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]

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

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UPDATES:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2004258351_arsonrewardbox04m.html

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

“Builders group, FBI offer $100,000 reward”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A $100,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for Monday’s fires that did an estimated $7 million in damage to four Seattle Street of Dreams homes in Snohomish County.

The reward was announced by the Building Industry Association of Washington in conjunction with the FBI.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to contact the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force at 206-622-0460 or e-mail fbise@leo.gov.

An additional $10,000 reward has been offered by the Northwest Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation. That group asks for callers to contact local authorities or the Arson Hotline (800-55-ARSON).”

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2004258337_arson04m.html

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

“Hunt is on: Who torched the Street of Dreams?”
By Steve Miletich

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Working with few clues, federal investigators face a daunting task as they try to determine whether a shadowy group of radical environmentalists torched three multimillion-dollar homes along a Street of Dreams in Snohomish County on Monday.

Although a spray-painted banner left at the scene contained the initials of the Earth Liberation Front, it took nearly a decade of groundwork in a previous case before investigators cracked a Pacific Northwest cell of the ELF responsible for more than a dozen arsons beginning in 1996.”

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080304/NATION/722487088/1001

“U.S. strike kills terrorist”
By Sara A. Carter
March 4, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “U.S. forces found, targeted and killed in a Somali desert city the senior al Qaeda operative who masterminded the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa and had since spent a decade in hiding, The Washington Times has learned.

Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who is one of the FBI’s most-wanted terrorists, was the target of a U.S. missile strike on a residence in Dobley, a small town in southern Somalia near the Kenyan border, according to a U.S. military official who spoke to The Times on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of the operation.

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Previously...

http://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/terrorismsi.htm

http://www.fbi.gov/terrorinfo/nabhan.htm

“SEEKING INFORMATION
Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan”

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RECAP:

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

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

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The US military launched an airstrike at an al Qaeda safe house in the town of Dobley in southern Somalia, just four miles from the Kenyan border. “We launched a deliberate strike against a suspected bed-down of known terrorists,” a senior US military official told Reuters.

The target of the strike has not been identified at this time, but the US military believes the strike was successful. At least eight were reported killed and six more are reported to be trapped inside the rubble of the safe house.

This is the fourth known US-led airstrike against al Qaeda operatives in Somalia since the Ethiopian operation to drive the Islamic Courts from power was launched in late December 2006. The Ethiopians also launched airstrikes against Islamic Courts fighters who were into Kenya in early January 2007.

The US targeted Fazul Abdullah Mohammad, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, and Abu Tala al Sudani during the early 2007 strikes. Fazul was again targeted in June 2007. They are believed to be sheltering in Somalia, and one or more of them may have been the target of today’s strike.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980053/posts

“Blasts Hit Near War College in Pakistan”
AP ^ | 3/4/08
Posted on 03/04/2008 1:30:54 AM PST by Dog
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/taliban/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/taleban/

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leemedia.net/

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blog:

mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/191556.php

March 03, 2008
“Lee-Media: Taliban Behead Three “Spies””

[Cindy]

More details...

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=338F4DB0-927B-471F-B536-710A0FA1B6C9

“Osama bin London’s Country Camps”
By Robert Spencer
FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, March 04, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: ““Fifty-two. That’s not even breakfast for me.”
Those were the words of an Islamic preacher in Britain, Mohammed Hamid, who liked to call himself “Osama bin London.” Hamid was referring to the fifty-two people murdered by Islamic jihadists in the London bombings of July 2005, and was boasting that his own plots would lead to, presumably, lunch and dinner — far more deaths. One police official, discussing surveillance tapes made of conversations inside Hamid’s home, said, “There was repeated talk of finding and killing nonbelievers.”

Hamid was a member of the “London 7,” a jihadist gang that established training camps in the British countryside, where they prepared for large-scale attacks on British non-Muslims — and who even planned to open training camps in the U.S. as well. Two of the gang members pleaded guilty to terror charges Tuesday, but this case is far from over. Its implications ought to be studied closely by government and law enforcement officials.”

[Cindy]

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

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The winner of today’s STUCK ON STUPID award barely made it in due to time constraints. Here’s the winner:

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Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3514720,00.html

China says US complaints about military just ‘Cold War’ thinking
Published: 03.04.08, 12:10 / Israel News

China on Tuesday dismissed as “Cold War” thinking a Pentagon report that says it is developing the ability to limit or prevent the use of satellites by potential adversaries during times of crisis.

“It is a serious distortion of facts and attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs and break the norms of international relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a news conference. (AP)

[Cindy]

http://www.matamoroscomic.com
http://www.matamoroscomic.com/main/?page_id=5

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http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=5D215B1A-9EB7-47F6-B01C-2ADF32029956

“America’s First anti-Jihadist Comic Book Hero”
By Jamie Glazov
FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, March 04, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Frontpage Interview’s guest today is Darius LaMonica, the co-author of the Matamoros — the first comic book focusing on the U.S. military’s fight against radical Islamists.”

[Cindy]

More Details:

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP185908

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1859
March 4, 2008 No. 1859

“Release of New Book by Ayman Al-Zawahiri, in Response to Sayyed Imam: A Treatise Exonerating the Nation of the Pen and the Sword from the Blemish of the Accusation of Weakness and Fatigue”

SNIPPET: “On March 2, 2008, jihadist websites posted a new 188-page book by Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. The book, titled A Treatise Exonerating the Nation of the Pen and the Sword from the Blemish of the Accusation of Weakness and Fatigue, is a polemical defense of Al-Qaeda against its most prominent Islamist critic, the imprisoned jihadist Sheikh Sayyed Imam Al-Sharif. (For previous MEMRI reports on Sayyed Imam, see: http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP178507, December 14, 2007, and http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP182608 , January 25, 2008.)

Sayyed Imam is one of Al-Zawahiri’s oldest associates in the jihad movement and is considered one of jihadism’s most influential scholars. He is the author of a shari’a guide to jihad that was used in training camps in Afghanistan. The central argument of his recently published Document of Right Guidance for Jihad Activity in Egypt and the World is that jihad should only be undertaken when there is ability to do so, and that Islamist groups today cannot be considered to be in a state of ability. It is to this argument that the title of Al-Zawahiri’s book refers.

The Treatise Exonerating the Nation is of great importance for two reasons. First, it is, in effect, an official statement of Al-Qaeda’s positions and of the Islamic legal justifications it provides for its activities.

Second, Al-Qaeda’s decision to publish such a work is strong evidence that it is deeply worried that radical Islamists could be influenced by Sayyed Imam and abandon the jihad. [1] Al-Zawahiri’s Treatise is actually a sharp about-face for Al-Qaeda; up until this point, it had studiously ignored the substantive arguments put forward by Sayyed Imam, and had simply asserted that the Egyptian security services had tortured Imam into writing the book, and that it thus did not merit serious discussion. [2] Hence, the Treatise is a tacit admission that Al-Qaeda is facing an unprecedented ideological challenge.

Following is a full translation of the table of contents of Ayman Al-Zawahiri’s new book. (Al-Zawahiri’s Treatise Exonerating the Nation is abridged in the table of contents to Treatise, and Sayyed Imam’s Document of Right Guidance is abridged to Document; “the author” always refers to the author of the Document of Right Guidance.) Further coverage is forthcoming.”

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Previously...

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP182608

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1826
January 25, 2008 No. 1826

“Major Jihadi Cleric and Author of Al-Qaeda’s Shari’a Guide to Jihad Sayyed Imam vs. Al-Qaeda (2): Al-Zawahiri Was Sudanese Agent – Sudan’s VP Ali Othman Taha Hired Him to Attack Egypt; Ban on Jihad against Egyptian Regime in Egypt; Summary of Imam’s New Right Guidance for Jihad Book”

SNIPPET: “Following are more documents from imprisoned jihadi cleric Sayyed Imam Al-Sharif, one of the chief ideologues of the global jihad movement. Sayyed Imam has recently come out against Al-Qaeda, and published a new book, The Document of Right Guidance for Jihad Activity in Egypt and the World, that forbids waging jihad against the rulers of Muslim countries and in the West. (For MEMRI’s first report on Sayyed Imam, released Dec. 14, 2007, see http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP178507 )

Presented here are further excerpts from Sayyed Imam’s interview with the London daily Al-Hayat, followed by an excerpt from The Document of Right Guidance. In the first excerpt from the interview, Sayyed Imam, who was formerly shari’a authority for the Egyptian Jihad organization and a longtime associate of Al-Qaeda deputy commander Ayman Al-Zawahiri, says that Al-Zawahiri was commissioned by the Sudanese government to carry out terror attacks in Egypt in the 1990s. The second excerpt is Sayyed Imam’s own detailed summary of the contents of his new book, The Document of Right Guidance for Jihad Activity in Egypt and the World. The third part of this report is a chapter of The Document of Right Guidance, titled “On the Shari’a Reasons and the Practical Reasons that Call for Not Clashing with the Egyptian Authorities”:”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/farc/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980067/posts
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&tab=wn&q=farc&btnG=Search+News

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Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3514787,00.html

Colombia says FARC wanted to make radioactive bomb
Published: 03.04.08, 13:52 / Israel News

Colombia’s FARC guerrilla movement was trying to get hold of radioactive material to make a “dirty bomb,” Colombian Vice-President Francisco Santos said on Tuesday.

Santos told the United Nations Conference on Disarmament that materials found on computers of Raul Reyes, the deputy commander of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), showed the group was in negotiations to get hold of radioactive matter for a bomb. (Reuters)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17415&Itemid=128

Press Release A080303a
March 3, 2008

Coalition Forces capture Special Groups facilitator; detain two suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured a suspected Special Groups facilitator and detained one other suspected criminal early Monday in Mashru, south of Baghdad.

The targeted individual was reportedly a Special Groups logistical advisor for Wasit Province. As a logistical leader, he allegedly facilitated the movement of Special Groups criminals involved in sniper and explosively formed penetrator, EFP, attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. He is also suspected of facilitating weapon shipments to include EFPs, rockets and mortars. Reports also indicate the wanted individual was an associate of Iranian-backed Special Groups criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and the one other suspected criminal without incident.

“Coalition Forces will continue to apply pressure on criminal militias that are not honoring al Sayyed Muqtada al Sadr’s pledge to cease attacks,” said Lt. Michael Street, MNF-I spokesperson.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17431&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080304-02
March 4, 2008

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain two al Qaeda in Iraq suspects
Multi-National Corps – Iraq

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected criminals during separate operations March 1.

In Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained an Al Qaeda in Iraq suspect believed responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. He is suspected of involvement in weapons smuggling and a plot to commit murder by poisoning.

Near Balad, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained an Al Qaeda in Iraq suspected cell leader. According to intelligence reports, the suspect and his cell are responsible for car bombings, mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. They are also accused of the murder of Iraqi citizens.

-30-

[Cindy]

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

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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08030009.htm

Monday, March 3, 2008
“Christians Kidnapped in India”

Gospel for Asia
For Immediate Release

HIMACHAL PRADESH

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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08030012.htm

Monday, March 3, 2008
“70 House Church leaders detained in Henan Province”

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
HENAN AND XINGIANG PROVINCES, CHINA

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=80626

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Kuwait City Marina Mall Bomb Threat
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Middle East / N. Africa - Kuwait
3 Mar 2008

Printer Friendly Email Article
RELATED REPORTS
20 Nov 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: KUWAIT HARASSMENT INCIDENTS
19 Sep 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: KUWAIT WORK OFFER SCAM
U.S. Embassy Kuwait City released the following Warden Message on March 3:

On March 2, 2008 at approximately 1215 local time, an unknown individual called in a bomb threat to the Kuwaiti Ministry of the Interior Operations Center. The caller stated that a bomb would explode at the Marina Mall in Kuwait City.

At approximately 1230 local time, Kuwaiti authorities ordered the mall evacuated in order to conduct a search of the premises. Post first learned of the evacuation order from Embassy dependents who were present at the mall at the time of evacuation. The order to evacuate was confirmed shortly thereafter by MOI contacts. At approximately 1530 hours, Kuwaiti authorities concluded their search with negative results.

At approximately the same time authorities at the American University of Kuwait searched the campus in response to a possible bomb threat there. Several persons were questioned about this bomb threat. No bomb was found.

The American Embassy wants to remind all mission staff to remain cognizant of their surroundings and to immediately contact the Embassy 259-1336 in case of future incidents.

American citizens with any questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at 259-1581, 259-1583 or 259-1240. In case of an emergency outside business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 259-1001.

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov. American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com.

American citizens resident and visiting in Kuwait who are not registered with the Embassy, or whose registration information has changed, are urged to register as soon as possible. They may now do so on-line at the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for American and most local holidays. The current list of holiday schedule for the year 2008, may be viewed via the link below: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

Worldwide Caution

January 17, 2008

[Godzilla]

placemark

[TWhiteBear]

Another scenario may be developing.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546397803&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
‘FARC rebels were trying to make dirty bomb’.

[MamaDearest]

Once in a while I’ve had sign-up sites or sites with error messages come in via the cached route.

[HipShot]

Anyone have more information on this: NY Building Collapse

[HipShot]

1010wins

[Cindy]

Thank you TWhiteBear.

I’m watching this one, too.

We’ve note on FR -TM off and on over the years that jihadis can work with organized crime and gang bangers and other assorted terrorists.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1963607/posts?page=1549#1549