COVERT RADIO SHOW - "The Daily Blast" [April 3, 2009]

A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

http://www.jihadica.com/oslo-workshop-summary-part-1/

“Oslo Workshop Summary (part 1)”
Thomas Hegghammer
March 31st, 2009

http://www.jihadica.com/oslo-workshop-summary-part-2/

“Oslo Workshop Summary (part 2)”
Thomas Hegghammer
April 3rd, 2009

http://www.makingsenseofjihad.com/2009/04/right-up-out-of-the-soil.html

“Right Up Out of the Soil”

SNIPPET: “Scribd is quickly becoming my new favorite open internet cesspool of information.”

SNIPPET: “One strange example comes from someone who has been sharing both safety process guidelines for drilling rigs and other upstream activities and antisemitic literature. All in English, despite having less than perfect command of the language.

http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/4144415-talaat?page=1

There’s nothing jihadi here. As far as I can tell it’s all perfectly legal, though I really wonder whether Saudi Aramco and Lufkin would appreciate their corporate security documents on the web. It’s just another example of the slow, but seemingly inevtiable seep, of once-controlled information finding its way onto the internet. It’s as if it just bubbles up from out of the soil.”

April 03, 2009 at 08:43 AM in OSINT

April 3, 2009

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://newhaven.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/nh040309.htm

PRESS RELEASE

April 3, 2009

FORMER MEMBER OF U.S. NAVY SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISCLOSING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

WASHINGTON—Nora R. Dannehy, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and other federal officials announced that Hassan Abu-Jihaad, formerly known as Paul R. Hall, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for disclosing previously classified information relating to the national defense.

“This defendant provided classified information to others with the understanding that it could be used to endanger the lives of hundreds of members of the United States Navy, and we are pleased that the court imposed the maximum prison term allowed under the law,” Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated. “I want to acknowledge the efforts of all the agents, analysts and prosecutors involved in this matter who have worked diligently over the course of several years to bring this defendant to justice.”

According to the evidence provided at trial, in 2001, four or five months after the October 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole, Abu-Jihaad provided classified information regarding the movements of a United States Navy battle group, which was charged with enforcing sanctions against the Taliban and engaging in missions against Al Qaeda, to Azzam Publications, a London-based organization that is alleged to have provided material support and resources to persons engaged in acts of terrorism through the creation and use of various internet web sites, e-mail communications, and other means, including www.azzam.com.

Between approximately February 2000 and the end of 2001, the web site http://www.azzam.comwww.azzam.com was hosted on the computer web servers of a web hosting company located in Trumbull, Connecticut. At the time the classified information was disclosed to Azzam Publications, Abu-Jihaad was an enlistee in the United States Navy on active duty in the Middle East and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Benfold, one of the ships in the battle group whose movements were disclosed.

Evidence presented at trial indicated that, in December 2003, British law enforcement officers recovered a computer floppy disk in a residence of one of the operators of Azzam Publications. Forensic analysis of the disk disclosed a password-protected Microsoft Word document setting forth previously classified information regarding the upcoming movements of a U.S. Naval battle group as it was to transit from San Diego to its deployment in the Persian Gulf in 2001. The document went on to discuss the battle group’s perceived vulnerability to terrorist attack.

According to the evidence at trial, subsequent investigation uncovered several email exchanges from late 2000 to late 2001 between members of Azzam Publications and Abu-Jihaad, including discussions regarding videos Abu-Jihaad ordered from Azzam Publications that promoted violent jihad and extolled the virtues of martyrdom; a small donation of money Abu-Jihaad made to Azzam Publications; and whether it was “safe” to send materials to Abu-Jihaad at his military address onboard the U.S.S. Benfold.

In another email exchange with Azzam Publications, Abu-Jihaad described a recent force protection briefing given aboard his ship, voiced enmity toward America, praised Usama bin Laden and the mujahideen, praised the October 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole – which Abu-Jihaad described as a “martyrdom operation,” – and advised the members of Azzam Publications that such tactics were working and taking their toll. The email response from Azzam Publications encouraged Abu-Jihaad to “keep up... the psychological warefare [sic].”

The evidence at trial also indicated that Abu-Jihaad’s contact information – namely, his Navy email account – was among the few saved in an Azzam Publications online address book.

The evidence at trial included the testimony of six Navy witnesses indicating, among other things, that as a Signalman in the Navigation Division of the U.S.S. Benfold during the 2001 deployment, Abu-Jihaad had access to certain classified information, including advance knowledge of the battle group’s movements.

The evidence at trial also included court-authorized wiretap recordings, during which Abu-Jihaad used coded conversation to refer to jihad; admonished others not to speak openly about jihad over the phone or on the Internet because it was “tapped”; and discussed having conversations with associates using a shredder and after frisking them for electronic components.

The calls played for the jury also included Abu-Jihaad’s use of the terms “hot meals” and “cold meals” in reference to his current and former ability, respectively, to provide inside information or intelligence about potential U.S. military targets. Abu-Jihaad told an associate that he “hadn’t been on that job in X amount of years . . . to see . . . what the fresh meal is,” and in 2006, told another associate that he had not “been in the field of making meals” for more than four years. The evidence established that Abu-Jihaad had left the U.S. Navy in 2002.

On March 5, 2008, a federal jury in New Haven found Abu-Jihaad guilty of one count of providing material support of terrorism, and one count disclosing previously classified information relating to the national defense. On March 4, 2009, Judge Kravitz partially granted a defense motion for a judgment of acquittal on the material support of terrorism charge. The charge of disclosing previously classified information relating to the national defense carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy commended the substantial efforts and cooperation of the several federal law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”); the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Phoenix and Chicago; the United States Attorney’s Offices in Phoenix and Chicago; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Internal Revenue Service’ Electronic Crimes Program.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy also praised the substantial efforts of law enforcement authorities from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter-Terrorism Command within New Scotland Yard, whose efforts and assistance have been essential in the investigation of this matter.

This case is being pursued by a Task Force out of Connecticut consisting of law enforcement officers from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service’s Electronic Crimes Program; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The case is being prosecuted by a team of federal prosecutors including Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Reynolds and William Nardini from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, Trial Attorney Alexis Collins from the Counter-Terrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division in Washington and Trial Attorney Rick Green from the Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist David Heath.

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/mexico

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/loszetas

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2009/03/los-zetas-and-the-denial-of-fa/

“Los Zetas and the Denial of Mexico’s Failed State Status”
By Jay Fraser on March 30, 2009 at 4:56 AM

#

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Predator_drones_might_join_fight_against_cartels.html

Web Posted: 03/27/2009 12:00 CDT
“Predator drones might join fight against cartels”
By David Hendricks - Express-News

SNIPPET: “Unmanned Predator aircraft might soon be used by the Mexican military to attack Mexican drug cartels, former U.S. Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros said Thursday.

The former San Antonio mayor also told a group at Trinity University that President Barack Obama will outline a comprehensive U.S. immigration reform plan during his April 16-17 visit to Mexico, a plan similar to one supported by ex-President George W. Bush.

Cisneros spoke one day after meeting with Mexico’s U.S. ambassador, Arturo Sarukhan, in Washington and attending a 90-minute briefing on Mexico policies at the White House.

Discussing Mexico’s war against the drug cartels, Cisneros said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered U.S. military equipment and aircraft to the Mexican government during her Mexico City trip Wednesday. Mexico would buy the equipment and operate it, not U.S. military forces.

“Predator attacks on Mexican drug lords in Mexico are just around the corner,” Cisneros said.

Predators are unmanned, missile-equipped aircraft with surveillance capabilities. Their missiles are launched by remote control.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2221396/posts?page=2#2

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2221396/posts

Terrorist Alert: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com ^ | Friday, April 03, 2009 | By Jamie Glazov
Posted on April 3, 2009 4:50:13 AM PDT by Cindy

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2009/04/of-drones-guns-and-cooperation/

“Of Drones, Guns and Cooperation”
By Jay Fraser on April 3, 2009 at 7:35 AM

http://www.longwarjournal.org/fastsearch?tag=Pakistan
http://www.longwarjournal.org/fastsearch?tag=Al%20Qaeda

#

Note: Photo included.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/us_launches_first_st.php

“US launches first strike in Arakzai tribal agency”
By BILL ROGGIO
April 1, 2009 5:59 AM

http://www.longwarjournal.org/fastsearch?tag=Lashkar-e-Taiba

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http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/let

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/lashkaretaiba_leader.php

“Lashkar-e-Taiba leader said to be in Pakistani custody directs operations in Kashmir”
By BILL ROGGIO
April 3, 2009 12:14 AM

A sketch of Yusuf Muzammil from Maharashtra State Police.

SNIPPET: “A senior Lashkar-e-Taiba military commander behind the Mumbai terror assault and thought to be in Pakistani custody is directing complex military operations into India-held Kashmir, according to intelligence intercepts by Indian intelligence agencies.

Yusuf Muzammil, the senior operations director for the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been overheard by Indian intelligence requesting Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Sallahuddin “to push a large number of militant cadres into the state” of Kashmir and Jammu, The Times of India reported.

Muzammil is said to have planned the winter infiltration operations, which requires elite forces from the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and other allied terrorist groups to push through the treacherous snow-covered winter passages along the northern end of the Line of Control into Indian-held Kashmir.

The fighters are said to be well trained for high-altitude and cold-weather environments and well equipped to survive the dangerous crossings. The groups are equipped with global positioning systems and cold-weather gear, The Hindu reported.”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53779

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Five Enemy Fighters

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2009 – Afghan and coalition forces killed five enemy fighters in operations yesterday and overnight in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, military officials reported.

The overnight operation in the province’s Nad Ali district, targeted a mid-level Taliban commander responsible for attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, including a suicide-bomber attack on the Musa Qala Bazaar and an attack on coalition forces that killed 12 Afghan civilians in Musa Qala, both in December.

Upon arriving at the targeted compound, assault forces killed two guards who attempted to engage them. Afghan forces called out for all noncombatants to leave the compound, and two armed militants who didn’t comply were killed during the assault on the building they occupied. Forces removed AK-47 assault rifles, shotguns and chest racks from the compound, preventing militants from using them against civilians or Afghan and coalition Forces.

Five men, 10 women and 21 children were protected during the operation, with no collateral damage reported to the compound, officials said.

In northern Helmand yesterday, a combined force on a combat reconnaissance patrol was attacked by insurgents with small-arms, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire. The combined forces closed in on enemy fighting positions and returned fire, killing one attacker.

In a separate incident, a coalition forces convoy vehicle struck a roadside bomb, damaging an ambulance carrying medical personnel and supplies on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to villages in Helmand’s Kajaki district. No injuries were reported.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)

Previously...

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53761

“Joint Forces Kill 20 Militants, Destroy Bomb Plant in Afghanistan”

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2009

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53769

Coalition Air Weapons Team Strikes Roadside Bombers in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, April 3, 2009 – A Multinational Division Baghdad air weapons team engaged four armed men who were spotted planting a roadside bomb north of Taji, Iraq, last night, military officials reported.

The attack left one of the would-be bombers dead and wounded two others.

The men, believed to be members of the “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group, were seen emplacing an object in the road, near a critical road junction, with lookouts posted several meters away. The largely rural area north of Baghdad has been the scene of several attacks in the past few months, officials said.

A quick-reaction force from 56th Striker Brigade Combat Team moved to the scene after the strike and found one of the men dead. Two others were found wounded in a nearby empty house, and four assault rifles were recovered. The fourth man was not found.

Coalition soldiers provided first aid to the wounded men and medical evacuation under guard for further treatment at a coalition forces medical facility. They turned the body of the man killed over to local authorities for identification.

Initial investigation revealed that at least one of the men had served in the Sons of Iraq program, officials said.

“Hostile acts will be engaged,” Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger, Multinational Division Baghdad commander, said. “While we value our Sons of Iraq brothers, these men had broken faith with their fellow Sons of Iraq, the Iraqi people and us.”

The two wounded men will be taken into custody, pending investigation by Iraqi police, officials said.

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)