Chairman Discusses Military Operations, Threats, ‘People’ Issues

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – While devoting much of his National Press Club address today to efforts under way in Afghanistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was quizzed on a broad range of other defense issues ranging from the war in Iraq to the defense budget to possible revisions to the military ban on homosexuals.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the audience at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C., July 8, 2009. Mullen discussed a multitude of subjects including the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fiscal year 2010 budget request and ongoing care for wounded warriors and their families.  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen focused on three major areas: efforts under way in the broader Middle East, military challenges elsewhere in the world, and the need to reduce stress on the force and take care of wounded warriors and the families.

Here are highlights of his comments and responses during a question-and-answer session:

On Iraq:

Drawdown plans are on track, with the significant decreases to begin early next year, Mullen said, noting that violence is down to the lowest level since 2003 and 2004.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the cities by the June 30 deadline stipulated in the U.S.-Iraq security agreement proceeded smoothly. “That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a vulnerable time. Times of transition always are,” he said. “But I’m confident right now that we’ve got the strategy right and we’re in support of the Iraqi security forces.”

On Iran:

Iran’s nuclear-weapons development plan – one Mullen said he believes is moving forward – has the potential to cause an “incredibly destabilizing” impact on the region, the admiral told the group. “They still continue to move down the road toward nuclear weapons,” he said. “They are state sponsors of terrorism. And they are generally a destabilizing influence in the region, and still are in both Iraq and Afghanistan.”

On North Korea:

North Korea’s leadership “continues to be a destabilizing force” in the region, he said, as evidenced most recently by its missile launches conducted in defiance of the United Nations Security Council. “I’m actually encouraged by the unity of the international community with respect to continuing to isolate the North Korean leadership,” Mullen told the group. “And I think that’s important,” he said, “and that we need to keep that pressure up.”

On China:

Mullen said he’s long believed that a rising China is a positive for the world, as long as it rises as a peaceful nation. But he expressed concerns about China’s strategic intent, and questions about its increasing investment in defense. “Where is that going?” he asked. “Clarifying that strategic intent over time, I think, is very important.”

On cyber security:

While not directly addressing the recent spate of cyber attacks targeting U.S. and South Korean Web sites, Mullen said he’s “increasingly concerned” about the threat, whether from individual hackers or state entities. “That’s something I think we all need to be concerned about,” he said. “It’s a growing concern.”

The Defense Department is “constantly probed in the cyber world,” he conceded, but he added that he’s “comfortable that we are on alert.”

“We recognize the probes, and we are responding,” he said.
Leadership across the board has recognized and is addressing the threat, but Mullen said a corps of cyber-security experts needs to be cultivated to maintain the focus.

“It’s a growing concern, and we need to have this as a big part of our focus with respect to [it being] a growing concern, and we need to have this as a big part of our focus with respect to the threat now and in the future.”

On balancing military capabilities:

Mullen called it “absolutely critical” that the military build more irregular warfare capability, an emphasis Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has built into the fiscal 2010 defense budget request. The goal is to “move that pendulum” from its current position, in which 60 to 70 percent of defense spending goes to conventional capability, he said.

“For me, it's all about balance,” he said. “It isn't about moving the pendulum from one side all the way to the other. It's about balance for the future.”

On stress on the force:

Mullen said he sees “growing indicators” -- including rising suicide rates across the military -- that the troops are under stress. Today’s troops are the best he’s seen throughout his career, Mullen said. “And yet we’ve asked them to deploy multiple times, for longer periods of time than expected,” he added. “And there is extraordinary pressure and stress on them, and not just on the members, but also on the families.” The military is addressing those needs, beginning with top-level emphasis, he said, noting that the key, more than anything else, is leadership focus on these great men and women.”

On caring for wounded warriors and families of the wounded and fallen:

The United States as a nation owes these troops and their families a huge debt that must be repaid, Mullen said. He noted that their lives have changed dramatically, through wounds or loss of a loved one, but their dreams haven’t.
Mullen credited stepped-up cooperation between the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs with helping to meet their needs and reach toward their aspirations.

But another big part of the equation, he said, comes from the American public. “Communities throughout the country reach out to those who’ve given so much and touch them where they need support and make a difference that sustains their lives over a period of time,” he said.

On possible changes to the military ban on homosexuality:

Mullen said the president wants to change the so-called “Don’t, ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibits officials from inquiring into servicemembers’ sexual orientation in the absence of disallowed behaviors, but allows action to be taken if a servicemember discloses homosexuality by word or action. But he noted that the policy is a law that’s been in effect since 1993, and changing it would require legislation.

In the meantime, Mullen said, the secretary of defense has directed the department’s general counsel “to look at a more humane way to execute the policy.”

Mullen said he hopes that any policy change is implemented in a way that “recognizes the challenges and the stress that we’re under right now.”

“Should the law change, certainly we will carry it out,” he said. “I’ll certainly lead.”

[SandRat]

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[El Gato]

“We recognize the probes, and we are responding,” he said.

I hope to Hell we are probing back, hard. A little EMP to fry their computers would not be out of line, IMHO.

[Cindy]

OFF [THREAD] TOPIC... A small sampler of what I have been looking at recently ON THE INTERNET:

MAKING SENSE OF JIHAD.com - blog: "STILL TROUBLESOME AFTER ALL THESE YEARS" (July 20, 2009)

THREATS WATCH.org: "REVEALING SECRETS BY PULLING OUR PLUG IN PUBLIC" by Jay Fraser (July 18, 2009, 10:11 am) (Read More...)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "APPEASING ASSAD" by Ryan Mauro (July 20, 2009) (Read More...)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 16, 2009"): "U.S. SAYS STILL TIME TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH IRAN; SYRIA PLEASED WITH U.S. SOFTENING TOWARDS IT" (Posted July 16, 2009) (Read More...)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: Al-Safir, Lebanon, July 20, 2009"): "SPEAKER AT HIZB AL-TAHRIR CONFERENCE IN LEBANON CALLS FOR JIHAD IN CYPRUS, BALKANS, CAUCASUS" (SNIPPET: "At the annual conference of the Islamist organization Hizb Al-Tahrir in Lebanon, on the subject of jihad, organization member Sheikh Adnan Mizyan said yesterday that in light of the fact that many countries of Muslims are today under occupation, including Palestine, Iraq, Cyprus, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Kashmir, the Islamic ummah must take jihad measures in order to free them.") (Posted July 20, 2009) (Read More...)

INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT.org - IPT News: "HIZB UT-TAHRIR: SHARIA TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER U.S. CONSTITUTION Imam Promises to Fight 'Until Islam Becomes Victorious or We Die in the Attempt'" (July 20, 2009) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "HIZB UT-TAHRIR AMERICA: Let's Not Exaggerate; Let's Be Accurate" by Madeleine Gruen (July 19, 2009, 12:47 pm) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "ISLAMIC SPREMACISTS MEET IN CHICAGO, AMERICAN MUSLIM GROUPS SILENT" (July 18, 2009) (Read More...)

FOX NEWS.com: "ISLAMIC SUPREMACIST GROUP HOLDS FIRST U.S. CONFERENCE" by Diane Macedo (SNIPPET: "Hizb ut-Tahrir often says that its indoctrination "prepares the infantry" that groups like Al Qaeda take into battle, Phares said. "It's like a middle school that prepares them to be recruited by the high school, which is Al Qaeda," he said. "One would compare them to Hitler youth. ...It's an extremely dangerous organization.") (July 17, 2009) (Read More...)

INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT.org - IPT News: "HIZB UT-TAHRIR IN AMERICA: PREACHING HATE, BUILDING A CALIPHATE" (July 17, 2009) (Read More...)

INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT.org - IPT News: "PRO-TERROR GROUP TO MEET IN CHICAGO SUBURB" (July 10, 2009) (Read More...)

TELEGRAPH.co.uk: "SHOPPING CENTRES ON ALERT FOR TERRORISM ATTACK" by Duncan Gardham (SNIPPET: "The National Counter Terrorism Security Office now holds training days for shopping centres and other vulnerable targets up and down the country, warning: "Terrorist attacks in the UK are a real and serious danger. "Crowded places, including shopping centres, are likely to feature in the attack plans of terrorist organisations in the future as they are usually locations with limited protective security measures and therefore afford the potential for mass fatalities and casualties."") (Published July 18, 2009, 6:00 am BST) (Read More...)

CNS NEWS.com (AP): Jakarta, Indonesia - "EXPLOSIVES USED IN HOTEL BOMBING 'IDENTICAL' TO THOSE USED IN BALI" (July 20, 2009) (Read More...)

LONG WAR JOURNAL.org: "INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN JAKARTA FOLLOWING TERROR STRIKES, NOORDIN TOP SUSPECTED" by Nick Grace (July 17, 2009, 5:45 pm (PHOTO CAPTION: "The head of the JW Marriott hotel bomber, who was identified as Nurdin Aziz.") (July 17, 2009, 5:45 pm) (Read More...)

REWARDS FOR JUSTICE.net: "WANTED NOORDIN MOHAMMAD TOP" (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "CHINA, CHINA, AND MORE CHINA" (July 17, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AFP): Hong Kong - "AL-QAEDA THREATENS TO HIT CHINA OVER UIGHURS" (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2450: "Uighur Jihadist Group Threatens China over Xinjiang Clashes: 'Allah's Cavalry Will Soon Fall Upon You'; 'Oh Brave Mujahideen... Kill the Communist Chinese Wherever You Find Them'" (July 17, 2009)

DEFENSElink.mil Release No. 526-09: "DoD IDENTIFIES OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM SOLDIER" (July 19, 2009) (Read More...)

Video: "U.S. SOLDIER POW IN AFGHANISTAN (full video)" -Posted by Amir Asad (July 19, 2009) [Note: This is a jihad propaganda video. -Cindy]

LONG WAR JOURNAL.org: "HAQQANI NETWORK THREATENS TO EXECUTE CAPTURED U.S. SOLDIER" by Bill Roggio (July 16, 2009, 11:34 am) (Read More...)

CNS NEWS.com: 'OBAMA'S HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY SUPPORTS WEAKENING POST-9/11 DRIVER'S LICENSE REFORMS THAT WERE DESIGNED TO THWART TERRORISTS" by Fred Lucas (July 17, 2009) (Read More...)

DHS.gov: "Testimony of Secretary Napolitano before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, "Identification Security" (Oral Testimony) given July 15, 2009" (Release Date: July 16, 2009) (Read More...)

DHS.gov: "Testimony of Secretary Napolitano before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, "Identification Security, Reevaluating the Read ID Act" (Written Testimony) (Release Date: July 15, 2009) (Read More...)

HOT AIR.com: "GERMANS: OF COURSE IRAN KEPT WORKING ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS" -posted by Ed Morrissey (July 20, 2009, 1:36 pm) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (REUTERS, July 15, 2009): Berlin - "GERMAN INTEL: IRAN COULD HAVE NUCLEAR BOMB IN SIX MONTHS" (July 16, 2009) (Read More...)

TRUTHUSA.com: "A Look at Iran (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "CURRENTLY IN CIRCULATION..." (July 17, 2009) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "New Audio from Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri: 'A Message to My Muslim Brothers and Sisters in Pakistan'" by Evan Kohlmann (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI JTTM.org: "After Long Delay, Official Release of Bin Laden's Audio on Pakistan" (Posted July 12, 2009) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2446: "SALAFI-JIHADI GROUP IN GAZA: "We Intend to Carry Out a Big Operation to Prove Our Allegiance to Bin Laden"" (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

OSAC.gov: Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria - Consular Affairs Bulletins - Report: "WARDEN MESSAGE: NIGERIA KIDNAPPING INCIDENT, SOUTHERN TRAVEL RISKS" (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

CNS NEWS.com: "FIVE MONTHS AFTER SIGNING $787-BILLION STIMULUS, OBAMA PREDICTS UNEMPLOYMENT WILL CONTINUE INCREASING FOR MONTHS" by Terence P. Jeffrey (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com (NEW YORK POST): "THE COMING TAX HIKE" by George F. Will (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

AMERICAN THINKER.com - blog: "AMERICA SLIDING INTO A PIT OF FOREIGN DEBT" by Howard Richman, Raymond Richman, and Jesse Richman (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "THE ROAD TO RUIN" by Jacob Laksin (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "BIPARTISAN EXPERTS TELL CONGRESS TO LET GUANTANAMO DETAINEES COME TO U.S." by Jonathan Winer (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (pdf) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "RENEWED FOCUS ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS AND TERRORIST THREATS IN SOMALIA" by Evan Kohlmann (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

TELEGRAPH.co.uk: "PIRATES 'SMUGGLING AL-QAEDA FIGHTERS' INTO SOMALIA" by Colin Freeman (Published July 5, 2009, 8:00 am) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

WASHINGTON POST.com: "THE 'CAP AND TAX' DEAD END" by Sarah Palin (SNIPPET: "I am deeply concerned about President Obama's cap-and-trade energy plan, and I believe it is an enormous threat to our economy.") (July 14, 2009) (Read More...)

PAJAMAS MEDIA.com - blog: "I'll Give You Dozens of Terrorists, You Give Me One Journalist, OK?" by Michael Ledeen (July 12, 2009, 5:59 pm) (Read More...)

LONG WAR JOURNAL.org: "'IRAN CONTINUES TO FUND, TRAIN, EQUIP, AND DIRECT' SHIA TERROR GROUPS IN IRAQ: GENERAL PETRAEUS" (Note: Video Included.) (July 11, 2009) (Read More...)

Video - Link (Watch Here.)

JIHAD WATCH.org (DAILY EXPRESS): "U.K.: POLICE TOLD NOT TO CHARGE MUSLIM 'EXTREMISTS' IN SOME HATE CRIME CASES FOR FEAR OF 'RADICALIZING' THEM EVEN MORE" (July 11, 2009) (Read More...)

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletin - Report: Japan - "WARDEN MESSAGE: TOKYO DRINK-SPIKING INCIDENTS" (July 10, 2009) (Read More...)

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletin - Report: Latvia - "WARDEN MESSAGE: LATVIA EXPERIENCING CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGNERS" (July 10, 2009) (Read More...)

JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION - TERRORISM MONITOR: "'THE WHOLE OF AFRICA WILL GO UP IN FLAMES': THE TALIBAN LOOK AT U.S. DESIGNS ON AFRICAN ENERGY RESOURCES" (SNIPPET: "The article clearly supports Somalia's extremist Mujahideen Youth Movement (better known as al-Shabaab) in its efforts to take control of Somalia.") (July 9, 2009, 4:06 pm) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE): Washington - "CHAIRMAN DISCUSSES MILITARY OPERATIONS, THREATS, 'PEOPLE' ISSUES" by Donna Miles (July 8, 2009) (Read More...)

ONE NEWS NOW.com: "OBAMA REPEATING CARTER'S NATIONAL SECURITY BLUNDERS?" by Chad Groening (July 9, 2009, 4:00 am) (Read More...)

UmmahMedia: "The Beginning of the End...(a response to Barack Obama) by Abu Mansoor al-Amriki" (July 9, 2009)

NY POST.com: "STOLEN STATUE OF LIBERTY BEHEADED IN SHOCKING VIDEO" by Dan Mangan (Last updated July 8, 2009, 8:14 pm) (Read More...)

CNS NEWS.com: "OBAMA'S ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL TELLS SENATE: TERRORISTS CAPTURED ON BATTLEFIELD HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS" by Penny Starr (July 8, 2009) (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "ADDRESSING THE NUCLEAR THREAT: Fulfilling the Promise of Prague at the L'Aquila Summit" (July 8, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

WTOP.com: Washington - U.S. WARNS OF MULTIPLE AL-QAIDA PLOTS" by JJ Green (July 7, 2009, 3:04 pm) (Read More...)

DAILY TIMES.com.pk - DAILY TIMES MONITOR: Lahore - "25 VEHICLES FITTED WITH EXPLOSIVES ENTER MAJOR CITIES" (SNIPPET: "The channel cited a notification issued by the Interior Ministry stating that suicide bombers along with the vehicles had entered Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi.") (July 7, 2009) (Read More...)

Travel.State.gov - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE: "TRAVEL WARNING: PAKISTAN" (June 12, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (ISRAEL TODAY): "EUROPEAN AL QAEDA MEMBERS RECEIVED TRAINING IN GAZA" (July 7, 2009) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "BANNED OUTFIT USING LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO OUTWIT FIA" (SNIPPET: "They are sending out SMS messages to let followers know that they have a new URL for their site.") (July 13, 2009) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "SUPPORT FOR HIZB UT-TAHRIR AMERICA MAY BE SURPRISING" (July 7, 2009) (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "PRELIMINARY LIST OF 98 HIZB UT-TAHRIR WEBSITES" (July 6, 2009) (Read More...)

OSINT.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: ""PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PREVENTS HT'S CONFERENCE AND ARRESTS 100s IN SERVITUDE TO THE ENEMIES OF ISLAM"" (July 5, 2009) (Read More...)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "A CHILLING LOOK AT CENTRAL AMERICAN GANGS AND WHY THEY ARE A THREAT" by Douglas Farah (July 7, 2009, 10:55 am) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

THE MEDIA LINE.org: "TUNISIA ARRESTS CELL 'PLOTTING ATTACKS' ON U.S. OFFICERS" by Rachelle Kilger (SNIPPET: "Tunisian authorities have reportedly arrested nine soldiers..." SNIPPET: "The detainees, two of whom are officers in the Tunisian Air Force...") (July 6, 2009) (Read More...)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (BOXUN): "CHINA: PHOTOS OF UYGHUR RIOTS IN URUMQI, XINJIANG (CITY ON FIRE)" (Posted July 6, 2009) (Read More...)

SOUTH ASIA ANALYSIS.org: "WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE IN URUMQI" by B. Raman (July 6, 2009) (Read More...)

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletins - Report: China - "WARDEN MESSAGE: URUMQI (CHINA) UNREST" (July 6, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (MIAMI HERALD): "SKOREA SAYS NORTH [NORTH KOREA] FIRES 7 MISSILES OFF EAST COAST" (July 4, 2009) (Read More...)

DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE): Washington - "NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH 'NOT UNEXPECTED,' OFFICIAL SAYS" by Samantha L. Quigley (July 2, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

OSINT.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com (TIMES ONLINE.co.uk): "HIZB UT-TAHRIR PLOTS AGAINST PAKISTAN" (July 5, 2009) (Read More...)

OSINT.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "MATERIALS ON RELIGIOUS-EXTREMIST ORGANIZATION "HIZB UT-TAHRIR", WITH PROOFS OF ITS PARTICIPATION IN TERRORIST ACTIVITY." (SNIPPET: "Editorial Note: This is the text of a document found on the website of The General Consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Athens.") (July 4, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, July 4, 2009): "EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT EXPELLED 20 FRENCH MUSLIMS THOUGHT TO BE CONNECTED WITH JIHADIST ATTACK" (July 5, 2009) (Read More...)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog - (ISLAM IN EUROPE): "SWEDEN: VISIT BY SPIRITUAL LEADER OF AL-SHABAAB" (July 3, 2009) (Read More...)

ISLAM IN EUROPE - blog: "SOMALIA: THREE SWEDISH CITIZENS DIE IN JIHAD" (May 31, 2009) (Read More...)

TIMES ONLINE.co.uk: "BRITISH AND AMERICAN FIGHTERS RESPOND TO JIHAD CALL IN SOMALAIA" (May 23, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "ANOTHER TIRESOME ENGLISH-LANGUAGE JIHAD MAGAZINE" (July 2, 2009) (Read More...)

TELEGRAPH.co.uk: "UK IS VIOLENT CRIME CAPITAL OF EUROPE The United Kingdom is the violent crime capital of Europe and has one of the highest rates of violence in the world, worse even than America, according to new research." by Richard Edwards (Published July 2, 2009, 7:00 am BST) (Read More...)

Link (pdf) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

ASSIST NEWS SERVICE: Kasur, Pakistan - "VICTIMS OF JUNE 30 MUSLIM VIOLENCE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THREATS About 100 Christian homes and churches were set on fire" by Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan (July 2, 2009) (Read More...)

ASSIST NEWS SERVICE: Kasur, Pakistan - "PAKISTAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST CONDEMNS BRUTAL MUSLIM ATTACK ON CHRISTIAN VILLAGES They torched some 50 homes" by Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khan (July 1, 2009) (Read More...)

JIHADICA.com - blog: "SHISHANI ON SALAFI-JIHADISM IN THE LEVANT" by Scott Sanford (SNIPPET: "On 29 June 2009, the Jordanian journalist Murad Batal al-Shishani published an article in al-Hayat titled "Salafi-Jihadism: A New Face in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria's Palestinian Camps." The article talks about the new generation of "neo-Zarqawis" and the increasing radicalization of Palestinian refugees.") (July 2, 2009) (Read More...)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com - Exclusive: "TALIBAN BUYING CHILDREN FOR SUICIDE BOMBERS" by Sara A. Carter (Updated July 2, 2009, 2:11 p.m.) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

DAILY MAIL.co.uk: "AL-QAEDA VOWS 'DREADFUL REVENGE' ON FRANCE OVER PLANS TO BAN THE BURQA" by Ian Sparks (Last updated July 1, 2009, 11:02 pm) (Read More...)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "AL-QAEDA IN THE ISLAMIC MAGHREB OPPOSES FRENCH BURQUA BAN" (June 30, 2009) (Read More...)

Link (Read More...)

PAJAMAS MEDIA: "AL-QAEDA THREATENS FRANCE OVER BURQA" (June 30, 2009, 2:13 pm) (Read More...)

OSAC.gov: "WARDEN MESSAGE: MAURITANIA KIDNAPPING THREAT" (June 27, 2009) (Read More...)

COMPASS DIRECT.org: Los Angeles: "MAURITANIA: ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS KILL U.S. AID WORKER At least two gunmen repeatedly shoot teacher for Christian activities." (June 29, 2009) (Read More...)

FOX NEWS (AP): "AMERICAN SHOT DEAD IN WEST AFRICAN CAPITAL" (June 23, 2009) (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Briefing Room" (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Agenda" (Read More...)

WHITEHOUSE.gov: "Presidential Actions" (Note: Includes Executive Orders, Proclamations, & Memos) (Read More...)