Threat Matrix: January 2007

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[nwctwx]

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]

Note: The following text is quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62466

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Nepal Terai Region Warning
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Nepal
25 Jan 2007

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10 Jan 2007
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Nepal Travel Warning
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu released the following Warden Message on January 25, 2007:

This warden's message is being issued to alert American citizens to the security situation in Nepal's Terai region. American citizens are urged to exercise special caution and should be particularly vigilant about their personal safety.

Maoist splinter groups in the Terai continue to kidnap and murder Nepalese citizens. Additionally, there has been political agitation and civil unrest, including violent clashes between political groups and the Maoists as well as inter-communal violence and opportunistic criminality. Recently, protestors attacked vehicles belonging to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the National Human Rights Commission. The random, unpredictable nature of attacks and demonstrations creates a risk to Americans of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Recently, violent protesters burned vehicles, threw rocks and burned tires to block traffic during street demonstrations.

Demonstrations can occur with little or no advanced notice and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and the Embassy's website (http://nepal.usembassy.gov) for current security information.

Given the nature, intensity and unpredictability of disturbances, U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nepal should factor the potential for violence into their plans, exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel during these periods and maintain a low profile. U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Department of State's travel registration site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by personal appearance at the Consular Section. The Consular Section is located at the Yak and Yeti Hotel complex on Durbarmarg Street. The section can be reached directly at (977) (1) 444-5577 or through the Embassy switchboard. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security.

For further information about security conditions in Nepal, American citizens are encouraged to refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and the current Travel Warning for Nepal issued on December 08, 2006(http://travel.state.gov). American citizens are also encouraged to refer to the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement for additional travel safety and security information. These documents are available on the homepage of the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://nepal.usembassy.gov. The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains an information line at 1-888-407-4747 toll free or (202) 501-4444 Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. Government holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Specific information may also be obtained by calling the Embassy at 977-1-444-5577 during working hours and at 977-1-441-1179 during evenings and weekends and asking for the Embassy Duty Officer.

[Cindy]

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

---

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07010140.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com


Thursday, January 25, 2007

Muslim Gunman Attacks Somali House Church, Injuring Leader

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (ANS) -- A Muslim gunman opened fire on a Somali house church where Christians were worshipping on January 2, seriously injuring the church leader.
According to the he Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org , the worshippers were attacked in the Southern town of Tayeglow, 320 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu.

ICC says the leader of the house church, known as "S," was hit by gunfire several times and assumed dead for about an hour before he regained consciousness. He is currently seeking medical care and his status is critical. The gunman is reportedly still threatening other Christians in the surrounding area.


Somalia Map
The ICC report states: "During the last month, Ethiopian troops assisted the provisional Somali government in pushing back the powerful Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) which had taken over and imposed Sharia law in much of Southern Somalia. Ethiopia and Somalia have been engaged in two other wars in the past. For many Somalis, Ethiopia is the enemy, and because most Somalis are Muslim, and Ethiopia is considered Christian, Somalis view Christians as enemies also. In fact, there are gunmen in the country who believe they are fully justified in attacking and killing innocent Christians."

Although the UIC is not currently in power, the combination of fresh anti-Ethiopian sentiment and the last ten years of civil and governmental chaos will likely worsen an already deadly situation for Somali Christians in 2007, the ICC report added.

Jeff King, President of ICC, said, "Even though the UIC took a thorough beating from Ethiopian forces, it does not mean they have disappeared or have no lingering influence. The desire to oppress Christianity existed long before Ethiopia put pressure on Somalia, and this house church attack is a red flag for an increase in violence and persecution for Christian believers in the Horn of Africa.”

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

ICC (International Christian Concern) www.persecution.org.
Contact Jeff King President, 301-989-1708, icc@persecution.org

Address postal inquiries to:
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave # 941
Washington , DC 20006

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

[Cindy]

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

---

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07010143.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com


Thursday, January 25, 2007

Pakistani Christian Accused of Blasphemy for Asking for Her Property Back

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Police have arrested a Pakistani Christian woman on false charges of blasphemy against Islam.
Martha Bibi, who lives in Kot Nanka Singh, a small village of 400 families in Pakistan’s Kasur District, was accused of blasphemy after she requested the return of building materials she had lent to a group of Muslims building a mosque. She was taken into custody on Monday, January 22.


ICC Logo
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org says Martha and her husband, Butta Masih, run a small shop that sells building materials. About one-and-a-half months ago, a group of Muslims came to borrow bamboos and logs for a building project at the local mosque. However, no one came to return the material that had been borrowed.

In an e-mail Press Release, ICC says: "When Martha went to ask what had happened to the building materials, she got into a fierce argument with a shop-owner near the mosque, but did not even mention religion. The woman she argued with told her husband, Mohammad Ramzan, that Martha blasphemed the prophet Muhammad. Ramzan was so enraged that he gathered his neighbors and stirred them into a frenzy to march on Martha’s home. According to Butta, 'A large furious mob had assembled and marched toward our home. I had reached home by then. We requested our neighbor Muhammad Rashid Mughal to hide us in his home which they allowed.'"

ICC says that accompanied and supported by police, the mob reached Butta and Martha’s house at 10:00pm. Butta’s parents decided to remain in the house while Butta and Martha hid in their neighbor’s home.

Butta said: "The fuming mob threatened my parents that our house would be gutted out if they had not handed us to them."

The ICC report states: "For two hours the mob threatened this Christian family and searched their house. At 12:00am they finally dispersed, and Butta and Martha came out of hiding and returned home. A relative of their neighbor Rashid came and said that the people wanted to burn Martha. He offered to speak for her innocence, but when they left to go speak to the leaders of the mob, the police accosted her and took her away in their patrol wagon. Butta said, 'We could not dare to go to the Changa Manga Police Station because we were terror-stricken and left the place early in the morning in fear of our life.'"

Butta and Martha have five children, ranging from teenagers to a nine year-old.

Jeff King, ICC’s President, said, "In the past two weeks we have witnessed progress in Pakistan with the release of two Christians falsely accused of blasphemy. Martha’s case is no different, and she will also experience the same long legal process and will likely be acquitted just as the two men were last week. Pakistanis ought to be ashamed that such a mockery is being made of their legal system. Accusing a Christian of blasphemy to get them arrested is no way to resolve an argument. It is high time for Pakistan to repeal its infamous blasphemy laws."

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

ICC (International Christian Concern) web address: www.persecution.org. Contact Jeff King President, 301-989-1708, icc@persecution.org

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

[Cindy]

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

===
===

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 26 2007 03:25:22 GMT-0800.

LEBANON

December 22, 2006

===
===

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=syria&ID=SP144107

"Special Dispatch Series - No. 1441"
January 26, 2007 No.1441

Recent Saudi-Iranian Contacts to Resolve the Lebanon Crisis

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3357231,00.html

IDF explodes 2 Hizbullah bunkers in north

Published: 01.26.07, 11:00

Special IDF units operating along the northern border uncovered two Hizbullah bunkers some 400 meters (0.2 miles) east of the Biranit outpost, in Israeli territory.

The bunkers contained food and digging tools used by Hizbullah terrorists before the war. The IDF forces conducted a controlled-detonation of the bunkers. (Hanan Greenberg)

[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 26 2007 03:28:57 GMT-0800.

ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

January 17, 2007

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 26 2007 03:30:21 GMT-0800.

CRICKET WORLD CUP

January 12, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens about the Cricket World Cup sporting tournament taking place at several Caribbean locations from March 5 – April 28, 2007. The global popularity of cricket is expected to attract fans to the Caribbean. Americans planning travel to the Caribbean during this timeframe are strongly advised to be aware of tournament dates and locations, and take appropriate measures to safeguard their personal safety and property. All American citizens traveling to and from the Caribbean by air must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport.

Cricket World Cup matches are scheduled in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Increased demands on services in countries hosting the Cricket World Cup may strain the availability of taxis, emergency medical response, and other public services. The busy tourist season, already under way during the March – April period, will be affected by the the Cricket World Cup. U.S. citizens should take this into consideration in planning travel to the Caribbean islands. More information about the tournament, including match dates and locations, can be viewed at http://www.cricketworldcup.com.

The U.S. Government remains concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. Any large-scale public events like the Cricket World Cup, therefore, could be the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence. U.S. citizens planning to attend matches or participate in other large-scale public gatherings during the Cricket World Cup are advised to use caution and stay alert to their surroundings at all times. Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

U.S. citizens are advised to research entry requirements to Caribbean locations when planning a trip. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the U.S and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document for entry into the United States. People traveling by sea are strongly encouraged to obtain a passport for travel, but will not be required to have one for return from most Caribbean countries until January 1, 2008, at the earliest. To learn more about country-specific entry requirements, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html .

In order to ensure adequate processing time for new or renewed passports prior to travel, U.S. citizens are reminded to apply for their passports at least 4-6 weeks before departure. More information about how to apply for or renew a passport can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html .

U.S. citizens are also advised that due to higher than normal tourist volume in the Caribbean during the March – April timeframe, replacing lost or stolen passports could take up to several days depending on location. Especially in crowded areas, pickpocketing is a possibility. All travelers are urged to protect valuable personal items at all times, including passports, credit cards, jewelry and other personal valuables, in order to guard against loss or theft.

The Department of State urges Americans traveling overseas to ensure they have adequate medical insurance, including insurance for medical evacuations. Medicare recipients should know that Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise personal safety at all times and to travel with a friends or companions when visiting unfamiliar places. Practicing personal safety measures can effectively reduce the risk of being a victim of violent crime, sexual assault, general assault or extortion. For more information, see the State Department’s flyer Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html ).

U.S. citizens living or traveling to the Caribbean are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to their planned destination through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For additional information on the Cricket World Cup, please consult the Department of State's Cricket World Cup Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information and general travel information by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.

[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 26 2007 03:35:27 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

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

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

---

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1773979/posts


Report: Russia tracking IDF movements
Jerusalem Post ^ | 1-25-2007 | Yaakov KatzK& Herb Keinon

Posted on 01/26/2007 3:19:12 AM PST by M. Espinola

Russia maintains listening posts along the Syrian border with Israel which it uses to follow IDF movements in the Golan Heights, it was revealed Thursday night.

According to a report on Channel 2, the posts are manned by Russian military officers who pass on information to Hizbullah in Lebanon. Israel, The Jerusalem Post learned, has known about the posts for over a decade since they were established.

Russia's involvement in the Iranian nuclear program, as well as various state-of-the-art arms sales it has periodically made to both Syria and Iran, has caused some friction over the last few years in Russian-Israeli ties.

Diplomatic officials said that the while Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed with the Russians during his visit to Moscow in October the advanced Russian arms that were found in Hizbullah's possession during the summer's war in Lebanon, the issue of the listening posts was not brought up.

Russia most recently drew Israeli ire after completing a sale of advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Iran earlier this month.

[Cindy]

Warning: This video is graphic and disturbing.

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1773984/posts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ66sD1WyWY
"In the Name of god"
"This is a video response to Six Days War"
(Added January 12, 2007)

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/26sep06-salafy_forums.html

http://www.internet-haganah.com/haganah/internet.html

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Wanted_Terrorist

[Cindy]

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/01/25/video-us-forces-engage-mahdi-militia-in-baghdad/

QUOTE:

Video: US forces engage Mahdi militia in Baghdad
posted at 12:34 am on January 25, 2007 by Ian
Send to a Friend | printer-friendly

And they say there is no positive news in Iraq:

Content warning: Very strong language used.

[Cindy]

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=26627
"Constitutional Authority to Attack Iran"
By Henry Mark Holzer
FrontPageMagazine.com | January 26, 2007

[Cindy]

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

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http://www.wtop.com/?nid=598&sid=1044327

"Md. Prosecutors Seek Stronger Laws to Fight Gangs"
Jan 26th - 6:28am
By BRIAN WITTE Associated Press Writer

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)

[Velveeta]

From dogs to fighter jets, Super Bowl security a massive effort
http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/012607/D8MT0M900.shtml

[Godzilla]

Placemark

[Cindy]

Thanks to Calpernia for the ping to this post:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=911
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=september112001

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1774071/posts

"Fox News to air unseen "9/11" TV movie footage(Blame Clinton scenes back in)"
Reuters ^ | January 26, 2007 | Kimberly Nordyke

Posted on 01/26/2007 6:35:12 AM PST by Peach

[Calpernia]

I've been looking to buy that show [Path to 9/11] on DVD. I've not seen it available yet though.