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Threat Matrix: April 2008
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Posted on 04/01/2008 8:13:21 PM PDT by nwctwx

:::FreeRepublic's Threat Matrix:::
Critical Threats: Blank When None
Afghanistan to Ask NATO for Bigger Army

Afghan officials will go to the NATO summit in Romania Thursday with a request: pay to increase our national Army by 40 percent. A bigger Army, Afghan officials argue, will allow the US and other coalition members to scale back in the coming years.

This appeal comes amid pleas from the US and Canada for other NATO members to commit more to the Afghanistan mission, which many analysts say has floundered over the past year for lack of resources and a coherent strategy. France is expected to contribute another 1,000 forces and Germany is likely to make a bigger commitment.

But American and Afghan government sources with knowledge of the expected Afghan proposal say that an increase from the current authorization of 86,000 Afghan Army soldiers to 120,000 is the only way to create an enduring defense against a resurgent Taliban and elusive Al Qaeda operatives. Read More


Threat Matrix:
April 2008
Click for Color Code Information


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 414; abdullahu; abuhamza; abuhamzaalmuhajir; afghanistan; agronabdullahu; ahmadinejad; airport; alhesbah; almasri; almuhajir; alqaeda; alqaida; alzawahiri; alzawahri; ammoniumnitrate; australia; aydin; barber; barbershop; belmarsh; belmarshprison; bergendorff; bolivia; bomb; border; borderfence; brotherricehs; brown; burma; bus; cair; calinchiwong; canada; carbomb; carter; cartoonjihad; chad; chavez; china; christianpersecution; creditcardfraud; creditcards; cyberattacks; cybersecurity; drugcartel; drugcartels; egypt; elpaso; embassy; espionage; eta; etim; evomorales; explosives; farc; ferries; ferry; filmjihad; fitna; florida; foodpoisoning; footballjihad; france; freespeech; gaza; germany; geske; globaljihad; goosecreek; gwot; hamas; haq; hizbuttahrir; homicidebomber; honorkilling; honourkilling; ht; hugochavez; humanbomb; india; internet; iran; iraq; iridium192; isi; israel; israeliembassy; istanbul; italianembassy; jamaica; japan; jihad; jihadpropaganda; jimmycarter; kenitra; kevinbrown; khadr; killerbees; kiryathaim; krekar; lebanon; libertycounty; libya; ltte; marathon; maulanasufimohammad; mauritania; megahed; mexico; mohamed; mohammedanism; montreal; morocco; mothermcauleyhs; mugabe; mugniyah; mullahkrekar; naveedhaq; necatiaydin; nepal; nigeria; nkorea; northkorea; nuclear; nuclearattack; nuclearblast; nuclearthreat; oil; oiltanker; olympics; orlando; pakistan; persecution; philippines; piercecounty; pjak; pkk; plo; plutonium; pope; prison; qaradawi; queenofmartyrsschool; rafah; railwaystations; restaurant; ricin; rogerbergendorff; russia; ryanschallenberger; saudiarabia; schallenberger; sharia; shariah; shariahlaw; sharialaw; soccerjihad; somalia; southwestschool; spain; spies; sportsfields; srilanka; stadium; stadiums; students; stxavier; submarines; sudan; sudanese; suicidebomber; syria; tacoma; taleban; taliban; tamiltigers; tensleep; texas; textbooks; threatmatrix; tibet; tilmangeske; toronto; trumanstreet; tunnel; turkey; uguryuksel; uk; un; underseacables; usscole; venezuela; washington; washingtonstate; wong; wot; yemen; youths; yuksel; zawahiri; zawahri; zimbabwe
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/noniedarwish
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/darwish

#

Thanks to a special freepmailer for pointing to this interview:

http://f2a.org/radio/2008-04-24.ram


1,181 posted on 04/24/2008 4:37:33 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar

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

#

Note; Photo included.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/images/Baitullah.jpg

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/04/pakistan_is_negotiat.php

“Pakistan is negotiating a new peace agreement with Baitullah Mehsud”
By BILL ROGGIO
(April 24, 2008 1:07 AM)


1,182 posted on 04/24/2008 4:45:26 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/yemen
http://www.yementimes.com

#

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/04/yemen_spirals_toward.php

“Yemen Spirals Toward Disintegration”
By JANE NOVAK
(April 24, 2008 4:35 PM)


1,183 posted on 04/24/2008 4:48:30 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

QUOTE:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020778.php

April 24, 2008

Join the Jihad Watch revolution

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” — George Orwell

(Thanks to R.)

Posted by Robert at April 24, 2008 7:43 PM


1,184 posted on 04/24/2008 4:55:38 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy

Plutonium on the Euphrates
April 24, 2008; Page A12

What really happened in the Syrian desert near the Euphrates River on the night of September 6, 2007? The Bush Administration is finally due to answer that question today when it briefs Members of Congress. We’ve been hearing, and the press is now reporting, that the Administration will confirm that Israel bombed what the U.S. believes was a nascent plutonium-producing nuclear reactor being built with North Korea’s assistance.
More:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120899476604639863.html?mod=djemEditorialPage


1,185 posted on 04/24/2008 5:08:21 PM PDT by LucyT
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To: LucyT

Thank you Lucy.

Also noting the White House put out a press release today, too on the subject.


1,186 posted on 04/24/2008 6:24:12 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-qaeda24apr24,0,7703692,full.story

#

blog:

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/24/aq-getting-unpopular-with-jihadis/

“AQ getting unpopular with jihadis”
POSTED AT 10:15 AM ON APRIL 24, 2008 BY ED MORRISSEY
SEND TO A FRIEND | PRINTER-FRIENDLY

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Recent events have shown al-Qaeda’s support eroding even among its core base of radical Islamist extremists, the Los Angeles Times reports today. Muslims have tired of the suicide bombings that kill other Muslims and of the deadly response they get from the West. Looking at the state of the ummah, Muslims have concluded that they were better off before bin Laden decided to kill 3,000 Americans and unleash forces that have changed the face of southwest Asia:”

###
###

Stepping back in time...

Zarqawi is dead now, of course, but when he was alive he said...

http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/005285.html

19 November 2005
“ZARQAWI: ‘I READ IT IN THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’”

You can hear that snippet of his speech here:

http://internet-haganah.com/hmedia/19nov05-zarqawi-latimes.mp3


1,187 posted on 04/24/2008 6:32:53 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2008/ioc-strategy-public-overview.pdf

#

http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2008/ag_speech_080423.html

#

April 23, 2008

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/April/08_opa_330.html

Department of Justice Launches New Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat Increasing Threat of International Organized Crime

WASHINGTON – Today Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey announced a new strategy in the fight against international organized crime that will address this growing threat to U.S. security and stability. The Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat International Organized Crime (the strategy) was developed following an October 2007 International Organized Crime Threat Assessment (IOC Threat Assessment) and will address the demand for a strategic, targeted and concerted U.S. response to combat the identified threats. This strategy builds on the broad foundation the Administration has developed in recent years to enhance information sharing, and to secure U.S. borders and financial systems from a variety of transnational threats.

Today’s announcement by the Attorney General was made during a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies with Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Alice S. Fisher, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director John S. Pistole and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Julie Myers.

International organized crime is defined as those self-perpetuating associations of individuals who operate internationally for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, monetary and commercial gains, wholly or in part by illegal means, while protecting their activities through a pattern of corruption and violence. International organized criminals operate in hierarchies, clans, networks and cells. The crimes they commit vary as widely as the organizational structures they employ.

The strategy establishes an investigation and prosecution framework as committed and connected as the international organized crime structure it must combat. U.S. federal law enforcement agencies, in an unprecedented cooperative effort on this issue, will share international organized crime information and intelligence, collectively identify and prioritize the most significant threats and then put the full force of U.S. law enforcement’s expertise and resources toward mitigating those threats. In addition, U.S. law enforcement will increase cooperation with international partners to bring international criminals to justice, in the United States and abroad.

The strategy specifically reacts to the globalization of legal and illegal business, advances in technology, particularly the Internet, and the evolution of symbiotic relationships between criminals, public officials and business leaders that have combined to create a new, less restrictive environment within which international organized criminals can operate. Without the necessity of a physical presence, U.S. law enforcement must combat international organized criminals that target the relative wealth of the people and institutions in the United States while remaining outside the country.

“As international organized criminals have adapted their tactics over time and embraced emerging technology, we too must adapt,” said Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey. “With this strategy, we’re building a new, 21st century program that we believe will be nimble enough to fight the threat of international organized crime for years to come.”

“International organized criminals have broadened the scope and depth of their illegal activities, reaching into a variety of sectors to sustain their inherent quest for money and power. These modern-day criminals threaten our physical, economic and national security, indeed, in many circumstances without even setting foot inside U.S. borders,” said Assistant Attorney Alice S. Fisher. “With this strategy, international organized criminals will be targeted and prosecuted in the same determined and concerted manner in which they pursue their illegal activities.”

Laid out in the strategy is a comprehensive and detailed plan that will enable the Department and nine federal law enforcement agencies to gather their collective resources to most effectively combat the threat of international organized crime. Ultimately, the strategy aims to create consensus among domestic law enforcement in identifying the most significant priority targets and then unified and concerted action among domestic and international law enforcement in significantly disrupting and dismantling those targets. This unprecedented coordination will include utilizing all available U.S. Government programs and capabilities, including existing economic, consular and other non-law enforcement means.

In addition, as a response to international organized criminals’ ability to operate unconstrained by national borders and geographic law enforcement jurisdictions, the strategy aims to ensure criminal laws and operating procedures reflect the modern realities and needs of international crime fighting. Similarly vital is the need to work in collaboration with public and private institutions that also face victimization by international organized criminals and therefore have been forced to act to minimize the impact on their businesses.

Prior to the strategy’s development, the Department of Justice and law enforcement partners conducted a comprehensive assessment of international organized crime. The IOC Threat Assessment lays out the threat international organized crime poses to U.S. national security, the stability of the U.S. economy and the integrity of government institutions, infrastructure and systems in the United States. The assessment is based on the best available information known to the U.S. Government through the combined efforts of the law enforcement, intelligence and interagency communities.

Specifically, the IOC Threat Assessment identifies and defines eight strategic threats:

- International organized criminals have penetrated the energy market and other strategic sectors of the U.S. and world economy. As U.S. energy needs continue to grow, so too could the power of those who control energy resources.

- International organized criminals provide logistical and other support to terrorists, foreign intelligence services and foreign governments, all with interests acutely adverse to those of U.S. national security.

- International organized criminals traffic in people and contraband goods, bringing people and products through U.S. borders to the detriment of border security, the U.S. economy, and the health and lives of those human beings exploited by human trafficking.

- International organized criminals exploit the U.S. and international financial system to move illegal profits and funds, including sending billions in illicit funds through the U.S. financial system annually. To continue this practice, they seek to corrupt financial service providers globally.

- International organized criminals use cyberspace to target U.S. victims and infrastructure, jeopardizing the security of personal information, the stability of business and government infrastructures and the security and solvency of financial investment markets.

- International organized criminals are manipulating securities exchanges and engaging in sophisticated fraud schemes that rob U.S. investors, consumers and government agencies of billions of dollars.

- International organized criminals have successfully corrupted public officials around the world, including countries of vital strategic importance to the United States and continue to seek ways to influence – legally or illegally – U.S. officials.

- International organized criminals use violence and the threat of violence as a basis of power.

“The activities of transnational and national organized criminal enterprises are increasing in scope and magnitude as these groups continue to strengthen their networking with each other to expand their operations,” said FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole. “By increasing international cooperation and information sharing, together we can disrupt and dismantle these global, sophisticated organizations that have exploited geopolitical, economic, social, and technological changes over the last two decades to become increasingly active worldwide.”

“Partnerships among law enforcement agencies are our most effective weapon in combating international criminal networks,” said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “These criminal organizations pursue profit, without regard for national boundaries, international laws or human life.”

On April 7, 2008, the Organized Crime Council, chaired by Deputy Attorney General Mark R. Filip, recommended and the Attorney General signed The Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat International Organized Crime. The Attorney General has been in charge of coordinating all federal law enforcement activity against organized crime since a 1968 executive order by President Lyndon Johnson established that authority.

Similarly, the Organized Crime Council has existed in various forms since 1970 and has always been charged with establishing priorities and formulating a national unified strategy to combat organized crime. This is the first time the Organized Crime Council has ever convened to focus on the threat from international organized crime and to develop a responsive strategy to that threat. The Organized Crime Council consists of the Deputy Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, the Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and the leaders of nine participating federal law enforcement agencies, which include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Secret Service; Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Diplomatic Security; and U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General.

###

08-330


1,188 posted on 04/24/2008 6:53:22 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar; Marine Inspector; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx

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

#

http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/6980.htm
(”Source: Shahab News, Iran, April 23, 2008”)

“Iranian Ships Under Foreign Flags Due To Sanctions”

Posted at: 2008-04-24


1,189 posted on 04/24/2008 7:28:38 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Posting for archival purposes:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/congressional_test/project_28.xml
http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/02/sbinet-virtual-border-security/
http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/border-fence-southwest.shtm

#

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/04/dhs-pulls-the-plug-on-p28/

“DHS Pulls the Plug on P-28”
By Jay Fraser on April 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM


1,190 posted on 04/24/2008 9:33:01 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Oorang; penguino; Velveeta; MamaDearest; Godzilla; nwctwx

Fyi Only.

I’ll be off TM until next Monday.


1,191 posted on 04/24/2008 9:36:38 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy
Passengers duct tape troublesome passenger

Some people aboard a United Airlines flight took matters into their own hands when a passenger became disruptive.

Passengers and an air marshal subdued a man aboard a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles -- and duct-taped him.

Mexican official caught stealing White House Blackberries

Snippets: At first, Quintero Curiel denied the criminal acts. But when confronted with the tape, he chalked it up to an “accident”–then promptly invoked diplomatic immunity.

Just looting the White House electronic devices Americans won’t loot…

Now, imagine if it were an American government official caught south of the border stealing Mexican government property.

Girl kills self with detergents, sickens 90

Snippets: A 14-year-old Japanese girl killed herself by mixing laundry detergent with cleanser, releasing fumes that also sickened 90 people in her apartment house.

The deadly hydrogen sulfide gas escaped from the girl's bathroom window and entered neighbouring apartments.

Police say a 31-year-old man outside Tokyo killed himself inside a car early Thursday by mixing detergent and bath salts.

Reports of another similar case emerged Thusday afternoon when a 42-year-old woman in central Japan, was found dead in a bathtub. According to news reports there was toilet cleaner and bath powder nearby, along with a sign outside that read, "Poisonous gas being emitted. Caution."

1,192 posted on 04/24/2008 9:48:45 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Cindy

Wherever you are going/whatever you are doing please be safe and know you will be missed and we will await your return.


1,193 posted on 04/24/2008 9:51:23 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Cindy
Government changing terrorism language

Federal agencies, including the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counter Terrorism Center, are telling their people not to describe Islamic extremists as "jihadists" or "mujahedeen," according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. Lingo like "Islamo-fascism" is out, too.

The reason: Such words may actually boost support for radicals among Arab and Muslim audiences by giving them a veneer of religious credibility or by causing offense to moderates.

June Cat Fancy article suggests possible link between animal trafficking and terrorism

Animal Trafficking and Terrorism Thursday April 24, 6:50 pm ET A June Cat Fancy article, to hit newsstands on April 29, 2008, suggests a possible link between animal trafficking groups and terrorism. The article titled "Poaching's Criminal Element" outlines the intricate illicit underground activities of animal trafficking groups in many parts of the world, including the United States, and how these affect species population and Earth's ecologic balance. Surprisingly, the article also describes a clear and direct link to organized crime groups with possible ties to terrorism.

British court rules freezing of terrorism assets unlawful

The High Court in London ruled Thursday that the freezing of assets held by terrorism suspects was unlawful in Britain because it "bypassed" parliament. The court ruled in favour of five men who had challenged the powers imposed in Britain under United Nations (UN) laws.

The men have so far not been charged with terrorism offences and argued that the confiscation of their assets had a "devastating and humiliating impact" on their lives.

1,194 posted on 04/24/2008 10:13:12 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: LucyT; AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ..

Interesting. For a time a month or so ago the rumor was that the site was the location of Saddam’s missing WMDs. :’) Of course, it could have been both. Now it’s just a former site. ;’) Thanks.


1,195 posted on 04/24/2008 10:21:18 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_____________________Profile updated Saturday, March 29, 2008)
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To: Cindy
Sensitive military items for sale on e-bay

IF THE US wants to stop Iran in its tracks, perhaps it should make sure the country can't buy Department of Defense (DoD) equipment on eBay.

Investigators from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) wanted to know if it was possible for countries or organisations opposed to the US to obtain sensitive items of military equipment over the internet. They were astonished to discover how easy it was.

Using the online trading sites eBay and Craigslist and posing as members of the general public, the team had no trouble at all picking up 10 pieces of US military body armour, which are supposed to be destroyed if no longer required by the DoD. They also managed to buy a used nuclear-biological-chemical protective suit, an antenna for an F-14 jet fighter and several other sensitive items, the GAO says in a report it released last week. While the US has retired its F-14 fleet, one nation has not: Iran - and it is known to be in need of components to maintain the aircraft.

1,196 posted on 04/24/2008 10:53:47 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest; nwctwx; All

latest word out of Afghanistan is that Taliban forces are in a bit of a pinch. The last couple of years they maneuvered in large forces - and got killed readily. Exposure to US firepower - and fewer recruits - has caused them to use smaller 5-10 person teams. While less detectable, they do not provide the force necessary to intimidate Afghan villagers. And like a buzzing gnat, they are not building a very good rapport with the local tribes.


1,197 posted on 04/25/2008 7:57:34 AM PDT by Godzilla (How do I set a laser printer to stun?)
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To: Godzilla
Exposure to US firepower - and fewer recruits - has caused them to use smaller 5-10 person teams.

I have a friend whose husband is back from Afghanistan in the past year. We're thankful he's back home safely with his family. Our troops have done a lot of good things for the locals (schools, roads, military training, etc.). The Taliban, not so much.

1,198 posted on 04/25/2008 3:48:18 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Godzilla
Terror without terrorists

.....the third group consists of thousands of sympathizers and would-be jihadists spread around the globe who mainly connect in Internet chat rooms, engage in radicalizing conversations, and variously dare each other actually to do something.

Man with links to Al Qaeda able to get Canadian visa

A man suspected of having links to al-Qaeda managed to secure a visa to live in Canada and was later arrested at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, CBC's French-language service Radio-Canada reported Thursday evening. ADVERTISEMENT The man, who is of Pakistani descent, obtained a visa to temporarily reside in Canada from the High Commissioner in London, according to a secret document sent to federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day from Canada Border Services last July.

The note, obtained by Radio-Canada, does not reveal the identity of the man but says he is implicated in al-Qaeda's mass destruction weapons program.

1,199 posted on 04/25/2008 4:10:23 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest
The Taliban, not so much.

Nope, the Tali have done poorly on PR. People don't like being pushed around by these thugs and they are doing very little to win the hearts of the villagers either.

1,200 posted on 04/25/2008 4:25:49 PM PDT by Godzilla (How do I set a laser printer to stun?)
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