Threat Matrix: February 2008

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[nwctwx]

Is the U.S. Failing in Afghanistan?

It was malice in wonderland at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday as Bush Administration envoys insisted things are getting better in Afghanistan, while angry lawmakers from both parties cited facts and figures showing just the opposite. Even the senior Republican on the panel, Senator Richard Lugar, found the Administration's claims wanting. "I'm not sure that we have a plan for Afghanistan," he said.

Long seen as the "forgotten war" eclipsed by Iraq in U.S. priorities, Afghanistan is in the Washington spotlight this week with the release of three independent reports concluding that without a change in U.S. policy there, the erstwhile sanctuary of Osama bin Laden would remain a failed state. Read More

	Why the Taliban Feel Confident
	Top US Officer Lauds al-Qaida Death
	US Air Strike Signals al-Qaida Onslaught

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February 2008

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[Cindy]

Time will tell.

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/MoreThanCartoons.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=cartoonjihad

#

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3506573,00.html

Iran summons Danish envoy over Mohammed cartoons
Published: 02.13.08, 23:36 / Israel News

Iran summoned Denmark’s ambassador to protest the reprinting on Wednesday of a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed that caused bloody riots in the Islamic world two years ago, the state run IRNA news agency reported.

“The foreign ministry summoned the Danish ambassador following the repetition of the insults to the Prophet and in order to voice an official protest of the reprinting of the cartoon in the Danish press,” IRNA quoted a foreign ministry statement as saying. “The foreign ministry... strongly condemned this and urged a serious confrontation against such insults and a prevention of any repetition,” it added. (AFP)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970062/posts

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330597,00.html

“Blast Destroys a Starbucks, Several Other Businesses in Vancouver”
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “VANCOUVER, British Columbia — An explosion and fire have destroyed two shops, including a Starbucks, and damaged at least four other businesses.

Police said arson was the cause, adding that the fire was set inside a small taco restaurant and an accelerant set off the explosion.”

[BurbankKarl]

[Cindy]

Looks like it will take some time to rebuild.

[Cindy]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/350762_ecoterror11.html

Monday, February 11, 2008
Last updated 12:02 a.m. PT

“UW arson trial opens today
Woman is charged in bombing attributed to ecoterrorist group”

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The ELF/ALF ideology overlaps with anarchists in that it sees nothing less than the collapse of basic societal structures as the path to global salvation.

A 65-count indictment unsealed two years ago accused The Family — whose members lived in Seattle, Olympia, Eugene, Ore., and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest — of torching 17 targets, including a ski resort in Vail, Colo., and a U.S. Agriculture Department lab in Olympia, both in 1998.

Federal authorities say that on the same night in 2001, the ELF cell firebombed the horticulture center and set off a nearly identical time-delayed incendiary device at Jefferson Poplar Farms in Clatskanie, Ore.”

[Cindy]

Fyi Only.

http://www.krem.com/topstories/stories/krem2_021308_kfcfire.bdb42ed0.htm

“Fire damages KFC Restaurant on North Division”
11:48 PM PST on Wednesday, February 13, 2008
By LINDSAY CHAMBERLAIN / KREM.com

SPOKANE —

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The fire was reported around 10:20 p.m., after the KFC had closed for the night.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “No official cause has been released yet.”

[Cindy]

Note: Photos enclosed.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/2/13/police_hope_photos_lead_to_church_arsonist.html

“Police Hope Photos Lead To Church Arsonist”
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:44:37 PM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.”

[Cindy]

RECAP and UPDATED:

JAMESTOWN.org - TERRORISM FOCUS: "SPANISH POLICE ARREST JAMAAT AL-TABLIGH MEMBERS IN BOMB THREAT" by Kathryn Haahr (February 13, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (REUTERS): Madrid - "FRANKFURT CELL PART OF PAN-EUROPEAN JIHADIST PLOT" (January 29, 2008)

CNN.com: Madrid, Spain - "EXTREMISTS PLOTTED ATTACKS ACROSS EUROPE, SPANISH PAPER SAYS" (Updated January 27, 2008, 4:26 p.m. EST)

ABC NEWS: "URGENT MANHUNT ACROSS EUROPE FOR TERROR PLOTTERS Spanish AG: 3 Cell Members May Be on a Mission to Attack Outside of Spain" by Richard Esposito and Paco Medina (ARTICLE SNIPPET - Page 2: "Spanish authorities believe the intended target was the Barcelona subway system and that the plot would have used two to four suicide bombers wearing explosive vests that were to be detonated simultaneously while another plotter detonated three to four more devices placed in the subway, investigative sources told ABC News.") (January 25, 2008)

OSINT.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "TABLIGHI JAMAAT TERRORIST CELL CAPTURED IN SPAIN" (January 24, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (NEW YORK TIMES): "JIHADISTS ARRESTED WITH BOMBMAKING MATERIALS IN BARCELONA MOSQUE" (January 24, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (CNN.com): Madrid, Spain - "SPAIN ARRESTS THWARTED IMMINENT TRANSIT ATTACK" (January 23, 2008)

WESTERN RESISTANCE.com - blog: "SPAIN: REQUEST FOR LONGER DETENTION OF ISLAMIST SUSPECTS" (January 22, 2008)

BBC NEWS: "SPAIN ARRESTS 14 TERROR SUSPECTS" (January 19, 2008)

KHALEEJ TIMES.com (AFP): Madrid - "SPANISH POLICE ARREST 14 IN ANTI-TERROR RAIDS" (January 19, 2008)

Link

SOFIR.org: "THE FILES DOWNLOADED BY THE MADRID BOMBERS" (January 4, 2008)

SOFIR.org: "'FAVORITES' OF THE MADRID BOMBERS" (February 7, 2007)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "MOURNING THE LOSS OF AL-ANDALUS" (January 4, 2008)

Link

Link

[Cindy]

http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2373962
TERRORISM FOCUS

Volume 5, Issue 6 (February 13, 2008) | Download PDF Version

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
BRIEFS

“Al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq Absorbing Fighters from Other Jihadist Groups”
By Abdul Hameed Bakier

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Members of Iraq’s Islamist internet forums have been delighted lately to report a possible alliance between al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) and the Ansar al-Islam group of Kurdish Sunni insurgents. A forum participant recently posted details of a joint operation by al-Qaeda and Ansar al-Islam against U.S. forces in Mosul (muslm.net, January 29). In the same context, another forum participant announced the defection of tens of Islamic Army of Iraq (IAI) jihadis to ISI (al-ekhlaas.net, February 8). The shift to ISI follows the earlier pledge of allegiance to ISI from another insurgent group called al-Furqan (paldf.net July 20, 2007).”

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970134/posts

Officials: Arroyo target of plot
AP via Yahoo News ^ | OLIVER TEVES
Posted on 02/14/2008 2:25:52 AM PST by kingu

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have uncovered alleged plots by al-Qaida-linked militants to assassinate the Philippine president and bomb foreign embassies, officials said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, head of the Presidential Security Group, said police uncovered the plot last week. “It’s not only the president who is the target, but also other people ... and embassies,” he said without offering specifics.

The officials did not specify when the attacks were expected to occur. But Prestoza said Arroyo’s attendance at an alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy on Saturday in northern Baguio city has been canceled and the rest of her schedule was “under assessment.”

Opposition groups dismissed the allegation as government scare tactics to prevent people from joining protests Friday to demand President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s resignation over corruption charges.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970141/posts

Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake in Greece
AFP via translation | February 14, 2008
Posted on 02/14/2008 2:49:14 AM PST by HAL9000
via translation -

ALERT - Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake in Greece

WASHINGTON - An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Thursday southern Greece and its epicentre was about 61 km southwest of the city of Kalamata, announced the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS).

[Cindy]

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/02/using-tripwires-to-address-the/

“Using Tripwires to Address the Border Security Threat”

By Jay Fraser on February 13, 2008 at 4:40 PM

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts

#

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts?page=297#297

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3506788,00.html

Chief of staff instructs alert level to be raised on northern border
Published: 02.14.08, 13:26 / Israel News

IDF Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, instructed the alert level to be raised on the ground and in the air in order to protect the northern border and Israeli interests.

The move comes following the assassination of arch terrorist and Hizbullah military commander Imad Mugniyah on Tuesday night in Damascus. (Hanan Greenberg)

297 posted on 02/14/2008 4:01:14 AM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 612:

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2190.html

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

This information is current as of today, Thu Feb 14 2008 04:05:45 GMT-0800 (PST).

PHILIPPINES

February 13, 2008

This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Americans of the risks of travel in the Philippines . This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Philippines issued April 27, 2007.

U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism. While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the Philippines , the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular concern. Travelers should exercise extreme caution in both central and western Mindanao as well as in the Sulu Archipelago.

Kidnap for ransom gangs operate in the Philippines . In October 2007, one such gang abducted a visiting U.S. citizen whose whereabouts are unknown at this time. Several other foreigners were also kidnapped for ransom in 2007. The New People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist organization, operates in many rural areas of the Philippines , including in the northern island of Luzon . While it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business or property management activities, and it often demands “revolutionary taxes.”

Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Jema’ah Islamiyah, and groups that have broken away from the more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries and property damage. On January 3, 2008, a bomb exploded at a Cotabato City disco pub, killing one and injuring eight. The central and western areas of Mindanao have also experienced bombings targeting bus terminals and public buildings. While those responsible do not appear to have targeted foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas; a recent bombing outside the House of Representatives in Metro Manila resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to bystanders.

U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao , U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own security.

The Department strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard , Manila , Philippines , tel. 63-2-301-2000. The American Citizen Services (ACS) section’s fax number is 63-2-301-2017 and the ACS web page is at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3004.html.

For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for the Philippines and the Worldwide Caution, located at http://travel.state.gov/. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada , or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

[Cindy]

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

#

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=79412

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Crime and Safety Reports > Report
Mexico 2008 Crime & Safety Report: Matamoros
CRIME & SAFETY
Americas - Mexico
12 Feb 2008

[Cindy]

RECAP and UPDATED:

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch Series - No. 1844: "ON THE EVE OF RALLY MARKING THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF AL-HARIRI'S ASSASSINATION, SA'D AL-HARIRI LAUNCHES HARSH ATTACK ON LEBANESE OPPOSITION, SYRIA, IRAN" (February 14, 2008)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "GOTCHA!" by Jamie Glazov (February 14, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (REUTERS): "SYRIA - DAMASCUS BLAST ON TUESDAY KILLED SENIOR HEZBOLLAH MILITARY COMMANDER" (Posted February 13, 2008)

MICHELLE MALKIN.com - blog: "JUSTICE FOR ROBERT DEAN STETHEM, THE MARINES IN BEIRUT, AND OTHER AMEIRCAN VICTIMS OF HEZBOLLAH" (February 13, 2008, 02:05 pm)

Google - search news: "MUGNIYAH"

PAJAMAS MEDIA.com - blog: "MUGHNIYEH ASSASSINATION: ANOTHER SETBACK FOR IRAN'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCY" (February 13, 2008)

ASHARQALAWSAT.com: "IMAD MUGHNIYEH: HEZBOLLAH'S PHANTOM KILLED" by Ali Nourizadeh (February 13, 2008)

METIMES.com - MIDDLE EAST TIMES: "IRAN QODS FORCE INFILTRATES IRAQ" (Published February 8, 2008)

Link

JPOST.com (AP): VIenna, Austria - "IRAN'S CENTRIFUGES BEGIN PROCESSING GAS USED FOR NUCLEAR WARHEADS" (February 13, 2008, 22:07)

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts

####
####

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1969529/posts?page=303#303

To:: All
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970345/posts

#

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/125258

“Mughniyeh Was in Midst of Planning Mass Terror Attack”
by Hillel Fendel

(IsraelNN.com) A Kuwaiti newspaper reports that Hizbullah terrorist chief Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in a car-bomb attack in Damascus on Tuesday, was in the midst of planning major terrorist attacks in moderate Arab countries when he was killed.

Al-Watan reports that American intelligence had learned that Mughniyeh arrived in Damascus three days earlier with instructions from, and in coordination with, the Iranians. His objective was to meet with Hizbullah leaders and coordinate a mass attack, for which he was to receive help from Syrian intelligence.”

303 posted on 02/14/2008 1:20:07 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 298 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

To: cgk; All
Thanks to cgk for the ping to this thread and thanks for putting up this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970016/posts

“YouTube: News Footage from 1985 Hijacking of TWA 847 by Dead Terrorist Mugniyah (6 videos)”
YouTube | June 1985 | MSTS1
Posted on 02/13/2008 6:12:12 PM PST by cgk

304 posted on 02/14/2008 1:24:50 PM PST by Cindy

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 303 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
To: piasa; All
stepping back in time...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1555011/posts

“Dangerous liaisons: covert ‘love affair’ between Russia and Hezbollah”
AIA ^ | Michel Elbaz
Posted on 01/09/2006 5:20:47 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe

305 posted on 02/14/2008 1:28:59 PM PST by Cindy