Threat Matrix: September 2007

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[nwctwx]

The Birth of al Qaedastan

In the year 2016, the world may find itself gloomily marking September 6 as the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Islamic Emirate of Waziristan. The Emirate received de facto recognition when the Taliban used the name on the ceasefire agreement they signed with Pakistan on that day in 2006. If things go terribly wrong in the coming decade, they could come to rule a mountainous fragment of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Emirate would be a nightmare state: Osama bin Laden as sultan, Ayman al Zawahiri as vizier, and Mullah Omar the spiritual leader. An economy built on smuggling and heroin. Primary export: terrorism. Welcome to ‘Al Qaedastan’.

Analysts say the rise of a terrorist state straddling the rugged area between Pakistan and Afghanistan is now viable. The reason is a number of troubling trends. One, the revival of a Taliban firmly in the control of Al Qaeda. Two, the seeming inability of either Kabul or Islamabad to defeat the new threat militarily. Three, and the most striking, the Taliban’s systematic supplanting of the traditional tribal leadership in the area. Full story...

	Lebanon: Tiny Country, Big Threats
	Islamist Web Site Explains 'How to Join Al Qaeda'
	The Ongoing Hunt for Osama bin Laden

Threat Matrix:
September 2007

August 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

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Preparedness

[Alice in Wonderland]

They sure aren't in NYC.

MTA didn't tell us of dirty bomb scare: officers

The threat was unconfirmed, but specific: Al Qaeda terrorists driving box trucks laden with nuclear-laced bombs were heading to New York City.

The NYPD went on alert, but MTA officers assigned to guard key bridges and tunnels weren't told what to look for, officers told the Daily News.

Instead of information, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority passed out new, pager-sized radiation detectors with a memo on how to use them.

"We didn't know what we were looking for, or how to use the radiation detectors," said an MTA Bridges and Tunnels officer stationed outside the Midtown Tunnel. "We find out the next day by reading the newspapers that it was a dirty bomb scare, truck and bombs."

The Aug. 10 scare proved false, but MTA Bridges and Tunnels cops said the lack of information and haphazard distribution of new technology are typical of an organization more interested in collecting tolls and moving traffic than in safety.

"They'll give us two weeks of training for how to collect tolls, making sure we charge a three-axle truck more than a two-axle, but no field training on what a bomb might look like, how to stop cars or use this radiation detector," said an officer who works at the Verrazano Bridge.

An MTA spokesman confirmed radiation detectors were handed out the night of the dirty bomb scare, but called them replacement pagers that did not require additional training.

"All proper procedures were followed and communicated, and personnel and equipment were deployed as appropriate during the August alert," said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin. "We will not comment on the details of our security measures."

The MTA has nearly 1,000 armed peace officers and supervisors working at the Midtown and Battery tunnels and its seven major bridges: the Whitestone, Verrazano, Triborough, Marine Parkway, Henry Hudson, Throgs Neck and Cross Bay. They are a separate entity from the MTA police.

Bridges and Tunnels officers said dozens of pager-sized radiation detectors were given out Aug. 10 during the dirty bomb scare, but only a couple of dozen newly hired officers had any formal training in using them.

"A lot of the guys aren't sure how to turn them off, so they take the batteries out and put them back in," said one disgusted officer. Others said they are unsure if the stationary radiation detectors at the entrances to most crossings even work.

"The authority is about money. So they don't want us holding up traffic and keeping hundreds of commuters waiting while we stop and check a van that has an expired license," said an officer at the Verrazano.

Officers said they faced a similar information blackout in July when a Con Ed steampipe burst in midtown. The 911 calls came about 5:57 p.m., and within an hour the NYPD put out notice it wasn't a terror attack. "We knew none of this," said an MTA Bridges and Tunnels officer. "One of our lieutenants briefly closed the [Midtown] Tunnel for about four minutes, and then was given the order to reopen it."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/2007/09/10/2007-09-10_mta_didnt_tell_us_of_dirty_bomb_scare_of-4.html

[Oorang]

I can’t believe that they are without consequence and that UBL popped out of the shadows after such a long break for no reason.

I agree. I can see where they wouldn't want to attack on 9/11 as that would be expected and security would be at such a high level. I can also see where if they didn't come out with some message on 9/11 it would be a great psychological disadvantage to the muslim street. Of course, this is all complete speculation on my part. I'm just glad that all is calm on the western front.

[KylaStarr]

How sad. They are so into making that almighty buck that security just can wait.

disgusting.

[Velveeta]

Well, yeah...looks like MTA has some communication issues.

[Cindy]

This IS very good news.

Thank you Oorang.

[Cindy]

Well, only if you add pork rinds to go with the chef salad.

[Oorang]

You’re welcome Cindy.

[Cindy]

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

"If you see something; say something. In other words, report it.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Any news of late on Omar (Mark) Weston in Mexico? He is one of those names I have kept a tag on:

http://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&safe=off&q=%22omar+weston%22&btnG=Search

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22omar+weston%22+salafi&btnG=Google+Search

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. Very interesting.

[Cindy]

I haven’t seen anything new, Right Handed Writer.

[Cindy]

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

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894989/posts

Sabotaging Mexico
IBD Editorials ^ | 11 Sep 2007 | Staff

Posted on 09/11/2007 5:07:15 PM PDT by IBD editorial writer

Terrorism: Another six blasts at Mexico’s energy infrastructure Sunday drove world natural gas prices higher. But the probable real intention was to destabilize Mexico by destroying its economy. Who benefits here?

Thus far, no one has claimed responsibility for the coordinated attack in Veracruz that blew up six natural gas pipelines, cut off critical energy to Mexico’s two biggest and most industrialized cities, and forced the evacuation of 12,000 residents.

The direct perpetrators are probably the Popular Revolutionary Army, or EPR, a newly re-formed terror group that was active two decades ago.

Recrudescing out of seemingly nowhere, it struck two gas pipelines in July in central Mexico and in a statement called that the beginning of a “national campaign of harassment against the interests of the oligarchy and this illegitimate government.”

The shadowy group isn’t bluffing. In a mere two months, it blew up a Sears building in Oaxaca, tried to blow up a bank, called in three bomb threats to the tallest building in Latin America to force the evacuation of 11,000 people, and left a car bomb in the garage to show their intents. Sunday’s pipeline attack is their worst act to date, and shows far more calculated planning and resources.

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

[thecabal]

Hi JP, good to see you again! I've been off the grid for the last few days due to some painful, but not serious, health problems.

I stopped listening to C2C when Art left. I just can't listen to a guy like Noory, who is a truther. Regardless, I can tell that there is a lot of uneasiness out there by the reactions that I'm seeing on the various forums that I haunt.

Take care and God bless.

[Cindy]

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
4-10 September 2007

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 4 to 10 September 2007.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Fifty two incidents have been reported since 28.01.2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Ships are advised to take extra precautions.

The 2006 Annual IMB Report on Piracy and Armed Attacks against Ships is now published. Please see the end of this page to order.

Suspicious crafts

Recently reported incidents

04.09.2007: 0001 LT Callao anchorage, Peru.
Robbers boarded a container ship, tied up the watchman and stole ship’s stores crews’ personal effects. Local authorities and agents informed but did not get any assistance.

09.09.2007: 0030 LT: 06:15.43S - 108:27.23E, Balongan anchorage, Indonesia.
Two robbers boarded an anchored tanker. They broke the store lock and stole ship’s property. They tried to lower the stolen items into a waiting boat but could not do so as the boat had drifted away due to engine failure and the current. Alert crew raised alarm and two crew confronted the robbers who jumped overboard. However, they could not board their boat which was adrift. One robber hung to the ballast overboard discharge on the stbd side and the other robber had drifted away due to current and swell. All crew gathered on deck and rescued the other robber. Indonesian navy and police were informed and were told about the adrift boat and the missing robber. The authorities managed to tow the boat but could not find the missing robber. The authorities boarded the ship for investigation and the master handed over the robber. No injuries to crew and nothing stolen.

[Cindy]

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Homeland-Security-ramps-up-screening-for-private-planes/1$14242

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
“Homeland Security ramps up screening for private planes”
Mimi Hall, USA Today

[Cindy]

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_1189515509899.shtm

“Testimony of Secretary Michael Chertoff Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security ‘Confronting the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland: Six Years After 9/11’”
Release Date: September 10, 2007
Washington, D.C.
September 10, 2007

[Cindy]

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=IA38807

Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 388
September 12, 2007 No.388

“Saudi Press Reactions to Involvement of Saudi Nationals in Terrorist Activity”
By Y. Admon*

[Quix]

Here’s a devotional

PRAYER THREAD

related to some dreams . . .

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1895065/posts?page=11

That may be of interest to some of the Threat Matrix.

[Cindy]

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

Note: Photos included.

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP171207

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1712
September 12, 2007 No.1712

“Islamist Websites Monitor Project No. 136
Iraqi Militant Group “The Arrows of God” Releases the German Hostage Hannelore Marianne Krause but Threatens to Kill Her Son”

SNIPPET: “On September 11, 2007, the Islamist website http://ekhlaas.org, hosted by Layered Technologies, Inc. in Texas, USA, posted a video message by the Islamist group “The Arrows of God,” announcing the release of the German hostage Hannelore Marianne Krause, who was kidnapped with her son Sinan in March 2007. The message explains that she is being released as a reward for her decision to embrace Islam, but reiterates the threat to kill her son within 10 days unless the German government withdraws its forces from Afghanistan.”

[Cindy]

Thank you Quix.