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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: Cindy

“But there’s been no substantive response, and now the activists say it’s time for the American people to let officials know whether they want to pay for and have installed in the memorial a crescent that points to Mecca to make up a “mihrab,” the foundational point for every Islamic mosque, a tower that has been designed like an Islamic sundial and 44 memorial glass blocks, one each for the passengers, crew and terrorists aboard Flight 93.”

I can’t even fathom that people that call themselves
American’s would in any way consider this acceptable
at any level. My opinion obviously.


381 posted on 04/08/2008 6:44:05 AM PDT by drymans wife (They is nothing like the mind of a TM;'er)
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To: All

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,347932,00.html

Australian Man Sentenced to Three Years for Laser-Pointer Assault on Police Helicopter

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

ADELAIDE, Australia — An Australian man was sentenced Tuesday to nearly three years in jail for shining a laser pointer at a police helicopter and temporarily blinding the pilot.

Lanfranco Baldetti, 23, pleaded guilty to prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft and to a number of weapons offenses for shining a green laser at a helicopter being used by police to track reckless drivers in the central city of Adelaide last June.

“What occurred here was a disaster in the making,” Judge David Smith said in issuing the sentence of two years and 10 months.

The verdict comes in the wake of a series of laser attacks on airplanes in Sydney that prompted the federal government to restrict sales of laser pointers — typically used in classrooms and presentations. Some of the planes had to divert their landings due to the laser glare.

snip..


382 posted on 04/08/2008 9:13:44 AM PDT by drymans wife (They is nothing like the mind of a TM;'er)
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To: drymans wife

I agree with your opinion and it is my opinion, also.


383 posted on 04/08/2008 1:05:16 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49498

“Soldiers Patrol Sadr City in Wake of Intense Fighting”

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, April 8, 2008


384 posted on 04/08/2008 1:09:50 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49500

“Petraeus Recommends Pause in Iraq Troop Reductions”

By Army Sgt. Sara Moore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2008


385 posted on 04/08/2008 1:11:15 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

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

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49502

Iran Threatens Iraq’s Stability, Officials Say

By Army Sgt. Sara Moore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2008 – The recent spike in violence in southern Iraq highlights the destructive role Iran has played in funding, training, arming and directing extremist “special groups” in Iraq and generates renewed concern about Iran’s influence in the country, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said today.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee along with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker to provide an update on the situation there and report on progress made since September.

Both leaders said Iraq has made significant security progress, but Iran’s support to terror networks is a serious threat to stability in the new democracy.

At the end of March, violence flared in the southern city of Basra after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered Iraqi forces to clamp down on illegal militias, criminals and thugs. Shiia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s Jaysh al-Mahdi organization contested the Iraqi security forces, and fighting spread north to Baghdad and other Shiia cities in the south.

Petraeus said today that the bulk of the weaponry the extremist special groups used during that surge in violence was supplied by Iran.

“The special groups activities have, in fact, come out in greater relief during the violence of recent weeks,” Petraeus said. “It is they who have the expertise to shoot rockets more accurately, shoot mortars more accurately, and to employ some of the more advanced material — the explosively formed projectiles and the like — that have not just killed our soldiers and Iraqi soldiers, but also have been used to assassinate two southern governors in past months and two southern police chiefs.”

This higher level of training and weaponry points to Iranian influence on the special groups, Petraeus said. The recent violence helped to highlight the problem of Iranian influence for the Iraqi government, he said, noting that government officials have conveyed concern to their Iranian contacts about the activities with the special groups.

Crocker agreed that Iranian influence remains a problem in Iraq, and that recent violence has highlighted that problem. The United States knows more about Iranian-supported extremist networks in Iraq than ever, he said, and will continue to uproot and destroy them. At the same time, the United States is supporting constructive relations between Iran and Iraq to improve the security situation in Iraq, he said.

“I think one might look for a reconsideration in Tehran as to just where they want to go in Iraq, because over the long term, … their interests, I think, are best served by the success of the state and this government,” Crocker said. “No country other than Iraq itself suffered more under Saddam Hussein than did Iran, with that brutal eight-year war. So they should be thinking strategically. And the reaction to the militias they support, I would hope, would lead them to do that.”

Together with Iraqi security forces, coalition forces have focused on the Iranian-backed special groups, Petraeus said. Iraqi and coalition leaders have repeatedly noted a desire that Iran live up to promises made by its leaders to stop support for these extremist groups, he said, but the activities have continued.

“We should all watch Iranian actions closely in the weeks and months ahead, as they will show the kind of relationship Iran wishes to have with its neighbor and the character of future Iranian involvement in Iraq,” he said.

Crocker also discussed the need for Iraq’s neighbors to become invested in Iraq’s future. Turkey hosted the second ministerial meeting of Iraq’s neighbors in November, and Kuwait will host the third meeting later this month, he noted. While the presence of the PKK terrorist organization on the Iraqi-Turkish border has increased tension between the two countries, the governments are still working to strengthen their ties, he said.

Support for Iraq from other Arab countries needs to improve, Crocker said, applauding Bahrain’s recent announcement that it will return an ambassador to Iraq. Other Arab nations need to follow suit, as Iraq is a founding member of the Arab League and an integral part of the Arab world, he said.


386 posted on 04/08/2008 1:13:53 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

ADDING to post no. 385:

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/04/iraq_by_the_numbers_1.php

“Iraq by the Numbers: April 2008”
By BILL ROGGIO
April 8, 2008 10:39 AM


387 posted on 04/08/2008 1:16:17 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49505

Afghanistan Operations Targeting Extremists Net Five Suspects

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2008 – Five suspects were caught yesterday during two separate operations targeting extremist networks in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan and Khowst provinces.

In an operation in Tirin Kot district, Uruzgan province, coalition forces searched the compounds of a known Taliban bomb facilitator responsible for several attacks in the province. Forces detained three suspects there.

In a separate operation, Afghan National Police and coalition forces searched compounds in the Nadir Shah Kot district, Khowst province, targeting a terrorist network leader charged with funneling foreign fighters and weapons into the area. Forces nabbed the leader along with another suspect.

In other operations in Afghanistan, coalition forces recovered a cache of weapons and bomb-making materials last week. Coalition forces searched compounds in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, looking for a Taliban insurgent accused of bringing weapons and bombs into the area. Forces found several small-arms weapons, rockets, rocket-propelled grenades, large-caliber rounds and bomb-making materials. The cache was destroyed.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)


388 posted on 04/08/2008 1:17:47 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529423,00.html

Qassam lands south of Ashkelon, no injuries
Published: 04.08.08, 22:45 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza landed south of Ashkelon late Tuesday night.

No injuries were reported and no damage was caused. (Shmulik Hadad)

###

Earlier...

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529416,00.html

2 Qassams land south of Ashkelon, no injuries
Published: 04.08.08, 22:13 / Israel News

Two Qassam rockets landed in an open area south of Ashkelon on Tuesday evening.

No injuries were reported and no damage was caused. (Shmulik Hadad)


389 posted on 04/08/2008 1:21:56 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: drymans wife; Cindy
I can’t even fathom that people that call themselves American’s would in any way consider this acceptable at any level. My opinion obviously.

As Glenn Beck would say, it makes blood shoot out of my eyes! My prayers for those surviving those who lost their loved ones aboard Flight 93 and another prayer for those in charge of this memorial to open their eyes and think of the purpose of the memorial and not to honor in any way, shape or form whatsoever the perpetrators thereof.

390 posted on 04/08/2008 1:23:46 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: All

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1207649965999&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Apr 8, 2008 22:20
“Kassam rocket launched into western Negev; no casualties”
By JPOST.COM STAFF


391 posted on 04/08/2008 1:24:17 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: MamaDearest

I agree and Amen.


392 posted on 04/08/2008 1:25:02 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/itic_0308e.pdf

“Monthly list of Information Bulletins
issued by the Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center at the IICC,
March 2008”
(Posted April 4, 2008)


393 posted on 04/08/2008 1:27:13 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hamas/

#

More details UPDATE:

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hi_070408e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
April 7, 2008

“A children’s program broadcast by Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV featured a puppet of a Palestinian child stabbing a puppet of American President George Bush.”


394 posted on 04/08/2008 1:30:36 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar; SandRat; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx

Let’s post some more details here and ADDING ON to post no. 367:

Looking at this image first:

http://www.ynetnews.com/PicServer2/20122005/767607/SIN72D_wa.jpg

and now for the article:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529419,00.html

“Iranian president confirms Iran testing advanced centrifuges”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Ahmadinejad reveals new array of 6,000 advanced centrifuges recently tested, found to work five-times as fast as current models. And while France says more sanctions will likely be needed, Russia champions new tactic of offering incentives”

Dudi Cohen
Published: 04.08.08, 22:46 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad confirmed on Tuesday evening that nuclear researchers in the country have begun conducting experiments with a new array of centrifuges.

Speaking at a celebratory evening in Tehran marking the annual National Nuclear Technology Day, Ahmadinejad announced that 6,000 new centrifuges used in the enrichment of uranium were recently tested for the first time and found to be capable of operating at five times the speed of the P-1 models currently employed by Iran’s nuclear program.

The president initially spoke of the new centrifuges while touring a new research facility at the Natanz nuclear plant earlier in the day. Calling the development a ‘breakthrough,” Ahmadinejad said this heralded the beginning of the elimination of the dominance of “the big powers’’ over nuclear energy.”


395 posted on 04/08/2008 1:40:09 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy
WOW Cindy - you've been busy posting today! Thanks for your hard and informative work!

Bulgaria drug trades fund Hezbollah

Profits from drugs trafficking through Bulgaria have been used to fund organizations like Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, the parliamentary security commission said on Tuesday.

Switzerland villified as financier of terrorism

A major U.S. Jewish organization on Tuesday termed Switzerland as "the world's newest financier of terrorism" for entering into a multibillion-dollar natural gas deal with Iran. Last month, Swiss energy trading company EGL and state-owned National Iranian Gas Export Company signed an agreement worth at least $28 billion, which provoked the New York-based Anti-Defamation League.

The deal allows EGL to sell gas to European customers that rely heavily on natural gas from Russia. "When you finance a terrorist state, you finance terrorism," read a full-page advertisement published in major Swiss newspapers on Tuesday. The group has also sponsored similar campaigns criticizing the Swiss government in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal.

Jihadi outfits banned in Pakistan to plead before SC to lift ban

The jihadi organisations in Pakistan which were banned by President Pervez Musharraf are mulling moving the country's Supreme Court pleading lifting of the ban.

They argue that they were banned by Musharraf simply to please the US, and now, after the last general elections on February 18, his policies stand rejected.

Al Qaeda nuclear attack in planning stages

Snippets: Al-Qaida's nuclear attack against the US is in planning stages, top American intelligence officials have said.

Mowatt-Larssen said the US successes against Taliban in Afghanistan have yielded volumes of information that completely changed its view of Al-Qaida's nuclear program. ''We learned that Al-Qaida wants a weapon to use, not a weapon to sustain and build a stockpile, as most states would,'' he said.

Observing that the Al-Qaida's nuclear intent remains clear, he said it obtained a fatwa in May 2003 that approved the use of weapons of mass destruction. Al-Qaida spokesman Suleyman Abu Ghayth declared that it is Al-Qaida's right to kill four million Americans in retaliation for Muslim deaths that Al-Qaida blames on the United States.

''Osama bin Laden said in 1998 that it was an Islamic duty to acquire weapons of mass destruction. In 2006, bin Laden reiterated his statement that Al-Qaida will return to the United States.

396 posted on 04/08/2008 1:48:08 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Cindy

If Iran is closely linked to the fun and games in Basra as some reports indicate, his happiness over his new toys maybe short lived.


397 posted on 04/08/2008 1:48:52 PM PDT by Godzilla (The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.)
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To: MamaDearest

Thank you Mama Dearest and thank you for the links.

Terrorist financing...duly noted.


398 posted on 04/08/2008 1:56:51 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Godzilla

“...short lived.”

One can only hope.


399 posted on 04/08/2008 1:57:34 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=4AB1D2C821B911DCA9AD000423CF4092

“SGT Darren Hubbell Hero To All”
3 minutes
(Note: Hit the start arrow on the left to watch/hear this video.)

#

blog:

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/192176.php

April 08, 2008
“Al Qaeda Releases Video Showing Slain Medic’s ID”

BLOG ENTRY SNIPPET: “In my estimation, there is no evidence to suggest that the video of the attack is related in any way to Hubbell’s ID. In fact, it appears as if those making the video merely found the ID and then spliced together unrelated pieces of footage. The video is completely bogus propaganda.

As we have noted several times in the past few months, al Furqan [al Qaeda in Iraq’s official video production company] has ground to a near total standstill. In the past few weeks the group has released at least two new videos, but both were exclusively of attacks in Mosul. Last week, an al Qaeda propagandist was arrested in Mosul.

So, you see, there is a reason al Qaeda has been reduced to releasing propaganda videos of old attacks: they’re media wing has been virtually shut down.”

By Dr. Rusty Shackleford at April 8, 2008 04:45 PM


400 posted on 04/08/2008 2:22:34 PM PDT by Cindy
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