Threat Matrix: February 2008

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[nwctwx]

Is the U.S. Failing in Afghanistan?

It was malice in wonderland at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday as Bush Administration envoys insisted things are getting better in Afghanistan, while angry lawmakers from both parties cited facts and figures showing just the opposite. Even the senior Republican on the panel, Senator Richard Lugar, found the Administration's claims wanting. "I'm not sure that we have a plan for Afghanistan," he said.

Long seen as the "forgotten war" eclipsed by Iraq in U.S. priorities, Afghanistan is in the Washington spotlight this week with the release of three independent reports concluding that without a change in U.S. policy there, the erstwhile sanctuary of Osama bin Laden would remain a failed state. Read More

	Why the Taliban Feel Confident
	Top US Officer Lauds al-Qaida Death
	US Air Strike Signals al-Qaida Onslaught

Threat Matrix:
February 2008

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[Cindy]

I wonder how common the name “Amjad” is?

Thanks Oorang.

#

Wry smile in spite of myself.
The encryption has been updated.

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Note to jihadis: You read us; good guys read you.

[Cindy]

blog:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28825_Scotland_Yard_Bugged_Muslim_MP&only

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3295393.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=2015164

From The Sunday Times
February 3, 2008
“Police bugged Muslim MP Sadiq Khan”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SCOTLAND YARD’S antiterrorist squad secretly bugged a high-profile Labour Muslim MP during private meetings with one of his constituents.

Sadiq Khan, now a government whip, was recorded by an electronic listening device hidden in a table during visits to the constituent in prison.”

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 122:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=babarahmad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=babar
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmad

[Godzilla]

4th cable - look to Iran

[Cindy]

OPINION:

Yes, that’s a possibility.

#

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964455/posts

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/04/2153455.htm

“Ships did not cut internet cables: Egypt”

Posted 4 hours 32 minutes ago

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Ships are not responsible for damaging undersea internet cables in the Mediterranean, Egypt’s Government says.

Two cables were damaged earlier this week in the Mediterranean sea and another off the coast of Dubai, causing widespread disruption to internet and international telephone services in Egypt, Gulf Arab states and South Asia.

A fourth cable linking Qatar to the United Arab Emirates was damaged on Sunday causing yet more disruptions, telecommunication provider Qtel said.

Egypt’s transport ministry said footage recorded by onshore video cameras of the location of the cables showed no maritime traffic in the area when the cables were damaged.”

[MamaDearest]

I wonder what the penalties are for that charge.

Oregon State Statutes

Please verify if I am reading this correctly:

Reckless Driving - Fine not to exceed $5,000.00.

Careless Driving - Fine not to exceed $300.00.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080131chicago.htm

Immigration fraud ringleader gets 3 years for arranging sham marriages

CHICAGO - An immigration fraud ringleader who conspired to arrange bogus marriages by pairing U.S. citizens and illegal aliens was sentenced in federal court today to three years in prison. The sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Jeremy Starnes, 32, of Chicago, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Wayne Anderson to 37 months in prison and three years supervised release for conspiring to commit marriage fraud to circumvent U.S. immigration laws.

Starnes pleaded guilty Sept. 19 to conspiring with others to arrange sham marriages between nine U.S. citizens and nine Eastern European foreign nationals. He admitted recruiting U.S. citizens by promising them $5,000 to enter into fraudulent marriages with foreign nationals. These sham marriages enabled the foreign nationals to illegally receive U.S. permanent residence and obtain what are commonly known as “green cards.” Starnes promised to pay the U.S. citizens the $5,000 in installments over the time period beginning on the day of the marriage and ending at the time the foreign national received a green card.

As part of the conspiracy, the U.S. citizens took steps to make each other’s marriage fraud appear to be legitimate. For example, they drove each other to and attended each other’s weddings, and they posed for photographs after the weddings; all the while they knew that the photos would be unlawfully used to support the legitimacy of the fraudulent marriages. Starnes also offered advice to the other defendants on what actions they needed to take to make their marriages appear legitimate.

Starnes himself entered into a sham marriage with a foreign national and falsely claimed to an immigration official that they had a child together in an effort to obtain a green card for the woman.

Starnes is one of 18 defendants originally charged in the conspiracy. To date, the investigation has resulted in 16 arrests and 13 guilty pleas.

“Our national security and public safety depend on an immigration system with integrity,” said Elissa Brown, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. “ICE is committed to identifying and dismantling marriage fraud rings that circumvent our immigration laws. We ensure that those involved in these crimes experience the full weight of the law.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General assisted ICE in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Drury successfully prosecuted the case against Starnes.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080130laredo.htm

Three sentenced for alien smuggling following ICE investigation
Smugglers operated in Laredo, Hebbronville, San Antonio, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

LAREDO - Two illegal aliens and a U.S. citizen were sentenced here Tuesday following their earlier guilty pleas for alien smuggling. These sentences resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

All three men were indicted in June. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez imposed the following sentences:

Oscar Laza-Villatoro, 31, a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced to four years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens Oct. 10.
Jose Escobar Ruiz, 43, a Mexican national, was sentenced to five years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens Aug. 22.
Louise Martinez, 23, a U.S. citizen and Laredo resident, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens Nov. 7.
“ICE and our law enforcement partners in Laredo will continue to work together to detect and apprehend lawbreakers,” said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio. “We will pursue and prosecute anyone who tries to use U.S. territories as a springboard to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States.”

ICE began working this investigation in the summer of 2006 after first being contacted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), another Department of Homeland Security agency. CBP had arrested four suspected alien transporters who later provided substantial information leading to the arrest of six smugglers operating in Laredo; Hebbronville; San Antonio; and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. They reportedly smuggled into the United States more than 200 illegal aliens per week.

The investigation revealed that the smugglers had distinct work roles. For example, Laza-Villatoro collected smuggling fees; Escobar-Ruiz organized the stash house locations in Laredo; and Martinez was the guide and transporter.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gracie Linburg Rodriguez, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

ICE encourages the public to report illegal activity to its toll-free hotline: 1- 866 DHS-2ICE, which is monitored 24 hours a day.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1964526/posts

#

Note: The folllowing news brief is a quote:

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0802047195102825.htm

Today: Monday February 04, 2008
Iran’s first space terminal inaugurated
Tehran, Feb 4, IRNA
Iran-Space-Ceremony

Iran’s first space terminal was inaugurated here on Monday in presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The country’s first space terminal comprises of Omid satellite, Iran’s first homemade developed research satellite which has been designed and constructed by the Iranian experts.

The Omid satellite will be launched in the near future.

Iran’s space terminal has been designed to send the Islamic Republic’s first homemade research satellite into orbit in the near future.

During the ceremony, President Ahmadinejad inspected different sections of the terminal.

The ceremony was attended by several ministers and a number of senior officials.

News sent: 10:28 Monday February 04, 2008

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

Adding on to post no. 97:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tinley_manhunt_04feb04,0,2490656.story

“6th victim alive, sources say
Woman gives description of Tinley Park gunman”

By Tara Malone and David Heinzmann | Tribune reporters
12:33 AM CST, February 4, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “They said they were pressing their search for an African-American man about 5 foot 9 and 260 pounds, dressed in black clothing.

Eric Woolfolk, who identified the body of his sister, Connie R. Woolfolk, said she was shot in the head. She also had bruises and her hands had been tied behind her back.

“He might have tortured her,” he said. “He couldn’t possibly have thought that [store] would be a good place to rob. This person is obviously a sick person.””

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964540/posts

Dimona, Israel - Two dead in suspected suicide bombing
Reuters (excerpt) ^ | February 4, 2008
Posted on 02/04/2008 12:51:52 AM PST by HAL9000
TWO DEAD IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE BOMBING IN SOUTHERN ISRAELI TOWN OF DIMONA - ZAKA EMERGENCY SERVICE

[Cindy]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3502364,00.html
(REUTERS)

“Report: Iran tests satellite rocket launcher”
Published: 02.04.08, 09:16 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Iran launched a rocket on Monday as a test for sending the Islamic Republic’s first homemade research satellite into orbit by March next year, state television reported.”

[Cindy]

UPDATING HERE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964540/posts

#

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964540/posts?page=6#6

UPDATE:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202064575658&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Feb 4, 2008 10:47 | Updated Feb 4, 2008 11:06
“At least three dead in Dimona suicide bombing attack”
By JPOST.COM STAFF

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Multiple casualties were reported in a blast in a Dimona commercial center.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Rosa Elberg, a resident of the town said that the bomber detonated his explosives inside a café.”

6 posted on 02/04/2008 1:11:44 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
To: All
READ THIS (especially if your are in Israel):

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/140933

AM
28 Shevat 5768, February 4, ‘08

“Dimona: Police Fear Second Bomber Prepared To Attack”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “(IsraelNN.com) Police fear that a second suicide bomber may be hiding in Dimona. At 10:30, a suicide bomber set off a blast at the old commercial center in Dimona and killed four people. It is not known if the bomber was among the dead, and initial reports indicated he was among three people critically wounded.

Police said there was no specific warning of an attack in the Negev delopement city, but Voice of Israel government radio reported there have been specific warnings of a terrorist attack in the Negev.”

7 posted on 02/04/2008 1:15:15 AM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3502360,00.html

4 Qassam rockets fired at Sderot; no injuries reported
Published: 02.04.08, 09:05 / Israel News

Four Qassam rockets were fired Monday morning from the northern Gaza Strip towards the southern town of Sderot.

One of the rockets landed inside the city, and the rest hit the Shaar Hanegev regional council. There were no reports of injuries or damage. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

UPDATING POST NO. 134 - Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964540/posts?page=9#9

UPDATE:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202064575658&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Feb 4, 2008 10:47 | Updated Feb 4, 2008 11:17
One Israeli killed in Dimona suicide bombing attack
By JPOST.COM STAFF

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “One Israeli was killed and several more were wounded in a suicide attack in a Dimona commercial center.

Police said the attack was a suicide bombing carried by two attackers, but only one succeeded in detonating his explosives. The other terrorist was killed by a police officer seconds before exploding.

Magen David Adom ambulances were treating several more wounded on the secene.

Rosa Elberg, a resident of the town said that the bomber detonated his explosives inside a café.”

9 posted on 02/04/2008 1:22:13 AM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/jan_22_29_08e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)

“News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation”
January 22-29, 2008

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1964540/posts?page=10#10

UPDATE:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202064575658&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Feb 4, 2008 10:47 | Updated Feb 4, 2008 11:17
One Israeli killed in Dimona suicide bombing attack
By JPOST.COM STAFF

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “One Israeli was killed and several more were wounded in a suicide attack in a Dimona commercial center.

Police said the attack was a suicide bombing carried by two attackers, but only one succeeded in detonating his explosives. The other terrorist was killed by a police officer seconds before exploding.

Magen David Adom ambulances were treating several more wounded on the secene.

Rosa Elberg, a resident of the town said that the bomber detonated his explosives inside a café.”

9 posted on 02/04/2008 1:22:13 AM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7225769.stm

Last Updated: Monday, 4 February 2008, 09:24 GMT

“Russian ship seized off Somalia”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Pirates have seized a Russian ship off the coast of Somalia, officials say.

The Svitzer Korsakov tug was taken to the port of Eyl in Somalia’s northern semi-autonomous Puntland region, the local governor told the BBC.

However, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted officials as saying the vessel was in the port of Mogadishu - further to the south.

Six crew members - four Russians and two Britons - are reported to be on board the ship.”

[Cindy]

All updates at link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1964545/posts

“1,000 evacuated after Sydney explosion: officials”

AFP and Yahoo.com ^ | Feb. 3, 2008
Posted on 02/04/2008 1:49:10 AM PST by wai-ming
SYDNEY (AFP)