Threat Matrix: February 2007

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[nwctwx]

How al-Qaida Fared in 2006
-Full Story-

In 2006, agents of al-Qaida, as well as those inspired by its ideology, continued their attacks. Violence in Iraq intensified, and Afghanistan saw its bloodiest year since 2001.

Despite worsening chaos on those fronts, counterterrorist forces arrested and killed high-profile terrorists and kept the West free from attack. But these actions don't appear to have weakened the appeal of al-Qaida's agenda. "Home-grown" militants around the world joined its jihad, as regional fighting heightened perceptions of a global war on Islam.

Here's an assessment of some of the most significant gains and losses for al-Qaida last year: Read more..

	Azzam the American: The Making of an al Qaida Homegrown
	Islamic Cells of Revenge Joins the al Qaida Movement
	Most Dangerous Destinations 2007

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[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=pakistan
http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/

---

http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2906373
(AP)

"Cheney Asks Pakistan to Counter al-Qaida"
(February 26, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.globalcrisiswatch.com

QUOTE:

Global Crisis Watch
February 26, 2007 | Episode #44
Iran's continued defiance & its connections with Pyongyang, rise of Islamists in Indonesia, & "My Year Inside Radical Islam"

Global Crisis Watch calls to Washington & Florida to analyze Iran's continued defiance over its nuclear program and the Tehran-Pyongyang connection with Alireza Jafarzadeh, Strategic Policy Consulting and author of "The Iran Threat," and Lt. Col. Gordon Cucullu, author of "Separated at Birth: How North Korea Became the Evil Twin," the rise of the Islamist PKS party in Indonesia with Sadanand Dhume, Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Fellow, and talks with Daveed Gartenstein-Ross about his memoir "My Year Inside Radical Islam" and his descent into Wahabbism.

Link: http://www.GlobalCrisisWatch.com/gcw/gcw_070226.mp3
56:00 minutes | 25.6 Megs

[Cindy]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24606_Iran_Approves_of_Belgian_Dhimmitude&only

Monday, February 26, 2007
"Iran Approves of Belgian Dhimmitude"

[Cindy]

Updates regarding VP Cheney/Afghanistan are here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1791769/posts

[Cindy]

RECAP:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1790874/posts


"Plane Drama For Cheney"
Courier Mail ^ | 2-25-2007 | Maria Hawthorne

Posted on 02/25/2007 7:29:41 AM PST by blam

Plane drama for Cheney

Maria Hawthorne, Alyssa Braithwaite and Vincent Morello
February 25, 2007 11:00pm


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "US Vice-President Dick Cheney flew into more drama yesterday as John Howard and Kevin Rudd continued to bicker over the withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq – a move one US general predicted would be devastating.

A minor mechanical problem on Mr Cheney's plane, Air Force Two, sparked initial alarm just after takeoff from Sydney yesterday.

But White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said there was a problem with a generator on the plane and there were no safety concerns – the plane had made a planned refuelling stop in Singapore."

[Cindy]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54451

FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
"Plowshares beaten into swords in Gaza
Palestinians: 'Looting and burning' of Jewish holy sites 'was a great joy'"
Posted: February 27, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

TEL AVIV –

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Immediately after the Israeli evacuation was completed, Palestinians mobs destroyed most of the Gaza synagogues, including two major synagogues in Neve Dekalim, the largest Gush Katif community. In front of international camera crews, the Palestinians ripped off aluminum window frames and metal ceiling fixtures from the Neve Dekalim synagogues, which were situation close to each other in the center of town. Militants flew the Palestinian and Hamas flags from the structures before mobs burned down the synagogues.

Speaking to WND from Gaza, Abu Abir, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees terrorist organization, said the area where the synagogues once stood now is used to fire rockets at Israel.

"We are proud to turn these lands, especially these parts that were for long time the symbol of occupation and injustice, like the synagogue, into a military base and source of fire against the Zionists and the Zionist entity," Abu Abir said.

(Story continues below)



"The liberated lands of the destroyed ugly and Nazi settlements [Gush Katif] is our property, and we have the right to do whatever we feel is suitable for the struggle against the occupation and for the general interest of the Palestinian people," the Committees leader said.

The Committees is a coalition of terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank responsible for launching hundreds of rockets from Gaza aimed at nearby Jewish towns. The group is accused of bombing a U.S. convoy in Gaza in 2003 in which three American government contractors were killed.

Abu Abir blamed the Palestinian desecration of the Gaza synagogues on the Jewish state, claiming the decision to leave the structures in tact was part of an Israeli conspiracy.

"The Zionists left these so called synagogues in order to make that one day media outlets like WorldNetDaily would raise the pathetic and rude argument about what we have done to the poor Zionists holy places. (Israel) left the synagogues behind so the world would see the Palestinians destroying them," Abu Abir said.

The terrorist leader claimed the mob destruction of the synagogues was not planned but was a spontaneous outburst of "happiness."

"The looting and burning of the synagogues was a great joy."

[Cindy]

UDPATE:

http://www.localnews8.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=1313

Bomb Squad Gives All Clear

RELATED VIDEO

Raw Video of Explosion
Bomb Squad Gives All Clear

RELATED STORIES

Feb 26, 2007
Suspicious Package Located at Broadway Ford

"Possible explosive device found at Broadway Ford in Idaho Falls."

FULL STORY
Posted: 8:12 PM, Feb. 26, 2007
Last Updated: 10:51 PM, Feb. 26, 2007

By Sally Showman



ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Mountain Home bomb squad was called in, and arrived about 7:30 p.m. They looked at the device, then after two explosions, blew off the end caps.

Sources tell Local News 8 that the woman who owns the vehicle said she doesn't know why the device was on her Explorer, but thinks her husband could be responsible. Police have not confirmed or denied that information."

[Cindy]

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200702/POL20070226a.html

"Experts at Odds Over FISA Role In Terrorist Surveillance"
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
February 26, 2007

ARTCLE SNIPPET: "(CNSNews.com) - National security experts disagreed Friday over the role of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in monitoring possible terrorist activities."

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10230&Itemid=21

SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA EMIR, ELEVEN OTHERS DETAINED IN RAIDS THROUGHOUT IRAQ
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com7

03.270.0320 / 0299
Feb. 27, 2007Release
A070227a

SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA EMIR, ELEVEN OTHERS DETAINED IN RAIDS THROUGHOUT IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 12 suspected terrorists including a suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq emir during raids Tuesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and three of his associates. Based on intelligence reports, these suspects are allegedly involved in the production of improvised explosive devices.

Also in Baghdad, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists who have alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and anti-Coalition Forces activities. Two suspected terrorists were detained during a raid in Mosul. Intelligence reports indicate the suspected terrorists have ties with an al-Qaeda terrorist who has coordinated attacks against Iraqi security and U.S. military personnel.Another suspected terrorist was detained in Fallujah during a raid targeting foreign fighter facilitators.Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists in Tikrit who are believed to have links with terrorists involved in explosives shipments from other countries and facilitating the production of vehicle-borne IEDs.
In Ramadi, Coalition Forces netted a suspected terrorist who is allegedly involved in courier activities for al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq.

“These raids, taking place all across Iraq this morning show that Coalition Forces continue to make progress dismantling the terrorist networks,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

“The capture of these detainees reduces the ability of the terrorist networks to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces, and Iraq’s Multi-National partners,” he said.

[Cindy]

FBI.GOV - SEEKING INFO:

http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seekinfo/wheeling.htm

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070226-100041-1141r.htm

"U.S. sends warship against sea pirates"
By Betsy Pisik
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 27, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "NEW YORK -- A U.S. warship yesterday moved into waters off the coast of Somalia, where pirates have hijacked an empty World Food Program cargo ship.

The MV Rozen was boarded by heavily armed pirates Sunday morning off the coast of Somalia's Puntland region, in the far north of the country.

Officials of the internationally backed interim Somali government said they contacted the U.S. military regional command, based in neighboring Djibouti, to request assistance."


===
===


THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
21-27 February 2007

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 21 to 27 February 2007.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Forty seven incidents have been reported since 28.01.2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Ships are advised to take extra precautions.

The 2006 Annual IMB Report on Piracy and Armed Attacks against Ships is now published. Please see the end of this page to order.

Suspicious crafts

None reported
Recently reported incidents

25.02.2007 0603 UTC in position 11:50N - 051:35E, North East Somalia.
Pirates attacked a general cargo ship underway. Vessel under control of armed pirates is believed to have been hijacked. Negotiations for the vessel’s release are under way.

18.02.2007 0100 LT in position : 06:16.2S - 108:27.7E at SBM Balongan, Indonesia.
Four robbers armed with knives boarded a tanker discharging at a SBM. They entered the engine room. They were noticed by the duty oiler who Informed the duty officer. The alarm was raised and crew alerted. The robbers escaped empty handed. The crew mustered and a search was carried out but found nothing stolen.

03.02.2007 0245 LT in position 06:03.0N - 003:25.5E, Lagos Roads, Nigeria.
Five pirates armed with guns boarded a tanker drifting 20 miles off the breakwaters. Pirates threatened the duty AB at forward station by pointing a gun at him.
They entered the bosun store. Other duty crew informed OOW who raised the alarm.
Crew mustered. Port control informed but call ignored. Pirates stole ship's stores and escaped in a motor canoe. No one was injured

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.memri.org/iran.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005903.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=pij

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hezbollah
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hizballah
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hizbullah

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



http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015430.php

===
===

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54427


"'Devastating response' if Iran nukes attacked
Terrorists say Tehran providing instructions in case U.S., Israel strike atomic facilities"
Posted: February 26, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

JERUSALEM –

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "He threatened his terror group will target American interests in the Middle East whether any purported strike against Tehran is carried out by Israel or the U.S.

"The Zionists and the Americans are coordinated 100 percent. It doesn't matter who attacks Iran, we are planning to hit them both," said the Islamic Jihad leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he said the topic was "very sensitive."

He said overall Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shallah has been coordinating war plans with Iran, Syria and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Lebanese militia. Shallah resides in Damascus and travels frequently to Tehran.

Abu Ahmed, the northern West Bank chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization, told WND all major Palestinian militant organizations are preparing to work together in the event Iran is attacked.

"Our strategy is not to leave the Islamic alliance (Iran) alone against the enemy. All Palestinian organizations will work together in shooting rockets, suicide bomb attacks and other steps and actions decided closely."

The Brigades is the declared military wing of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party. Together with Islamic Jihad, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has taken responsibility for every suicide bombing in Israel the last two years, including a bombing last month in Eilat and an attack in Tel Aviv last April that killed eight Israelis and American teenager Daniel Wultz.

Israel says major Brigades cells in the Gaza Strip and West Bank receive Iranian funding through contacts with Hezbollah.

Abu Ahmed said in his terror group's estimation Iran will indeed be attacked.

"It's not a question of if, but when. The campaign now in the American media is just like the campaign before the invasion of Iraq," he charged."

[WestCoastGal]

Bird Flu Accident at UT Biology Lab Raises Allegations of a Cover-Up

Created: Monday, 26 Feb 2007, 9:35 PM CST
Bird Flu

AUSTIN -- A University of Texas biology lab had an accident involving A hybrid bird flu virus that escaped a test tube. FOX 7's Mike Warren tells what serious questions have come to light since the accident, and who is accusing UT of a cover up.

THE REST IS HERE ON VIDEO

[Velveeta]

Despicable act.
I'm so glad the children weren't physically injured.

[Velveeta]

>>>but Vice President Cheney Is Safe

Thank you, Lord.

[Velveeta]

Ditto!

[Velveeta]

Thanks for the update.
I see divorce in this woman's future.

[Velveeta]

Scary stuff.
Thanks, WCG.
I watched the video.

[Velveeta]

(just heard about this on FOX)

White powder scare follows UMR standoff

ROLLA, Mo. -- Nearly two dozen people were being decontaminated Tuesday after a white, powdery substance was found on a man threatening "terrorist-type" actions at the University of Missouri-Rolla, school officials said.

"Possible bomb materials" were also found with the man, identified only as a student at the south-central Missouri university, school officials said in a statement.

The student was in custody and being questioned, the statement said.

Twenty-three people were sent through a decontamination process at the university's civil engineering building, where a police standoff with the student had started around 2:30 a.m.
(snip)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_University_Standoff.html

[Godzilla]

placemark