Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET 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. Thursday's Winds of War briefings are given by me, Colt, of Eurabian Times.
TOP TOPICS
- More interesting revelations about 3/11. First, information about the unexploded bomb was hidden from investigating judges by the forensic police. Second, the phones used as detonators had GSM cards (SIM cards, in the UK) that would lead police back to the bombers. Third, a wire was not connected - apparently, intentionally - which stopped the bomb from exploding. Fourth, the mobile phones were bought from a shop owned by a policeman, an ex-Fatah terrorist who works as an anti-terrorist officer for the Spanish. Fifth, the first police officer to look inside the Renault van with the Koranic tape was the ex-wife of the ex-Fatah cop. It sounds very, very much like that van was a decoy - a rental car was found in the same car park a month later. Seventh, the semi-famous photo of the unexploded bomb was a fake. There's a lot more to this than meets the eye.
- Muslim rebels have taken an eastern town in Uzbekistan, and are promising to establish an Islamic state. Good timing for Karmiov. Just sayin'.
- The U.S. Army says al-Qaeda is behind the increase in car bomb attacks in Iraq these past weeks.
Other Topics Today Include: Iran cleric gives Rafsanjani what for; UNSC may let Iran violations slide; Hariri son includes Hezbollah on candidate list; U.S. to pressure Syria on borders; Mazen wants cheques written to PLO; PLO arms come from Egypt, Libya and Yemen; Egypt maintains Israel war plans; snipers spread deadly knowledge on web; GCC cuts Hamas cash; Saudis kidnap Christian for having Bible; terrorism nearly eradicated in KSA; Italy raid nets 5; 3/11 detonators not from Bosnia; terrorists killed in Chechnya; North Korea needs food; Afghan insurgency weakening; Japan to send troops to the 'stan; another Darfur conference; GSPC kills 12 soldiers; and much more.
IRAN
- A letter from a dying Iranian cleric to Rafsanjani. Dynamite, if true.
- Iran has agreed to block terrorists from entering Iraq. Breathe easy, everyone.
- Congress is moving to support Iranian democrats. ...the Iran Freedom and Support Act, would require that the United States work to ensure a referendum in Iran on the type of regime sought by the people.
- The U.S. has again threatened to take Iran to the UNSC.
THE MIDDLE EAST
- Hariri's son has announced his electoral list of 19 candidates, which includes Walid Jumblatt and a Hezbollah politician.
- The U.S. will again push Syria to close their border to terrorists.
- Gaza-based terrorists fired mortars and rockets at Israeli communities on both sides of the Green Line. The Israeli air force killed one Hamas man involved in the rocket attacks.
- The new Shin Bet chief says that the situation is about to get worse. Incidentally, it sounds like he knows what he's doing.
- Abu Mazen wants U.S. money transferred straight in to the PLO's bank account. Even I don't think Bush will go for that.
- Al-Aksa Martyrs terrorists besieged a PLO 'police' station, on the grounds that the chief is corrupt. Probably a pretty safe bet.
- The PA 'police' are patrolling Jericho and Tul Karem with assault rifles, despite the PA's refusal to disarm terrorists.
- The PLO's arms come from Egypt, Libya and Yemen.
IRAQ AND THE GULF
- Be sure to read the Carnival of the Liberated. An ex-Afghan president calls for amnesty for Mullah Omar, Syrians looting Iraqi archaeology and lots of information on al-Sadr's latest diatribe.
- Jihadi snipers in Iraq are spreading their knowledge via the net - with serious consequences for our soldiers.
- The U.S. is quietly considering an Iraqi federation of autonomous regions.
- The Gulf states have reduced their funding of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
- Saudi authorities have kidnapped an Indian Christian for possession of a Bible. He has not been heard of since.
- Saudi reformers are getting up to nine years in prison, such is the House of Saud's commitment to democracy.
- A Saudi spokesman says the number of Saudi jihadis in Iraq is 'limited'.
- Another Saudi offical says Saudi-based terrorism is almost eradicated.
THE AMERICAS
- The Free Muslims Against Terrorism march drew a few dozen supporters.
EUROPE
- A raid in Italy has netted 5 suspects. Police believe they were connected to Ansar al-Islam.
- A Spanish judge says Mustapha Maimouni inspired the attacks on Madrid's rail commuters.
- A Spanish court has heard that Abu Dahdah knew that the 9/11 hijackers were in place, and the attack imminent.
- Spanish lawmakers have voted to enter talks with ETA. The PP voted against the motion.
- A Kuwaiti terrorist has been killed in Chechnya. Russian forces also killed six other terrorists, including two female suicide bombers.
- A Russian prosecutor says Shamil Basayev set up a special unit to perform the Beslan massacre. One of the murderers has gone on trial.
- Arsonists who attacked an Islamic school shortly after the Van Gogh murder will likely be spared jail.
ASIA & AUSTRALASIA
- The head of the World Food Programme says North Korea is in desperate need of food.
- The U.S. is warning of the possibility that citizens may be kidnapped in Malaysia
- Terrorists in Kashmir abducted six villagers, leaving the mutilated bodies of four. Two civilians were killed when 'separatist militants' threw a grenade and opened fire on a memorial service.
- Pakistan is holding an al-Qaeda linked British citizen - no more information than that.
- A senior commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says the insurgency there is weakening.
- An Afghan minister has thanked American Jews for economic contributions to Afghanistan, and expressed support for ties with Israel.
- The Filipino authorities are going to alocate more resources to protect tourist beaches from terrorist attacks and piracy.
AFRICA
- Six African countries began a summit on the Darfur slaughter. The UN reckons 180,000 are dead since February 2003. And a half dozen African countries are holding a frickin' conference.
- The GSPC has claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 Algerian soldiers.
- The Pentagon is planning to set up a multi-nation anti-terrorist initiative to combat terror in the Sahara.
And finally, something neither funny nor terror-related, but... just to strange not to include:
Thanks for reading! If you found something here you want to blog about yourself (and we hope you do), all we ask is that you do as we do and offer a Hat Tip hyperlink to today's "Winds of War". If you think we missed something important, use the Comments section to let us know.
Nothing about Cuban terrorist Luis Posada Carriles being arrested in Miami this week? He was linked to several terrorist attacks including the bombing of an airplane that killed over 70 people.
"Does Iran have a hand in the Koran-flushing riots in Afghanistan?"
Does the Pope shit in the woods?
Colt - Somewhat OT, but just so that you know - they are called SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards worldwide for GSM. For CDMA, they might end up calling them R-UIM (Removable User Identity Module) if they end up having them - not decided yet.
This opinion from a reader #73 in Cacho's El Confidencial web site may show well what many Spaniards think about 3/11:
Now we can understand it. Someone bothers a Spain of more than 40 million people being among the leader countries in Europe and confronting Moroccoan ambitions. Because of that, he planned everything and seek the help of anyone: ETA, Islamists, Nationalists, etc. It was necessary to end a political party that has the idea that Spain can do something in History. It is more comfortable for all of them that Spain divides itself into a series of small impoverished kingdoms south of the Pyrenees, fighting among them, and becoming impoverished in small steps. The one that put the bombs on 3/11 knew well what he was doing. He had thought even in dividing the Victims of Terror. The worse of all is that I believe he is achieving it.
caidadel guindo [fake name, probably a girl]
13:07 h
Thanks for linking that, boz. As you can imagine, there are many, many stories to include; usually about 50 a week. I'm sure I missed some - I'm human, after all. Which is why we say this every week: "If you think we missed something important, use the Comments section to let us know."
Thanks, Ariel.
Sorry, looking back I probably could have phrased that comment a bit nicer.
Don't worry. I'm not usually that polite, FWIW :-)
Among other interesting things, today's El Mundo printed edition has livened up our breakfast with an interview with Maussili Kalaji, the Spanish policeman and former Fatah member that manipulated the mobile phones used as timers in 3/11. Reporter Antonio Rubio asks:
Rubio: Therefore, you know all the terrorists charged [in Spain] for 3/11 and 9/11.
Kalaji: Yes, I know many of them. Last Tuesday you wrote that I knew very well the Syrian community in Spain. I don't know where you got that information, but it is true. It is normal, we have the same origin. You should remember that Moutaz was mechanical-electrician and many of his customers were from Syrian origin.
Rubio: Knowing so many people related to 3/11, how is it possible that you didn't know what was going to happen?
Kalaji: I am talking to you to explain why that notification with my name on it appeared in Moutaz's apartment, I cannot and I must not say anything else. Anyways, I am sure that an enemy or a bad friend that I may have now, is trying or will try to involve me in the 3/11 plot or in something worse. I want to say that I am not involved.
Rubio: Were or weren't you the police controller of the 3/11 and the Operation Datil terrorists?
Kalaji: I can only tell you that I am a policeman and I am proud and satisfied of the work I did.
Item on Zombism in Cambodia.
Take a look at the date of the report (1 April).
Try the print option and you will be forwarded to a horror.art website.
Nice joke.