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Threat Matrix: April 2008
Previous Thread ^

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; Jet Jaguar; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx

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

#

More Details - UPDATE:
http://memriiwmp.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=372

“Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Claims Responsibility for Mortar Attack in Yemen, Promises to Drive ‘Polytheists’ From Peninsula”
(Posted April 8, 2008)

#

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_936.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Tue Apr 08 2008 14:24:09 GMT-0700 (PDT).

YEMEN

April 07, 2008


401 posted on 04/08/2008 2:26:54 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/mauritania/
http://mauritania.usembassy.gov/warden_messages.html

#

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020601.php

April 8, 2008

“Mauritania: Shootout between police, inner spiritual strugglers; escaped jihadist reported killed”
NOUAKCHOTT, April 7 (Reuters)

#

Previously...

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020553.php

April 3, 2008

“Bad idea: Leaving detained jihadists unattended to ‘pray’”
NOUAKCHOTT, April 2 (Reuters)

#

Previously...

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/019340.php

December 27, 2007

“Mauritania: Jihadists killed family of French tourists”
(AP)
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania


402 posted on 04/08/2008 2:37:11 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998419/posts

East Texas Teenager Attacked Over History Project (Illegal Immigration)
KLTV.com ^
Posted on April 8, 2008 6:57:06 AM PDT by mnehrling

Melanie Bowers, 13, and her parents walked into Athens High School Monday afternoon to talk to campus police. They were hoping to get some answers.

“It never should have happened in the first place. The whole assignment was a silly assignment and they should have contacted us immediately after it happened,” said J.R. Bowers, Melanie’s father.

It was an assignment for history class—to make a protest sign for or against an issue, and Melanie said she chose illegal immigration. Her sign read, “If you love our nation, stop illegal immigration.” Somehow, Melanie said the sign got passed around lunch and angered a group of Latino students.

“I didn’t know any of these people,” she said. One young, she claimed, jumped on her back and he put her in a choke hold. “We have brick walls in the middle school and he slammed my face on the bricks.”

Melanie said a group of boys also threatened to rape and kill her. Eventually, the boys let her go and when she went for help, she was ordered back to class, and told she could not call her parents, she said.

“They handled this wrong, you know, they put a child back in danger,” said J.R. Bowers. “It was a very racially motivated crime.”

Athens ISD gave KLTV 7 a statement, confirming there was a disturbance in the hallway, Friday between two to three students. “We have a camera system in the building,” said Louis DeRosa. “We are collecting other information and statements from witnesses and this is all the information we have at this time,” he said.

Melanie and her parents said they just hope the right thing is done...and quickly.

“I won’t be happy until the kids that did this are out of school,” Bowers said.


403 posted on 04/08/2008 2:40:04 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=49507

Aircrews Kill Attackers, Destroy Mortar Launching Site in Baghdad

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2008 – An Army Apache helicopter and an Air Force F-16 took out a mortar-launching team and their launch site yesterday after an observation team saw them emplacing mortars in the New Baghdad district, military officials reported.
A joint security station reported a mortar attack near its location in the New Baghdad district. After a second 82 mm round exploded near the station, an aerial surveillance team pinpointed the two mortars’ point of origin.

Iraqi security forces called in a U.S. Army Apache air weapons team that killed the mortar crew with a Hellfire missile. An F-16 then dropped a low-yield bomb on the mortar site.

Also yesterday, an Apache team destroyed a storage site for rails used to launch rocket attacks. Forces observed insurgents recovering rails after a rocket attack. An aerial weapons team was called in for support. The crew destroyed the structure and the rails with a Hellfire missile.

In other news in Iraq, coalition forces seized a weapons cache yesterday in eastern Baghdad. Soldiers found a small cache of armor-piercing explosively formed penetrators while patrolling. The cache was recovered.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)


404 posted on 04/08/2008 6:28:53 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18293&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080409-02
April 9, 2008

Baqubah Special Weapons and Tactics unit detains six suspected AQI fighters

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BALAD, Iraq – The Baqubah Special Weapons and Tactics unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained six suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq fighters in an operation in Baqubah’s Shil’bah village April 8.

Baqubah SWAT conducted an operation to rid the village of AQI fighters.

The AQI had been using the area as a base for improvised explosive device and small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces. The AQI fighters are also reported to use the village as a rest area, a prison and a meeting place for AQI leaders.

During the operation, six AQI terrorists were detained by Baqubah SWAT for transportation to a detention facility.

“Iraqi Security and Coalition forces remain relentless in the pursuit of these al-Qaeda terrorists,” said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps - Iraq. “We will continue to hunt down terrorists who put the Iraqi people in danger by hiding among civilians.”

-30-


405 posted on 04/08/2008 6:32:17 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18294&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080409-03
April 9, 2008

U.S. Special Forces destroy AQI training camp, find large weapons cache in Jazeera Desert (Balad)

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BALAD, Iraq – U.S. Special Forces destroyed an al-Qaeda in Iraqi training camp and large weapons cache during a multi-day operation April 2 to April 5 in the Jazeera Desert.

Acting on intelligence reports, U.S. SF Soldiers conducted the operation to verify enemy activities at an old radar station. The station was reportedly being used as an insurgent training camp and weapons cache site.

These forces secured the abandoned compound and cleared the site.

The cache included more than 20,000 rounds of 14.5 mm ammunition, SA-7 surface-to-air missiles, one SA-7 battery, 14.5 mm machine guns, 68 mm rockets, TNT, suicide-vest charges, hand grenades, 82 mm mortar tubes, 82 mm mortar rounds, one 120 mm mortar tube, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG warheads, and homemade explosives materials.

After the cache was secured, U.S. SF saw two white trucks approaching the compound. Each vehicle was visibly armed. The vehicles stopped short of the compound and one vehicle began a flanking maneuver.

Based on prior intelligence, the discovered cache, and the manner of movement by the vehicles, U.S. SF determined hostile intent and fired on the flanking vehicle.

The truck caught fire. The individuals inside the truck ran to the second truck and fled the area.

The U.S. SF called for Coalition airstrikes to destroy the training compound. Five of 18 structures were completely destroyed and the weapons cache items were either destroyed or transported away from the site.

“Iraqi Security and Coalition forces remain relentless in the pursuit of these al-Qaeda terrorists,” said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps - Iraq. “We will continue to hunt down terrorists who continue to put the Iraqi people in danger.”

-30-


406 posted on 04/08/2008 6:34:49 PM PDT by Cindy
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http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/libya/

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaeda/
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/alqaida/

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529450,00.html
(AP)

“90 members of al-Qaeda-linked group freed from Libyan jail”
Published: 04.09.08, 01:15 / Israel News


407 posted on 04/08/2008 6:38:18 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

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

#

blog:

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/04/thinking-about-the-unthinkable/

“Thinking About the Unthinkable”
By Michael Tanji on April 7, 2008 at 4:57 PM


408 posted on 04/08/2008 6:45:03 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Resource Link:

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov


409 posted on 04/08/2008 6:47:57 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

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

#

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/04/next_public_event_iran_and_the.php

“Next Public Event: “Iran and the United States: Outlook for the Next Decade?”
By Andrew Cochran
(April 8, 2008)


410 posted on 04/08/2008 7:19:11 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy
You're welcome Cindy!

New species of infectious disease found in Amazon

While investigating the tropical disease leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon, an infectious disease specialist from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has uncovered new, emerging bacteria that may be responsible for up to 40 percent of cases of the disease. Patients with severe forms of leptospirosis have jaundice, renal failure and lung hemorrhage, with high fatality rates.

411 posted on 04/08/2008 8:43:49 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Cindy
Al Qaeda drive to recruit Westerners worries US

Attempts by Al-Qaeda to recruit Westerners has sparked deep concerns among US national security experts, who fear the country could be infiltrated by attackers with Caucasian looks and European or North American identification.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller told a congressional hearing Tuesday that the Al-Qaeda terror network was focusing its attention of recruiting Westerners because its leaders believed that bearers of valid European of North American passports could enter the United States more easily than other nationals.

The statement came two days after Central Intelligence Agency Director Michael Hayden made a similar revelation that Al-Qaeda was recruiting and training terrorists of Western origin.

"They are bringing operatives into that region for training -- operatives that, a phrase I would use, wouldn't attract your attention if they were going through the customs line at Dulles" airport in Washington, Hayden told NBC television last Sunday.

412 posted on 04/08/2008 8:50:59 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx; All

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hepatitis/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998809/posts?page=8#8

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998809/posts

“U.S. intel: AQ mastermind of London bombings, British airline plot dead”
Hot Air ^ | April 08, 2008 | Allahpundit
Posted on April 8, 2008 8:42:13 PM PDT by jdm


413 posted on 04/08/2008 9:25:18 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: MamaDearest

How awful.

Let’s hope they found a wonder drug in the Amazon jungle they are working for the cure.


414 posted on 04/08/2008 9:26:23 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: MamaDearest; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx; Squantos; RDTF; Jet Jaguar; All

ADDING on to your post no. 396, MamaDearest.

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_1207151676007.shtm

Testimony of Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles E. Allen before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Assessing the Nuclear Attack Threat”
Release Date: April 2, 2008
Dirksen Senate Office Building
(Remarks as Prepared)

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, Members of the Committee, thank you for calling this hearing today and focusing on the vital issue of our Nation’s preparedness for a nuclear terrorism attack in the United States. Within the Department’s strategic goals of protecting the Nation from dangerous materials and people, one of our gravest concerns is the entry of a nuclear device or materials into the United States. Our Department’s intelligence enterprise therefore, is focused on providing tailored intelligence and analysis to Department policymakers and operators to support the range of prevention, preparedness, and response activities that require intelligence.
Today I will first describe the unique role of DHS Intelligence and how we support our customers on nuclear terrorism matters and ensure that this threat information is properly utilized by our Federal, State, local, and private sector partners. I then will provide the Department of Homeland Security’s assessment of the nuclear terrorist threat facing the United States today.

DHS Intelligence

The mission of DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) is to provide homeland security intelligence to the Secretary, our operating components and headquarters offices as well as our State, local, tribal, and private sector partners. I&A, a member of the Intelligence Community, ensures that any information related to protecting the homeland is collected, processed, analyzed, and disseminated to the full spectrum of domestic customers. It provides threat warning, estimative, and alternative analysis. In addition, it also provides intelligence support to infrastructure protection and vulnerability studies. I&A works closely with DHS component intelligence organizations to ensure non-traditional streams of domestic information are fused with traditional sources of information from other members of the Intelligence Community to give a complete picture of potential threats to the nation.

Collaboration with the Nuclear Intelligence Community

As a member of the Intelligence Community, DHS has an important role to play on nuclear terrorism issues, but we cannot do it alone. Our colleagues who focus on foreign nuclear intelligence—especially the Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Central Intelligence Agency—provide us with the basis to conduct Homeland-specific assessments of nuclear terrorism matters. We work with our partners to understand issues such as global nuclear materials smuggling, nuclear weapons and material security, and terrorist nuclear plots, among others.

My office produces timely threat information to our customers about:
Materials: analysis of characteristics of nuclear materials and devices of concern; their accessibility, security, and distribution worldwide; and our ability to identify and detect them; People: analysis of motivation and operational intent of terrorists seeking a nuclear device; behavior and nexus between state actors and terrorist groups, smugglers, illicit traffickers and individuals who may play a technical or operational role in nuclear device development and delivery; and Capability/Tactics: analysis of the technical feasibility of nuclear attacks on the Homeland based on expertise and operational tactics of extremist groups, and the ability to develop, transport, and use a nuclear device inside the United States.

I&A also sponsors specialized technical analysis at the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories on topics such as technical requirements for an improvised nuclear device, potential terrorist nuclear targets, and terrorist command and control of nuclear devices. Additionally, DHS’ Nuclear Assessment Program, managed by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), provides rapid assessments of illicit nuclear trafficking events and assesses the credibility of communicated nuclear threats, which are provided to the diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement communities.
I&A represents the Department in a number of Intelligence Community forums on nuclear terrorism and ensures that Homeland equities are addressed. It participates in the DNI’s Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee—the National Intelligence Council technical analysis and production element—as well as the Interagency Nuclear Materials Information Program, which consolidates information on worldwide nuclear material holdings and security status.

Intelligence Support to Homeland Security Policy, Programs, and Operations
I&A’s primary Departmental customer for nuclear intelligence is the DNDO. DNDO, in partnership with DOE and other agencies, is responsible for the development of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) and implementation of the domestic portion of that architecture as well as integrating U.S. Government efforts on technical nuclear forensics—two activities that require tailored intelligence support.

I&A works with our Intelligence Community colleagues to provide the threat basis for the GNDA by collecting and analyzing all intelligence reporting on terrorist nuclear efforts, including aspects of materials sought, types of devices considered, methods for entry into the United States, command and control issues, and required expertise. DNDO uses this information in the context of known vulnerabilities, and provides expert judgment and assessments to prioritize the type and location of detectors in the GNDA. Although our information, by definition, is always incomplete and is dynamic, we are able to provide the best judgment of the Intelligence Community to inform this high-priority Departmental program and ensure decisions and investments are made consistent with the assessed threat.

I&A also is the Departmental lead in nuclear event attribution and ensures that, after a nuclear event, all available technical nuclear forensics information, intelligence, and DHS law enforcement/operational information is brought to bear on the interagency attribution assessment process.
Beyond DNDO, I&A supports Departmental components on nuclear-related threat programs. It leads an Intelligence Community senior working group to provide the threat and intelligence input to the Science and Technology Directorate’s biannual integrated Chemical, Biological, and Radiological/Nuclear risk assessment. This assessment—mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 18— integrates the findings of the intelligence and law enforcement communities with input from the scientific, medical, and public health communities. One component of this integrated assessment evaluates the probability and consequences of nuclear and radiological attacks to prioritize the development and acquisition of countermeasures to such attacks across the U.S. Government. I&A supports this process by assembling senior intelligence analysts from CIA, DoD, DOE, FBI, DOS, and NCTC who follow radiological and nuclear terrorism and eliciting their expert judgments for use in the risk models.

Although unrelated to a nuclear device, DHS is concerned about threats to nuclear power plants in the United States that could result in large-scale radiation exposure. Therefore, I&A’s Critical Infrastructure Threat Analysis Division works with the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the private sector to assess suspicious activity at nuclear sites, evaluate and mitigate vulnerabilities, and provide threat warning information to these partners.

I&A also is responsible for ensuring that DHS’ preparedness and response planners have an appropriate understanding of the nuclear terrorist threat. It is important for these planners and response officials to understand that there is a range of yields and impacts that can be caused by a nuclear device—from a fizzle to significant yield. Based on our understanding of adversary capabilities, we ensure that the range of planning scenarios is commensurate with threat assessments. Using I&A-provided intelligence and threat input, the Office of Health Affairs assesses medical impacts which inform strategic and operational planning activities for DHS. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness uses I&A input to develop its strategic response guidance and incident management plans under the National Response Framework.

Intelligence Support to State, Local, and Tribal Partners

DHS has a lead role in providing threat information, situational awareness, and context on nuclear threats to our State, local, tribal and private sector partners. Given the technical nature of nuclear devices and the broad customer base, DHS is providing baseline information on how a field officer might identify components of a nuclear device, differentiate radiological from nuclear devices, training on the potential effects of a nuclear device, and ensuring that our partners understand the range of impacts from a nuclear device. DHS provides this information via unclassified and classified products, as well as secure video teleconferences and in-person threat briefings at State and Local Fusion Centers.

The Nuclear Terrorism Threat to the Homeland

Although we have an understanding of terrorist’s intent to acquire nuclear weapons, we are less certain about terrorists’ capability to acquire or develop a nuclear device. Substantial intent to develop weapons of mass destruction is well documented in the media. Through publicly released recordings, interviews, and Internet postings, some terrorists have told us that they are interested in such weapons.

Usama bin Laden in a 1999 interview discussed his religious duty to acquire chemical and nuclear weapons. Also, in 2003, extremist cleric Nasir bin Hamd al-Fahd issued a fatwa in which he declares that Islamic law permits the use of weapons of mass destruction for jihad.

As you can appreciate however, there are non-trivial challenges to developing a nuclear device—primarily the acquisition of sufficient weapons-usable nuclear material. This is the biggest obstacle; without sufficient amounts of weapons-usable nuclear material, a terrorist cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Additional obstacles include devising a feasible nuclear design, device fabrication, and avoiding detection during delivery to target. However, the acquisition of material remains the biggest challenge. If a terrorist group obtains sufficient quantity and quality of nuclear material, the challenges of developing a nuclear device would be extraordinarily complex but not be insurmountable. Therefore, securing nuclear material and combating smuggling of weapons-usable nuclear materials is critical to preventing terrorists from acquiring a nuclear device. Protecting weapons-usable nuclear material worldwide is one of the best actions to protect the Homeland. However, we need to ensure that we have a layered defense against the potential threat, since we cannot guarantee success across any one layer of the GNDA.

Theft and smuggling of nuclear material is of deep concern as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has documented 15 incidents of theft and smuggling of small amounts of separated plutonium or highly enriched uranium confirmed by the nations involved. To date, most cases involve traffickers with materials or access to materials, but no identified buyers. Moreover, in some of these cases the traffickers’ attempts to find buyers caught the attention of authorities, leading to the detection and recovery of the material. This suggests, however, that an organized trafficker with access to both materials and qualified buyers might escape detection.
With respect to nuclear design, terrorist training documents and materials posted on the Internet do not demonstrate a sophisticated or detailed understanding of nuclear principles and technologies. This information is crude and demonstrates a lack of understanding of physics, chemistry, and other fields relevant to nuclear device design.

However, any viable terrorist nuclear capability likely would be held tightly among a very select group of key operatives, and may not be advertised. Based on this information, I do not believe that any terrorist organization currently has developed a nuclear device.

I recognize, however, that the terrorist threat is dynamic and constantly evolving. A terrorist’s capability to develop a nuclear weapon could change drastically with the successful recruitment of people with knowledge of nuclear materials and designs. In what may be recognition of the need for skilled technicians, al-Qa’ida-in-Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri issued a public call in September 2006 for “people of distinguished skills and high levels of expertise… particularly… nuclear scientists and explosives engineers” to work with al-Qa’ida-in-Iraq.

If a terrorist eventually develops a nuclear device, I should note that it probably will look quite different from so-called “stockpile” nuclear weapons developed by countries such as the United States or Russia. Such weapons are often manufactured in quantity and designed to sit for long periods of time in stockpiles; however, an improvised nuclear device will lack the sophistication of a state-developed weapon, might be produced one at a time, with simple or no safety or controls. In addition, unlike a state nuclear weapon, a terrorist device may not have a known nuclear yield.

This is not to say that such a device should be considered less of a weapon of mass destruction. A nuclear device of any yield could produce thousands of casualties, significant damage to the infrastructure, and render large areas uninhabitable, at least in the near term, because of radiation contamination. It would, moreover, cause major psychological damage to our Nation.

In addition, we are also watching with close attention the growing influence of nuclear energy across the globe. While most of the programs are focused on developing nuclear energy for peaceful means, we also know of the potential for the technology or material to be used for nefarious means or acquired by terrorists.

Conclusion

The Department of Homeland Security, working closely with our Intelligence Community colleagues, is making progress in countering the threat of nuclear terrorism. DHS Intelligence will continue to provide actionable and tailored assessments to ensure that Departmental operations—especially border detection—are prepared to counter the threat of a nuclear device entering the United States. We also will remain vigilant in working with State, local, tribal and private sector partners to ensure they maintain situational awareness and have the necessary information to recognize and thwart nuclear-related activity in the Homeland.

Thank you. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have for me at this time.

This page was last reviewed/modified on April 2, 2008.


415 posted on 04/08/2008 11:16:19 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; bang_list

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

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998829/posts

“70 Hospitalized After Mexican Killer Bee Attack (bee hive at a shooting range)”
NBC ^ | 04/08/08
Posted on April 8, 2008 9:37:46 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster


416 posted on 04/09/2008 12:12:56 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: Photo included.

http://www.nbc6.net/2008/0408/15825599.jpg

http://www.nbc6.net/news/15825522/detail.html

Surveillance Video Of Cell Phone Theft Suspects Released

“Cell Phones Stolen From T-Mobile Store”

POSTED: 1:23 pm EDT April 8, 2008
UPDATED: 1:37 pm EDT April 8, 2008

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. —

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Once the men left, the clerk realized that two cell phone boxes on a shelf were empty, police said. The missing phones are worth $1,000.

Police said the men might have left in a silver Dodge Charger.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.”


417 posted on 04/09/2008 12:24:29 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Home > Top News > Long Island

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lilarc0331,0,7595076.story

“Four arrested in Massapequa cell phone theft”
BY STEVE RITEA
10:01 PM EDT, March 30, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Four Queens men were arrested after they allegedly stole three high-end Motorola cell phones from a T-Mobile store in Massapequa, Nassau Police said.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The men arrested were: Otis L. Cottle, 26, of 110-01 176th St.; Rahmell R. Downing, 23, of 110-01 176th St.; Eric L. Hutchinson, 22, of 110-04 176th St. and Justyn J. Page, 18, of 109-25 176th St. All were charged with two counts of fourth degree grand larceny, including an incident at Macy’s in Massapequa on March 17 in which they allegedly stole a large quantity of Levy jeans.”


418 posted on 04/09/2008 12:29:01 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

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

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http://news.scotsman.com/uk/FBI-agent-key-to-Omagh.3956552.jp

Published Date: 08 April 2008
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh
Related Topics: Northern Ireland
“FBI agent key to Omagh bomb case”
By Ian Graham

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “THE Omagh bombing was described as “a massacre of the innocents” yesterday, as a civil action was launched against five men the victims’ families believe to be responsible.

Twenty-nine people, including a mother pregnant with twins, were killed, and hundreds more hurt when the Real IRA bombed the County Tyrone town in August 1998.

Some of those who lost loved ones and others who were injured have launched the civil action after the failure of the authorities to bring anyone to justice for the bombing. Last December, Sean Hoey, a South Armagh electrician, was cleared of all charges related to the bombing and other Real IRA attacks.

Those named in the civil action are alleged terrorists Michael McKevitt, Colm Murphy and Liam Campbell, as well as Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly. All five are from the Irish Republic and at the time of the bombing lived in or around Dundalk, County Louth. All five deny involvement and all but Campbell are represented at the hearing.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “He said the case would expose the workings of the Real IRA. It would include evidence from an FBI agent who infiltrated the terrorist group, testimony about a British sting operation and information from the police on both sides of the border. The case is expected to run for up to eight weeks.”


419 posted on 04/09/2008 12:44:19 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; SJackson; Alouette; yonif; ganeshpuri89; American in Israel

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3529531,00.html

Police raise alert level in Jerusalem; fear terrorist may be en route to capital
Published: 04.09.08, 10:07 / Israel News

The Jerusalem police announced a high state of alert in the capital Wednesday, following intelligence leads indicating a terrorist may be trying to enter the city.

The police have reinforced their forces both in the capital and in the Jerusalem vicinity roadblocks. (Efrat Weiss)


420 posted on 04/09/2008 1:11:01 AM PDT by Cindy
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