Threat Matrix: February 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

How al-Qaida Fared in 2006
-Full Story-

In 2006, agents of al-Qaida, as well as those inspired by its ideology, continued their attacks. Violence in Iraq intensified, and Afghanistan saw its bloodiest year since 2001.

Despite worsening chaos on those fronts, counterterrorist forces arrested and killed high-profile terrorists and kept the West free from attack. But these actions don't appear to have weakened the appeal of al-Qaida's agenda. "Home-grown" militants around the world joined its jihad, as regional fighting heightened perceptions of a global war on Islam.

Here's an assessment of some of the most significant gains and losses for al-Qaida last year: Read more..

	Azzam the American: The Making of an al Qaida Homegrown
	Islamic Cells of Revenge Joins the al Qaida Movement
	Most Dangerous Destinations 2007

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[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777773/posts?page=29#29

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777867/posts?page=2#2

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777867/posts


India, Russia to jointly develop Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
Asian News International ^

Posted on 02/02/2007 2:39:59 AM PST by HAL9000

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 2 (ANI): Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of the Delhi based BrahMos Aerospace Centre A Sivathanu Pillai said here that India and Russia are working towards developing a Hypersonic Cruise Missile, a more advanced version of the BrahMos.

Calling India a leader in the category of the supersonic missile system owing to the success of the BrahMos Cruise Missiles, Pillai, who is also the Chief Controller of the Research and Development wing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reiterated that the leadership can be sustained through mutual efforts.

The 2.8 Mach supersonic speed makes the BrahMos unique as all other cruise missiles are sub-sonic at present. It has a much-longer strike range, and is an ultimate force-multiplier.

Pillai also added that India was also contemplating configuring a new weapon system which would be more advanced than Brahmos. Pillai said Russian Defence Minister Sergei Borisvich Ivanov, during his visit to India in January had held discussions on the ways and means to go beyond BrahMos.

The discussions were on the lines of sustainability and strength to be introduced in the current line of production.

Both partners are looking at improvised and advanced features in the new weapon system which includes pin-pointed accuracy on various types of targets, user-friendly design, more commercial viability and greater cost-effectiveness.

The plan which will bring together specialized panels of experts from both countries, hopes to get crystallised in another six to twelve months, added Pillai.

Pillai also confirmed that an under-sea launch version of BrahMos was ready to be test fired.

Considering the huge market for cruise missiles, it was decided during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi during the Republic Day parade, to sell at least 1000 of the jointly-developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to friendly countries in the near future. The export version will basically be the anti-ship variant of the 290-kilometre range BrahMos, already inducted into Indian Navy. (ANI)

[ExSoldier]

Thanks, Ian.

[Cindy]

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

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Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777875/posts


Iran 'working feverishly' on nuclear bunker: UN Atomic Agency
cbc ^ | February 2, 2007 | cbc

Posted on 02/02/2007 3:29:03 AM PST by Flavius

Iran appears to be pushing ahead with construction plans to build a site capable of making nuclear warheads in defiance of Western opposition, UN observers said.

Diplomats in Tehran said Friday Iran has begun laying down piping and installing electric cables for its underground uranium enrichment plant, with hundreds of workers hired to complete the bunker as quickly as possible.

The technicians "were working feverishly" at the Natanz underground facility, putting in the wiring needed for the centrifuges to spin uranium into enriched levels, one of three diplomats accredited to the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday. The UN nuclear watchdog organization has been monitoring Iran's nuclear program.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was confidential.

Once the project is wrapped up, the Tehran may have the potential with its uranium enrichment program to manufacture weapons-grade uranium, which could be used in atomic bombs.

The news of Iran assembling the machines for uranium enrichment will escalate the confrontation between the Islamic republic and the world's major powers over Iran's nuclear program.

Dozens of countries, including the U.S., fear Iran will harness the resources to make warheads, but Iran has maintained it only wants to generate power. With files from the Associated Press

[Cindy]

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

[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 Feb 02 2007 03:56:10 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777887/posts

Skip to comments.

Al Qaida attacks music stores, western-dressed women in Gaza
World Tribune.com ^ | January 31, 2007

Posted on 02/02/2007 4:02:58 AM PST by wgflyer

Al Qaida cells have come to Hamas's aid in the militia war against Fatah, particularly in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian sources said purported Al Qaida operatives have joined or led attacks on Fatah targets in Gaza City, Beit Hanoun and Beit Layhia, regarded as the remaining Fatah bastions in the strip, Middle East Newsline reported.

Al Qaida cells have claimed responsibility for strikes on music stores and places of entertainment in the Gaza Strip. The cells have also attacked women in Western dress.

(Excerpt) Read more at worldtribune.com ...

[Cindy]

RECAP:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777201/posts


"New Fears: The Return of a Superterrorist (Most Dangerous Besides Osama = MUGNIYAH)"
Newsweek ^ | 1/31 for 2/5 edition | Hosenball, Bahari & Chen

Posted on 01/31/2007 8:52:21 PM PST by cgk

[Cindy]

RECAP:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1765132/posts


"MI chief: Dozens, maybe hundreds, of al-Qaeda operative arrived in Lebanon"
Yediot Ahronoth ^ | January 10, 2007 | Miri Chason

Posted on 01/09/2007 11:34:32 PM PST by HAL9000

[Cindy]

RECAP:

Regarding Al Qaeda and Nablus

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1761584/posts?page=643#643

[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 Feb 02 2007 04:14:22 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 Feb 02 2007 04:15:05 GMT-0800.

LEBANON

December 22, 2006

[PGalt]

Thanks, Ian. Thanks to all contributors to this thread. BTTT!

[Cindy]

THANKS for reading PGalt.

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3124.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=senegal

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

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Off Topic...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777886/posts



"Macon, Ga., mayor converts to Islam, wants to change his name"
The Macon Telegraph ^ | Feb 02, 2007 | Matt Barnwell

Posted on 02/02/2007 4:02:25 AM PST by deaconjim

ARTICLE SNIPPET: MACON, Ga. - Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has converted to Islam and is now working to legally change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis.

Ellis, who was raised Christian, said Thursday that he became a Sunni Muslim during a December ceremony in the west African nation of Senegal."

[Cindy]

ADDING another article to post 53:

CNS NEWS.com: "IRANIANS WORKING WITH HAMAS IN GAZA, FATAH SAYS" by Julie Stahl (February 2, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200702/NAT20070202b.html

"Watchdog Worried About U.S. Meetings With Canada, Mexico"
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
February 02, 2007

[Cindy]

Off Topic but Great Advice:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1777893/posts

"Having Chest Pain? Short of Breath? Don't Drive!"
60Gunner

Posted on 02/02/2007 4:42:31 AM PST by 60Gunner

[Cindy]

http://www.memri.org/jihad.html

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP145007

"Special Dispatch Series - No. 1450"
February 2, 2007 No.1450

Islamist Websites Monitor Project No. 59

[freeperfromnj]

Thanks for the new thread!

[SlowBoat407]

I'm in!

/resuming semi-lurk mode