Threat Matrix: February 2008

Previous Thread ^

[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

January 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

[Oorang]

Adding to the subject matter of post 1424:

Native American Courts: Precedent for an Islamic arbitral system

[Cindy]

Thank you Oorang.

[Oorang]

You're most welcome Cindy.

______________________________________________

Al-Qaida releases video showing body of its slain Afghan strategist
March 2, 2008

CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida has released a new video eulogy on militant Web sites of its top Afghanistan strategist. The video shows the body of Abu Laith al-Libi (ah-BOO' LAYTH ahl-LIH'-bee), who was killed in late January by a missile from a U.S. Predator drone that struck his safehouse in Pakistan. It marks the second video eulogy of Abu Laith, demonstrating the slain commander's importance to the movement.

The video's release coincided with the publication of a book by Al-Qaida's Number-2 man, Ayman al-Zawahri (AY'-muhn ahl-ZWAH'-ree). The book slams radical militants who have disavowed armed struggle and turned their backs on violence.

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=7954419

Mar 3, 2008 2:29 Suicide bomb attack kills 40 in northwestern Pakistan
3/3/08

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A bomber blew himself up among thousands of tribal members discussing resistance to al-Qaida and the Taliban, killing 40 people in the third suicide attack in as many days in northwestern Pakistan.

Five tribes were meeting Sunday to finalize a resolution that would punish anyone who shelters or helps Islamic militants, including al-Qaida and Taliban fighters, Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema said. A young man walked up to a group of elders and detonated his explosives, said Alam Khan, a tribesman at the meeting in Darra Adam Khel, a town in North West Frontier Province about 40 kilometers south of the provincial capital, Peshawar.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204473063313&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Oorang]

MI5 targets Ireland's al-Qaeda cells
Sunday March 2 2008

MI5 has set up a dedicated team to monitor suspected al-Qaeda activists and supporters in Ireland. The Observer has learnt that an eight-strong unit is spying on Islamists based in Belfast, Lisburn and mid-Ulster, but is also liaising via the Police Service of Northern Ireland with the Garda Siochana across the border. The revelation coincides with the arrest yesterday of a suspected Islamist terror unit in Co Kerry. Three Afghans were in custody after the Garda swooped on an apartment in Tralee and found devices they believe could be used to make bombs.

The new unit at MI5's regional headquarters at Holywood, on the outskirts of Belfast, also monitors inbound US military flights to Shannon airport in case of an Islamist terror attack on Irish soil.

All reports on suspected al-Qaeda activities across Ireland are to be handed over to the head of MI5 in Northern Ireland, Trevor Harper. He is based at the new £20m headquarters inside Palace military barracks. Last week The Observer revealed that, in the event of a major terror attack on MI5's HQ at Thames House in London, command of the security services would be switched to Holywood.

Security sources said al-Qaeda 'sleeper cells' in Northern Ireland were being watched in particular, because of suspected links to other cells in Britain. 'They operate a very tight structure, just like the IRA. There are possible links to cells on the mainland,' one source said.

Excerpted

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/02/alqaida.ireland

Algeria - 25 terrorists die
Sun Mar 2, 92008

ALGIERS, Algeria - Two Algerian newspapers say security forces killed 25 suspected members of an al-Qaida affiliate in North Africa in a weekend operation east of the capital.

The two Arabic-language papers, Ech Chourouk and Al Djazair News, said in their Sunday editions that security forces chased some 30 Islamic insurgents planting roadside bombs Friday night back into their refuge. The papers, which sited unnamed, informed sources, said troops then called in helicopters and assaulted the hideout early Saturday with rockets and helicopter fire, killing 25.

There was no official confirmation of the operation between the Tizi-Ouzou and Bejaie regions. Algeria has been fighting an Islamic insurgency since 1992.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_re_mi_ea/algeria_terrorists_killed

[Oorang]

IDF seizes explosives, RPGs hidden in mosque
03.02.08

IDF forces operating in northern Gaza have seized RPGs, explosives and equipment used in the manufacturing of bombs in a Palestinian mosque.

Some 30 Palestinians suspected of involvement in terror have been detained and taken for questioning.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3513843,00.html

Israel strikes back, threatens more
March 3, 2008

Israeli aircraft struck new targets in the Gaza Strip today, killing two militants, after the government vowed to press home an offensive despite appeals from around the world for an end to violence.

Four workshops and an office used by Hamas were blasted overnight, said officials of the Palestinian Islamist movement, which seized control of Gaza last June by routing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces. Two groups of fighters from militant organisations were also struck by missiles. In each attack, one man was killed and several wounded, medics and Hamas officials said.

"There were a number of aerial attacks on weapons manufacturing facilities," an Israeli army spokesman said. Israel says it is targeting sites where Hamas and its allies make, store and fire the rockets which have disrupted life in Israeli border towns over the past year and more. One rocket killed an Israeli civilian on Wednesday, the first since May.

Excerpted

http://www.smh.com.au/news/middle-east/peace-accord-over-israel-launches-new-strikes/2008/03/03/1204402327275.html

[Oorang]

Saudi embassy in Lebanon urges its citizens to leave the country
2008-03-01

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Saudi Arabia is urging its citizens in Lebanon to be vigilant or evacuate the country as soon as possible, Lebanese and Saudi officials said Saturday. Several Saudi citizens in Lebanon said they received calls or mobile text messages from their embassy Saturday, urging them to leave the country. One Saudi said he was told by the embassy that women and children in particular were advised to leave within 48 hours.

Embassy officials confirmed that they were asking Saudi citizens to be vigilant while traveling in Lebanon or leave the country if possible, said the government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements. A Saudi foreign ministry official confirmed the embassy in Beirut has requested Saudis to leave the country, but declined to comment on the reason behind this call. The official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the embassy has called on Saudis who can't leave Lebanon to be cautious while traveling across Beirut.

Excerpted

http://www.pr-inside.com/saudi-embassy-in-lebanon-urges-its-r465324.htm

Airport Arson Fugitive Held By Terror Troops (Scotland)
Mar 2 2008

A FUGITIVE terror suspect has been flown to Scotland to face charges over setting a holiday jet ablaze. Safet Bukoshi, 34, spent last night in a high-security police cell in Paisley after being extradited from Ireland on Friday. He will appear in court tomorrow charged with the late night attack on a plane at Glasgow Airport three years ago.

Major security concerns were raised after Albanian-born Bukoshi allegedly used a plank of wood to scale the perimeter fence before torching the twin-engine BMI Embraer 145 jet. Firefighters prevented a major explosion by controlling the blaze before it spread to the plane's fuel tanks

Excerpted

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/03/02/airport-arson-fugitive-held-by-terror-troops-78057-20337529/

[Cindy]

Global Jihad — another day.

Thanks Oorang for the post.

[MamaDearest]

I took the liberty of forwarding your post about precedent for an Islamic arbitral system to some local friends who need to know what we face in this nation (the MSM leaves them clueless). Thank you Oorang for that post.

From Flight similator forums

Cyber jihad

[Cindy]

25 dead terrorists are 25 terrorists that are now incapable of being repeat offenders in the future.

[MamaDearest]

Poison pineapples case for court

THE Eastern Cape pineapple industry is to take Protea Chemicals to court next month, seeking R100m in damages over claims that fertiliser the company imported from Hong Kong contained higher levels of the heavy metal cadmium than specified.

As a result, the industry, which previously accounted for about 3% of the world's canned pine-apples, was expecting turnover to be half what it normally was.

Experts warn of potential dengue fever outbreak in US

February 2008 Dengue fever and its severe forms, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, are potential threats to residents of the continental United States, according to a recent commentary by leading health experts.

Public health officials need to be aware of the threat because no treatments or vaccines for dengue are currently available. Dengue fever is already present along the U.S.-Mexico border and in Puerto Rico.

“Clinicians should know how to identify and diagnose dengue fever. They need to be aware of dengue fever and where it can occur, which is theoretically anywhere in the United States for imported cases,” David Morens, MD, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases senior advisor, told Infectious Disease News. “Dengue fever was a common occurrence in the past and could be again where mosquito vectors are present, particularly in urban areas.”

Japanese encephalitis could emerge in North America

Japanese encephalitis has the potential for introduction and establishment in North America and could, in theory, produce a threat greater than West Nile virus, according to recent findings. Increased commerce with endemic areas and a lack of vector surveillance could increase the viability and establishment of the viral encephalitis into new regions, experts warn.

“The likelihood of introduction and establishment is greater than that of West Nile virus,” said Frank L. Mannix, MPH, a researcher in tropical medicine at the Tulane University School of Public Health. “We need to be aware of issues around the world, not only because they may affect us, but because what is happening elsewhere could be happening here.”

[Cindy]

Thanks for those links MamaDearest.

I’ll add this link about Dengue Fever to your post no. 1470:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_dengue.htm

[Oorang]

Thanks for sending it on MamaD. It’s from a year ago but to me it’s still a bit shocking.

[Oorang]

“Jehad” is on the flight similator forum?!? Lovely.

[MamaDearest]

You're welcome Cindy and thank you for adding that other link.

Regarding the pineapple link, I'll be watching canned pineapple that I buy for where it is packed.

I love upside down cake, and pineapple is one of my favorite toppings for it.

[Oorang]

Thanks for the Michelle Malkin link. It’s time for rational people of the west to start demanding that the islamic “scholars” get their own under control.

[Cindy]

I hear you, I make that a couple times of year.

I’m always as careful as possible when buying canned pineapple so not to get that tinny taste.

I try as often as possible to use fresh and frozen fruit and veggies vs. canned.

[Cindy]

You’re welcome Oorang.

It does seem the global legal jihad is thriving.

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&q=legal+jihad&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wb

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=legal+jihad&btnG=Google+Search

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979299/posts

“Sons of Iraq - A grassroots surge against al-Qaeda.”
National Review Online ^ | March 01, 2008 | Pete Hegseth
Posted on 03/02/2008 2:03:46 PM PST by neverdem

[Cindy]

small updates to post no. 1446:

GASTON GAZETTE.com: "QUESTIONS SURROUND CZECH MAN" by Donny Wisor (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A passport found during the vehicle search indicates Krivsky entered the United States in 1999.") (March 3, 2008, 00:39)

WSOCTV.com: "EMPLOYEE SHEDS LIGHT ON KRIVSKY'S CHARACTER; CONTENTS INSIDE HOTEL ROOM" (Updated March 2, 2008, 9:57 pm)

Link

[Cindy]

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020164.php
(WorldNetDaily.com)

March 3, 2008
“Israeli military: ‘Hamas terror operatives shooting at us took up positions inside civilian homes while the civilians were still inside’”

###

stepping back in time...

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012440.php
(SUNDAY HERALD SUN)

July 30, 2006
“Hizballah launches attacks from suburban areas”