USMC_Vet Archives

Thursday Winds of War: 15DEC05

By USMC_Vet at 07:19

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.

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of ThreatsWatch.

Top Topics

The Iraqi parliamentary elections are set to take place today and a mortar was launched into the Green Zone as polls opened. The day could be ugly or the day could be relatively quiet just as the last election. One thing is for sure, this is the last chance the insurgents and terrorists have to derail an elected government. With many insurgent Baathists warning Zarqawi and his ilk against attacking polls, it will be more difficult for al-Qaida in Iraq, Ansar al-Islam and the rest to mount successful major attacks as there will be more eyes (and eyes familiar with them) on their targets. Bill Roggio is in al-Anbar Province in Iraq and today is observing polling at Barwana and updating throughout the day. The location of the polling station he is at is poetic: �The poll site sits right where Zarqawi�s terrorists executed residents for not conforming to al-Qaeda�s perverse brand of Islamic law.�

Detlev Mehlis delivered his second report to the UN Security Council and denounced Syria and stated that they were complicit in the Hariri assassination. Mehlis says that, at the current pace of Syrian cooperation, the investigation would take years. That, of course, is the whole point of Syria's 'full cooperation'. Suggested and approved was a six-month extension to the investigation, so don�t expect any action taken against Syria. Winner of the Battle of Words: UN/Mehlis. Winner of Concrete Gains (or loss avoidance/delay): Syria. But, with what appears to be a (too) bold move by Syria, will the long promised assassination of Gibran Tueni and expansion of the �Mehlis� investigation to include his and the dozen or so other murders of anti-Syrian Lebanese figures usher I a swift end to those gains? Syria may have more than killed their gains on the very day the saw them. That said, as the Security Council is set Thursday to authorize the expanded scope, the usual suspects are at it again as Russia, China and Algeria are seeking to tone down language in the text that is critical of Syria.It�s business as usual at Turtle Bay.

Another Israeli airstrike in Gaza targeting the Popular Resistance Committees killed at 4 terrorists, capping off a flurry of activity in a 24-hour period. Earlier, armed al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members stormed election offices demanding jobs and claiming discrimination by other factions of Fatah in the latest Red-on-Red Fatah in-fighting. Whatever their grievances, they are feeding the Hamas �clean government� platform at eating away at their own election efforts. Another stabbing murder of an Israeli security officer was averted as a Palestinian teenager attempted to stab a Border Police officer while trying to enter the IDF district offices in Jenin. In Nablus, a Palestinian was killed and several more wounded as the Israelis revisited familiar ground seeking out Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists. Terrorists fired AK-47�s at IDF soldiers from behind and among children throwing stones at the soldiers in another example of terrorists using children as shields, playing to the sensibilities of civilized men. If the Israelis hold fire, it�s free shots at the enemy. If they fire and hit the children, they can be used as propaganda in the western media and Palestinian streets. A Win-Win in the minds of animals.

Other Topics Today Include: ElBaradei (and no one else) wants security guarantees for Iran; Trouble for Fatah; Small sharp objects no longer a threat to airlines; Rudy Giuliani doesn�t run Harvard; Fox on Fences; USA Patriot Act renewal clears House; Horn of Africa going hot; Bangladesh nets a key terrorist; Britain�s set to award citizenship to a terrorist detainee and much more...

read the rest! »

THE MIDDLE EAST & IRAN

IAEA head and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei said that nuclear talks with Iran should include a U.S. security guarantee. But a US State Department spokesman said Iran will get no guarantees without first acting "like a responsible member of the international community." After both of those statements, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said any such guarantee would be condescending and unwelcome. It would not be condescending, it would be insane. ElBaradei wants to go the route taken with North Korea�also under his watch. Someone send him Pavlov's notes.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the Palestinians to continue their attacks on Israel. Khamenei has a special soft spot in his heart for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who Iran directly supports through the PIJ headquarters in Damascus.

There has been a lot of reporting about Israel�s view that Iran could be nuclear capable in three months. Rather than a lot of links, there is a decent summation here.

Just how serious is Mahmoud Abbas in his latest 'crackdown' on Islamic Jihad? People of power know people of power, especially in an area as small and confined as the Palestinian Territories. That his 'crackdown' has managed only to snare low-level PIJ terrorists has caused many to question his sincerity.

Define 'trouble for Fatah': When your party has been successfully split by a candidate running from an Israeli prison serving 5 life sentences without a glimmer of hope of actually participating in the elected government. Meanwhile, quietly and unified, Hamas named their 62 election candidates.

Security Watchtower offers a 'Final Analysis' of Egypt�s elections and how the Muslim Brotherhood managed to gain over 20% of the Egyptian parliament.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS

Proof that Rudy Giuliani (remember?) does not run Harvard or Georgetown, the two esteemed universities gleefully accepted $20 million each from Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross has taken on the issue and provides clarity that should not be necessary to deliver.

Mexican President Vicente Fox says that a US-Mexico border wall would be 'disgraceful'. If that is the measure, what of the pervasive corruption and persistently ragged economy in Mexico that drives his citizens to the currently un-walled border? But alas, our border security is just that: Security. Security first, economics second.

The House of Representatives voted to extend the Patriot Act, setting up a showdown in the Senate. Some members of the Senate will call for a shorter one-to-three month extension for �more time to debate [read defeat] the Patriot Act.

The House also voted to support the supposed 'Ban on Torture'. The dissent that follows has nothing to do with torture. What the McCain Bill actually does is make for a nice appearance that will be received by none of those [Europe] it intends to impress, while it effectively codifies on a National level the Army field manual on interrogations (which, if followed, means torture is already banned). So whenever the Army/DoD changes any of the content, so changes federal law. The Constitution is such a silly document anyway...a 'living, breathing document', or so I've been told.

A Lebanese-born Swede, Oussama Kassir, was arrested in the Czech Republic and has been charged in a plot to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon. He chose Bly, Oregon because it �looks just like Afghanistan�.

USATODAY.com - TSA chief Kip Hawley says bombs are the main threat to planes, not scissors. "It's not about scissors, it's about bombs...Small objects aren't going to enable a major terrorist attack." Really? The reason small, sharp objects (like, say, boxcutters for instance) are no longer a threat is because they are not allowed on the plane. Perhaps a few Marines can demonstrate for the TSA how a small pair of nail scissors can be employed effectively. By all means, look for bombs...but please...

AFRICA

The UN is warning about potential war on the Horn of Africa as tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia continue to rise, making the prospects of renewed war between them more and more likely.

Liberia says it is investigating reports of a coup plot as fans of the Liberian soccer star who lost the election have taken to the streets demanding 'justice'.

Human Rights Watch charged that Sudan President Omar al-Bashir deliberately attacked civilians in Darfur. The group timed the statement with the UNSC's briefing from the ICC on atrocities in Darfur.

ASIA

Sydney, Australia police are 'to get new powers' to combat the riots that have consumed the city for days.

Few in China are even aware that twenty people were shot and killed by police in Dongzhou during protests over the government seizure of land.

Ataur Rahman Sunny was arrested in Bangladesh and a cache of weapons was seized from his hideout. He is suspected to be the operations commander of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen.

First, there was ASEAN. Then came ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea). Now, meet ASEAN Plus Three Plus Three.

EUROPE

Britain can't bring itself to deny citizenship to an Australian-born Islamic terrorist captured in Afghanistan and held in Guantanamo Bay.

Germany's Merkel called Ahmadinejad's holocaust remarks 'incredible' and said that it surely will effect the current negotiations with Iran on their nuclear program. (One would think their nuclear program would have been enough, but apparently it takes a holocaust-German reference to jump start the gravity of the situation.)

Speaking of Germany, have you wondered What Gerhard Schroeder's been up to? He's got a fresh new job with some old friends.

Chirac called foreign coverage of the Paris riots distorted, biased and excessive. Thousands of cars burning, buildings being Molatov cocktailed, etc. etc. etc. In the media's defense, might the violence itself been excessive?

THE GLOBAL WAR

If you are not aware of it, another good weekly round-up can be found at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies with the Global Jihad Monitor. Even though most of what he covers is also covered here between the Monday and Thursday Winds of War reports, a resource is a resource and Jonathan Snow should be commended for his excellent work.

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.

For ongoing tips, email "ThursdayWindsOfWar", over here @windsofchange.net.

« ok, I'm done now

AMR: As to "TSA chief Kip Hawley says bombs are the read more
Mark Buehner: Where is the John Bolton we paid for? If Russia read more
Steve Schippert: Bill now has a somewhat longer report with a couple read more

Thursday Winds of War: 01DEC05

By USMC_Vet at 08:14

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

Operation Iron Hammer has commenced in Hit, and the inclusion of 500 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion-114th Field Artillery Regiment among the force of 2,500 could mean some heavy pounding on the Hai Al Becker region of the city. There has also been action throughout other parts of Iraq as well, as Coalition Forces keep the pressure on the terrorists and the insurgency. There were 66 weapons caches uncovered in Anbar in just this past week.

President Bush delivered a speech which outlined the National Security Council�s National Strategy for Victory in Iraq. As usual, the left was dissatisfied and the right shrugged. The banter is not-so-amusingly predictable. That means you�d better read it yourself. If you read The New York Times, they call it a �Plan for Iraq Victory and Withdrawal�. Withdrawal is the wrong term. Withdrawal means to disengage from the enemy in order to engage him after regrouping. It�s a plan for Victory and Turn Over to Iraqi Forces. But maybe that�s hyper-technical. The New York Times (et al) prefers a withdrawal (in the sense that they mean it). We should prefer to defeat the enemy and then return home.

The saga continues between Damascus and Beirut, as Syrian favorite Emile Lahoud was told to quit his post as president by Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad. Meanwhile, an IDF officer concluded that Syria and Iran were behind the Hezbollah attacks on the border. A lot of flap is being made over supposed bribes in the Mehlis investigation and that this guy now claims to have been �under duress� when he gave the Mehlis investigation the information he did. Of course, he made the statements on Syrian state TV, not exactly the home of �reasoned discourse�. Hariri�s people categorically deny it, so at most it�s a he-said/she-said. Naturally, Joshua Landis thinks the whole Investigation is now in doubt. Is it just me, or does this guy always seem to find some hyper-intellectual yet subtle reasoning to infer that the Syrian Assad Regime is merely misunderstood or somehow diplomatically victimized? Maybe it�s just me.

Other Topics Today Include: Iran Seeking NK Missile Help; Ahmadinejad�s Religious Radicalism; Bombs in Bangladesh; Bush Tougher on the Border; NoKor demands compensation; Kremlin leading Chechen elections; Clashes in Yemen and much more...

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r amble: Shut the war down. All monies allocated for this useless read more
Mark Buehner: "And thinking about the future of our policies in Iraq, read more
Colt: The difference is that we just do not see the read more

Thursday Winds of War: 17NOV05

By USMC_Vet at 05:14

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of ThreatsWatch.

Top Topics

In the aftermath of the al-Qaeda bombings in Amman, Jordan, the Jordanian Mukhabarat has been very effective in the ugly business of counter-terrorism. It causes one to wonder, if Spain were to complain about Jordanian Mukhabarat flights, would anyone in Amman give a damn? Unlike how many Americans are reacting to the same, Jordanians likely would laugh. In a poll of over 1,000 Jordanians after the attacks, 94.1 percent of those asked said al-Qaida activities did not serve Arab and Islamic interests. As the war in Iraq will be won by Iraqis (namely the Iraqi Security Forces), the War on Terror in the Middle East will be won by Middle Easterners. Count Jordan as a standard-bearing member of a slowly solidifying coalition. Security Watchtower provides personal experience as context for his outstanding assessment of King Abdullah and his struggle with Islamic terrorism.

Operation Steel Curtain proceeds with much success as it pushes through Ubaydi, though not without cost as five US Marines were killed. The Desert Protectors are locals recruited from area tribes opposed to al Qaeda, and they are quite effective. Not only do they have intimate knowledge of the tribes, locals and outsiders that is invaluable in gathering and/or verifying intel, they nabbed a cross-dressing al-Qaeda jihadi seeking to blend into the surroundings at a New Ubaydi hospital. Details of matching accessories were not provided.

Meanwhile, apparent abuse at the hands of Iraqi police in Baghdad was uncovered by US troops during a search for a 15-year-old Iraqi boy. This story will likely not have nearly the press-appeal of Abu Ghraib, as it appears real abuse and likely torture did not come at the hands of Americans. An investigation is underway by the Iraqi government.

Other Topics Today Include: Fatah attacks on Gaza polling places; Emir of Sadah removed from circulation; Iran to aid possible US blockade with boycotts of their own; Assessment of Small Arms in Iraq; Espionage and the Bush visit to China; Arabs still killing civilians in African Sudan; Hugo Chavez loves Mexico; Jaques Chirac loves Troubled Youths; Congress loves The Patriot Act; A special 'We Support the Troops' Section and much more...

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Thursday Winds of War: 03NOV05

By USMC_Vet at 06:54

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

On one hand, Syria 'angrily rejected' the U.N. Resolution that demanded full Syrian cooperation with the Hariri assassination investigation. Pure bluster. Assad knows Syria is next, from within or without, as much to further isolate Iran (the Crown Jewel of the Global War on Terror) as to eliminate Iran�s client-state co-sponsor of terrorism. Assad�s geopolitical clairvoyance is evidenced by What�s on the other hand�Syria has given 'full access' to the UN investigative team, according to Syrian Expatriates Minister Bouthaina Shaaban. Interesting that Syria decided to put a female face to those words. Gender is the only explanation of why the �Expatriates Minister� is making such a statement. She added, "Syria wants to cooperate because Syria wants to know the truth and wants to know who killed Hariri." In other developments, bin Laden has announced that he will be cooperating with US President George W. Bush because "... al Qaeda wants to know the truth and wants to know who killed 3,000 and brought down the World Trade Center towers."

Hamas� Mushir Al Masri has declared the de facto truce with Israel over at year's end. Israel withdraws from Gaza, Qassam Brigades then launches rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza, Israel then liquidates a Qassam Brigades commander, Fayez Abu Al Qaraa. Yet, according to Masri, Israel �started a war� by killing the local Qassam Brigades leader. Sounds crazy, right? It�s not, because Al Masri�s boys have bigger problems as some Hamas prisoners are breaking ranks and joining al-Qaeda because Hamas apparently isn�t quite radical enough anymore. Masri�s statements have likely been fueled by the prisoners� perceptions (among others�) more than any Israeli action. Foreign policy for domestic consumption...Hamas can ill-afford to lose membership to al Qaeda in the midst of an internal Palestinian power struggle. Anxiously awaiting the coming shootout at the (new) AQ Corral�

A minibus VBIED blast at a Shiite mosque in Musayyib, Iraq has killed at least 23 Iraqis just ahead of prayers marking the end of the Ramadan fast. Over 60 have been wounded.

Western Embassies in Iran may be in danger of being overrun and occupied. The concerns arise after an explosion in front of the British Airways and British Petrolium offices in Tehran. "Participants at a rally to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 occupation of the American embassy in Tehran, received a warning without any reason a few hours before the rally, not to go near the British embassy nor other British interests in the country." The bombing was "a result of anti-Iranian stances taken by 'certain countries' according to a deputy minister".

The Iran-al Qaeda Axis is the most pressing Iranian threat. If you read but one thing this week, make it this Cicero article on Iran.

Other Topics Today Include: Iranian TNT & Iraqi IEDs; $10k per Rocket Attack on Israel; The Butcher of Basra; Tears shed for Gitmo detainees; DoD plans for Saudi invasion revealed; Bloodshed follows Ethiopian elections; Paris riots, and much more...

read the rest! »

Rich Walden: I disagree with Donald Sensing's "debunking" a suitcase bomb. To read more

October 20, 2005

Thursday Winds of War: 20OCT05

By USMC_Vet at 19:19

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

Jack Kelly notes that Syria is about to take center stage in the War on Terror with the coming UN report on the assassination of Rafik Hariri. With regard to the 'suicide' of the former Syrian chief intelligence officer in Lebanon, Maj. Gen. Ghazi Kanaan: "For those of you who don't know what 'committed suicide' means in Syria, it means someone committed it for him," said Anton Efendi, an American PhD candidate who lives in Lebanon. And Syria is not the sole source of Lebanese tension as Beirut wants Palestinian bases out. It appears that in Lebanon, it's becoming time to call a spade a spade.
UPDATE: Mehlis' report (to be released Friday) "will include names of top Syrian officers, as well as tens of Lebanese suspects who have direct links to the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri," according to UN sources.

Middle East News Line reports that a US military strike against Syria is not in the cards. Reuters conflicts with MENL covering the same story, arriving at the opposite conclusion. MENL is reaching a bit to arrive at such a concrete conclusion, and al-Reuters actually gets it right. Syrian operations are being held in reserve for the moment�apparently along with any bold strategy for dealing with Iran. Why held in reserve? Syria is the most easily influenced/affected by 'diplomatic' pressure and covert measures. That is not to say that either has had much of an effect on the human pipeline into Iraq, but that spigot is being addressed rather effectively from within Iraq. Long View: Why hammer at the client state while their Iranian masters continue to go relatively unaddressed? Of course, not that this thinking has anything to do with why State rejected Defense's OpPlans for Syria. State is about Carrots and Defense is about Sticks. So goes the American Foreign Policy Ballet.
UPDATE: Arnaud De Borschgrave - Syria terror broker no more? ...more on Assisted Suicide, Syrian-style...

It's a sick world & he's a happy guy. He should be. He�s not dead yet. Have you seen his attorney? Wretchard provides some appropriate historical perspective. And for what it�s worth, Betsy's right on the money regarding the judge.
UPDATE: Defense lawyer in Saddam trial abducted in Baghdad.

Other Topics Today Include: Division continues in Gaza; Iraqi Vote reactions & (missing) pictures in the media; Living with a Nuclear-Armed Iran; Movement in Africa; Islamist rise in Bangladesh; China on �democracy� and much more...

read the rest! »

THE MIDDLE EAST & IRAN

Gateway Pundit notes that there were a lot of images missing from American media coverage of the Iraqi Vote...Carl Rove probably handed them out...he's everywhere, you know.

Speaking of the Iraqi Vote, Literal Thoughts: Iraq Will Shame Us Again....... should be read and shared widely. And in the event you wondered what Iraqi�s themselves think about it, you should go find out.

Saddam Hussein's nephew was arrested in Baghdad after being forced to return by Syria. Yasir Sabhawi Ibrahim is believed to have been one of the top financiers of the insurgency.

More internal division in Gaza as 240 Fatah members quit ahead of vote in a rift between 'the old guard' and younger members. Egypt will host a meeting in Cairo in December to bring the various Palestinian factions to the table. Now that their 'pie' is within sight, Palestinians have resorted to beating each other senseless to lay claim to their slice of it. Note to self: West Bank and Gaza infighting is a microcosm of what would occur if there were ever an Islamic Caliphate such as that sought by Islamist terrorists.

A tanker blast at a US base in Kandahar is suspected to have been caused by a planted bomb.

Leaving it to the IAEA, combined with a meek policy approach, has made Reassessing the Implications of a Nuclear-Armed Iran a necessary recognition of the current state of affairs. Putting the uncomfortable off long enough inevitably leads to living with the painful.

Iran foils a "British plot" to blow up their largest refinery? Gotta love those whacky mullahs.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS

The complete text of Curt Weldon's speech in the House of Representatives on Able Danger is available.

That Chertoff needs to constantly and repeatedly defend his actions before and after Katrina is beginning to border on ludicrous. Get FEMA the #@!! out of DHS. We do not need Chertoff's position worrying about hurricanes. DHS needs a close relationship with FEMA, not supervisory responsibility. Let DHS worry about security risks stemming from terrorism and other forms of warfare, not forces of nature labeled with ladies' names.

Here's a good read on the Freeh story. Freeh should consider himself lucky. He at least met with President Clinton more than CIA Directory NetZero Woolsey.

AFRICA

In Algeria, GPSC Islamist terrorists killed 10 in an apparent Ramadan celebration.

Is the Horn of Africa about to get hotter? Eritrea appears to be militarizing the demilitarized zone along its border with Ethiopia.

New peace efforts in Uganda? The report seems a bit overly optimistic as it appears to greatly over-state the influence of the International Criminal Court.

Chaos grows in Darfur as militias turn on government...a Jajaweed militia overran a police station, freed several of its jailed members and 'subdued' the police chief. Sudanese blowback?

ASIA

A bomb factory was discovered in Bangladesh Mosque operated by the Jamiatul Mujahideen.

Yet another look Bangladesh in Islamist turmoil. Keep your eye on Bangladesh. Robi Sen provided good insight in August.

Rumsfeld rejects China's $30B defense budget claim (in China) and China promptly rejects Rumsfeld's $90B claim on the Chinese defense budget. Ahhh...now we're getting somewhere. Does this count as a 'military exchange'? Or is it cultural?

China issued their first "white paper" on democracy. Next week, Hitler is to issue his first "white paper" on Judaism. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Democracy Project - China blocks Wikipedia?

EUROPE

Britain still doesn't get it: Blair chooses the grandson of Hassan Al Banna (Founder, Muslim Brotherhood) as a member of a Post 7/7 committee to battle 'extremism'. Splendid strategy, chap. Can Britain muster another Margaret Thatcher?

A Spanish judge has charged three US Soldiers with the murder of a Spanish cameraman, Jose Couso, who was killed when an M1A1 Abrams tank fired on the Palestine Hotel during the siege of Baghdad in April of 2003. These charges are borne of anger, not logic. With such a long delay since the incident, this smells of Judge Shopping (pdf).

THE GLOBAL WAR

Authenticity of Alleged Zawahiri Letter Increasingly Questioned: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross notes the importance of whether the document is authentic or not. Chris Brown's observation of the mixed usage of the Islamic calendar and the Christian calendar is compelling.

The UN Human Security report has been released and John Robb at Global Guerrillas drills it down to two concise paragraphs. Judging by the headline, The Christian Science Monitor's Howard LaFranchi didn't get the memo. Leave the UN Report on the UN servers unless you have an allotment of spare time on your hands. Go read Robb's translation, duly note it, and move on.

Saudi Terrorism TV Show actors receive death threats after airing on Middle Eastern Broadcasting Corporation TV. The production intends to show that Islam is a religion of peace, aimed at "those who have not made up their minds about terrorism yet". Apparently, some who have already made up their minds have issues with the Dar al Islam message. Three cheers for the show and the courage needed by its actors. ...Baby steps in a troubled region.

For ongoing tips, email "ThursdayWindsOfWar", over here @windsofchange.net.

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J Aguilar: A Spanish judge has charged three US Soldiers with the read more
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October 6, 2005

Thursday Winds of War: 06OCT05

By USMC_Vet at 14:00

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

The British have accused Iran of helping Iraqis kill British soldiers by facilitating the transfer of better explosives techniques from Hezbollah. If it weren't deadly serious, the Iranian spokesman's comments would be considered comical: �The stability of Iraq is of paramount importance to Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always taken a position against the insurgency and violence in Iraq.�

While caution should be exercised (several trusted sources have mentioned that something about the jihad angle doesn�t smell right), Gates of Vienna wonders, was it Jihad at the University of Oklahoma? The answer is unclear at best (or worst), but it should be noted that Hinrichs tried to buy Ammonium Nitrate and his backpack bomb was made with TATP , known to terrorists as the �Mother of Satan� for its volatility. If it is a favorite because it is so (relatively) easy to make, then it is not outside the realm of possibility that Hinrichs made his own unassisted. It did, after all, explode prematurely. Mark Tapscott questions the near-silence on the issue and Flopping Aces follows the story as well as any, with very frequent updates.

In Gaza City, PA police officers broke into parliament, firing their weapons into the air in the streets. [Note: Following the ouster of Hussein from Kuwait, there were several people across Kuwait City dead from bullet wounds to the top of the skull. Gravity.] This followed bloody clashes between the PA and Hamas in continued Gaza infighting. Meanwhile, inexplicably, Hamas and Fatah vowed to a peaceful end to Palestinian problems.

Other Topics Today Include: American espionage arrests & pleas; Al Qaeda Newscasts II; When �celebrated martyrs� are those you know; Saudis lock out blogs; Nigerian clashes; Jemaah Islamiyah spiritual leader interviewed; EU to double PA funding; an eye on Kosovo and much more...

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THE MIDDLE EAST & IRAN

The 2nd Edition of Al Qaeda's Voice of the Caliphate (Sout al Khalifa) news bulletin has aired, featuring Ayman Zawahiri and even a 'public service announcement'. In �news broadcast�, PA Chairman Abbas was labeled as a 'collaborator with the Jews'. Word has it that CBS is studying the format.

The Saudi ISU (Internet Service Unit) is blocking the blogger.com domain required for Saudis to publish to Blogger blogs in a likely effort to quash dissent in the form of blogs.

Michael Totten writes from Lebanon on the sobering prospect of the latest Lebanese Martyrs. They're just not supposed to be people he knows, people like him. They are celebrated and honored with posters everywhere after being murdered in the latest wave of Syrian terror.

Ansar al-Sunnah has revived the somewhat abandoned tactic of beheadings, releasing an internet video of the decapitation of two Iraqi's they said spied for Coalition Forces. That they made a public spectacle of two 'collaborators' rather than Western hostages is a sign that the intelligence is hurting them and that the Anbar Operations are finding measurable success against them. Might the terrorists' spies discovered in the Iraqi ministries be beheaded for public consumption in turn? Therein lies the difference...

Opposition to the Iraqi Constitution fades as the October 15 election date draws nearer.

Don't miss this week's Carnival of the Liberated, Iraqi bloggers and their new-found freedom of speech.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS

CIA Director Porter Goss will not order a disciplinary review for his predecessor, George Tenet, or others surrounding the intelligence failures that lead up to the 9/11 attacks.

Since 2000, the FBI's caseload has dropped by 50% due in large part to a focus on terrorism.

Jack Yoest takes a hard look at General Peter Shoomaker and his career leading up to Able Danger, and wonders if this is a person he would hire in the first place.

Lawrence Franklin pleaded guilty to espionage charges over giving Israelis classified information, at least some of it pertaining to Iran.

Leandro Aragoncillo, a former Marine (nix that....ex-Marine) and ex-FBI analyst, has been charged with espionage charges for supplying Philippine contacts with damaging information about the Philippine president, lifted from the White House computers. Keep this man away from other Marines...it's for his own good.

President Bush said yesterday that he would consider using the military to "effect a quarantine" in the event of an outbreak of pandemic influenza in the United States.

AFRICA

Eritrea has banned all UN peacekeeping helicopter flights used to patrol the Eritrean-Ethiopian border area. UN Security Council has demanded a lift of the ban.

In a show of Force-on-Force, the Army and Police in Lagos, Nigeria, have each set up patrols after clashes between them Tuesday resulted in three dead. All over a free ride on a bus.

More than 300 Africans breached a razor-wire fence separating Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Melilla in an attempt to make their way to Europe. Why? "We were just tired of living in the (Central African) forest...There was nothing to eat, there was nothing to drink." (See enclaves map here at bottom of article.)

ASIA

Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has had his mere 30 month sentence shortened by an additional four months recently. He was interviewed by Scott Atran. When asked what policy shift America can have to end the violence, Bashir said, "As long as there is no intention to fight us and Islam continues to grow there can be peace." Listen to what he says. The West shall not make war upon terrorist jihadis while they make war on �Jews and Crusaders�. No Dar' al-Salam without Dar al-Islam. Until then, Dar al-Harb.

Britain & Pakistan together on fighting drug trafficking and terror? Why does this seem...odd stagecraft?

Speaking of the drug trade in the region...

Pakistan has arrested 'leading Taliban spokesman' Latifullah Hakimi.

EUROPE

Have you checked in on Kosovo lately? There's a lot going on and no one to bother to talk about it.

The EU has proposed doubling their aid to the Palestinian Authority, including, of course, Fatah (Fatah Translation: 'Conquer').

The UK and Russia agree on an anti-terror pledge during Putin's visit.

British police are getting frustrated over the lack of cooperation from the Muslim community.

THE GLOBAL WAR

Spain arrests released Gtimo detainee for involvement in terror.

An American lawyer is protesting the release of a Gitmo Camp X-Ray detainee back to his native Egypt on the grounds that he may face arrest and torture. You just can't win. Protest detention in Gitmo on the grounds of torture. Protest release from Gitmo on the grounds of torture. Just pick one already

Confederate Yankee has an interesting chart with the historical ratio of the number of people freed per American combat death.

This is fantastic: Simon & Schuster has agreed to publish a collection from military bloggers sometime in late 2006. Naturally, Blackfive leads the charge.

For ongoing tips, email "ThursdayWindsOfWar", over here @windsofchange.net.

« ok, I'm done now

John Burgess: Reporters without Borders is now reporting that the Saudi ISA read more
Jeff Medcalf: It amazes me that people who spend so much time read more
USMC_Vet: Having been disconnected for much of the day, there ahve read more

September 22, 2005

Thursday Winds of War: 22 September 05

By USMC_Vet at 23:59

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

[Sincere apologies to all for the tardiness of this report. Unexpected situations Thursday prevented timely completion and publishing.]

Top Topics

Last week�s UN Theatre production over the Iranian Nuclear Crisis has spilled over into this week. The IAEA was to �consider� an EU �draft� requesting that Iran be referred to the UN Security Council. Don�t hold your breath, because the EU diplomats don't really mean it. Naturally, there is Russian support for Iran's nuclear budget and deep pockets. And let's not forget China. As far as inspections go, Iran 'may refuse nuclear checks'. Imagine that. Right out of Saddam�s [effective] playbook�or was that North Korea?

Late Update: This just in... EU backs off from referring Iran to Security Council, kneeling to Russia and China. As stated before here, they never meant it.

While we�re on it�Surely not out of fear of the toothless and less than eager IAEA, North Korea has said this week, �Play it again, Sam!� Many were immediately touting the North Korea �disarmament� deal as yet another potential victory of the Bush Foreign Policy strategy. And some are way off base. Nice to see the chief US negotiator has his head screwed on straight. Take a deep breath . It�s North Korea. And North Korea's still playing.

Qadhafi to visit Israel? Apparently he "wishes to take part in the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries." Qadhafi's Libya is falling in line with recent overtures by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf by not only recognizing, but seeking relations with Israel. Meanwhile, a Hamas leader in Gaza claims that they'll rethink their charter to destroy Israel based on political reality rather than belief. Some are not buying what the Hamas leader is selling, given historical context and current situations in Palestinian power struggles.

Other Topics Today Include: Iraqi Defense Corruption; Arabs Support US on Lebanon; Kyrgyz Parliament member killed; Somali Pirates and 850 tons of rice; US Warns China over vagueness; Nigerian pipeline seized; Released Gtimo terrorists rejoin in battle and more...

read the rest! »

USMC_Vet: On North Korea's latest unintelligible mumblings: We have a bomb...We're read more
Captain Marlow: See my post on Karzai's (!) opening to Israel. read more

Thursday Winds of War: September 08/05

By USMC_Vet at 09:55

The Thursday Winds of War briefing is compiled weekly by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

The three-day siege on terrorists holed up in a villa in Dammam, Saudi Arabia has ended. Saudi security forces wanted the terrorists alive, but after 3 days patience wore off and the building was stormed and none of the nine al-Qaeda suspects left alive. Four Saudi security members also died in the siege.

Within the same context, there�s an online poll that you may actually want to make note of: Militants Support Expansion of Jihad in Iraq to Saudi Arabia. 3 out of 4 Jihadi dentists recommend sugar-free Jihad for Saudi Arabia immediately over waiting until after Iraq.

Word has it that last month a captured terrorist had plans for London attacks on a thumb drive just north of Qaim. Questions: What was the date/timestamp on the file saved to the thumb drive? Did it pre-date 7/7? What were this fine gentleman�s whereabouts for the 60 days prior to his August capture? Is he another terror import or is he an Iraqi? The proximity to the border with Syria and his established connection with al Qaeda may initially cause many to assume he is of the �imported� variety, but consider this statement from an Iraqi spokesman: "This does not surprise me. We are noting a pattern of involvement by [Iraqi hard-liners] in terrorist plots abroad." Last question: Does it really matter whether he grew up in Fallujah, Damascus or Karachi?

While many seem to be panting heavily over Islamist terrorist [temporary] control over Qaim, it is important to view Tal Afar and Qaim in proper context. The sign posted outside Qaim that read �Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Qaim� was obviously for public consumption. When Zarqawi & Crew pop their heads up in an asserted effort like this, the hammer is swung�and the significance cannot be overstated regarding the fact that among those swinging the hammer are local Sunni tribes like the Albu Mahal tribe.

Other Topics Today Include: Saudi Arabia�s oil-revenues windfall is �good for fighting terror�; Kurds have their house in relative order; China warned over Iranian �energy� quests; Spain on a Palestinian state; Sometimes Category 5 Hurricanes simply win, DHS or no DHS; Iran Defines Charity; Pakistan hunting AQ/Taliban tunnel systems and much, much more.

read the rest! »

Joe Katzman: John, got a source for that? The report above doesn't read more
john ryan: so the Taliban have a new source of missles and read more
USMC_Vet: UPDATE: UN rules out Ivory Coast election read more

Thursday Winds of War: September 01/05

By USMC_Vet at 07:39

Thursday's Winds of War briefing is brought to you by Colt of Eurabian Times and Steve Schippert (aka USMC_Vet) of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

A general manager at Iraq's Health Ministry expects the Iraq stampede death toll to hit 1000. The stampede on a Baghdad bridge was brought on by fears of suicide bombers among the crowd during a Shi�ite pilgrimage to memorialize Imam Moussa ibn Jaafar al-Kadhim, who died in 799. With Sunni mortar attacks near the Shi'ite pilgrims' destination shrine two hours earlier putting the crowd already on edge, the massive loss of life on the bridge is surely viewed as indirect windfall dividends by Investors in Jihad. With the majority of the deaths women and children unable to withstand the human crush, the Sunni jihadists would be wise to celebrate their �success� in psychological warfare very quietly.

Why should they celebrate quietly? In Battle at the Border, Bill Roggio �encourages� the media to take a closer look at the co-opting of the Albu Mahal tribe in the Qaim region. The Sunni tribe has clearly chosen sides and is none too pleased with al Qaeda�s kidnapping and murder of 31 tribe members who joined the Iraqi security forces. The Baghdad Investors in Jihad would be wise to take careful note. Developments such as this continue to be routinely and shamefully downplayed. But if you want to know about the latest US casualty�well, just do the Google Search. Scott Johnson agrees in �The Media Quagmire�.

Walid Phares summarizes recent developments in Lebanon. Lebanon has accepted UN Commission requests to interrogate former Lebanese security officials regarding the Hariri assassination, current Lebanese MP�s flee to Paris fearing Syrian/Hezbollah retaliation and American-Lebanese leaders point to an attempt by Hezbollah and pro-Syrian Lebanese officials to infiltrate communities of Lebanese natives abroad via �official� �migr� appointments from Beirut. It is, after all, a UN Commission investigating and interrogating them�only now while Hariri was assassinated 14Feb05. That said, four former generals and a former MP were detained Wednesday. Also see: John Batchelor.

Other Topics Today Include: Meet the new Iranian Cabinet; Iran, Nukes, the EU and comic strips; Wahhabi extremist recruitment in US prisons; Abu el-Maali (Junior Osama) in Bosnia; Chinese Cyberspies; a hunger strike at Gitmo; Two SEALS, seditious protesters, tolerance and the limits thereof and much more...

read the rest! »

THE MIDDLE EAST & IRAN

Kenneth Timmerman rightly turns the tables on Germany's chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, as Schroeder�s own appeasement has fed the Iranian nuclear crisis. Schroeder has said in campaign efforts that �the military option must be removed from the table.� (Aside: Speaking of Fine German (Linguistic) Engineering...)

Going forward (figuratively), why not meet the fine men who make up the new Iranian cabinet? Aptly titled Iran the Model.

Iran is heading to New York with confidence that it has enough support (Russia and China) to stave off any measurable UN sanctions. In the report, a former Clinton administration �non-proliferation analyst� pronounced that the EU negotiating team was �standing strong� on this one. (Since when? Did we miss something? There is a natural disconnect in logic between �EU negotiating� and �strong�.) It gets better� A French (shudders) non-proliferation analyst actually said, �Russia does not want to have another nuclear power in its region.� Oh. Well that explains why they have been building all of their nuclear plants. �And my daughter wonders why Daddy doesn�t read the comics. Who needs pictures, sweetheart?

Muqtada Al-Sadr may hold some powerful strings and significant influence. His reaction (and the following it fosters) to the stampede may be an indicator of what the future holds for the Sunni-Shia struggle for power in Iraq. He is a figure to watch closely in the coming days.

Matt's just about had it with the post-pullout attacks and wonders if Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has a crack problem.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY & THE AMERICAS

The FBI is in the process of looking very closely at US prison populations for extremist Muslim converts who may be intent on Jihad upon release or coordinating Jihad while incarcerated. Wahhabist recruitment of prisoners in the US has gone unchecked and unchallenged. In fact, in May 2003, the Center for Security Policy published 5 ways in which the Saudi Arabian government could and should show they are not complicit in supporting terrorism on US soil, and the #1 suggestion was for the Saudis to abandon support for the Wahhabist recruitment practices in US prisons.

DHS� Michael Brown, the undersecretary of DHS� Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Directorate, heads federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

Might Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama National Guard units be facing a No-Home Homecoming? Mrs. Greyhawk points to where you can help.

AFRICA

Evan F. Kohlmann reports at Global Terror Alert that Algerian militant commander Abu el-Maali (sometimes referred to as �Junior Osama bin Laden�) has resurfaced in Bosnia. (PDF)

As the Egyptian election draws nearer, it's 'all in the family' for the Mubaraks.

ASIA

Zachary Abuza notes that the growing lethality of attacks in Southeast Asia is due in large part to the fact that there is a major technology transfer going on and that the recipients of that technology are the learning terrorists in that region. �In short, while Al Qaeda�s training camps in Afghanistan no longer exist, technological transfer by personal instruction and the internet is transforming terrorism.�

Have you read Time�s The Invasion of the Chinese Cyberspies? You should.

Indonesia claims Jemaah Islamiyah hobbled. As mentioned above�maybe they�re just busy training MILF in the Philippines.

EUROPE

Chirac to Iran: If you don�t come back here and talk [respond to EU negotiators] we are going to make you go over there and talk [at the UN]. Yup. The EU negotiators are �standing strong�. Who knew Chirac was a hardliner?

Did you know that there really is no al Qaeda? No, really. And my neighbor�he has this magic rabbit�

THE GLOBAL WAR

Guantanamo detainees have gone on a hunger strike. Is the food really that bad? Interstingly, al-Jazeera chose to call it a 'protest fast'. How quaint.

Remembering the children of Beslan: Beslan mourns a year after siege.

A SECTION OF ITS OWN

Matthew Heidt�s post, Stop Using My Service as a Shield for Your Sedition, deserves its own categorical section. So�I made one. The Frogman shares �Words of Wisdom� from a fellow SEAL and Navy Chief. They are definitely that. Be sure to read on as he concludes with the legal definition of sedition�along with a note of encouragement for those who would display such behavior in his presence. Boys and girls, the Secret Code Word for the day is: CONCUR.

For ongoing tips, email "MondayWindsOfWar", over here @windsofchange.net.

« ok, I'm done now

Ben: Regarding the Beslan attack, I have not read of any read more
bahadir: Foreign Press Review http://www.avsam.org/fpr/ read more
USMC_Vet: Forgive for the dated reference above. But on the other read more

August 11, 2005

Thursday Winds of War: August 11/05

By USMC_Vet at 17:52

Today's Winds of War briefing is brought to you by Colt of Eurabian Times and USMC_Vet of The Word Unheard.

Normally, the Winds of War report is posted first thing on Thursdays. Apologies to our readers for the uncustomary delay this week.

Top Topics

Binyamin Netanyahu warned that a whole new dimension of arms smuggling will ensue if the Gaza Port is allowed to be built under PA auspices. Once Gaza is turned over to the PA, some wonder if al Qaeda will make Gaza a new base of operations. Remember al Qaeda's announcment of their new-found interest and presence in Gaza. al Qaeda with a port and common border with fragile Egypt, Zawahiri's home country?

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (yet once again) produced a secret Iranian document detailing the manufacture of centrifuges by the Mullahcracy�s nuclear program. They also stated that Iran has 4,000 of the undeclared centrifuges deployed throughout Iran's research/enrichment facilities. Again, the toothless IAEA merely has tickets to the show as they watch Iran unseal �IAEA sealed� centrifuges, as others threaten meaningless trips to the UN Security Council, complete with Russia's veto power as they contract to build more Iranian plants.

Apparently, a 'military team' called Able Danger fingered the Mohammed Atta al Qaeda cell a year before the 9/11 attacks. Much bickering and finger-pointing has ensued, to little end. The Counterterrorism Blog's Michael Cutler reminds those bickering parties what's missing from the NYT report. Think 'State' and 'Visa'. Speaking of visas...

With all of the talk of a drawdown of forces by 2006, the immediate talk is of a build-up of US forces prior to the Iraqi elections, as Operation Quick Strike extends the greater operation tasked with controlling the Anbar region.

Other Topics Today Include:
More on Iranian arms smuggling; NIE says Iran Revoluiton not in cards; Shi'ites oust Baghdad Mayor, want autonomous region; Ballots vs. Ballistics in Afghanistan; PA wants control of Egypt-Gaza border; First foreign students leave Pakistan; Ex-Taliban leader controls south Waziristan; Bakri arrested in Lebanon; 107 Yemenis set to leave Guantanamo and more.

read the rest! »

farhat quam maquami: MUSLIMS ARE NOT TERRORISTS: CIA & British SIS USE Islam read more
Bill Funt: I agree completely that all officials from the Clinton administration read more
Joe: Great Blog, But you kind of pooh poohed the Able read more

Thursday Winds of War: July 28/05

By USMC_Vet at 06:51

Today's Winds of War briefing is brought to you by Colt of Eurabian Times and USMC_Vet of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld put forth one of his famous 'snowflakes' in October 2003 asking direct and open-ended questions regarding the prosecution of the War on Terror. Resulting from that was a study on precisely how to win the War on Terror. Expected shortly is an unclassified version of the signed and adopted report, "National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism". (Speaking of plans, have you seen the new Army Force Structure revisions?)

General Jack Keane says that over 50,000 Iraqi insurgents have been either killed or captured by American and Iraqi forces in Iraq since the beginning of 2005.

Egyptian authorities were tipped off to an impending attack at Sharm al-Sheikh, but tightened security around casinos rather than hotels. A passionate exchange involving an Egyptian parliament minister, Hamadein Sabahi, on an Egyptian television network is stunning. The minister praises al Qaida 'when it kills Americans...Any kidnapping and slaughtering of an Amerinca in Iraq is good.' His counterpart condemns al-Qaeda and bin Laden...because they do not lend material support to Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Palestine and Tel Aviv is still standing.
These are among the leaders of Egypt, the country to whom Israel is going to turn over security along the Philadelphi Route along the Gaza-Egyptian border in October.

The British bombers who failed in their attack attempts on 7/21 were seen by neighbors returning to their apartment to rearm themselves for another attack. While British intelligence and police search their land for terrorists, Kofi Annon hopes old Irish nuns receive equal scrutiny.

Other Topics Today Include:
Iran resuming enrichment, no matter what, now; The Rise of the IRGC; Algerian diplomats killed in Iraq; Army Force Structure revised; Mullah Omar calls for Jihadist unity as Arab Afghans name an Egyptian as head; Syria in the crosshairs; Has al Qaeda infiltrated the CIA and FBI?; School for suicide bombers discovered in northern Italy and much, much more.

read the rest! »

IRAN REPORTS

Surprise! Iran will resume nuclear enrichment �regardless of what proposals the European Union makes in the coming days to change its mind,� says Khatami. Three cheers for �negotiation�. If Iran persists, this is a clear indicator that Iran is close enough now to weapons-grade material that the facade of negotiations is no longer needed.
The new rise of the IRGC: A Tipping Point for Tehran.

Iran obtaining nuclear components from EU via South Korea.

IRAQ REPORTS

Algerian diplomats killed by Zarqawi�s terrorists after abduction. Algeria confirms.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld dropped in on Iraq unannounced as the US urged Iraq to meet its Constitution deadline and General Casey suggested that substantial US troop reductions in Iraq could begin shortly after.
Three card-carrying �Friends of Thar� were captured in Baghdad. The three are suspected of being involved in recent bombings.

AFGHANISTAN REPORTS

50 Taliban killed earlier this week in ongoing operations since the launch of Operation Vigilance, which was aimed at preventing a Taliban/al Qaeda spring offensive. So well are things going for the Taliban, they have been reduced to conscripting children to fill their ranks.

Mullah Omar sends a recorded message in an attempt to keep anti-US forces unified, urging them to focus on attacking Americans and leave civilians alone. That, of course, can wait until the public soccer stadium hangings, beheadings and dismemberments can begin again in earnest.

Speaking of unity among Taliban loyalists, it seems the Arab 'Afghans' have named a new leader for themselves...an Egyptian.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Syria is again in the crosshairs as the US Congress is holding hearings regarding Syrian support for terrorists operating in Iraq, including the syphoning off of billions from the Oil-for-Food scam.

Islamic Jihad fires more rockets into Israel.
China Arms Sales continues to strain US-Israel relations.

Previous Egyptian MP tyrade notwithstanding, it appears that in the wake of the Sharm al-Sheikh bombings, Egypt might just be coming around...and 'looking inward for answers'.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SECURITY

There is now an official investigation in to Democrat Senators for leaking secret satellite systems information.

Andrew Cochran notes, following an LA Times article, that al-Qaeda attempts to infiltrate the CIA, FBI et al is a given, and may well have succeeded.

AFRICA

Mugabe treks to China where Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao �believes that mutual-beneficial cooperation and respect to each other's choice of developing mode are the foundation to further develop China-Zimbabwe ties.� Surely Wen meant Zimbabwe�s �devolving� mode.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA

A suicide pilot pre-9/11?

Pakistan Journalist bombed at home, most likely for refusing to print provocative militant statements. Three have been detained in connection to bombing
Pakistani government cracking down on militant Islamic clerics and their venomous sermons? 210 arrested in Punjab alone. 125 released after promises.

EUROPE

A �school for suicide bombers� has been found in the northern Italy province of Lombardy.

Van Gogh murderer receives Life Sentence.
Failed British bomber arrested�an immigrant from Somalia.

Britain & France deport 40 Afghans in illegal immigration crackdown.

THE GLOBAL WAR

It finally appears as if the voices of moderate Muslims are beginning to pierce the wall of silence. MEMRI has an excellent compilation of recent moderate Muslim voices from around the world, scolding Europe (particularly Britain) for allowing extremists to exploit European freedom and challenging Muslims to take control of their religion from extremists and terrorists. This is a very, very important read.

Another important read is Donald Sensing's Islamism's War Against the West, a history of Arab terrorism.
US naval forces arrived in Indonesia Monday to conduct joint operations under the CARAT program. They met Indonesian commanders on the island of Java.

Gitmo troops berate Senators Kennedy and Akaka during �Gulag� visit.

On a lighter note�Jane Fonda is about to take her vegetable oil burning bus on tour across America protesting...another war. Rumor has it that when it treks eastward from Los Angeles through the Midwest enroute, the bus will don a Greyhound Bus paint scheme and the ack-ack will be covered with a tarp. According to schedule, the tarp will be removed and the bus refitted with its original tie dye and peace symbol scheme somewhere just outside of Philadelphia.

(In the event the above was not much of a 'lighter note' for you and just made you angry all over again, this oughta make you feel better. Much better.)

For ongoing tips, email "MondayWindsOfWar", over here @windsofchange.net.

« ok, I'm done now

Mark Buehner: I guess garrett kinda makes his point. When we have read more
Joe Katzman: I think Garrett is talking about Egypt. See Winds' article read more
USMC_Vet: garrett: Was that in reference to the Joint Ops with read more

Thursday Winds of War: July 07/14

By USMC_Vet at 06:22

Today's Winds of War briefing is brought to you by Colt of Eurabian Times and USMC_Vet of The Word Unheard.

Top Topics

24 Iraqis, most of them children, were murdered by a terrorist with a car bomb as US soldiers handed out candy to them. [Reported number varies at the time of this post.] This is Jihad Against Jews, Crusaders, Shi'ites, Sunnis and Children by twisted design. Children receiving candy.

The London bombers have been identified: Homegrown Pakistani Brits. Stephen Schwartz notes that there was something brewing in Londonistan for a while, if only anyone would have bothered to ask close observers of the community. An unconfirmed report from Northeast Intelligence Network cites a Pentagon source saying that one �involved� in the bombings was recently released from Guantanamo Bay�s Camp X-Ray. It is worth noting that the fourth bomber�s identity has been less than solid with differing reports of his hometown. Further, �involved� does not necessarily mean actual bomber.

Saddam Hussein harbored 4,000 terrorists up to the very run-up to OIF, primarily for use against Israel and Iran, according to Iraqi Lt. General Abdul Qader Jassim. The Iraqi General said many of them stayed inside Iraq after the invasion to support attacks on coalition forces and Iraqis loyal to those forces. This word as Iraq announces a memorandum of (mis)understanding with Iran that will not/will/will not include Iranian training for the Iraqi military. Iran appears to be training others for Iraq elsewhere, suspected of backing suicide bombings in Iraq�with ample supply for future operations.

Other Topics Today Include:

Iran�s new position on uranium enrichment; More Zarqawi attacks on Iraqis; 19 Iraq bases now manned by Iraqi troops; A Must-Read from SEAL-turned-journalist Mark Yost; Israel's 'root canal' of Islamic Jihad; Lebanese Defense Minister survives car bomb; Chertoff's Six-Point Agenda for DHS; OTM's crossing US/Mexican border nealry double; Bombing in Trinadad; 150 Aussie Special Operators to Afghanistan; Pak/China military agreement; Thailand readies for combat in south; NoKor back to six-nations talks; Why France gets it...and Britain stumbles; London, Paksitan and Lodi, California and more.

read the rest! »

a: Saddam Hussein harbored 4,000 terrorists up to the very run-up read more
Ruth: Glad you included the figures on increasing numbers of OTM read more
Colt: The death toll from Netanya is now five. Also, the read more

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