Threat Matrix: January 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

Fighting Jihad: Strategic Thinking Needed
-Full Story-

The United States of America has some of the smartest leaders in government, military, and business in the world. Yet the American government has failed to collectively use this formidable brain-power 5+ years after the attack by Jihadists on the American homeland to develop a truly strategic plan to fight the global threat of Jihad and Islamist extremism. In one of the most complex wars in American history, rather than starting with holistic, big-picture thinking towards the challenges and prioritizing resources and actions accordingly, America has spent much of the past five years after 9/11 in reactive and bureaucratic churning.

	Zawahri Decries Moderate Arabs | Transcript: LauraMansfield.com
	There Is No Substitute For Knowing Your Enemy
	A Terror So Great We Forgot It At Once?

Thread Forty-Three

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[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006675.htm

[Cindy]

Note; The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2681

Insurgents Killed, Detained in Iraq; Iraqi Police Gain Recruits

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2007 – Coalition forces killed three insurgents and detained a dozen more over the past three days in Iraq, and Iraqi police forces netted 301 new recruits.

-- Soldiers of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, detained three suspected insurgents today and discovered a large cache containing various small-arms munitions, a bullet proof vest, a spool of wire and other improvised explosive device-making material while patrolling a town south of Baghdad.

-- Coalition forces detained six suspected insurgents yesterday during security operations in Irbil. One detainee was released and five remain in custody.

-- Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, killed three insurgents Jan. 10 in western Baghdad with the aid of attack helicopters.

-- Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, with coalition forces, detained three suspected terrorists and seized six weapons caches during a two-day combat operation Jan. 10-11 near Yusufiyah.

-- During recruiting drives Jan. 10 in Fallujah and Habbaniyah, the Fallujah Police District enlisted 102 Iraqi men and the Habbaniyah Police District enlisted 199. The Iraqi recruits will be shipped to the Jordanian International Police Training College, joining 550 recruits from other parts of the province, to learn law enforcement fundamentals during a six-week course. The recruits will undergo supplemental training sessions when they return to their home districts.

-- An Iraqi soldier was killed Jan. 10 in Anbar province when a 13-year-old Iraqi boy detonated the improvised explosive device he was carrying. It is not known if the boy knew he was carrying an IED. This is the second incident where a 13 year old was used to carry out an IED attack on security forces in Anbar province, U.S. officials said.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2679

U.S. Air Assets Support Strike in Afghanistan’s Bermel District

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2007 – Numerous air assets from U.S. Central Command supported NATO and Afghan forces in Afghanistan’s Paktika province Jan. 10, killing as many as 150 insurgents, U.S. Central Command officials said.

U. S. Central Command Air Forces supported International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army forces with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, air refueling and strike aircraft. They also expended precision munitions, missile and cannon rounds on a significant number of insurgents in the Bermel district of Paktika province, officials said.

ISAF battle damage estimates indicate as many as 150 insurgents were killed.

“The use of our combined air assets with their persistence, precision and lethality is a perfect example of the flexibility and combat capability of our coalition forces. We find and track the insurgents with our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and then target them with precise effect,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. William L. “Dutch” Holland, U.S. Central Command Air Forces deputy commander.

Holland also serves as commander of U. S. Central Command’s Deputy Combined Forces Air Component.

Two large groups of insurgents had been observed infiltrating Paktika province from Pakistan. The insurgents were monitored, tracked and subsequently engaged in Afghanistan, through the coordinated use of both air and ground fire in a series of engagements along the sparsely populated border region of Bermel district, U.S. officials said.

The insurgents had been observed gathering in Pakistan and had crossed the border before launching an attack against ANA and ISAF forces in the region. According to an ISAF press release, Pakistani military liaison officers were kept fully informed throughout the operation.

“Air strikes in support of this operation were a success because of the combined efforts of our aircrews and the ISAF and ANA ground forces working in concert to shut down the insurgents’ ability to operate in the Bermel district,” Holland said.

“U.S. CENTAF and the combined air component commander forces are committed to helping the Afghan people establish a safe and secure country,” he said.

(From a U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news release.)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1761962/posts?page=15#15

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1761962/posts

"The Redeker Affair"
Commentary ^ | Jan. '07 | Christian Delacampagne

Posted on 01/03/2007 1:42:19 PM PST by T.L.Sink

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766774/posts

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=26388
"The Anti-Profiling Agenda"
By Robert Spencer
FrontPageMagazine.com | January 12, 2007

[Cindy]

Adding a link set to post no. 622. RECAP and a few more details update; adding 2 links to this set:

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "BOSNIA SUICIDE BOMB PLOTTERS FOUND GUILTY (UPDATED)" by Evan Kohlmann (January 10, 2007)

Regarding Bosnia (January 11, 2007)

WESTERN RESISTANCE.com - blog: "BOSNIA: FOUR ISLAMISTS JAILED FOR TERRORIST PLOT" (January 11, 2007)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "ALLAHU AKBAR! Three jailed in Bosnia for planning suicide attack" (January 11, 2007)

stepping back in time...INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "THE DECLINE AND FALL OF IRHABI007: Episode Two, The Bust" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The point of this story is simple but important: There is no wall, no dividing line, nothing separating online jihadist activity from off-line/real-world jihadist activity (i.e terrorism). The two are inseparable. The story of how Irhabi007 came to reside in Belmarsh Prison starts in Bosnia.") (March 1, 2006)

stepping back in time...BBC NEWS.com: "MEN REMANDED OVER TERROR OFFENCES" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The other charges relate to conspiring with Mr. Tsouli "and others... to murder a person unknown".") (Last updated November 2005, 16:20 GMT)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmadinejad

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766969/posts
"How to Get Justice for Ahmadinejad"
TCS Daily ^ | 12 Jan 2007 | Michael Rosen

Posted on 01/13/2007 12:02:29 AM PST by neverdem

[Cindy]

UPDATE (and correcting my TKB.org link):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=greece

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1766319/posts

===
===

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070112-112317-5467r.htm
Page 1 of 2 next »
"Leftists fire rocket into U.S. Embassy"
By Derek Gatopoulos
ASSOCIATED PRESS
January 13, 2007
ATHENS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "But the type of weapon used has not been seen in previous Greek attacks: a 2.36-inch rocket, which police said was probably fired from an extendable Russian-made launcher."

===
===

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6254399.stm
Last Updated: Friday, 12 January 2007, 10:22 GMT

"Rocket hits US embassy in Athens"


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Greece's Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras said it was "very likely" a domestic group was behind the attack.

He said police were investigating claims that a left-wing radical group, Revolutionary Struggle, was responsible."

===
===

REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE
Mothertongue Name:
Epanastatikos Aghonas

Base of Operation: Greece


http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=3672

(NOTE: Click on link above to read the complete profile.)

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=RUSSIA
http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/000639.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=IRAN
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.memri.org/iran.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=148
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmadinejad

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=SYRIA
http://www.memri.org/syria.html

===
===

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iran&ID=SP142307
Special Dispatch Series - No. 1423
January 12, 2007 No.1423

"Iranian and Syrian Government Papers on Renewed Superpower Role for Russia to Counter U.S. in Middle East"

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=WAZIRISTAN
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=NORTHWAZIRISTAN
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=SOUTHWAZIRISTAN
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=MIRANSHAH

===
===

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/01/from_waziristan_to_a.php
"From Waziristan to Afghanistan, and Back
The Taliban repatriate their dead fighters from Afghanistan back into Pakistan's tribal agencies of North & South Waziristan"
(January 13, 2007)

===
===

RECAP:


http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2679

"U.S. Air Assets Support Strike in Afghanistan’s Bermel District"
(American Forces Press Service)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2007

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1826185.htm

Last Updated 12/01/2007, 23:07:25
Select text size:


The Philippines Government has tagged the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah, the local Abu Sayyaf, and a breakaway faction of the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front as the perpetrators behind recent explosions in the southern Philippines.

The bombings happened just days ahead of the twin summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, and its East Asia dialogue partners.

Our report in Manila, Shirley Escalante, says a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is thought to have been behind two of the three explosions in the south.

The suspect was Abdul Basset Usman, who reportedly had ties with the Jemaah Islamiyyah.

Investigators found one of the bombs was an 81 millimetre mortar, a signature of the Abu Sayyaf and the J-I.

Seven people died and more than 40 others were injured in the explosions.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Jan 13 2007 03:48:57 GMT-0800.

BOLIVIA

January 12, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert Americans traveling to and residing in Bolivia to the ongoing volatile political and social situation in Bolivia, particularly the city of Cochabamba. This Public Announcement expires on February 9, 2007.

Protesters took over the main square and avenue in Cochabamba on January 8, demanding the resignation of Cochabamba’s prefect (governor). On January 11 violent confrontations resulted in three confirmed deaths and over 100 injured. Local authorities restored order, but the situation remains volatile. Demonstrations continue in Cochabamba’s main plaza and could occur in other public areas with little notice and possible violence. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Bolivia should carefully consider their plans in light of continuing tension in Cochabamba and the possibility that other parts of Bolivia may be affected by this conflict.

Grocery stores in Cochabamba reportedly are empty and roadblocks are preventing resupply. Roadblocks at bridges and on major thoroughfares may occur at any time throughout Cochabamba. On January 8, protestors interrupted the city’s water supply for several hours; shortages continue, particularly near the main square. Local hotels in that area reportedly have adequate water and food supplies. U.S. citizens traveling to or from Cochabamba should contact their airline to confirm the situation at the airport.

The U.S. Embassy in La Paz has restricted travel by U.S. Government personnel to Cochabamba and directed U.S. Government personnel in Cochabamba to remain in their residences except for emergencies.

In other areas of Bolivia, a civic strike called for Santa Cruz for January 16 is expected to affect public transportation. Protestors in La Paz briefly closed El Alto International Airport late January 11. Overland travel has been impeded between Cochabamba and other parts of Bolivia.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Since the timing and routes of marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, American citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments. American citizens are encouraged to avoid areas where these mass assemblies and demonstrations are expected to occur. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to run a roadblock.

The U.S. Embassy routinely advises its employees to develop and periodically review their personal emergency plans; private U.S. citizens should do the same with particular attention to ensuring adequate water, food and gasoline supplies. For more information on emergency preparedness, please consult the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) Web site at http://www.fema.gov/. That Web site includes a Spanish language version.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Additional information is available in the Consular Information Sheet for Bolivia at http://travel.state.gov and on the Embassy’s web page at http://bolivia.usembassy.gov

Current information on travel and security in Bolivia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov

U.S. citizens with concerns may contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia via e-mail at consularlapaz@state.gov or by telephone at (591-2) 216-8297 during working hours or USCit.Services.Bolivia@gmail.com or (591-2) 216-8500 after hours and on weekends. The Consular Section is located at the U.S. Embassy at 2780 Arce Avenue in La Paz, Bolivia. The Santa Cruz Consular Agency can be reached by telephone at (591-3) 351-3477 and the Cochabamba Consular Agency can be reached by telephone at (591-4) 411-6313.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2765.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Jan 13 2007 03:51:33 GMT-0800.

Bangladesh

January 12, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens that the Caretaker Government declared a State of Emergency in Bangladesh. An initial curfew has been lifted, but a new curfew could be reinstated at any time. The Department of State is concerned about the fluid security situation in Bangladesh and strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the country. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement for Bangladesh dated November 8, 2006, and expires on April 12, 2007.

On January 11, 2007, President Ahmed stepped down as leader of the Caretaker Government after declaring a state of emergency. Elections previously scheduled for January 22 have been postponed indefinitely. Because the political and security situation throughout Bangladesh remains fluid, the Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the country. An initial curfew has been lifted, but a new curfew could be reinstated at any time. There is the potential for American citizens to become caught up in demonstrations or other situations which do not directly target them. The Embassy expects the situation throughout Bangladesh to remain uncertain during implementation of the state of emergency.

In late October 2006, political violence erupted in Dhaka and provincial cities, killing approximately 40 people and wounding several hundred. The political opposition successfully shut down the country’s major port in Chittagong, border entry points from India, and major highways leading to Dhaka and Chittagong. All modes of transportation, including rail and river, were temporarily disrupted.

The Embassy advises all Americans traveling or residing in Bangladesh to keep abreast of developments, remain vigilant, and avoid large crowds and political demonstrations. U.S. citizens can expect a more robust presence of security forces, including the airport. A curfew would limit the ability to travel, and travelers should plan accordingly. Media controls are currently in place and political activity, including criticism of the government, is prohibited.

U.S. citizens who must travel to Bangladesh despite this warning should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Bangladesh, the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and (202)501-4444 from overseas.

U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Bangladesh are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within Bangladesh. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address. Registration is done on-line and can be done in advance of travel at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. Information on registering can also be found at the Embassy website: http://dhaka.usembassy.gov or at the Department of State's Consular Affairs website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html.

During normal business hours American citizens may call the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka at (880-2) 882-3805; for after-hours emergencies call (880-2) 885-5500, dial "0" and ask for the duty officer. The fax number of the consular section is (880-2) 882-4449. The U.S. Embassy is located in the diplomatic enclave north of downtown Dhaka, at Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212. The Embassy's workweek is Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The American Citizens Services (ACS) unit is open to the public from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday, except for American and most local holidays.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1766984/posts

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6258415.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 13 January 2007, 10:43 GMT

"Martial law declared in Somalia"


"Somalia's parliament has voted to declare three months of martial law after the rout of Islamist forces."

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3351662,00.html

2 Indonesian women die from bird flu, bringing death toll to 61
Published: 01.13.07, 07:20

Two Indonesian women died from bird flu, a health official said Saturday, the latest in a flurry of cases to strike the country worst hit by the virus in recent days.

One of the women died late Friday, the other early Saturday, said Nyoman Kandun, the Ministry of Health's director general of communicable disease control. Both had been treated in the same hospital in the capital, Jakarta. (AP)

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Jan 13 2007 03:58:05 GMT-0800.

LEBANON

December 22, 2006

[Cindy]

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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Jan 13 2007 03:58:52 GMT-0800.

Worldwide Caution

October 11, 2006

[Cindy]

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

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Oorang]

Well I hope this is causing "raised eyebrows". I wish I had kept count of all the missing uniforms and badges.

Thanks for posting this Cindy.