The ATSer~ Global Terror Information Fusion Center

NAVAL BLOCKADE PROPOSED ON IRAN by Israeli Prime Minister

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proposed in talks with a U.S. congressional leader that a naval blockade be imposed on Iran to try to curb its nuclear program, an Israeli newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Haaretz daily quoted Olmert as telling Nancy Pelosi that "the present economic sanctions have exhausted themselves" and the international community needed to take more drastic steps to stop Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.

The prime minister's suggestions, Haaretz said, included a naval blockade of Iran using U.S. warships to limit the movement of Iranian merchant vessels.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said he was unaware of any blockade plans but said the United States intended to step up pressure on the Islamic Republic.

"I'm not going to get into specifics of how we may or may not increase that pressure militarily," Morrell said. "But as we've said from the outset of this problem, all military options remain on the table."

Three rounds of limited U.N. sanctions have been imposed on Iran over its nuclear program but Iran has said it will not cease uranium enrichment. Israel, widely believed to have atomic weapons, has said the Iranian nuclear program is a risk to its existence.

Wire Dispatch

This is a HOMELAND SECURITY "HOT TOPIC"

Semper

Here's the Breaking News discussion on Olmert's naval blockade:
Olmert proposes naval blockade on Iran (by cnm1976)

And here's the Breaking News discussion on the Swedish Nuke Plant:
Pair held for planning sabotage at Swedish nuclear plant (by grover)

Also another thread involving a Nuke Plant stateside:
"Red Team" Penetrates Nuke Lab's Security, Reaches "Superblock" (by SystemiK)

Very good material, the action against Iran is very significant and shows a great deal of the seriousness.



I saw this next article and it seemed related to the "virtual" aspect of terrorism, and it is beneficial to e seen as some thing to keep in mind. There is an article on the situation from some time ago, I'll see if it can be found but can't promise immediate results.

Because they have not done so yet, doesn't mean it won't happen. Terrorists could go online and try for a global attempt to harass and cyber attacks. Just wan't this to be addressed at least once, so it is on the radar some what.

In a world of increasing political uncertainty and cyber dependency, multilateral state-led action, in cooperation with industry stakeholders, is required to help protect the national and global infrastructure, which is the Internet.

For the initiator, the Internet provides an easy, low-cost, risk free method to achieve immediate, largescale impact. Because illicit tools such as botnets exploit millions of compromised computers, security experts cannot easily find computers free of malicious software.
Estonia’s Defense Efforts during the Internet War

Fake Bombs Left At Recruiting Centers

Lest we forget that Terror need not always involve "The Real Thing"

A fake bomb that was investigated Monday by law enforcement was the fifth in a string of fake bombs left at military recruitment centers, the FBI said.

A package that was designed to look like a bomb, which was left in front of an Army-Navy recruitment center with German words printed on it, was the fourth reported case of similar packages planted, FBI agents said.

Previous packages had “Die Weisse Rose” written on them, which is German for “The White Rose” a name of a historic anti-Hitler group that operated during World War II, FBI agents said.

Each of the five hoax bombs was left in front of some type of military recruitment center over the last year with most bearing the phrase “Die Weisse Rose,” FBI agents said.

National Terror Alert Center

In addition the link is a good resource for all such articles.

Semper

Suicide Bomber in Exeter

Nicky Reilly, 22, from Plymouth, suffered serious facial injuries when a device detonated at the Princesshay shopping centre in the city.

He is now in police custody in hospital and officers have also searched an address linked to him in Plymouth.

Anti-terror police and security services are assisting the inquiry.

Mr Reilly was arrested after the explosion at 1250 BST on Thursday in the Giraffe restaurant in the £230m shopping development, which is one of Exeter’s main attractions.

CCTV footage taken from a nearby camera appears to show him emerging from the cafe with blood pouring down his face before his arrest.

No-one else was hurt in the explosion at the restaurant, which was busy at the time and is popular with families.

Another device, which did not go off, was found outside the premises.

National Terror Alert Center

Semper

Analysts Warn of Terror Attack Following 2008 Elections.

This is OMINOUS to say the least.

When the next president takes office in January, he or she will likely receive an intelligence brief warning that Islamic terrorists will attempt to exploit the transition in power by planning an attack on America, intelligence experts say.

After all, that is what happened to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at a time when their national security teams and their counterterrorism plans were in flux.

The pattern is clear to some national security experts. Terrorists pay particular attention to a government in transition as the most opportune window to launch an attack.

Washington Times

This needs to be watched closely.

Semper

Something to follow:

Reports: Osama bin Laden has been 'located' (by infinite)
www.spectator.co.uk

The Dubai-based satellite TV channel Al Arabiya is reporting that Osama Bin Laden has been “located” by US intelligence in the Kararakoram – a mountain range that spans the borders of Pakistan, the Kashmir and China (K2 is one of its peaks).

This was posted first by makeitso in the following thread:
Timber Smuggling With Rockets in Chitral, Pakistan (by Hellmutt)

edit to add- Also mentioned in this thread:
Al Qaeda Tape to Call for Use of WMDs (by Sky watcher)
abcnews.go.com

Intelligence and law enforcement sources tell ABC News they are expecting al Qaeda operatives will post a new video on the Internet in the next 24 hours, calling for what one source said is "jihadists to use biological, chemical and nuclear weapons to attack the West."

Iran Related:
US, allies say UN report bolsters fears Iran wants nuclear bomb

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States said Tuesday that Iran's refusal to respond to queries from the UN atomic watchdog is "very troubling," warning its behavior bolstered suspicions it aimed to build a nuclear bomb.

The US government, which has spearheaded toughening rounds of sanctions against Tehran, added it was studying what "diplomatic next step" to take after Monday's report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

France and Germany -- which along with Britain, Russia and China are locked in carrot-and-stick negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program -- voiced immediate concerns about the report.

The IAEA on Monday expressed "serious concern" that Iran is still hiding information about alleged studies into making nuclear warheads and defying UN demands to suspend uranium enrichment.

IAEA: Iran may be withholding info in nuke probe


Homeland Related:
Investigators finds gaps in port security program

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security program to strengthen port security has gaps that terrorists could exploit to smuggle weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers, congressional investigators have found.

The report by the Government Accountability Office, being released Tuesday, assesses the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a federal program established after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to deter a potential terrorist strike via cargo passing through 326 of the nation's airports, seaports and designated land borders.

[edit on 5/27/08 by aecreate]

Damn good material, glad to see this being kept up on. I have a good feeling this will become a very beneficial project. Looking forward to working together for as long as can be.



Was reading over some stuff, and found a book that was released. It is an insiders perspective in the counterterror field. It should be more educational than current info based, but I am willing to share any thing that may help. I'm going to get the book, then once finished reading, will provide any knowledge gained from it. Will post quote below for reference:

Almost forgot to add, there is a video in the linked page, which some might like.

GHOST: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent
At agent training, which I just completed, they drilled into us the notion that in our new lives, routines will get us killed. When you join the Dark World, you must become unpredictable. Erratic. We must strip away all the conventions of our old lives and fade into the background. We’ve been trained. We’ve practiced. Today, I begin my life as a ghost.

Fred Burton

[edit on 28-5-2008 by ADVISOR]

I saw all that information also, just did not put it all together.
That book sounds interesting. From that clip you posted it sounds basically like a training to be a spy. I might look into it also.

Found other useful sites which has some features that can be of use. Since different groups and agencies track events that are in their lane of interest, it nevers hurts to over lap and expand the coverage.

The real world "SHIELD", not your IRONMAN version, this dept is tracking a lot of events and will be very useful:

SHIELD is an umbrella program for a series of current and future Police Department initiatives that pertain to private sector security and counter terrorism.

This is a public-private partnership based on providing best practices, lessons learned, counter-terrorism training opportunities, and information sharing. SHIELD seeks to partner with private sector security managers with the goal of protecting New York City from terrorist attacks.
SHIELD
Operation Nexus

International terrorism threatens the United States, its allies and interests, and the world community. Defeating the terrorist enemy requires sound policies, concerted U.S. Government effort, and international cooperation.
Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
State Department electronic archive

Dept. Homeland Security

DHS CT

DHS FCt

Working hand-in-hand with partners in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and diplomatic circles, our job is to neutralize terrorist cells and operatives here in the U.S. and to help dismantle terrorist networks worldwide.

UK based CT strategy:

Who is involved?
Many people contribute to the government's counter-terrorism strategy. Our 'stakeholders' in this effort include:

government departments
emergency services
voluntary organisations
the business sector
other governments across the world
Counter-terrorism strategy

To achieve national delivery on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) NaCTSO trains, tasks and coordinates a nationwide network of centrally funded, specialist police advisers known as Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs). The primary role of these advisers is to provide help, advice and guidance on all aspects of counter terrorism protective security across a variety of sectors.
National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)

Other resources, non UK
Did a counter terrorism search, linked are two results from use a space or no space to break words.

CIA.gov is now encrypted, except for our Electronic Reading Room, to assure visitor confidentiality.
counter terrorism
counterterrorism

Aussie Network

The Counter Terrorism team provides timely, accurate intelligence and support to deployed intelligence and operational teams, the AFP Executive, external law enforcement and intelligence partners. This contributes to the wider Australian Government response to terrorism and helps to maintain effective liaison and information sharing between the AFP and the intelligence community. job programs
Australian Federal Police
Australia’s international counter-terrorism efforts

Other;

There are 13 documents of the UNO, directed to counter terrorism. They are: 11 conventions and two protocols. Projects of International Convention on the fight with the nuclear terrorism and General Convention on the fight against the terrorism are being developed.
Participation in international counter terrorism-Uzbekistan

The ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre (CTC) was established in April 98. The CTC which is listed in the Singapore Government Directory, is essentially a 24-hour incident-response center. Its CT officers provide threat assessments and carry out field investigations of suspected terrorist-related activities or incidents.
ISD

[edited to add further resources]

[edit on 29-5-2008 by ADVISOR]

Here is some good information about traveling..

I know that most of us know all this already, but as it is the travel season, I thought this may be useful to some..

TSA Reminds Summer Travelers of the Three Simple Steps to Security
Checkpoints to be fully staffed. Significant deployment of new technology underway.

Passengers can actively improve the security process by being ready. Following these three steps will help everyone get through the security process faster:

1. Show ID and boarding pass.
2. Take out liquids (in a baggie) and laptops.
3. Take off shoes and jackets.


Passengers should remove their government-issued photo ID from wallets, plastic holders and other similar carrying cases, and present the ID along with their boarding pass at the start of the screening process. Hold on to the boarding pass until through the magnetometer, where it may need to be shown again.

Large liquids are still banned from carry-ons. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols at the checkpoint:

* 3-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols placed in
* 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag;
* 1 bag per passenger placed separately in a security bin for X-ray screening.


Removing footwear for X-ray screening is required. Wearing footwear that can be easily removed helps speed the process. Please also put your jackets and sweaters in the bin.

Millimeter wave enables TSA officers in a matter of seconds to detect weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items without physical contact. This technology will primarily be used in a random continuous protocol. If a passenger declines to go through the millimeter wave portal, he or she will be subject to alternative screening measures.

TSA

Semper

NATIONAL TERROR ALERT

Bomb kills two outside Philippine air base, US aid office: military

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Two people were killed and 21 injured Thursday when suspected terrorists detonated a bomb outside a US aid project office near an air base in the southern Philippines, officials said.
ADVERTISEMENT

The blast injured a group of soldiers and their families waiting near the main gates of the Edwin Andrews base in Zamboanga as well as members of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and aides to a local legislator.

"We don't have the identity of the suspects yet, but this is an act of terrorism," said Colonel Darwin Guerra, a senior counter-terrorist commander.

"The bomb was hidden in a bag and was detonated by remote control using a cell phone," he said.

Zamboanga has been the target of numerous bomb attacks in recent years carried out by Muslim extremist groups or criminal gangs.

Yahoo News

NATIONAL TERROR ALERT

Semper

Hezbollah The "A" Team of Terrorists....

Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff warned Thursday that the radical Islamic group Hezbollah "makes Al Qaeda look like a minor league team," and poses the greatest threat to national security.

"Someone described Hezbollah like the A-team of terrorists in terms of capabilities, in terms of range of weapons they have, in terms of internal discipline," Chertoff told FOX News. "To be honest, they make Al Qaeda look like a minor league team.

"They have been more disciplined, and they've been in some senses more restrained in the kinds of attacks they carry out ... in recent years, but that's not something we can take for granted," he warned.

"I don't think we're really worried about hijacking because we've put a lot of measures in place like a locked cockpit door, flight deck officers who have weapons and the air marshals," Chertoff told FOX News. "So the next threat becomes the bomb. Something that either a person takes on board themselves or smuggles into the cargo."

Fow News

THIS IS A HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT

Semper

Iran and Al-Qaeda...

DEADLY MIX

THIS IS A HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT

Iran in Secret Talks With al Qaeda, U.S. Officials Say
Sources Say Iranian Govt., Terror Group in Contact About Militants Under House Arrest

But U.S. officials tell ABC News that one reason they have not raised the issue more publicly is that they believe Iran has largely kept these al Qaeda operatives under control since 2003, limiting their ability to travel and communicate.

"It's been a status quo that leaves these people, some of whom are quite important, essentially on ice," said a U.S. official.

Under one theory, the talks are a reaction to al Qaeda's recent anti-Iranian rhetoric. The Iranians are using the al Qaeda detainees as, the theory goes, leverage — "hostages" in the words of one official — to get al Qaeda to cut its recent anti-Iranian rhetoric and to deter any potential al Qaeda operations against Iran. By detaining them, Iran makes an unspoken threat to al Qaeda's leadership: If al Qaeda attempts to attack Iran, these people will suffer.

Others believe Iran may have initiated the talks as a threat to the United States, that if the U.S. takes hostile action against Iran, these captives could be released, set free to plot attacks against the West.

ABC News

THIS IS A HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT

Semper

THIS IS A GLOBAL TERROR ALERT

Nuclear bomb blueprints for sale on world black market, experts fear

· Warning as Swiss destroy documents to prevent leak
· Copies may remain with data smuggling network

Nuclear bomb blueprints and manuals on how to manufacture weapons-grade uranium for warheads are feared to be circulating on the international black market, according to investigators tracking the world's most infamous nuclear smuggling racket.

Alarm about the sale of nuclear know-how follows the disclosure that the Swiss government, allegedly acting under US pressure, secretly destroyed tens of thousands of documents from a massive nuclear smuggling investigation.

Guardian

GLOBAL TERROR ALERT

This is disturbing to say the least...

Semper

Going back to a previous post, more of GHOST has been released, and it is a very good first persons perspective of the history on terrorism. Reading it will provide a great insight into the background, and help form a pattern of yesteryears terror in comparison to todays. Those are the patterns I'm looking to develop, hope it will reflect a trend. I'm sure some agency has that already done, but the we don't have that info, so creating a file so to speak is needed.

Here is a quote from the second chapter of the book mentioned;

First day on the job, and I’m holding a human body part. The Alice in Wonderland experience is complete. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole.

I continue to hold the ear. Miss Manners doesn’t cover this sort of scenario. What should I say? How should I react? I’ll wing it.

“So, did you cut this off a suspect?” I ask Gleason.

He is not amused. He just looks at me with a You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into here sort of expression. Then he goes back to scribbling on more paperwork. Almost as an afterthought he says, “That’s what’s left of the suicide bomber.”
GHOST: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent, Chapter Two

Another resource which should shed some better light o the history and trends of terrorism. Seems that some information which was available, had been hidden, maybe with current threats, such will be shared or at least more available to the public in general.

The following link provides a ten page sample of the publication;

This book series contains some 18 years of warning and analysis published within the U.S. Congress by an organization known as the Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare. During its remarkably long life, the Task Force issued hundreds of reports comprising thousands of pages of warnings and analyses of the growing specter of the Islamist movement, its increasingly violent nature, and its selection of the Western world as its ultimate target.
The depth and breadth of the Task Force's analytical efforts were unparalleled, as were its productive capacity and broad product distribution efforts. The Task Force's astonishing knowledge of the gathering storm that finally broke over New York City and Washington on that fateful September morning is represented in these pages.
Unheeded Warnings: The Lost Reports of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism

This is an older doc, but I don't recall hearing about it, maybe it never made the public. None the less it provides a look at potential threats and is one more thing to be aware of.

Mitigating the Effects of Alleged
EBOLA Attacks at Multiple Airports

Boston police officer reports over nonsecure
radio “We found the bioweapon in the trash..”

Devices found in trash of food court area in secure
area of terminal at all four airports

EBOLA Attacks at Multiple Airports

Ebola Fact Sheet

[edit on 10-6-2008 by ADVISOR]

reply to post by ADVISOR


Advisor
that is a good report. That is making it sound like there was a bio attack on multipul air ports, noting that the one in Ohare was later found to be a hoax. So why was this not more on the MSM?

I'm not sure why it isn't, might be some thing to ponder while evaluating the patterns. Perhaps a cover, to try and keep airlines in business, imagine if there was another airline scare.

Some thing more up to date, most know that terror is financed primarily with drug money, Taliban get their opium funds and so on. How about the Columbians, US of A has been a thorn in their side, but then the love hate relation ship exists also.

Take into consideration that the US is the worlds largest buyer for Columbian product over any where else, and you can see where this is getting at. Well, I'm not sure how many people remember the term "narco-terrorism", but I do and thought this would be another good one to keep tabs on.

Before checking out the material, please remember this often over looked quote, one which may very well be true in many situations today, as then;

“When a great democracy is destroyed, it will not be from enemies from without, but rather because of enemies from within.”
Joseph McCarthy-February 9, 1950
Enemies from Within

Money Laundering & Murder in Colombia: Official Documents Point to DEA Complicity
Kent Memo’s Corruption Allegations Bolstered by FOIA Records, Leaked U.S. Embassy Teletype

The FOIA documents obtained by Narco News appear to implicate a former high-level Bogotá DEA agent in a perjury that led to the death of the DEA informant. That agent has since been promoted to command a major DEA field division in the United States.

In addition, the new information provided by DEA sources appears to implicate another former high-level Bogotá DEA agent (who went on to oversee a major inter-agency antinarcotics task-force program) in money laundering activities linked to a Colombian rightwing paramilitary group.

Narco News Bulletin