Free Republic

Gone are the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s color-coded terror warnings. Two new types of warnings will take their place starting April 27, and they’ll be coming to you via Facebook and Twitter. Instead of the five threat levels that were originally implemented as part of the Homeland Security Advisory System in 2001, now there will be just two levels — “Elevated” and “Imminent” — according to a Homeland Security plan draft obtained by the Associated Press. When the government determines that issuing a warning will risk exposing U.S. spies or their operations, there will be no warning at all.

Police tighten security for Rosh Hashana; security forces receive 45 threats of terrorist attacks over holiday (Army Radio)

Does Release Of Terror Info Do More Harm Than Good? By John R. Lott, Jr. What did we gain by telling the terrorists we know exactly which five targets in D.C., New York and New Jersey they were planning to blow up? After all the late-night TV jokes trying to figure out what the different vague terrorist color alerts mean, many find comfort in having such specific information made public, but it is a false feeling of safety. While those five targets are undoubtedly safer, we have likely lost an important informational advantage and left new targets more vulnerable than...

Al-Qaida has operatives currently within the United States who are preparing to mount a major terrorist attack on America this summer, according to government intelligence deemed to be highly credible. The prediction was made public after a study by the International Institute of Strategic Studies revealed that despite the elimination of many top terror leaders – President Bush says two thirds of al-Qaida's leadership has been killed or captured – the terror network responsible for 9-11 still has a functioning leadership and over 18,000 potential terrorists in its global network, reports Fox News. In response, Attorney General John Ashcroft and...

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz declares full closure on territories in wake of 56 terror attack warnings (Haaretz)

A security alert has been announced for the Samaria region, where police and IDF forces are boosting presence and setting up roadblocks along route 55 and in the vicinity of Oranit, Yakir and the Kfar Kassem outskirts. Security services registered 52 terror alerts Wednesday since daybreak. In other related news, the IDF arrested 9 Palestinians in the West Bank overnight Tuesday. These include one Islamic Jihad member near Ramallah, a Hamas member in Tulkarm, and two more west of Hebron. An IDF patrol was fired at in the Nablus Kasbah. No casualties were reported. And in the Salem Military Court,...

(IsraelNN.com) There are 42 warnings of planned terror attacks nationwide as efforts continue to intercept terrorists. Israel Radio reported earlier that security forces over the Sabbath prevented another attack in the Sharon region by stepping up the level of operations. Details are not available for publication at this time.

(IsraelNN.com) Shin Bet Director Avi Dichter told government ministers today that there is now a daily average of over 50 terror warnings received by the intelligence community.

(IsraelNN.com) Israeli intelligence forces have passed at least 42 warnings of planned terrorist attacks on Jewish targets to security forces. 37 such warnings stem from Judea and Samaria, and five from Gaza. Despite the warnings, the IDF is instituting a series of measures easing the closure on the Arab population of Judea and Samaria, as well as allowing more Arab workers and merchants from the Palestinian Authority into major cities in Israel. The Israeli concessions to the economic life of PA residents was decided upon as a gesture for the start of the Moslem holiday month of Ramadan, which started...

(IsraelNN.com) Police Chief Shlomo Aharonishki announced this morning there are tens of credible warnings of planned terror attacks. As reported earlier, police and other security agencies are deployed in large numbers. Security Forces Out in Large Numbers 07:26 Sep 26, '03 / 29 Elul 5763 (IsraelNN.com) Police report an unprecedented deployment of troops nationwide for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Police, border police, volunteers, and other security forces will be out in large numbers, paying special attention to synagogues, parks, and public areas.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered the Israel Defense Forces to impose a complete closure on all Palestinian areas in the territories Monday evening due to serious warnings of attempts to carry out terror attacks. The closure is expected to remain in place through Friday, with the Palestinians prohibited from entering Israeli territory until further notice. Mofaz's decision comes in direct contrast to suggestions made Sunday that would have eased restrictions on Palestinians prior to Id al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, which begins Tuesday. Earlier Monday, the IDF arrested four would-be terrorists in the West Bank and one in...

So now we have to be on the lookout for skin-diving Arabs, traveling on Amtrak trains or Trailways buses, wearing plastique wet suits no doubt; perhaps even with suitcase nukes in tow. "Recent information has determined that various terrorist elements have sought to develop an offensive scuba diver capability, While there is no evidence of operational planning to utilize scuba divers to carry out attacks within the United States, there is a body of information showing the desire to obtain such capability," the FBI said in an information bulletin issued by its National Infrastructure Protection Center. An FBI spokesman said...

 Sick of "terror threats:" If there's a serious risk, *do* something. How about leaving the little old ladies and toddlers alone at the airports? Get down and p-r-o-f-i-l-e some Middle-Eastern men. I'm sure El-Al would be glad to provide a consultation. How about immediately suspending all student visas from suspect countries? A visa is a *temporary* permission to stay in a country. It is a privilege, not a right. Send those who are already here home, and don't issue any more to those from the list of "usual suspect" countries. How about suspending travel visas from suspect countries? Yes, I...