Threat Matrix: January 2007

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Fighting Jihad: Strategic Thinking Needed
-Full Story-

The United States of America has some of the smartest leaders in government, military, and business in the world. Yet the American government has failed to collectively use this formidable brain-power 5+ years after the attack by Jihadists on the American homeland to develop a truly strategic plan to fight the global threat of Jihad and Islamist extremism. In one of the most complex wars in American history, rather than starting with holistic, big-picture thinking towards the challenges and prioritizing resources and actions accordingly, America has spent much of the past five years after 9/11 in reactive and bureaucratic churning.

	Zawahri Decries Moderate Arabs | Transcript: LauraMansfield.com
	There Is No Substitute For Knowing Your Enemy
	A Terror So Great We Forgot It At Once?

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[Cindy]

Well now, our enemies will be glad to read this:

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200701/POL20070118a.html

"Congresswomen Propose Troop Withdrawal in Six Months"
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
January 18, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "(CNSNews.com) - Three California Democrats in Congress announced a bill Wednesday that they say would force President Bush to withdraw troops from Iraq within six months.

Their legislation would repeal the authorization for the use of force, fully fund a six-month withdrawal of U.S. forces and military contractors in Iraq, and prohibit permanent military bases from existing there. It would also provide economic and political aid to the Iraqi government.

The bill draws heavily on discussions the three lawmakers - Lynn Woolsey, Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee - had with former Sen. George McGovern (D-S.D.) and William Polk, co-authors of a new book advocating withdrawal.

Critics of an immediate withdrawal worry it would destabilize the region and allow insurgent forces more freedom to take over the vulnerable government in Baghdad."


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Our enemies will be rejoicing as they read this, too:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1770026/posts

"SC RES 2 Sen Res opposing Bush policy in Iraq (FULL TEXT)"
Library of Congress, Thomas ^ | Jan. 17, 2007 | Biden, Hagel, Levin and Snowe

Posted on 01/19/2007 1:35:34 AM PST by FairOpinion

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=gitmo

---

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=26487

"Guantanamo Bay: Five Years Later"
By Lt. Col. Gordon Cucullu
FrontPageMagazine.com | January 19, 2007


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "While critics fume, interrogators work diligently to extract volumes of strategic intelligence information from a group the head of the Joint Intelligence Group calls “the main repository for al Qaeda, terrorist HUMINT on the planet.” Cells in Europe and America have been busted, money laundering routes intercepted, bomb making stifled, and organizational and recruiting techniques stymied all because of intelligence coming from Guantanamo’s detainees.

So keep up the good work, troopers. Even though you are slandered, unappreciated by many, and work tirelessly to protect the largely ungrateful, be aware that many Americans are extraordinarily proud of you and the mission you strive so hard to accomplish."

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=RUSSIA

===

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=26509

"Symposium: From Russia With Death"
By Jamie Glazov
FrontPageMagazine.com | January 19, 2007

[Cindy]

A bit of an update -- see link for for further details.

---

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014884.php

January 18, 2007

"American-Born Imam Spews Message of Hate in England"

Abu Usamah is from New Jersey and preached at the Islamic Center of Peoria. Did anyone there agree with him? What are those who heard him doing now? Does anyone know? Does anyone care? No worries: his teachings there were "moderate."

A report by George Kindel for FoxNews, with thanks to Sr. Soph:


NEW YORK — A New Jersey-born Muslim cleric with links to a suspected Al Qaeda operative who surfaced at a college not far from the cleric's Peoria, Ill., mosque the day before the Sept. 11 attacks has found a new home.
The imam now is spewing his message of hate to a growing group of followers at a mosque in Birmingham, England.

His target: the United States, the United Kingdom, Christians and Jews."

[Cindy]

UPDATE - Video Added:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24049_Another_Aussie_Sheikh_in_Trouble_(Update-_Video_Added)&only

"hursday, January 18, 2007

"Another Aussie Sheikh in Trouble (Update: Video Added)"

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=abusayyaf

---

Note: Click on the link to read the profile:

"GROUP PROFILE:

http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=204
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
Mothertongue Name:
????? ??? ????

Aliases: Bearer of the Sword, al-Harakat al-Islamiyah

Base of Operation: Philippines

---

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=63736

"Palace: Abu Sayyaf, JI nearing their end"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Malacañang on Friday was optimistic that the government is close to disbanding the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah groups with the reported deaths of their members this week.

“Continuing successes in the field are a clear indication that the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah are nearing the end of the line. [President Arroyo] commends the gains of [the Armed Forces of the Philippines’] Oplan Ultimatum, which is the final push against these groups,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.

The US-backed Oplan Ultimatum aims to neutralize the forces of Abu Sayyaf and JI in Mindanao."

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

===
===

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07010094.htm


Thursday, January 18, 2007

"Muslim student’s opposition to construction of a chapel is uncalled for"

By Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (ANS)

[Cindy]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/18/europe/EU-GEN-Azerbaijan-Arrests.php

"Azerbaijani authorities detain 16 people on suspicion of plotting to seize power"

The Associated Press
Published: January 18, 2007


BAKU, Azerbaijan

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iraq

---

http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=93612007

"US woman among dead as fresh violence hits Baghdad"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "AN American woman and three security contractors have been killed in Iraq after gunmen attacked a convoy of democracy workers in Baghdad.

In a separate incident, a car bomb exploded in central Baghdad at rush hour today, killing at least four people and wounding 11."

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 19 2007 03:07:05 GMT-0800.

Mexico

January 18, 2007

This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement for Mexico dated November 15, 2006, which alerted U.S. citizens to the mounting violence and disorder in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. At this time, U.S. citizens should use caution when traveling to Oaxaca City due to the continued risk of protest violence and demonstrations, which have resulted in at least nine deaths over the past several months. This Public Announcement expires on March 29, 2007.

On October 27, 2006, an American citizen was shot and killed in Oaxaca City as a result of the violence and disorder caused by ongoing civil unrest in the city. In recent months, several protest groups have engaged in increasingly violent demonstrations, which have resulted in violent reactions from other groups.

U.S. citizens traveling to Oaxaca City should be aware that the situation there remains unsettled and that demonstrations may occur at any time. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens should remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence unexpectedly. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of any protests.

The State Department reminds U.S. citizens to avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Office of Citizens' Consular Services, Reforma Ave 305, Col Cuauhtemoc Mexico, D. F., Mexico CP 06500 Tel: (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000 or e-mail: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. For additional information, please refer to the Embassy website: http://usembassy-mexico.gov.

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 19 2007 03:08:04 GMT-0800.

ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

January 17, 2007

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 19 2007 03:08:56 GMT-0800.

LEBANON

December 22, 2006

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_933.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 19 2007 03:10:00 GMT-0800.

SOMALIA

June 05, 2006

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 19 2007 03:11:01 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3354360,00.html

2 Qassams fired at western Negev

Published: 01.19.07, 11:20

Two Qassam rockets were launched from the northern Gaza Strip Friday morning towards the western Negev.

The rockets landed in open fields and did not cause any injuries or damages. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467766409&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jan. 19, 2007 0:01 | Updated Jan. 19, 2007 1:59
"'Free 1,000 terrorists for Shalit'"
By MATTHEW WAGNER

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Jewish law permits the release of a thousand terrorists, including those guilty of murder, in exchange for captive Cpl. Gilad Shalit, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual mentor of Shas, ruled this week."

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=somalia

---

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6278027.stm

Last Updated: Friday, 19 January 2007, 10:26 GMT

"Somali warlords hand over weapons"


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "One of Somalia's main warlords has surrendered his "battle wagons" to the interim government, while his militiamen have joined the army.

Omar Finish handed over six vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns. On Wednesday, two other leaders gave up 60 battle wagons and 300 fighters.

The warlords agreed to disarm last week - but as they did so, their gunmen battled in the capital, Mogadishu.

Meanwhile, the African Union is meeting to discuss a peacekeeping force."

[HipShot]

That should be an interesting money trail.

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Oorang]

Thank you Cindy. Abdul Salam has gone to meet his raisins.