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Posted on 02/01/2008 6:55:58 PM PST by nwctwx
Off topic, but interesting — for archival purposes.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=turkey
http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=turkey&ID=IA41408
Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 414
January 6, 2008 No. 414
“The Growing Economic Relations between Iran and Turkey”
By: Nimrod Raphaeli. *
from your article, Oorang:
“...the Libyan connection inside the terrorist group al-Qaeda is very strong and second only to the Egyptian and Saudi forces.”
Very under-reported.
Thanks Oorang.
WASHINGTON - Al-Qaida, increasingly tamped down in Iraq, is establishing cells in other countries as Osama bin Laden's organization uses Pakistan's tribal region to train for attacks in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and the United States, the U.S. intelligence chief said Tuesday.
"Al-Qaida remains the pre-eminent threat against the United States," Mike McConnell told a Senate hearing more than six years after the Sept. 11 attacks. McConnell said that fewer than 100 al-Qaida terrorists have moved from Iraq to establish cells in other countries as the U.S. military clamps down on their activities, and the organization "may deploy resources to mount attacks outside the country."
Excerpted
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_terror_threats
You’re welcome Cindy. I hope you have a super Tuesday :-)
Laughing...God works in mysterious ways (and that’s beyond my understanding).
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Swedish officials were considering using state funds to provide Muslim imams with training in Swedish language and culture. Muslim leaders said imams should be given the same benefits as Christian priests and ministers, The Local newspaper said Tuesday.
Swedish Minister for Higher Education and Research Lars Leijonborg said the program might help keep radical Islam from taking root in Sweden. "It has been suggested that radical Muslims from Saudi Arabia are offering to provide imams for free and a lack of money means that moderate Muslims who want to set up a mosque don't have any alternatives," Leijonborg told Svenska Dagbladet. He said the Swedish government has begun talks with the newly formed Islamic study foundation.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/05/sweden_considers_state-funded_muslim_ed/1765/
Wikipedia Rejects Muslim Censors
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
An entry in the online encyclopedia that includes images of the Prophet Muhammad is drawing worldwide protest at ThePetitionSite.com, reports the New York Times. One protester writes, “It’s totally unacceptable to print the Prophet’s picture. It shows insensitivity towards Muslim feelings and should be removed immediately.”
Wikipedia is not backing down, asserting that it will not be "censored for the benefit of any particular group." Paul M. Cobb, who teaches Islamic history at Notre Dame, comments, "Islamic teaching has traditionally discouraged representation of humans, particularly Muhammad, but that doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent. Some of the most beautiful images in Islamic art are manuscript images of Muhammad."
http://phibetacons.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTQ2OWE0ZjE1MDUxMzJjNjY3NDc3NjM5OTc3NjI0MTQ=
stepping back in time...
http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20080205_testimony.pdf
“ANNUAL THREAT ASSESSMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE for the Senate Select Committee
on Intelligence”
J. Michael McConnell
Director of National Intelligence
(February 5, 2008)
###
###
NOTE: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48870
Al Qaeda Remains Dangerous, Intel Chief Tells Senate
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2008 – Al Qaeda and its affiliates remain the most pressing terrorist threats to the United States and its allies, the nation’s top intelligence official told the Senate Intelligence Committee today.
Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell gave the senators the intelligence community’s annual unclassified threat assessment. He said the top success of the past year was “there was no major attack against the United States or most of our European, Latin American, East Asia allies and partners.”
The retired Navy vice admiral said the fact that there were no attacks was not an accident; rather, U.S. intelligence officials worked with allied nations to unravel terrorist plots, he said. The United States and its allies continued to attack terror groups in the Middle East and Central Asia. Coalition allies in other parts of the world shared intelligence and actively worked against extremists.
Attacks worldwide against al Qaeda do take a toll on the terrorists, McConnell said. “The death last week of Abu Layth al-Libi, al Qaeda’s charismatic senior military commander and a key link between al Qaeda and its affiliates in North Africa, is the most serious blow to the group’s top leadership since the December 2005 death of then-external operations chief Hamza Rabia,” he said.
Al Qaeda in Iraq suffered major setbacks in its drive to intimidate Iraqis and establish the country as al Qaeda’s base of operations and planning. The group can still mount lethal attacks in Iraq, but it is hurt, McConnell said.
“Hundreds of AQI leadership, operational, media, financial, logistical, weapons, and foreign fighter facilitator cadre have been killed or captured,” he said. “With much of the Sunni population turning against AQI, its maneuver room and ability to operate have been severely constrained.”
The number of al Qaeda attacks in Iraq dropped by more than half by the end of 2007. “We see indications that al Qaeda’s global image is beginning to lose some of its luster; nonetheless, we still face multifaceted terrorist threats,” he said.
Al Qaeda continues to pose significant threats to the United States at home and abroad, and al Qaeda’s central leadership based in the border area of Pakistan is its most dangerous component, McConnell told the sentaors.
In July, a national intelligence estimate said al Qaeda has been able to regenerate the operational capabilities needed to conduct attacks in the United States. The group used safe havens in Pakistan’s federally administered tribal area to regroup and plan for new attacks.
“The FATA serves as a staging area for al Qaeda’s attacks in support of the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as a location for training new terrorist operatives, for attacks in Pakistan, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the United States,” McConnell said. “It has lost many of its senior operational planners over the years, but the group’s adaptable decision-making process and bench of skilled operatives have enabled it to identify effective replacements.”
Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri continue to lead the terror group and focus on their strategic vision of confronting the United States and its allies with mass casualty attacks around the globe, McConnell said. “Although security concerns preclude them from the day-to-day running of the organization, bin Laden and Zawahiri regularly pass inspirational messages and specific operational guidance to their followers through public statements,” he explained.
The director said al Qaeda is identifying, training and positioning operatives for an attack in the United States.
“While increased security measures at home and abroad have caused al Qaeda to view the West, especially the United States, as a harder target, we have seen an influx of new Western recruits into the tribal areas since mid-2006,” McConnell said. “We assess that al Qaeda’s homeland plotting is likely to continue to focus on prominent political, economic and infrastructure targets designed to produce mass casualties, visually dramatic destruction, significant economic aftershocks, and/or fear among the population.”
McConnell said conventional explosives probably will be the most probable al Qaeda attack scenario. “That said, al Qaeda and other terrorist groups are attempting to acquire chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and materials,” he added. “We assess al Qaeda will continue to try to acquire and employ these weapons and materials; some chemical and radiological materials and crude weapons designs are easily accessible, in our judgment.”
Al Qaeda affiliates pose problems from Africa to Southeast Asia, he said. Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb is the most active terrorist group in northwestern Africa. “We assess it represents a significant threat to U.S. and European interests in the region,” he said.
The group focuses primarily on Algerian government targets, but the group has expanded its target set to include United States, United Nations and other interests, he said. “Improvements in (the group’s) use of improvised explosive devices suggest the group is acquiring knowledge transmitted from extremists in Iraq,” he said.
Al Qaeda also continues to plan to attack targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Bahrain.
The group’s presence in Lebanon is growing, but it is diminishing in East Africa. McConnell said, and groups affiliated with al Qaeda continue to operate in Indonesia and in the Philippines.
Overall, the group is losing its luster with all but the most radical Muslims, McConnell said.
“The brutal attacks against Muslim civilians unleashed by (al Qaeda in Iraq) and (al Qaeda in the Mahgreb) and the conflicting demands of the various extremist agendas are tarnishing al Qaeda’s self-styled image as the extremist vanguard,” said he told the senators. “Over the past year, a number of religious leaders and fellow extremists who once had significant influence with al Qaeda have publicly criticized it and its affiliates for the use of violent tactics.”
Off Topic:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48864
“Defense Department Stocks Shelves with Newest Smallpox Vaccine”
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2008
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48865
Coalition Forces in Iraq Capture 8 Suspected Terrorists
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2008 – Coalition forces in Iraq today detained eight suspected terrorists during operations to disrupt al Qaeda networks operating in the northern part of the country, military officials said.
— In Dawr, coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. The suspect reportedly sold artillery rounds and improvised explosive devices in the area. He also is believed to be associated with the alleged former leader of the al Qaeda in Iraq network in the city, who was detained Jan. 26. The suspect was injured in the operation and was treated on site before being detained.
— In Tikrit, coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq member linked to the facilitation of weapons and terrorists, terrorist financing and coordinating attacks against coalition forces and local citizens assisting with security efforts. Reports indicate the suspect is associated with a provincial al Qaeda in Iraq leader in Salahuddin and a Moroccan foreign-terrorist facilitator who was killed in September. Another suspected terrorist also was detained.
— Coalition forces captured another alleged terrorist and two other suspects during another operation in Tikrit. The wanted individual reportedly is a member of an extremist group and is believed to maintain weapons caches in the area.
— In southwestern Mosul, two suspected terrorists were detained, including a suspected associate of an al Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city. The alleged terrorist leader is linked to foreign terrorists and suicide bombers operating in the area.
“We will continue to target al Qaeda in Iraq networks, disrupting their ability to conduct brutal, indiscriminate attacks,” said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Successful operations like these, combined with efforts of Iraqi security forces, will erode al Qaeda’s resources and their ability to terrorize the people of Iraq.”
Also today, two men and a woman were killed near Tikrit during a firefight between coalition forces and two suspected terrorists. While entering a building, coalition soldiers were attacked by small-arms fire and returned fire. Afterward, coalition forces discovered the bodies of the men and the woman and an injured child. The child suffered leg injuries and was flown to a coalition hospital. The incident is under investigation.
In other news, about 100 Iraqi citizens advocated for the dismissal of Baqouba’s police chief during a peaceful demonstration in Diyala province Feb. 3. The demonstration was conducted in an orderly fashion, officials said.
“The fact that the Iraqi people were able to conduct this peaceful protest is a testament to the evolving Iraqi democratic process,” said Army Maj. Margaret Kageleiry, a coalition spokeswoman.
In Feb. 2 operations, suspected extremists kidnapped three Iraqi National Police officers from a checkpoint in Adhamiyah, near the Fardus Mosque in the Ur neighborhood. Six hours later, the police officers were released near another checkpoint after intensive efforts by Iraqi and coalition security forces to recover them.
Also Feb. 2, U.S. soldiers arrested three alleged Iranian-trained “special group” cell members, one believed to be a cell leader from Rusafa, during early morning raids in Baghdad’s Rashid district. Another suspected special group cell member linked to weapons trafficking was captured by U.S. troops during a raid in Aamel. In Doura, U.S. soldiers arrested a man believed to be involved in al Qaeda activities.
A day earlier, U.S. soldiers with the 1st Infantry Division’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team detained three men linked to a Sunni-extremist IED cell during a raid in Doura.
Also Feb. 1, in the village of Mashraf, Iraqi and U.S. forces detained two suspected al Qaeda members linked to multiple attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces. Near Tal Afar, an Iraqi commando team and U.S. Special Forces soldiers detained two more suspected terrorist cell leaders. Three terrorists were killed during the operation.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
blog:
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/191093.php
February 05, 2008
“What if an Indicted Terror Supporter Had a Website?”
Note: Photos included.
ADDING 1 link:
blog:
http://www.westernresistance.com/blog/archives/003968.html
February 4, 2008
“UK: Muslim Fanatic Abu Izzadeen Stands Trial”
ADDING 2 links to post no. 212:
http://www.youtube.com/user/alimasharli
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=alimasharli
####
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BOOK:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974670170/qid=1133393692/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-6558286-1611305
“War of the Web: Fighting the Online Jihad”
by Jeremy Reynalds
Off-Topic...and we have an update in our entertainment news section:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=omarbinladen
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=binladen
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1965561/posts
“Mr and Mrs Bin Laden: Rockers in Rome Hoping for Peace and a Meeting with the Pope”
Daily Mail ^ | February 5, 2008
Posted on 02/05/2008 4:42:56 PM PST by Cecily
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Wearing matching leather jackets and jeans, and with dark hair flowing over their shoulders, they stroll hand-in-hand through Rome.
No, not a couple of ageing rockers. This is Osama bin Laden’s son and his British wife on their self-proclaimed mission to promote world peace.”
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16847&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080204-04
February 4, 2008
Iraqi SWAT detains 28 suspects, kills seven terrorists in operations targeting AQI
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
BAGHDAD – The Al Hillah Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit, with U.S. Special Forces advisors, arrested 28 suspects during air assault operations targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network near Salman Pak Feb. 3.
During the operation, Iraqi and U.S. Forces killed seven terrorists and wounded one.
Hillah SWAT launched the mission to capture an al-Qaeda commander who led operations in Al-Suwayrah, south of Baghdad. According to credible intelligence, he conducted financial transactions for the terrorist group and recruited foreign fighters, including women, to attack Iraqi citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces with improvised explosive devices and small-arms attacks.
Reports indicate he ordered a female suicide bomber to attack a religious gathering in Diyala Province Jan. 16. Also targeted was an AQI cell that builds vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The cell is reportedly responsible for six attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Forces, as well as the murder of four Iraqi citizens.
Iraqi and U.S. Forces landed at multiple helicopter landing zones, moved to several objectives and entered multiple residences during the operation. During the operation, as two enemy fighters were observed maneuvering tactically against one of the HLZs, they were engaged by a Coalition Forces aerial weapons team and killed.
Ground forces received small-arms fire during entry into one structure. One U.S. Special Forces Soldier disarmed an enemy fighter and rendered first aid to him for a hand wound.
Five enemy fighters observed maneuvering from structure to structure to flank ground forces were engaged and killed.
Moving to another structure, ground forces came under heavy small-arms fire. Ground forces returned fire and entered the structure. Upon entry, ground forces secured and detained eight males.
A wounded civilian with a minor leg wound was treated on-site. Another Iraqi civilian was treated, but pronounced dead at the scene. During a search of the building, ground forces found hand grenades and a suicide vest IED.
Ground forces detained 28 suspects for further questioning.
-30-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLJ2fn2DMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QppIdWZUmUE
###
###
Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. BOMB.
Well now, it’s been a while, but we do have another STUCK ON STUPID award winner.
Thanks to HotAir.com for pointing to this article:
#
http://www.mark.org.il/index.php/2008/02/05/palestinians-whine-about-suicide-bomber-shooting/
“Palestinians Whine About Suicide Bomber Shooting”
February 5th, 2008
FYI regarding a car accident.
Thanks to RDTF for the ping:
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0208/493634.html
“1 Hurt, 7 Arrested in I-66 Accident”
posted 5:44 pm Tue February 05, 2008 - Fairfax, Va.
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “When police questioned the driver, Abdulla Bonilla, he could not provide them with proper identification nor could any of the 6 passengers in his silver Nissan Pathfinder.
ABC 7/NewsChannel 8’s Suzanne Kennedy reports that Immigrations Customs Enforcement agents took the suspects into a ICE facility in Fairfax where the immigration status of the suspects are being questioned.
ICE agents say the seven suspects are Mexican nationals and want to make sure that they are not part of a smuggling or human trafficking group.”
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080204federickcounty.htm
“ICE begins immigration training for Maryland and Virginia officers”
FREDERICK CO., MD
(February 4, 2008)
I am surprised the VA cops called ICE... I can remember not too long ago in VA when they would have let them go. Can you imagine what the cops thought when they saw the drivers name!
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