syria]]'s president [[Hafez al-Assad]] closed ranks with the [[White House]] after Desert Storm, and [[Syria]] maintained control of the Bekaa Valley, including drug ports. Allegations surfaced that [[Monzer Al-Kassar]], a Syrian kingpin and arms dealer, provided [[Oliver North]] with drug profits to purchase arms for the [[Contras]].[^1]
+
+### Key Individuals and Events
+
+*   **[[Amin Gamayel]]:** President of [[Lebanon]] who received a letter from [[George K. Pender]] of [[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]] regarding reconstruction efforts.[^1]
+*   **[[Maurice Ghanem]]:** A figure involved in meetings concerning [[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]]'s participation in the redevelopment of [[Lebanon]], and under whom [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed to have worked.[^1]
+*   **[[Michael T. Hurley]]:** [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] Country Attache in Nicosia, [[Cyprus]], who had overall responsibility for Euramae Trading Company and its initiative to sell [[PROMIS]] software to Middle Eastern countries.[^1]
+*   **[[Werner Tony Asmar]]:** A German Lebanese intelligence agent who worked with [[Defense Intelligence Agency|DIA]] and was killed in a bomb explosion in Beirut after getting involved in the alleged drug operation.[^1]
+*   **[[Ian Stuart Spiro]]:** Lived in Beirut during the 1970s and 1980s, making contacts with Lebanese religious leaders and the Islamic Jihad. His death was linked to a spy network and the [[Iran-Contra Affair]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

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+[[Liechtenstein]] is a small, landlocked country in Central Europe, known for its financial services. [[Adnan Khashoggi]] established front companies in [[Switzerland]] and [[Liechtenstein]] to handle his commissions.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

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+[[Pakistan]] is a country in South [[Asia]]. It is mentioned in connection with the assembly of 107 MM rockets and their launchers at a facility known as the Pakistan Ordinance Works. This was part of a plan formulated by [[Michael Riconosciuto]] to reconfigure Chinese 107 MM rockets into a backpack-portable effective artillery counter battery system for the [[Mujahideen]] in [[Afghanistan]].[^1]
+
+[[Lester Coleman]]'s affidavit also states that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] was using [[Euramae Trading Company]] to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries, including [[Pakistan]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Panama Canal.md

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+The [[Panama Canal]] is a vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1977, the [[Jimmy Carter]] administration was determined to sign a treaty regarding the Panama Canal with [[General Torrijos]]. This determination reportedly influenced the administration's reluctance to pursue Torrijos, despite his and his family members' alleged involvement at the highest levels of the world cocaine trade.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Philippines.md

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+The [[Philippines]] is an archipelago nation in Southeast [[Asia]]. It is mentioned in the context of [[Ignacio Paz]], the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence in the Philippine government, who was assisted by [[Robert Booth Nichols]] in removing large sums of money from the [[Philippines]] by investing with Nichols, who placed the money in Swiss bank accounts.[^1]
+
+[[Art Suchesk]], a friend of [[Allan Boyak]] and a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] proprietary company runner, repeatedly encountered [[Robert Booth Nichols]] in the [[Philippines]], among other locations, after the Los Angeles [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] dropped its interest in Nichols.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Singapore.md

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+[[Singapore]] is a city-state and island country in Southeast [[Asia]]. It is mentioned in connection with [[Patrick Moriarty]] and [[Bo Gritz]], as Moriarty paid Gritz to make business trips to [[China]], [[Singapore]], and other parts of [[Asia]]. Gritz claimed his July 1989 trip to [[Asia]] was to negotiate an oil interest he and Moriarty had set up between the [[People's Republic of China]] and [[Indonesia]].[^1]
+
+[[Art Suchesk]], a friend of [[Allan Boyak]] and a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] proprietary company runner, repeatedly encountered [[Robert Booth Nichols]] in [[Singapore]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Taiwan]] over a two-year period after the Los Angeles [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] dropped its interest in Nichols.[^1]
+
+[[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed that [[Robert Booth Nichols]] wanted to receive the set-up of their end offshore in [[Singapore]], including $20 million in cash, and to use certain technology overseas, namely in [[Australia]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Switzerland.md

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+[[Switzerland]] is a country in Europe known for its banking system. [[Adnan Khashoggi]] established front companies in [[Switzerland]] and [[Liechtenstein]] to handle his commissions. In 1988, Khashoggi was arrested in [[Switzerland]], accused of concealing funds, held for three months, and then extradited to the [[United States]].[^1]
+
+[[Robert Booth Nichols]] had an office in Zurich, [[Switzerland]]. [[Art Suchesk]], a friend of [[Allan Boyak]] and a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] proprietary company runner, was based out of Zurich, [[Switzerland]], during a period when he repeatedly encountered [[Robert Booth Nichols]] in various international locations.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Syria.md

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+[[Syria]] is a country in the Middle East that has been significantly involved in the regional drug trade and political conflicts. Its president, [[Hafez al-Assad]], played a role in regional politics and alliances.[^1]
+
+### Drug Trade and Political Influence
+
+[[Syria]] maintained control of the Bekaa Valley in [[Lebanon]], a major heroin-producing area, after the Lebanese civil war. Syrian occupation forces reportedly profited from and protected the drug trade, with estimates suggesting up to $2 billion in protection money was paid annually by dope plantation operators. The Bekaa also became a center for processing Colombian cartel cocaine for re-export to European markets. In 1988, two Syrians arrested with large quantities of heroin and coke in Milan, [[Italy]], claimed to be working for a Syrian colonel in Bekaa.[^1]
+
+There were long-standing back-channel relations between Washington D.C. and Damascus. A 1987 [[United States Department of Defense|Pentagon]] memo indicated that [[Oliver North]] was personally notified that Syrian intelligence in [[Lebanon]] was willing to negotiate with the [[White House]] for the release of hostages held by Lebanese terrorists. President [[George Bush]] himself reportedly made secret visits to Damascus for hostage negotiations.[^1]
+
+After Desert Storm, [[Hafez al-Assad]] closed ranks with the [[White House]] and softened his stance against [[Israel]]. President [[George Bush]] and Secretary of State [[James Baker]] encouraged [[Syria]] and [[Israel]] to recognize each other's Lebanese occupation zones. Under a 1990 accord, [[Syria]] maintained control of the Bekaa Valley, including notorious drug ports north of Beirut.[^1]
+
+### Connections to Pan Am Flight 103
+
+[[Syria]] was implicated in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The private investigative firm [[Interfor]] claimed that the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command|PFLP-GC]] was behind the bombing and that the flight was part of a heroin smuggling route connected to the Syrian regime and protected by both the [[United States Drug Enforcement Administration|U.S. DEA]] and the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]. [[Monzer Al-Kassar]], a Syrian kingpin and arms dealer, was alleged to oversee this ring. The [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] was reportedly protecting Al-Kassar's operation due to his cooperation in freeing U.S. hostages in [[Lebanon]].[^1]
+
+Allegations suggested that the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] and [[United States Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] instructed [[Germany]]'s internal intelligence agency, the [[BKA]], to allow certain suitcases to pass uninspected onto U.S.-bound flights at the Frankfurt airport. A suitcase intended for heroin was covertly substituted with explosives by the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command|PFLP-GC]] and [[Monzer Al-Kassar]]. In 1990, when the [[White House]] sought [[Syria]] as a partner in the Allied coalition, blame for the Pan Am bombing shifted from [[Syria]] to [[Libya]].[^1]
+
+### Other Connections
+
+[[Michael Riconosciuto]]'s affidavit stated that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] was using [[Euramae Trading Company]] to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries, including [[Syria]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Taiwan.md

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+[[Taiwan]] is an island nation in East [[Asia]]. It is mentioned in connection with [[Art Suchesk]], a friend of [[Allan Boyak]] and a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] proprietary company runner. Suchesk repeatedly encountered [[Robert Booth Nichols]] in [[Taiwan]], among other locations, over a two-year period after the Los Angeles [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] dropped its interest in Nichols.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Turkey.md

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+[[Turkey]] is a country that was discussed in the context of a military joint venture to produce specialized ammunition. This discussion took place between [[Ted Gunderson]], [[Ralph Olberg]], [[Tim Osman]], and [[Michael Riconosciuto]] in early 1986, as part of a worldwide support network for the [[Mujahideen]] in [[Afghanistan]].[^1]
+
+[[Lester Coleman]]'s affidavit also states that the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] was using [[Euramae Trading Company]] to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries, including [[Turkey]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Venezuela.md

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+[[Venezuela]] is a country in [[South America]]. Its president, [[Hugo Chávez]], was a close ally of [[Manuel Zelaya]], the ousted president of [[Honduras]]. Chávez stated he would consider it an "act of war" if there were hostilities against his diplomats and put the armed forces of [[Venezuela]] on alert. Chávez reportedly had close ties to [[Iran]] and offered military support to [[Iran]] in the event of a war with the [[United States]].[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.

40 - EVENTS/GEOPOLITICAL_ENTITIES/Vietnam.md

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+[[Vietnam]] was the site of a protracted conflict involving the [[United States]] and other international powers. It is mentioned in connection with several individuals who served there and later became involved in covert operations and intelligence activities.[^1]
+
+[[Michael Hand]], co-founder of [[Nugan Hand Bank]], was a highly decorated [[United States Army Special Forces|Special Forces Green Beret]] soldier in [[Vietnam]]. After his first stint in [[Vietnam]], Hand moved to the clandestine [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] war in [[Laos]].[^1]
+
+[[Bo Gritz]] was also a highly decorated [[United States Army Special Forces|Green Beret]] in [[Vietnam]]. Both Gritz and Hand had special knowledge of intelligence operations in the [[Golden Triangle]].[^1]
+
+[[Robert Booth Nichols]] was reportedly in [[Vietnam]], working for a wealthy U.S. businessman in the private sector.[^1]
+
+---
+## Footnotes
+
+[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.