Threat Matrix: August 2008

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[nwctwx]

Pentagon Makes Fighting Extremism Top Priority

Seven years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Pentagon on Thursday officially named "the long war" against global extremism as its top priority and pledged to avert any conventional military threat from China or Russia through dialogue.

The Defense Department, in a new national defense strategy, also emphasized the need to subordinate military operations to "soft power" initiatives to undermine Islamist militancy by promoting economic, political and social development in vulnerable corners of the world.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he hoped the change would help establish permanent institutional support for counterinsurgency skills acquired in Iraq and Afghanistan within a defense community heavily skewed in favor of expensive conventional and strategic modernization programs. Read More

	Rethinking the Post-9/11 Strategy
	Al-Qaida in Iraq Leaders Reportedly Leaving for Afghanistan
	Defense Rests at 1st Guantanamo War Crimes Trail

Threat Matrix:
August 2008

July 2008

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[Cindy]

Thank you Unrepentant VN Vet.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/internet

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ADDING Links to post no. 878:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2055031/posts?page=878#878

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blog:

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/193788.php

August 27, 2008

“Dear Z-Man, Infidels are Mean. Can I Kill Them? Umar Rabie Asks Ayman al-Zawahiri for Advice”

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1611765.ece

“Cops search house in PM plot”
By STAFF REPORTERS
Published: 27 Aug 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The threat to Mr Brown, posted in January, demanded the release of prisoners including hook-handed cleric Abu Hamza.

The first four to be arrested are from Blackburn, Lancs.

Three of them – aged 21, 22 and 23 – were arrested on August 14.

Two were held as they tried to board a flight to Finland at Manchester airport, and the third was seized in Accrington.

A fourth man, a white Muslim aged 24, was arrested in a dawn swoop yesterday. He works in a Blackburn chemist’s shop and is known as Muhammad Ali.

The fifth man was arrested in Derby yesterday for alleged offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The message to Al-Zawahiri was written in Arabic. It was later translated into English by US experts before being passed to British cops.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069166/posts

“UK: Devout Muslim found guilty of forcing boys to flog themselves in religious ceremony”
The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | August 27, 2008
Posted on August 27, 2008 9:57:26 AM PDT by Stoat

“Devout Muslim found guilty of forcing boys to flog themselves in religious ceremony”

Last updated at 15:41pm on 27.08.08

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A devout Muslim was found guilty of child cruelty today in a British legal first after forcing two boys to beat themselves during a religious ceremony.
The jury at Manchester Crown Court found 44-year-old Syed Mustafa Zaidi guilty of two counts of child cruelty.

The boys, aged 13 and 15, were forced to beat themselves with a zanjeer zani, an implement containing five curved blades, during a ceremony to commemorate the death of a Shia Muslim spiritual leader.

Zaidi, of Station Road, Eccles, Salford, also flogged himself during the ceremony at a community centre in Levenshulme, Manchester, on January 19.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/russia
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/georgia

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http://www.messenger.com.ge
http://geomessenger.blogspot.com/

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http://www.eucom.mil

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50948

Cheney Calls Georgia Victim of ‘Unjustified’ Russian Assault

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2008 – Russia’s invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia was unjustified, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told members of the American Legion veterans group in Phoenix today.

“That young democracy has been subjected to an unjustified assault, and the international community has joined in condemning Russia’s invasion of a sovereign, democratic neighbor and its recognition of Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Cheney said during his address at the American Legion’s annual convention.

President Bush has asked Cheney to travel to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Italy next week for discussions with these key U.S. partners on issues of mutual interest, according to a White House news release.

Today in Phoenix, Cheney said his trip includes a visit to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city.

Russia and Georgia have argued over the northern Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia for some time. On Aug. 7, Georgian forces attacked separatists in South Ossetia. The next day, Russian troops engaged and pushed back the Georgians. The Russian forces lodged themselves in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and in other parts of Georgia. A French-brokered cease-fire between Georgia and Russia ended the hostilities.

A partial pullback of Russian forces on Aug. 22 has failed to satisfy the United States or NATO. Georgia has been working toward NATO membership, and the Russian government has voiced its displeasure over the very thought of Georgia joining the alliance.

Russian military forces still are present in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and in parts of Georgia farther south. U.S. aircraft and ships have since delivered millions of dollars of humanitarian provisions to the Georgian people.

Yesterday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that Moscow intends to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. President Bush yesterday decried Russia’s “irresponsible decision” to recognize the Georgian provinces as independent nations.

“Russia’s action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations,” said Bush, who is vacationing at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The United States will continue to support Georgia in its hour of need, Cheney vowed today in Phoenix.

“We support their democracy, and we’ll work with our allies to ensure Georgia’s territorial integrity as a free and independent nation,” Cheney said. “The Georgian people won their freedom after years of tyranny, and they can count on the friendship of the United States.”

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http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1678_august_27_2008/1678_russian.html

“Russian decision sparks outrage”
By Messenger staff
Wednesday, August 27

#

http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=1811

“U.S. military delivers over two-million pounds of aid”

BATUMI, Georgia —
Release Date: Aug 27, 2008

STUTTGART-VAIHINGEN, Germany

#

http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=1810

“Second U.S. ship delivers aid to Georgia”

BAT’UMI, Republic of Georgia —
Release Date: Aug 27, 2008

BAT’UMI, Republic of Georgia

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

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http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/site/html/search.asp?isSearch=yes&isT8=yes&searchText=T95&pid=113&sid=13&preview=

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http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/aug_e004.htm

News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation
August 19-26, 2008”
(August 27, 2008)

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http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/suicidebombers
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/homicidebombers
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/humanbombs
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gaza
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/gazastrip

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Note: Video included.

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP203408

Special Dispatch Series - No. 2034
August 26, 2008 No. 2034

“Women in Gaza Prepare to Become Suicide Bombers”

SNIPPET: “Following are excerpts from a TV report on female Palestinian suicide bombers, which aired on Al-Jadid/New TV on August 19, 2008.

To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1840.htm “

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/taliban
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/taleban

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http://www.jihadica.com/pakistani-taliban-videos-posted-on-mainstream-news-site/

“Pakistani Taliban Videos Posted On Mainstream News Site”
August 27th, 2008 |

[Cindy]

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/08/pakistani_military_r.php

“Pakistani military repels Taliban assault on South Waziristan fort”
By BILL ROGGIO
August 27, 2008 10:28 AM

[Cindy]

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

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Note: Photo included.

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/08/senior_special_group.php

“Senior Special Groups leader captured at Baghdad airport”
By BILL ROGGIOAugust 27, 2008 5:24 PM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The US military detained a senior Special Groups leader as he flew into Baghdad International Airport this morning. He was detained without incident after the US military received intelligence he was arriving in Baghdad via air.

The leader, who was not named, is described as being “part of the most senior social and operational circles of Special Groups” by Multinational Forces-Iraq. “The man has been known to travel in and out of Iraq to neighboring nations including Iran and Lebanon, where it is believed he meets and helps run the Iranian-backed Special Groups in Iraq,” Multinational Forces-Iraq reported in a press release.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50942

Terrorists with Suicide Vests Killed, Cell Leader Detained

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2008 – Coalition forces killed three terrorists - two of whom were wearing suicide vests - and detained six suspects, including an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq leader, during operations in Iraq’s Diyala province today, military officials reported.

Coalition forces targeted regional terrorist leaders near Jalula, about 125 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. When forces arrived, several men ran from the target building and hid in nearby fields. Coalition forces repeatedly called out for the men to surrender and fired warning shots, but they refused to comply. Coalition forces found bomb-making materials and weapons in the target building, perceived hostile intent from the men and engaged them.

Two terrorists were killed in the engagement. One man who survived the engagement detonated his own suicide vest as coalition forces approached, killing only himself. One dead terrorist also was wearing a suicide vest that did not detonate, while the other was armed and wearing a military-style assault vest and ammunition. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft, which destroyed the explosives in the target building and the suicide vest.

Also in Diyala, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida leader who, according to detainees already in custody, is responsible for bombing attacks and assassinations in the Hawijah area. Five additional suspected terrorists were detained in the operation near Tuz Khurmartu, about 70 kilometers south of Kirkuk.

In other operations, coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida in Iraq operatives around two of the country’s major cities yesterday and today.

During a precision operation in Baghdad today, coalition forces captured a man who reportedly is involved in a network that brings foreigners into Iraq to conduct attacks against civilians. Intelligence reports indicate the man conspires to forge documents for the terrorist network, officials said.

Coalition forces detained a suspected terrorist near Tarmiyah today while targeting al-Qaida members in the northern belt around Baghdad. In the capital, coalition forces targeted an associate of a Baghdad bombing cell yesterday and detained a suspected terrorist.

In Mosul today, coalition forces captured a wanted man with suspected ties to al-Qaida leaders in the northern city.

In other developments yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized a weapons cache in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district.

Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, reported finding 100 blasting caps, 20 rocket-propelled grenades, two 120 mm mortar rounds, a 60 mm mortar round, two anti-tank rounds and 35 parachute grenades in the Shurta community. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to remove the munitions.

(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=50943

Coalition Forces Detain, Kill Militants in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan security forces detained four militants and killed more than a dozen others in separate operations yesterday and Aug. 25, military officials reported.

Four militants were detained, including a targeted individual, during a coalition forces operation to disrupt militant activities in Paktika province yesterday. Coalition forces searched a compound in Barmal district, targeting a militant facilitating the movement of foreign fighters and weapons from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

Afghan and coalition forces killed several militants during a combat patrol in Sangin district, Helmand province, Aug. 25. The combined force spotted a large number of heavily armed militants gathering in small groups and preparing to attack the soldiers. The troops engaged the militants with small arms, machine guns, and close-air support, killing more than a dozen of them.

In other developments, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a medical civil action program in Qalat district, Zabul province, Aug. 24-25.

During the two-day program, coalition forces medical personnel treated 728 children, 373 women and 89 men for various ailments ranging from stomach pains to broken bones. Medics also taught preventive care by distributing handouts advising Afghans to boil water before drinking to prevent illness.

Educational supplies, Korans and Afghan national flags also were distributed to the local populace.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

[Cindy]

http://www.dni.gov/speeches/20080812_speech.pdf

“Remarks by Mr. Ted Gistaro
National Intelligence Officer for Transnational Threats”

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Washington, DC

August 12, 2008

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY

[Cindy]

https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/hardly-the-way-of-the-world.html

“CIA Statement: Hardly “The Way of the World””
August 22, 2008

[Cindy]

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/index.cfm?page=Bin_Laden&language=english

“Wanted
Usama bin Ladin
Up to $25 Million Reward”

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http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2621340.ece

“Norway willing to talk with Osama bin Laden”

SNIPPET: “Norway has joined Switzerland in opening up for talks with terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.”

(August 27, 2008, 16:16)

[Cindy]

US CERT.GOV
http://www.uscert.gov

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UPDATE:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10027667-92.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

August 27, 2008 5:55 PM PDT
“After flight delays, FAA may add backup system”
Posted by Stefanie Olsen

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “In the wake of a computer failure that caused delays for 646 U.S. flights on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration plans to upgrade its decades-old technology for flight-plan processing and potentially add a third backup system.

The FAA’s central system in Atlanta for handling all U.S. flight plans went down Tuesday because of a corrupted file, according to a FAA representative. Then, when the administration’s secondary and lone backup system in Salt Lake City got bogged down with repeated re-entries of flight plans from the airlines, the malfunction caused major delays at airports in Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

By Tuesday evening, the flight delays were under control, but the computer system in Atlanta wasn’t functional until about 1:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, officials said.

Now, FAA representatives said that by September, it plans to add more computer memory to its data communications network known as National Data Interchange Network (NADIN). And by early next year, the FAA plans to completely upgrade the decades-old data communication network with new hardware and software.

“The big difference is that (the new system) has a lot more memory, so what happened yesterday could never happen again,” said FAA spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere.”

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http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/47032-1.html

GCN Home > 08/27/08 web stories

“Cause of FAA computer glitch still not determined”
By Patrick Marshall

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “According to FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto, the failure of the National Airspace Data Interchange Network (NADIN) at an FAA facility in Atlanta primarily affected flight departures east of the Mississippi and resulted in delays of 45 to 90 minutes while pilots waited for flight plans to be cleared by a system in Salt Lake City. That system usually handles aircraft departing from airports west of the Mississippi.

“Something was corrupted in a file that brought the whole system down,” Takemoto said. “We’re trying to figure out precisely what went wrong.””

[Cindy]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10027270-83.html

August 27, 2008 11:53 AM PDT
“Space: The final frontier for computer viruses”
Posted by Elinor Mills

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The first ever reported computer virus has infected at least two laptops onboard the International Space Station more than 200 miles above Earth.”

[Cindy]

I am noting here that the main-stream-media, generally speaking, is not interested in covering Christian persecution and the murders of Christians.
Well, just another day of Christians being persecuted and killed somewhere in the world. -Cindy

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

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UPDATES:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08080181.htm

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

“Deaths Mount as Violence Spreads in Orissa, India
Rampaging Hindu extremists kill four more Christians yesterday”

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
NEW DELHI, INDIA

#

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08080180.htm

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

“Carnage Continues in Orissa: Reports of 150 Houses and 20 Churches Destroyed as Government Inaction Leads to Questions of Complicity”

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
ORISSA STATE, INDIA

[Cindy]

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

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022413.php
(JERUSALEM POST)

August 27, 2008

“Thug-In-Chief: “The Zionist regime has always shown that it only understands the language of the gun””

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “”The only way to fight against it is through the armed struggle of the Palestinian factions,” he said.”

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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/Page/IndexParMult&cid=1145961369337

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1219572137344&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Aug 27, 2008 8:44 | Updated Aug 27, 2008 21:51
“Iranian cleric blasts Ahmadinejad”

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

#

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=369C2A65-19F2-404C-A8C2-9109B2C0D6FE

“A Wedding Party for Terrorists”
by Deborah Weiss
FrontPageMagazine.com | Thursday, August 28, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The prisoners were released at the West Bank where they were welcomed as heroes and “freedom fighters” by Palestinian flag-waivers. To boot, President Abbas threw a reception for the prisoners at his Palestinian Authority compound. Ashraf joyfully likened the event to “a national wedding celebration.””

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7586801.stm

Page last updated at 18:34 GMT, Thursday, 28 August 2008 19:34 UK

“’PM terror threat’ three charged”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Three men questioned over an alleged threat to assassinate Gordon Brown have been charged with terror offences, Lancashire Police have said.

Ishaq Kanmi, 22, of Blackburn, was charged with soliciting murder, and three other charges.

Abbas Iqbal, 23, and Ilyas Iqbal, 21, each face two charges of possessing and disseminating terrorist material.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The threats were also made against former prime minister Tony Blair.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A fourth man, arrested on Tuesday in Blackburn and a fifth man arrested in Derby the same day, remain in custody.

On Wednesday, Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police were granted an additional seven days to question them.”

[Cindy]

RECAP AND UPDATED:

BBC NEWS: "'PM TERROR THREAT' THREE CHARGED" (Page last updated August 28, 2008, 19:34 UK)

THE JAWA REPORT -blog: "THREE CHARGED IN 'AL QAEDA IN BRITAIN' PLOT; UMAR RABIE ID'd" (SNIPPET: "Our hat goes off to whoever it was that tracked these guys down.") (August 28, 2008)

THE SUN.co.uk: "COPS SEARCH HOUSE IN PM PLOT" (August 27, 2008)

Link

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "COUNTING THE UMAR: NUMBER FIVE" (August 27, 2008)

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "COUNTING THE UMAR" (August 26, 2008)

THE JAWA REPORT: "MAN IDENTIFIED IN 'AL QAEDA IN BRITAIN' CELL" (SNIPPET: "His name is Ishaq Kanmi, a 22 year old teacher from Blackburn.") (August 26, 2008)

TELEGRAPH.co.uk: "WHITE MUSLIM CONVERT ARRESTED OVER 'GORDON BROWN ASSASSINATION PLOT'" by Nigel Bunyan (Last updated August 26, 2008, 7:21 pm BST)

SCOTSMAN.com/uk: "POLICE ARREST FOURTH MAN OVER GORDON BROWN DEATH THREAT" (August 26, 2008)

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "NOTORIOUS AL QAEDA SYPATHIZER WAS SECURITY GUARD" (August 24, 2008)

TIMES ONLINE.co.uk: "THREE QUESTIONED OVER THREAT TO ASSASSINATE GORDON BROWN" by Sean O'Neill (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Three men arrested under terrorism legislation are being questioned over internet threats to kill Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. One of the men being questioned by police in Manchester is suspected of posting a death threat on a recognised jihadi website and styling himself Sheikh Umar Rabie al-Khalaila, leader of al-Qaeda in Britain. The threats appeared on the al-Ekhlaas website -- which has been used by al-Qaeda and is monitored by intelligence agencies - in January. They gave warning of a wave of suicide attacks in Britain and against British interests around the world unless the group's demands for a withdrawal from Iraq and the release of Muslim prisoners were met.") (August 23, 2008)

Link

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "UMAR RABIE AL-KHALAILA THE LEADER OF AL-QAEDA IN BRITAIN: DOWN" (August 22, 2008)

RECAP:

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: ""MI5 REPORT CHALLENGES VIEWS ON TERRORISM IN BRITAIN"" (INTERNET HAGANAH - SNIPPET: "In fact there is a profile. It's just not demographic. It is behavioral. And many of those behaviors manifest themselves in ways and in places that enable us to detect emerging threats.") (August 22, 2008)

GUARDIAN.co.uk: "MI5 REPORT CHALLENGES VIEWS ON TERRORISM IN BRITAIN" by Alan Travis (Augsut 21, 2008)