Threat Matrix: January 2007

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[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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[Oorang]

Any idea who "M.T." is (referenced in the last paragraph)?

Turkey: Dozens Of Al-Qaeda Suspects Rounded Up

Istanbul, 29 Jan. 2007 - Turkish police on Monday arrested some 50 people suspected of being linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist network during morning raids in five cities - Istanbul, Konya, Izmir and Gebze. Investigators believe that two men picked up in Gebze were preparing to travel to Afghanistan and Chechnya to join jihadis there. A gun and documents were seized by police when they arrested three suspects in Izmir.

The bulk of the arrests took place in Konya were 25 men have been detained and in Istanbul where 16 men are now in custody. Police said the raids are fruit of a year-and-a-half of intelligence gathering. They said more people may be detained.

Last week authorities announced the arrest of a lawyer - identified only with the initials M.T. - who they alleged is al-Qaeda's chief operator in Turkey. The man has been charged with heading a banned organisation, distributing propaganda for the organisataion via the Internet, producing and owning explosives and bombs. If convicted he faces up to 38 years in prison.

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Terrorism&loid=8.0.381090576&par=0

[Cindy]

UPDATE...

http://www.ynetnews.com/PicServer2/20122005/1004300/SJS11_hh.jpg

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3358519,00.html

"Bomber's brother: We're happy Muhammad is the hero"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In their mourning tent, Saqsaq family fails to express any sorrow. 'We knew he was waiting for this moment. He wanted to be shahid, and earned it,' brother tells Ynet. He explains that his brother tried to send message to Palestinian factions to fight against Israel, not against one another
Ali Waked
Published: 01.29.07, 20:22

"The whole family was very happy when it heard that Muhammad is the hero who carried out the attack," said Naim Saqsaq, the brother of Muhammad Saqsaq, who carried out the suicide attack in Eilat that killed three people.

"We knew that he was waiting and praying for this moment. He always said, 'If only I could be a shahid, if only I could carry out an attack.' And here Allah gave him the privilege," he told Ynet.

The brother recounted that Muhammad was an unemployed construction worker. He was married. His only daughter died from disease three weeks ago.

"He was always in the mindset of the fighters. When the Israelis were invading Gaza, he participated in the battles in Jabalya and Beit Hanoun. He was waiting for this moment. The truth is that we knew that at some point he would be killed in a confrontation with the Israelis and would be a shahid. Because of this, we are happy that God gave him what he asked for.""


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===

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3358506,00.html

"Bomber entered through smuggling route, officials believe
Defense establishment suspects suicide bomber entered Israel from Egypt through breached border, with possible aid from an Egyptian youth. Sources warn terrorists using calm to rearm in Gaza"
Ronny Sofer
Published: 01.29.07, 19:43

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Suicide bomber Faisal al-Sarsaq who committed Monday morning's terror attack in Eilat entered through the breached Israel-Egypt border, defense establishment believes."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The officers reported that the terrorist possessed more sophisticated weaponry, and have been re-organizing themselves similar to Hizbullah."

[Cindy]

No idea at the moment, but you might check Google news to see if a "Mohammed" (spelling variations) or a "Mustafa/Mustapha" is a lawyer under arrest.

[Oorang]

My apologies if this was already posted to TM. I know I saw it somewhere :-)

Iran: Pasdaran Threaten To Abduct U.S. Troops

Tehran, 29 Jan. 2007 - Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the Pasdaran, have threatened to abduct US troops if Washington does not release five Iranian officials kidnapped in the northern Iraqi town of Erbil in a raid on Tehran's consulate earlier this year. In an article published by the Pasdaran's mouthpiece, Sobhe Sadegh, the director of the centre for strategic studies of the Iranian presidency, Reza Zakeri, also says Iran will retaliate against any further abduction of Iranian nationals.

Excerpted

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.381232740&par=0

[Oorang]

Good idea, thanks Cindy.

[Cindy]

Or we can try something else...

Looking around...

http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/26sep06-salafy_forums.html

===


http://www.mucadele.com

http://forum.mucadele.com

[Cindy]

Here's a turkey section:

http://www.mucadele.com/oku.php?id=298

[Velveeta]

MT = Malek Charahili the 'Tunisian'
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Malek+Charahili%22+leader+

Turkey IDs Al-Qaida Network Leader

Turkey has identified the leader of the al-Qaida network.
Officials said the al-Qaida leader was an attorney based in Istanbul with links to other insurgency groups in Turkey. They said the 25-year-old attorney, Malek Charahili, confessed to being the leader of al-Qaida in Turkey.
On Friday, the semi-official Anatolian news agency said the al-Qaida chief was one of 10 suspected insurgents captured during raids in late November in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The agency said police found materials used to assemble bombs as well as a compact disc designed to explode when inserted into a computer.
This was the first time Turkish authorities had seen such a device, officials said. They said authorities also found maps of an oil refinery owned by the Tupras group in a suspected al-Qaida safe house.
Two of the suspects arrested with the al-Qaida chief were said to have also been members of the Great Islamic Eastern Warriors Front, known by its Turkish acronym IBDA-C. The group as well as al-Qaida claimed joint responsibility for two bombings in Istanbul in 2003 in which more than 60 people were killed.
Turkey's NTV television said the raids of al-Qaida strongholds took place during the visit of Pope Benedict and capped a year-long investigation.
http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=17588032&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=585832&rfi=6

[Cindy]

Thank you for the update, Velveeta.
I appreciate it.

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3113.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Mon Jan 29 2007 17:25:31 GMT-0800.

Cricket World Cup

January 25, 2007


SNIPPET: "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens about the Cricket World Cup sporting tournament taking place at several Caribbean locations from March 5 – April 28, 2007. The global popularity of cricket is expected to attract fans to the Caribbean. Americans planning travel to the Caribbean during this timeframe are strongly advised to be aware of tournament dates and locations, and take appropriate measures to safeguard their personal safety and property. All American citizens traveling to and from the Caribbean by air must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport."

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://news.google.com/news?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wn&q=Super+Bowl+%2B+Security&btnG=Search

===

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-28-2007/0004514433&EDATE=

"Super Bowl Security"

MIAMI, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62629


you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Peshawar Suicide Bomb
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Pakistan
29 Jan 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
26 Jan 2007
Warden Message: Islamabad Marriott Hotel Attack
26 Jan 2007
Warden Message: Pakistan Muharram-Ul-Haram Holiday January 29-30
26 Jan 2007
Islamabad Marriott Hotel Attack
12 Jan 2007
Pakistan 2007 Crime & Safety Report: Karachi
10 Jan 2007
Pakistan 2007 Crime & Safety Report: Lahore
U.S. Embassy Islamabad released the following Warden Message on January 27, 2007:

A suicide bomb detonated in the Qisa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar's Old City on January 27, 2007, killing up to sixteen people and injuring 30-35. Eight city police personnel, including the Chief of City Police and gathered local civilians, died in the explosion. The Consulate reiterates Warden Notice No. 2 (January 26, 2007), advising American citizens to avoid all markets, bazaars, and public demonstrations throughout the Muharram-Ul-Haram Holiday, which lasts through January 30. In the past there have been violent incidents during this holiday timeframe.

In Peshawar, all Muharram procession routes will be located in the Old City. While previous guidance recommends against Americans traveling into the Old City, the Consulate in Peshawar also recommends specifically against visiting Saddar Bazaar until the holiday period is over.

U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information. Each of the telephone numbers listed below is available 24 hours a day for emergency services.

Contact information follows for all four posts in Pakistan:

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632, website http://islamabad.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 520-4200 (after hours: 92-21-520-4400; fax 92-21-568-0496, website http://usembassy.state.gov/karachi.

The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50- Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, telephone (92-42) 603-4000 or 603-4250, fax (92-42) 603-4200, website http://lahore.usconsulate.gov. Email address: acslahore@state.gov.

The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712, website http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3124.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Mon Jan 29 2007 17:33:38 GMT-0800.

Senegal

January 29, 2007


This Public Announcement is being issued to advise American citizens to defer most non-essential travel to the Casamance region due to an increase in violence there. This Public Announcement is valid until March 23, 2007.

In the past month, there has been fighting on both sides of the Casamance river between rebels and the Senegalese military. Due to the increased violence and the unpredictability of the current security situation in the Casamance region, the Department of State recommends against all nonessential travel to the Casamance region, except direct air travel to the Cap Skirring resort area or to the city of Ziguinchor.

Americans should avoid driving outside Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring's city limits. American citizens who must travel to the Casamance region should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Consular Information Sheet for Senegal, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and other travel information can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by emailing consulardakar@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 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).

Americans living or traveling in Senegal are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, where they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Senegal. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address. Registration is done online and can be done in advance of travel at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar; the mailing address is B.P. 49, Dakar, Senegal. The telephone number is (221) 823-4296; after-hours (221) 823-4604. The U.S. Embassy website is http://usembassy.state.gov/dakar.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775836/posts
http://www.jpfo.org/slaughterinschools.htm

===
===

Note: The current columns include:

QUOTE:

http://www.policeone.com/writers/columnists/CharlesRemsberg


Use the “L” to gain the edge in hostage rescues - 01/29/2007
How to prepare yourself for terrorist attacks on our schools - 01/12/2007
"4 Ds" for thwarting terrorists’ plans to massacre our school children - 01/08/2007
Mass slaughter in our schools: the terrorists’ chilling plan - 01/03/2007

[Cindy]

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=24&id=34627

"9/11 Officer who Died of Lung Disease Remembered"

Updated: January 29th, 2007 09:42 AM PDT
The Associated Press

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A Philippines-born police officer who died five years after working 16-hour shifts amid the toxic debris of the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 attacks was remembered by family and friends at his funeral.

But the Mass on Saturday for Cesar Borja, 52, also was a reminder of the growing number of Sept. 11 first responders reporting health problems, an issue that has politicians from Senator Hillary Clinton to Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggesting the rescue workers deserve compensation.

Borja, who was awaiting a lung transplant, died Tuesday just hours before his son Ceasar attended President George W. Bush's State of the Union address in Washington as a guest of Clinton. Ceasar, 21, hopes to meet with Bush to discuss the ongoing health problems of workers who spent time in the World Trade Center rubble after the 2001 terrorist attack."

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 1728:

http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/000713.html

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20070108-055127-2486r

"Turkey nabs suspected terror financier"
ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 8 (UPI) --

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Charahili, a 27-year-old Tunisian, was arrested with a fake passport in August 2006 and remains in custody.

Prosecutors claim he received regular bank transfers of large sums from Bilal Soughir in Belgium and in turn sent the money to the account of slain al-Qaida-in-Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Zaman reported."

===
===

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1761584/posts?page=1728#1728

MT = Malek Charahili the 'Tunisian'
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Malek+Charahili%22+leader+

Turkey IDs Al-Qaida Network Leader

Turkey has identified the leader of the al-Qaida network.

Officials said the al-Qaida leader was an attorney based in Istanbul with links to other insurgency groups in Turkey. They said the 25-year-old attorney, Malek Charahili, confessed to being the leader of al-Qaida in Turkey.
On Friday, the semi-official Anatolian news agency said the al-Qaida chief was one of 10 suspected insurgents captured during raids in late November in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The agency said police found materials used to assemble bombs as well as a compact disc designed to explode when inserted into a computer.

This was the first time Turkish authorities had seen such a device, officials said. They said authorities also found maps of an oil refinery owned by the Tupras group in a suspected al-Qaida safe house.

Two of the suspects arrested with the al-Qaida chief were said to have also been members of the Great Islamic Eastern Warriors Front, known by its Turkish acronym IBDA-C. The group as well as al-Qaida claimed joint responsibility for two bombings in Istanbul in 2003 in which more than 60 people were killed.

Turkey's NTV television said the raids of al-Qaida strongholds took place during the visit of Pope Benedict and capped a year-long investigation.
http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=17588032&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=585832&rfi=6


1,728 posted on 01/29/2007 5:16:15 PM PST by Velveeta (Bears!)

[Cindy]

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

===

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775860/posts

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19163
"Code Pink Undermines War on Terror"
by John J. Tierney
Posted Jan 29, 2007

[Cindy]

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

===
===

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775861/posts

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467843743&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jan. 30, 2007 3:09
"Iran may help Venezuela build unmanned planes"
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Oorang]

Big Thanks to you both!

[Oorang]

Excellent and very interesting find Velveeta.

compact disc designed to explode when inserted into a computer
I wonder how they figured that out without ending up with a exploding computer.