Welcome! Our goal is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. In addition, we also have our in-depth Iraq Report. Today's briefings are brought to you by Andrew Olmsted of Andrew Olmsted dot com.
TOP TOPICS
* Despite millions of Saudi dollars flowing into al Qaeda coffers, the Kingdom is not immune from al Qaeda's terrorism, as a suicide bomber killed at least 17 and wounded more than 120 in Riyadh. Is it possible al Qaeda can accomplish what the U.S. State Department cannot, and bring the Saudis over to the West's side of the war? Fellow Winds of War writer Dan Darling offers his analysis.
* In case you missed it, Armed Liberal's post on Veteran's Day and American liberalism is a must-read. I'll also plug my own The Reasons Why (which I certainly didn't write, only compiled), a collection of quotes, historical vignettes, and stories that try to answer the question, what are we fighting for?
* JK: The participation of DJ Persia means we have a full "Iran in Focus" briefing today, with Andrew's Winds of War material identified and added to DJ Persia's briefing.
Other Topics Today Include: Iran's official acceptance of nuclear inspections; al Qaeda looks at cargo planes; Saudi Arabia goes after terrorists in Mecca; North Korea updates; Israel rewards terrorism; and future warfare ain't like the movies.
HOMELAND SECURITY UPDATE
* Alaska residents will be pleased to know that they're getting their cut of Homeland Security money. While $19.5 million is less than what most states will receive, it's hard not to wonder how much more effective it might be if directed based on need, rather than on population.
* The DHS is meanwhile reporting that al Qaeda may attempt to use cargo planes from other countries to strike at U.S. landmarks or other targets.
* Al Gore took up the mantle of civil liberties in a speech in Washington's DAR Constitution Hall this weekend. Will this mark a change in Democratic strategy, or is Gore on his own here?
THE WIDER WAR
* The Saudis attempt a crackdown on terrorists in Mecca. David Mader discusses the raid.
* North Korea's nuclear program is sufficiently advanced that testing is no longer necessary. That is the conclusion of a CIA report, at least. If true, it emphasizes the need to continue isolating North Korea until the regime collapses of its own weight, although this runs the risk of the North's government lashing out rather than going quietly.
* The Bush Administration scores a diplomatic victory with the agreement from South Korea and the EU to suspend their project building two nuclear reactors in North Korea. While this is akin to locking the barn door after the horse has left, further isolating North Korea will at least minimize further damage.
* Meanwhile, evidence of just how bad things are in North Korea continues to mount, and the rest of the world does their best to shout 'nah, nah, nah' with their fingers in their ears.
* What will it take to stop the flow of terrorism from Arab countries? Knowledge, according to this ABC report.
* Israel votes to reward terror, choosing to trade Palestian prisoners to Hezbollah in exchange for a captured Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli servicemen.
* Before anti-semitism informed Islamo-fascism, it was a driving force behind the original version. 65 years ago, German Jews endured the kickoff of the Shoah, Kristallnacht. Jeff Jarvis has links (Hat tip: Instapundit), and Joe Katzman has a personal story to share.
* We try to close on a lighter note if possible, so check out Gregg Easterbrook's ruminations on combat in the future. Remember, the future just isn't what it used to be.
Most of Easterbrook's points are on target, but he misses the mark on The Empire Strikes Back. Whatever the other logical failings of the Star Wars series, a self-consistent groundwork is laid for the Hoth battle.
The purpose of the AT-AT assault is to destroy the main shield generator that protects the rebel base from bombardment. By the time this is accomplished, the base has already been largely evacuated, since the rebels know they can't hold out indefinitely. Enough of a bombardment does occur to rattle the fleeing R2-D2 and C3PO, but the Empire doesn't bother pulverizing a mostly empty base. Instead, Imperial troops quickly arrive to mop up, and probably look for prisoners and other useful intelligence.