Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - August 2006

[nwctwx]

Syria Tells Troops to Be Ready for Battle
(Full Story)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has placed his military on full alert, citing "regional challenges", and vowed to continue supporting the "Palestinian and Lebanese resistance more than ever".

In a speech to mark the Syrian Army national day, Mr Assad said the volatile situation across the Middle East required "vigilance, preparation and readiness" and ordered all units of the armed forces to be on alert.

The comments were interpreted by Israel as a morale booster to the Syrian armed forces and not a call to battle. Israeli intelligence chiefs have assessed that Syria is not in the mood for an open war and is instead content to resupply Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon.

	Iranian Cleric Asks Muslims to Send Weapons to Hezbollah
	Blair Says Syria, Iran Risk Confrontation
	Iran and Syria Beat the Drums of War

Thread Thirty-Nine

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[Velveeta]

Can you go home early?

[freeperfromnj]

I probably could but I don't want to be a wimp. I refuse to be intimidated by these people. I will just hop on NJ Transit and help look out for suspicious looking swarthy middle easterners with backpacks (drinking Gatorade). LOL

[JellyJam]

Boo-hoo!

Muslims fear backlash over terror plot

[Deetes]

BUMP !!!

[watchwoman]

Good idea! I did not get that good a look at him myself, but I'll have my daughters check later.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Update #1 directly from Denver International.

Security took a whopping 11 minutes from the entrance to the screening line until I had my shoes back on on the other side. The only thing out of the ordinary was a double check on my I.D. The screener looked at my photo, then at me, then at the photo and back at me again and said have a nice flight. No additional searches of my luggage or my person. I didn't even take my belt off. I was asked if I was in possession of any liquids and informed them I dumped my shaving cream, toothpaste and lens solution at the hotel. And that was it.

I did notice each station was busy with direct passenger searches with the hand wands which was unusual. Also, the entire TSA team was meeting for the shift that just finished and I overheard a part of the conversation to learn there have been very few customers who were in any way irate.

And one other unusual sight. Ever local TV station had a crew there doing passenger interviews.

Honestly, I expected and hoped for a more thorough security process. I also noticed nothing unusual outside of the airport either.

[JellyJam]

AP:

An American law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation said it appeared the liquid to be used was a “peroxide-based solution” to be detonated by an electronic device that was not specified, but could be anything from a disposable camera to a portable digital music player.

[Velveeta]

I don't think it'd be wimping out to beat any traffic nightmares.
But I hear ya.

[Velveeta]

Man, they're fast with the victim thing.
Cry me a river.

[Velveeta]

;-)

[Velveeta]

Thanks for the update.
Perhaps TSA is catching on that they need to "profile".

[Velveeta]

CNN states some of them worked AT Heathrow airport.

[JellyJam]

Good Lord.

[nwctwx]

U.S. Says Terrorists Planned Dry Run

The terrorist attack foiled by British authorities on Thursday was aimed at blowing up as many as 10 airplanes on trans-Atlantic flights, and plotters hoped to stage a dry run within two days, according to U.S. intelligence officials.

The actual attack would have followed within days.

One official said the suicide attackers planned to use a peroxide- based solution that could ignite when sparked by a camera flash or another electronic device.

The test run was designed to see whether the plotters would be able to smuggle the needed materials aboard the planes, these officials said. They spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

[JellyJam]

My guess: Aug. 11.

[freeperfromnj]

Bookmark for evening update

[JellyJam]

[Velveeta]

>>>>My guess: Aug. 11.

Yep.

8+11 = 19

[Velveeta]

ping to 758

[Rushmore Rocks]

What is in place to prevent 'those who would do us harm' from secreting chemicals in body cavities? IIRC, some Chechnyan women used that method, or were planning, to gain entree on some Russian flights.

I wouldn't like it, but I am willing to forego carry on items in the interest of security. But, this blue-eyed blonde granny will not submit to a cavity search by anyone but her gynecologist.

Also, I heard that some of those arrested actually worked at Heathrow. Are drinks still being served on the flights? I would worry that the bottled water, juices, booze and sodas could be compromised.

Just some random thoughts from a cluttered mind.