FDD

Update - Iranian Involvement (JS)

CNN has just reported that "Israeli military sources say they believe the longer-range missiles fired yesterday at Haifa, Israel, were made in Iran."

This is a confirmation of information first posted here yesterday.

STRATFOR has more insight here.

Iranian Involvement (JS)

The US and Israel have repeatedly, and correctly, stressed that Iran and Syria are directly behind Hezbollah's recent actions.

The clearest sign of this was the rocket attack on Haifa.  Ha'aretz reports that the missiles were of the Fajar model.  What the article fails to mention is that the Fajar is an Iranian built rocket with a range of 45-75 kilometers.  More info on the rocket here (the article entitled:  albawaba.com: Israel Fears Hizbullah Rockets) and here.

MEDIA ALERT: Cliff on C-SPAN

Cliff May will appear on C-SPAN this Sunday morning from 7:30-8:30amEST to discuss the latest political issues.

Breaking: Terror in Egypt (JS)

Breaking News- Three blasts have gone off in the Egyptian resort town on Dahab and reports indicate that the casualty numbers are high.

Of note: Dahab is packed with tourists this week who are celebrating the Coptic Easter holiday.  The Copts have been frequent targets of Islamist attacks and I would suspect they were the main targets here.  No group has yet claimed responsibility, but it is likely that this was an Egyptian based group, possibly affiliated with al-Qaeda. 

The last attack of this type targeted Israeli tourists, but Israelis were not likely the main target this time, as few Israelis are vacationing in Egypt at this time (Israelis were on vacation last week for the Passover holiday).

More as it develops...

West Bank Suicide Bombing Kills Three

A new offshoot of the Fatah party has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in the West Bank this evening that killed three Israelis.  The claim of responsibility was first broadcast on Hezbollah-controlled al-Manar television in Lebanon.  This is the first suicide attack against Israelis that has been claimed by a group other than Islamic Jihad since February 2005.

BREAKING: U.S. to Close Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison

Fresh off the wires, Reuters reports:

The U.S. military will close Abu Ghraib prison, probably within three months, and transfer some 4,500 prisoners to other jails in Iraq, a military spokesman said on Thursday.

More as it becomes available...

UPDATE: More info now available here.

Jihad in Chapel Hill (AM)

ABC's local affiliate in North Carolina reports that a Muslim student drove an SUV into a group of students gathered at a popular UNC-Chapel Hill campus spot on Friday.  It was an intentional attack in retribution for the treatment of Muslims around the world, according to the statement given to police by the driver, Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar.  There were injuries but no deaths.

Taheri-azar, who is 22, was born in Iran but grew up near Charlotte.  The news accounts do not indicate his citizenship status.  He graduated from UNC in 2005 and currently lives in Chapel Hill.  He called the incident in himself, and upon surrendering evidently baited police -- explaining he had acted to avenge Muslims and "If you want to know why I did it, go check my bed at my apartment."  A search was conducted; no reports yet on whether anything of interest was found.

Pedestrians were evidently lucky that the jihadist was not a very competent driver. He told police he tried to rent the biggest SUV he could find to use in the attack, but he failed to kill anyone.

While the mainstream media seems to have missed (or ignored) this story, Robert Spencer's Jihad Watch has it, as does Michelle Malkin.

Iran Obtained Nuclear Arms Documents (JS)

The International Atomic Energy Agency has now confirmed that a 15-page document obtained by Iran on the nuclear black market shows how to cast fissile uranium into metal and  was “related to the fabrication of nuclear weapon components.”

Given today's agreement by Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States on referring the nuclear issue to the U.N. Security Council, it will be interesting to see what role this information has in the upcoming IAEA report.

NEWS ALERT: FDD Senior Fellow to Appear on Oprah

FDD Senior Fellow Dr. Walid Phares will be on Oprah Monday, Janaury 23 at 4pmEST discussing the war on terror.

BREAKING: Sharon Suffers Significant Stroke

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has apparently suffered a significant stroke, just hours before he was scheduled to undergo a heart procedure.  Early reports indicate he has bleeding around his brain, is on a respirator, and may have partial paralysis of the legs.  Former Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert will be acting prime minister until Sharon is able to retake control of the government.  More news as it becomes available.

"Future Jihad, Terrorist Strategies Against America"

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 18, 2005) – Dr. Walid Phares, a Senior Fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, is the author of the newly released book, Future Jihad, Terrorist Strategies Against America, which examines the strategies that will be needed to defeat a new, more lethal strain of terrorism that now threatens America and the free world.

Read the full release here.  Read reviews of the book here.

CLIFF MAY: Terrorists Hit Amman

Suicide bombers attacked three hotels frequented by Westerners in the Jordanian capital of Amman.

Yes, they want to kill Americans and other westerners who stay at such hotels. But they also want to send a message to King Abdullah II and other Arab leaders. They are saying, in effect: You need to be afraid of us, not the Americans. You need to curry favor with us – if you want to stay alive.

Also: After the breakup of a terrorist plot in Australia, the Militant Islamists were no doubt feeling pressure to show they are still strong, still operational, that they have not been neutered. 

No one has yet claimed responsibility but Abu Musab al- Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, is high on the list of suspects.

Keep in mind: If they could have done this in New York, Washington or Los Angeles – they would have. 

And whenever they can again, they will. Preventing that is an immense challenge, one that requires both defensive and offensive measures.

A story is here.

BREAKING: Suicide Bombing In Hadera, Israel

A suicide bombing has taken place in the coastal Israel town of Hadera.  At least 4 people have been reported killed, and scores injured.  Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the attack.

JON SNOW: The Trial of Saddam Hussein

The first of what is likely to be a series of trials of Saddam Hussein is scheduled to begin tomorrow.  For a quick overview of the specifics, check out the latest FDD backgrounder.

What can be expected on the first day of the trial?  A formal reading of the charges and a statement by the defense.  The defense is expected to try to use the media as a propaganda tool and has stated that they intend to shift the focus of the trial from the charges against Saddam to a trial of American actions in Iraq.  The defense can also be expected to seek an adjournment within the first day or two of the trial, which the judges may grant, while they review defense motions for a delay of trial.

We'll be following the case closely, and posting news and analysis here.  Stay tuned...

NEWS ALERT: Al-Qaeda's Strategy Outlined in Letter From Zawahiri to Zarqawi

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a letter between two senior al-Qaeda leaders, Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, dated July 9, 2005. 

The letter is available here in both English and Arabic. The Washington Post has an article on the letter here.

And one informed observer sends this brief analysis:

Today the United States Government released a 6,000 word letter from al-Qaida’s number two leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, to the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The letter was obtained in the course of counterterrorism operations in Iraq.

It is an extraordinary document. The Zawahiri letter provides a candid, chilling, and comprehensive view of al-Qaida's strategy in Iraq and their global aims. It also puts to rest any question about whether Iraq is a central front in the war on terrorism; the scope and scale of al-Qaida's ambitions; the extremist and malignant ideology that guides Islamic radicalism; and the stakes of this struggle.

The letter clearly states al-Qaida’s long-term strategy: (a) expel the United States and its Coalition allies from Iraq; (b) impose a radical Islamic government; and (c) use the territory as a base to expand its reign and attack Iraq’s neighbors and beyond.   

At the same time, the letter reflects Zawahiri’s concern that developments in Iraq are turning against al-Qaida. For example, the letter details Zawahiri’s concerns that Zarqawi’s violence is undermining public support for al-Qaida in Iraq.

CLIFF MAY: Al-Jazeera Signs David Frost

That was the week that was. I wish I were joking. Howard Kurtz’ Washington Post story (quoting me) is here.

Breaking News: Three More Days

The Iraqi National Assembly has put forward a draft constitution by today's deadline, but has announced that they will take three more days to hammer out some final details.  Apparent issues of conflict involve how to deal with Saddam era Baathists, the ongoing debate about federalism in Iraq, and the division of powers.

Major Anti-Terror Operation Underway in London

After a brief media blackout, information is beginning to trickle out about this, though much of it is conflicting.  According to witnesses, three men with backpacks were taken away by police and some shots were fired.  We'll continue to update as information becomes clearer.

Update: There has been at least one more raid in another section of town as well.

Update II:  Three of the four 7/21 suspects have apparently been apprehended.

Update III:  Looks like they got the fourth suspect as well today in Rome.

London Police Release Names of Two Terrorist Suspects

British police have released the names of two of the men whose pictures were distributed last week in connection with the London bombings.  The two men are Muktar Said Ibrahim, 27, also known as Muktar Mohammed Said, and Yasin Hassan Omar, 24.  New pictures of the suspects were also made available.

Alert: Blasts kill 83 in Egyptian Red Sea resort

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - At least 83 people were killed and 200 injured when car bombs ripped through shopping and hotel areas in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday in the worst attack in Egypt since 1981.

Link: Reuters

4 Suspects Identified

London police will hold a news conference shortly where they will release information on 4 suspects tied to yesterday's failed bombings in London.  Police also shot and killed a man at a Tube station this morning that was apparently linked to the attacks.  As always, more details as they come.

Update:  Police confirmed that the shooting this morning was directly linked to yesterday's attacks.  The bombs yesterday were apparently homemade, and all detonated, but only partially.  Police also released pictures of the 4 suspects, from CCTV footage:

Update II: An arrest has been made.

Alert: Confirmed - 4 sites in London

FDD's Walid Phares on MSNBC  commenting on the new London attacks - now.

NBC’s Keith Miller reports that London authorities have arrested at least two suspects.

London Tube Stations Evacuated

Three London Underground stations have been evacuated following reports of incidents on trains.  According to CNN, no casualties have been reported in any of the incidents and police said they were not treating the evacuations as a "major incident."  More info as its available.

Update: Reports are now coming in that London police are stating that three small "devices" detonated inside Underground stations.

US Issues Warning Of Possible Attack in Saudi Arabia

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a warning to American citizens today stating that it had "received indications of operational planning for a terrorist attack or attacks in the Kingdom."  No specific details are available.

Australia Fights On

Reuters reports that Australian PM John Howard and his cabinet have decided to deploy up to 400 more troops, including elite forces to Afghanistan.

Hat tip: Little Green Footballs.

Galloway First Pol To Try To Score Political Points From London Attack

George Galloway has released a statement on the terrorist attacks in London this morning.  True to form, he blames the attack on the British government and their involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Israel Was NOT WARNED Before London Attack

Initial claims that U.K. officials had warned Israeli officials about the possibility of an attack have been officially denied by the Israelis.  According to Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, there was a warning given to the Israelis, but it came in after the first bomb went off.

What is to be Done?

CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour just asked some expert whether there is anything that can be done to prevent such attacks.

Part of the answer – a part you won’t hear often – is this: When terrorists are captured they must be effectively interrogated in order to find out what they know about terrorist plots, cells and procedures.

No, that doesn’t mean torture. Yes, that does mean subjecting enemy combatants to “stress and duress,” using the most effective psychological methods to influence them to reveal what they know.

But if you do that, do not expect to be popular with the International Red Cross, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International etc.

Terrorism as Extreme Public Relations

Tony Blair said it was “particularly barbaric” that this terrorist attack has taken place while the G8 is meeting, while world leaders were working on such problems as African poverty.

But of course that’s the point. Now the G8 will be all about them – the terrorists, their grievances, their demands, their power.

Is Russia Really Ready?

As leaders of the G8 gather today in Gleneagles, Scotland, FDD asks whether Russia is still qualified to be a member nation in an ad running in today's Financial Times and in an op-ed by Cliff. Read More.

FDD Academic Fellow Sergeant Joseph Skelly Awarded Bronze Star

Washington, D.C. (July 1, 2005) - The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) congratulates 2003-2004 Academic Fellow Dr. Joe Skelly on being awarded the Bronze Star for his “exceptionally meritorious service” in Iraq.

“Sgt. Skelly epitomizes all the good that U.S. forces are accomplishing on behalf of the Iraqi people,” said David Silverstein, FDD vice president of campus programs. Read the full press release.

Could It Really Be?

CNN reports that 5 former American hostages who were seized in Tehran in 1979 recognize the new Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as one of their captors during their 444 day nightmare.

Update: The White House is taking these allegations seriously.

The Taliban Returns

CNN reports that the Taliban has taken responsibility for the U.S. Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan.