Threat Matrix: April 2008

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[nwctwx]

Afghanistan to Ask NATO for Bigger Army

Afghan officials will go to the NATO summit in Romania Thursday with a request: pay to increase our national Army by 40 percent. A bigger Army, Afghan officials argue, will allow the US and other coalition members to scale back in the coming years.

This appeal comes amid pleas from the US and Canada for other NATO members to commit more to the Afghanistan mission, which many analysts say has floundered over the past year for lack of resources and a coherent strategy. France is expected to contribute another 1,000 forces and Germany is likely to make a bigger commitment.

But American and Afghan government sources with knowledge of the expected Afghan proposal say that an increase from the current authorization of 86,000 Afghan Army soldiers to 120,000 is the only way to create an enduring defense against a resurgent Taliban and elusive Al Qaeda operatives. Read More

	France May Send More Troops to Afghanistan
	Special Operations Increase Possible for Iraq
	Al-Qaeda Grooming Militants Who 'Look Western': CIA Chief

Threat Matrix:
April 2008

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[MamaDearest]

An early morning STUCK ON STUPID award winner: JIMMY CARTER

I'll second that nomination!

Facebook closed on profile of terrorist

VICTORIA Police has been refused access to a self-proclaimed terrorist's personal Facebook details after the social networking website demanded more information about an international counter-terrorism investigation into its member.

Counter-terrorism agents were asked to supply more details about a death threat made via Facebook against a Melbourne Jewish woman and her family by an alleged member of the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah.

Freedom of speech organization takes on cause

A U.S. freedom of speech organization is crying foul, charging Lake Superior State University unfairly ordered a sociology professor to take down cartoons on Islamic terrorism and other politically-charged materials from his office door.

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education says an anonymous complaint led the Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. school to demand in March, 2007 that Prof. Richard Crandall take down a number of materials adorning his office door.

FIRE says the materials in question include cartoons and other materials pertaining to Islamic terrorism, gun control, abortion, presidential politics and the war in Iraq. One poster from Crandall's door advertises a "Notice of the weekly meeting of the white, male, heterosexual faculty and staff association."

[MamaDearest]

You're welcome Cindy.

Top judge shot dead in southern Russia

A top judge in Russia's southern troubled province of Ingushetia who had led trials of Islamic rebels was shot dead on Sunday, local police said.

Safe green decontamination method

Research by two Queen's University scientists has resulted in an exciting new method for rapidly and safely destroying toxic agents such as chemical weapons and pesticides.

Recently completed testing by an independent European defence corporation has shown the researchers’ method to be greater than 99 per cent effective when used on the deadly nerve agents Tabun, Soman and VX.

When tested in solution, full destruction of all three agents was achieved in less than 30 seconds. Testing on contaminated surfaces showed virtually complete decontamination of the agents in 10 minutes – the shortest of the time periods tested.

[MamaDearest]

Muslim depicts violent Christianity

Snippets: The film, entitled Schism, was made by Raed al-Saeed. It splices together Bible verses and Iraq war images - including British soldiers beating civilians.

The film, which was posted on the internet last month, was initially removed by YouTube, the video sharing site. Mr Saeed complained to the site and it has been restored.

Lonely Planet guidebook author admits he made it all up

A writer for the Lonely Planet guidebook series has admitted he either copied or made up large sections of his books.

Thomas Kohnstamm worked on more than a dozen guides, including the titles on Brazil, Colombia, South America, the Caribbean, Venezuela and Chile.

In one case he said he had not even visited the country he was writing about.

"They didn't pay me enough to go to Colombia. I wrote the book in San Francisco," he says in a biography Do Travel Writers Go To Hell?

"I got the information from a chick I was dating - an intern at the Colombian consulate."

[Cindy]

I’m glad F.I.R.E is involved.

http://www.thefire.org

[denydenydeny]

Snippets: The film, entitled Schism, was made by Raed al-Saeed. It splices together Bible verses and Iraq war images - including British soldiers beating civilians.

If the jihad fails, guy's got a future in Hollywood.

[Cindy]

I’m sorry about the judge and that’s great news about this decontamination method.

[Velveeta]

Prayers for the Holy Father’s safety.
++++++++

2nd College Closes Because of Threats (Oakland Universiy - Michigan)

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Threatening graffiti found in three men’s restrooms led Oakland University to cancel campus classes, sports and cultural activities for two days.

The school said it sent out a security alert Saturday after finding one threatening message, and officials said they found similar messages in men’s restrooms in two other buildings later that day.

The school didn’t reveal contents of the threats. But university Police Chief Sam Lucido told the Detroit Free Press that they referred to possible campus attacks on “4/14.”
snip
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-university-threats,1,5119265.story

[Cindy]

More or less that film sounds like the a jihad-lite propaganda.

I’d be more impressed if a muslim could blog the Quran/Koran and produce videos with the blogs as well as Robert Spencer from Jihad Watch (http://www.jihadwatch.org ) does on Hot Air.com (http://www.hotair.com ).

Also, it should be noted that Mr. Spencer’s grasp of the concept of Islam as well as islamic extremists (jihadis) is incredibly detailed and forthright.

Videos with Mr. Spencer can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/michellemalkin

Here is the latest video by Mr. Spencer.
He discusses FITNA here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbtJeS3Q0AA

Here is another post with another video included:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020662.php

April 13, 2008
“Spencer on the suppression of discussion of Islam”

[Cindy]

Second university -Oakland University, Michigan— 4/14 threats.

Duly noted and thanks Velveeta.

[Velveeta]

Three other schools close to St. Xavier in Illinois will also close and a fourth (Brother Rice H.S.) is considering closing:

snippet
Officials from neighboring Southwest and Queen of Martyrs schools and Mother McAuley High School followed suit by canceling school for Monday. Brother Rice High School, which also abuts the university campus, was undecided Saturday on whether to close.

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/892039,041308stxav.article

[Velveeta]

Just heard from a friend whose son goes to Brother Rice High that they will indeed be closed tomorrow.

[Cindy]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2241550816112243907&hl=en
Video: FDD event - Robert Spencer - “FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE AGE OF JIHAD”
(April 11, 2008)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8731071081643318571&hl=en
Video: FDD event: “IBN WARRAQ REMARKS AT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE AGE OF JIHAD”
(Note: Includes STEVE EMERSON speaking on this video.)
(April 11, 20087)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2178798745368739705&hl=en
Video: FDD Event: “MARK STEYN NYC FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE AGE OF JIHAD”
(April 11, 2008)

http://www.steynonline.com/content/view/1153/128/
STEYNonline.com: “AN ALBERTAN IN MANHATTAN”
(April 11, 2008)

http://ezralevant.com/2008/04/thoughts-from-new-york.html
EZRA LEVANT.com: “THOUGHTS FROM NEW YORK”
(April 11, 2008)

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/freedom_of_speech_in_the_age_of_jihad/index.html
ATLAS SHUGS (PAMELA GELLER): “FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE AGE OF JIHAD”

http://www.defenddemocracy.org/research_topics/research_topics_show.htm?doc_id=677349
“Event in NYC on Libel Tourism”
(April 10, 2008)

[Cindy]

Duly noting your posts Velveeta that 4 schools will be closed so far.

[Cindy]

RECAP:

WTOP.com (AP): Narrows, Virginia - "ONE YEAR AFTER VA. TECH KILLINGS, THE SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION REMAINS ELUSIVE" by Kristen Gelineau (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Since then, Neely feels safer if his guns are within reach.") (April 12, 2008, 6:16 pm)

Link

[Cindy]

Fyi Only.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=1386018

“Pope’s Visit Will Bring Road Closings, Metro Disruptions”
April 13, 2008 - 7:36pm

MPDC WASHINGTON

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18429&Itemid=21

Press Release A080413b
April 13, 2008

Coalition Forces capture Iraqi criminal suspected of being trained in Iran

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained an Iraqi citizen suspected of being an Iranian-trained intelligence operative, along with three other Iraqi criminals Sunday during operations near Balad.

The targeted individual allegedly collected intelligence on Coalition forces and airbases and delivered it to Iranian intelligence agents.

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

“Coalition forces will continue to seek out and bring to justice suspected criminals such as this individual who ignore the rule of law and threaten the security of Iraq,” said Cmdr. Scott Rye, MNF-I spokesman.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18434&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080413-10
April 13, 2008

MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminal ringleader, 8 other suspects

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers captured a suspected criminal leader in southern Baghdad April 12.

The criminal suspect is accused of conducting crimes against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces operating in the Rashid district of Baghdad.
Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted the search and seizure operation based upon a tip provided by a concerned local Iraqi.

The Soldiers also detained eight others suspected of being involved with the suspected ringleader in conducting crimes against the Government of Iraq and MND-B.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18433&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080413-13
April 13, 2008

Iraqi National Police discover cache, detain five

Multi-National Division – Center PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police discovered a weapons cache inside a truck southeast of Baghdad April 13.

The NPs found the truck after receiving a tip from a local citizen.

The cache included 541 anti-tank mines warheads, 100 rocket fuses, 29 120 mm mortars, five rocket-propelled grenade and seven 107 mm rockets.
Five suspects are being held for questioning in connection to the cache.

-30-

[MamaDearest]

Thank you immensely for the Robert Spencer, Steve Emerson, et al freedom of speech links - and bless you for posting them and God bless America for protecting our Constitutional right to freedom of speech.

Top universities foster extremism says security studies academic

Snippets: British universities are fostering extremism through Islamic study centres which were set up to tackle that very same threat, an academic has warned.

The centres, funded by multi-million-pound donations from Saudi Arabia and Muslim organisations, have been earmarked by the Government as a key component in the drive to counter radicalisation.

But according to a report by Professor Anthony Glees, the director of Brunel University's Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, some are proving to be counter-productive.

He said the centres peddled one-sided views of Islam and the Middle East, tantamount to anti-Western propaganda.

Professor Glees called on the Government to ban universities from accepting money from Saudi or Islamic groups to fund Islamic studies and wants all university donations to be made public.

[Cindy]

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/04/iraqi_government_we.php

“Iraqi government: ‘We will continue until we secure Sadr City’”
By BILL ROGGIO
(April 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

#

Previously...

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/04/us_iraqi_troops_prep.php

“US, Iraqi troops prepare the battlefield in Sadr City”
By BILL ROGGIO
(April 12, 2008 9:53 PM)