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

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NATION/493701670/1001

“Horse patrols return to border security”
By Jerry Seper
March 3, 2008

DEL RIO, TEXAS

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ricin/

#

UPDATE:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NATION/187331265/1001

Page 1 of 2

“Terror intent for ricin probed”
By Valerie Richardson
March 3, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Roger Von Bergendorff’s Las Vegas hotel room contained a cache of firearms, a tabbed copy of an anarchist handbook and vials of the deadly poison ricin.

But the only person who knows whether he was planning a terrorist attack is the man himself, and he remains in a coma.”

#

http://origin.sltrib.com/ci_8433189

“Agents scour home for ricin
Officials also search 3 W. Jordan storage units for deadly toxin, stay mum on items recovered”
By Nathan C. Gonzalez
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/03/2008 12:20:54 AM MST

#

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=Bergendorff&ie=UTF-8&scoring=n

[Cindy]

Fyi - Utah ping.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1963607/posts?page=1482#1482

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iaea
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/nuclear

#

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

#

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020163.php
(REUTERS)

March 3, 2008

“IAEA reveals Iranian organizational chart linking nuclear work with missile research”

[Godzilla]

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

The ground incursion into Gaza slipped under my radar until this morning. I have mixed opinions and still looking to confirm my feelings. The limited scope would suggest that this was an Israeli reconninance in force, to see just how Hamas would respond in the event of a larger scale operation. However, my worst fear may be that Olmert is half-stepping again like he did against Hezbollah, calling the operation off before the objectives could be obtained. Hamas responded to the pullout with a large round of rocket attacks. It is important that Israel quell Gaza sufficently to be able to focus on Hezbollah if needed.

[Cindy]

In my opinion, it’s even simpler than that.

Hamas and other jihadis are lobbing qassams daily into Israel.
Most of the attempted suiciders and other types have been caught
at the border.
They found 5 tunnels around the 24th of the month I believe it was.
The jihadis use it for weapons/other goods smuggling.
Several attempts have been made by the jihadis to place explosives at
the security fence line.

Maybe Israel has had enough and is fighting back.

As for half-heartedness, I agree. Olmert needs to be agressive.

[Godzilla]

Maybe Israel has had enough and is fighting back.

It is clear that the average Israeli has had enough. Too bad they are stuck with the cowardly lion for a president.

[Cindy]

I agree.
BIG DITTO.

[Cindy]

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=EARTH+LIBERATION+FRONT&btnG=Search+News

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=ELF&btnG=Search+News

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/elf/

###

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979742/posts

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353498_arson04.html

Last updated March 3, 2008 1:30 p.m. PT

“Eco-terrorists are suspected in using explosive devises to destroy or damage several Street of Dreams show homes, which burned in Woodinville.
Street of Dreams homes burned, eco-terrorists suspected”
P-I STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

WOODINVILLE

###

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/trearrow/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979757/posts

Last updated March 3, 2008 10:35 a.m. PT

“Environmental fugitive to appear in Portland federal court”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “PORTLAND, Ore. — Fugitive environmental activist Tre Arrow is back in Portland to stand trial today in federal court on conspiracy and arson charges.”

[MamaDearest]

Thank you Oorang!

Bomb hoaxers toy with city

Two bomb hoaxes, one claimed by a leftist group, caused upheaval in central Athens and the northern suburbs yesterday.

The first hoax began at 11.15 a.m. when an anonymous caller telephoned the Hilton Hotel in downtown Athens and warned that a bomb had been planted on the grounds and would go off within 25 minutes. The caller said that the leftist group Popular Revolutionary Action had planned the hit. Police evacuated the hotel and cordoned off the area. But a search by officers failed to unearth any suspect device.

The second hoax occurred a few minutes later. An anonymous caller contacted police at 11.30 a.m. to warn that a bomb had been planted at the Neo Iraklion station of the urban electric railway, in northern Athens, and would detonate within the hour. The station was evacuated and train services suspended as bomb disposal experts searched for a device. Again nothing was found. There had been no claim of responsibility for the second hoax.

[Cindy]

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=107428&d=3&m=3&y=2008

Monday 3 March 2008 (25 Safar 1429)

“Man Butchers 15-Month-Old Nephew in Jeddah Supermarket”
Samir Al-Saadi, Arab News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “JEDDAH, 3 March 2008 — Early morning shoppers at a supermarket in Jeddah were left reeling yesterday, with some falling unconscious, after a well-built Syrian man clinched a knife and decapitated his 15-month-old nephew in front of his mother in the store’s fruit and vegetable section.”

#

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/03/03/horror-man-beheads-one-year-old-in-saudi-grocery-store/

“Horror: Man beheads one-year-old in Saudi grocery store”
POSTED AT 12:20 PM ON MARCH 3, 2008 BY ALLAHPUNDIT

[Cindy]

Hmmm... testing, 1-2-3.

Thanks MamaDearest.

[MamaDearest]

Afghans threaten Danish soldiers - doctors

In our resolution today that was approved by all the participants, we asked our government to expel both the Dutch and Danish embassies from Afghanistan and stop any diplomatic relations with the two countries; said Qari Ahmad Khan, one of the organisers of the demonstration. We also want the Dutch and Danish soldiers to leave Afghanistan, if they disrespect our religion, we don't need them in Afghanistan; Payenda Mohamed, another protester said.

If the government doesn't react, we will announce Jihad (holy war) against them (Danish and Dutch) and we will expel them ourselves, Mohamed said.

[Cindy]

I’ll be updating this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979823/posts

“N. Carolina: Appalachian State on lockdown after gunman spotted near campus”
Associated Press via WWAY TV ^ | March 3, 2008
Posted on 03/03/2008 2:44:23 PM PST by bd476

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/filmjihad/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/cartoonjihad

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

#

Ping to MamaDearest’s Post here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1963607/posts?page=1493#1493

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/somalia/

#

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/03/us_airstrike_hits_al.php

“US airstrike hits al Qaeda safe house in Somalia”
By BILL ROGGIO
March 3, 2008 10:28 AM

[Oorang]

I agree that Israel needs to quell Gaza I’m just not sure that Olmert has the tenacity to do it.

Hamas claims Gaza "victory" as Israel pulls back

Olmert: We must continue Gaza ops

Analysis: Israel's Gaza incursion is not the 'big one'

[Cindy]

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49146

Afghan, Coalition Forces Target Taliban Networks

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2008 – An armed insurgent was killed and two suspected insurgents were detained during a joint Afghan and coalition operation to degrade Taliban operations in Afghanistan’s Zabul province, military officials reported.

The joint force searched in the Jeldak district targeting a Taliban operative responsible for facilitating suicide IEDs and foreign-fighter networks. The targeted individual also was associated with the unlawful detention and murder of civilians, as well as extorting money, food and shelter from residents of a village in a neighboring district, officials said.

An armed insurgent who fired on the joint force during the raid was killed when Afghan and coalition forces defended themselves.

Coalition forces found and detained two individuals with suspected links to Taliban networks when they continued their search. The detainees will be questioned on their involvement in facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities, officials said.

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)

[Cindy]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49147

“Coalition, Iraqi Troops Target Al Qaeda Forces in Mosul”

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2008

[MamaDearest]

Experts tie Islamic society to radical group

Two of the country's leading experts in religion believe that the Copenhagen-based Islamic Faith Society patterns itself after the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the world's most influential organisations supporting Islamic fundamentalism.

Both Kate Østergaard of the University of Copenhagen and Tina Magaard of Aarhus University have researched the practices, publications and teachings at the Islamic Faith Society and are convinced that there is a direct link between it and the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood.

Banned Muslim advised Coalition

Muslim leader faces deportation

One of the state's most influential and high-profile Muslim leaders is facing deportation along with his wife and children.

Immigration officials are refusing to grant permanent residency to Imam Mohammad Qatanani, who came to the United States in 1996 on a religious work visa.

They say Qatanani, the imam for the Islamic Center of Passaic County, failed to disclose in his green card application a 1993 Israeli Military Court conviction against him for "assisting Hamas," according to his attorney.