Replies

There has been talk the last couple days of all the old tapes being rerun, so are some of the messages.

I have a google alert set for al-Battar, this came in minutes ago. I think it was the last issue, but could be wrong, almost exactly one year. Is this also the issue that advised the terrorist to wear western clothes and carry a boombox? Or was that a later issue?
granny.....

http://jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2368849

Volume 1, Issue 8 (November 12, 2004)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Radical Clerics in the Firing Line
Options Narrow for Avoiding an Insurgency in Southern Thailand
Al-Battar Number 22 Released
A New Leader for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula?
How to Become a Mujahid

Al-Battar Number 22 Released

By Stephen Ulph

On November 10 the latest issue of al-Qaeda's online journal Mu'askar al-Battar (no. 22) was posted on al-Ma'sada, a jihadist internet forum (www.alm2sda.net – section "Jihadi Cells' [Muntada al-Khalaya al-Jihadiyya]). Outside the standard on-going features on weaponry – in this issue specializing on the use of revolvers in close combat, and a detailed chapter on the Apache helicopter - the themes of the issue focus on bin Laden's address to the U.S., the latest audio tape released by al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia and the progress of the struggle for Fallujah.

The editor highlights bin Laden's audio address threatening the United States with financial ruin through attrition, and the evidence that "the mujahideen have finally forced Bush to have recourse to an emergency budget in order to continue the fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, which indicates the success of the plan to exhaust [them] to the point of bankruptcy, God willing". (al-Battar p.19).

The editor notes with satisfaction the reaction of the world's press, from al-Quds al-Arabi's description of al-Qaeda as having restored its ranks, and of bin Laden as "a political genius" putting his deep knowledge of political events "to the service of issues affecting his nation". Or Jason Burke's description in the UK daily the Guardian of bin Laden as "one of the greatest masters of propaganda in history" who is "fighting to defend his faith, culture and Islamic society against the western campaign waged against Muslims". The editor also quotes the San Jose Mercury in its description of how "American and Saudi intelligence were struck and paralyzed" by the tape, and Newsweek's description by a U.S. official of the "psychological shock" caused by the appearance of bin Laden on the television screens, highlighting the failure to locate him. al-Battar also publishes its take on the casualties suffered by the coalition in Iraq. Since the beginning of Ramadan, the losses amount to 6,700 coalition soldiers, 550 pieces of equipment destroyed or crippled and 27 aircraft including an F16. (al-Battar pp.19-21).

The Chapter on Istikhbarat (Intelligence Gathering) provides some interesting notes on how to accumulate intelligence on a potential target. It prioritizes them thus: 1) the media, from which 70 per cent of information may be derived; 2) telephone interception, which accounts for 25 per cent; and 3) human intelligence (espionage) which provides three to four percent of intelligence material. "On arriving at a new zone", the text explains, "the following method should be observed: obtain the local telephone directory, tourist maps and newspapers, change your outward guise, avoid places where you may be exposed to danger, familiarize yourself with the local standards of security, culture, society, ethics and services." (al-Battar pp.36-37).

22 November 2005

In light of recent developments in Iran, we encourage you to
read:

"Intelligence Brief: Iran"
http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=385

Economic Brief: The Blue Stream Gas Pipeline
Drafted By: Dr. Federico Bordonaro
http://www.pinr.com

On November 17, the Blue Stream gas pipeline between Turkey
and Russia was officially inaugurated. Its construction,
undertaken by Russia, Turkey and Italy -- involving a joint
venture between Russia's gas giant Gazprom and Italy's energy
major ENI -- began in 1997. At that time, it was sharply criticized
as technically flawed (it runs at a record depth of 2,150 meters
below the sea) and politically inopportune (since it was said to
dangerously increase Turkey's dependence on Russia's gas
supply).

Blue Stream's implementation confirms that Russia is using its
vast oil and gas reserves as a geopolitical wildcard. For instance,
on Blue Stream's inauguration day, Russian President Vladimir
Putin already proposed the construction of new Russian-Turkish
oil and gas pipelines.

Additionally, the success of Blue Stream highlights once again
the major economic and strategic stakes of the broad area
linking the southeastern Balkans, the Black Sea region and the
Caspian Sea. Russia, Turkey, the E.U. powers and the U.S. are
all involved in a complex geoeconomic competition.

Turkey: the Energy Bridge Between Russia and the E.U.

The Blue Stream gas pipeline runs from the Izobilnoy gas plant in
southern Russia across the Black Sea bed to the Turkish port of
Samsun. The Russian section is 373 kilometers long (232 miles)
and the Black Sea's section from Djugba to Samsun is 309
kilometers long (192 miles). Once in Turkey, the pipeline
continues from Samsun to Ankara for about 501 kilometers (311
miles).

Continued..........

Note: Ricin and bomb making info found: Two Heros!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1526722/posts

Mall Suspect: 'Just follow the screams' (Two US
soldiers help take down gunman)
AP via Frankfort Times ^ | 11/22/05 | Curt Woodward - AP

Posted on 11/22/2005 7:12:27 AM PST by GovGirl

Mall Suspect: 'Just Follow the Screams'

By CURT WOODWARD, Associated Press Writer

TACOMA, Wash. - A man accused of a shooting spree at a crowded
shopping mall told authorities to "just follow the screams" when he
called them shortly before opening fire with a pair of assault weapons,
according to court documents released Monday.

Plans for making bombs and the poison ricin were later found after a
search of the man's car and bedroom, prosecutors said. Dominick
Sergio Maldonado, 20, was ordered held on $2 million bail after
pleading innocent Monday to multiple charges that included
first-degree assault.

Continued at above link..........