Syria Suspected Of Concealing Nuclear Activity

It appears Iran may not be the only nuclear concern in the middle east. WTOP reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency ‘IAEA’ and Syria are walking a tightrope and appear to be headed toward a collision over two nuclear sites where undeclared uranium was recently found.

The agency found traces of uranium at the Dair Alzour nuclear site that are not included in Syria’s declared inventory, according to a just released report. The Syrians said the uranium came from the Israeli missiles used to destroy the nearby al-Kibar reactor in September 2007.

The presence of uranium particles was detected at a second site near Damascus — the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor. Syria said it came from the accumulation of samples and reference materials used in neutron activation analysis.

The IAEA is not buying either of the two explanations and is pressing Damascus for more answers and wants to know from where the uranium came. The agency has run its own tests and is certain the Syrian government is not telling the truth.

That’s where the tightrope act comes in. The IAEA won’t comment on what clearly appears to be evasive behavior by the Syrian government because of concern about its tenuous relationship with Syria.

The Syrian government, also aware of the slippery state of affairs, tells WTOP:

“We are taking up the matter with IAEA, and are in constant consultation with them. We are going through appropriate channels and Syria stands by its legal obligations to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty).”

A U.S. counter-proliferation official is not convinced.

“Syria has a record of concealing nuclear activities. The whole world saw that with the al-Kibar reactor, an undeclared facility, destroyed in 2007.

via Read Full Article.

Bin-Laden’s Son Would Like UN Job

The son of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, Omar, has told a British magazine that he would like to promote peace and work for the United Nations.

“I do not believe that I would be a good politician – I have a habit of speaking the truth, even when it does not serve me well. But I would like to be in a position to promote peace. I believe that the United Nations would be ideal for me,” said Omar Bin-Laden.

Last year in November, Omar requested asylum in Spain, but his application was refused.

He was traveling on a Saudi Arabian passport and was detained at Madrid’s Barajas Airport after arriving on a flight from Egypt.

Source

FBI Suspects Terrorists Are Exploring Cyber Attacks

According to a WSJ report today, The FBI is looking at groups suspected of having links to al Qaeda who have shown an interest in mounting an attack on computer systems that control critical U.S. infrastructure.

While there is no evidence that terrorist groups have developed sophisticated cyber-attack capabilities yet, a lack of security protections in U.S. computer software increases the likelihood that terrorists could execute attacks in the future, an official warned.

If terrorists were to amass such capabilities, they would be wielded with “destructive and deadly intent,” Steven Chabinsky, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“The FBI is aware of and investigating individuals who are affiliated with or sympathetic to al Qaeda who have recognized and discussed the vulnerabilities of the U.S. infrastructure to cyber-attack,” Mr. Chabinsky told the committee, without providing details.

Such infrastructure could include power grids and transportation systems.

The control systems of U.S. infrastructure as well as money transfers are now connected directly or indirectly to the Internet. Hackers have been able to penetrate computer systems running components of the U.S. electric grid as well as divert bank transfers.

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Lieberman – Fort Hood Gunman Committed Extremist Terrorism

Sen. Joseph Lieberman,  chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee said Tuesday that the government’s failure to deal with Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s growing radicalism was similar to the intelligence community’s failure to prevent the 9/11 attacks.

Lieberman made his comments after attending a closed-door briefing with administration officials about last week’s massacre at Fort Hood, which killed 13 people. Lieberman didn’t discuss any details of the briefing but said all signs indicate that Hasan committed an “act of Islamic extremist terrorism.”

“There is a similarity to 9/11, which is there was information in different places in our government, which if it had been connected, would have said to people this guy was a real danger,” Lieberman said.

Several people have told The News that Hasan, a psychiatrist, was conflicted about being a Muslim in the U.S. Army, complained that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan constituted a “war on Islam,” and wanted some of his patients to face war crimes charges.

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DHS Seeks Partnerships to Increase Information Sharing

In  an increased effort to identify and help reduce possible acts of terrorism, The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to identify communities of interest that don’t fit the normal models found in local government and the private sector (hey, this sounds like us).  The goal is to improve lines of communication between ethnic and faith-based communities and respond to terror threats by adopting procedures used by the Secure Community Network (SCN). The department’s goal is to mimic the SCN platform for national security and preparedness and use it as a means to decrease the number of acts of terrorism by increasing both communications and information sharing.

The DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) focuses on protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR). The IP works to reduce terror threats and to strengthen national preparedness and response and recovery times, largely through public-private partnerships because most of the national CIKR is privately owned.

William F. Flynn, the IP’s acting assistant secretary, shares that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano wants to identify “communities of interest that don’t fit that normal model where we have outreach, like through local government and the private sector. She’s taken a personal interest in expanding this initiative.”

SCN is one such group. Because the Jewish community is often a target for terrorists, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations created SCN four years ago to address heightened security concerns. The organization has two purposes: to share information in crisis situations quickly and to improve security awareness of Jewish organizations to protect against terrorism and other threats.

SCN’s national director, Paul Goldenberg, notes, “Our community has seen an unprecedented number of attacks during recent years. DHS recognized that our community was vulnerable and that they should establish formal ties with the Jewish community. They felt training civilians to understand terror threats would help create eyes on the ground for DHS and local law enforcement.”

DHS and SCN have collaborated for four years, with DHS providing “tons of services” to the Jewish community, Goldenberg says.

Flynn adds, “SCN has a great platform to reach a broad audience. They have a pipeline, a technical means of broadly reaching their partners and constituents. That’s very valuable to help push out information. [DHS] has leveraged that relationship. We’ve sponsored security clearances for some of their staff; we’ve provided Web-based training and done webinars for them.”

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India Places Nuclear Plants Under Alert

Reuters news reports that India has put its nuclear power plants under alert and tightened security around them after intelligence about possible attacks, a report said on Monday.

The step comes after a man arrested in the United States on charges of plotting attacks in India was found to have travelled to Indian states that have nuclear installations.

The Press Trust of India quoted unnamed sources in the home ministry as saying that state governments had been asked to step up security around their nuclear plants as a “precautionary measure”.

“The step is precautionary in nature. The states have been asked to increase the vigil and patrolling to thwart any sabotage attempt aimed at these vital facilities,” a home ministry official was quoted as saying.

Indian media often reports security alerts based on unnamed intelligence sources.

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TSA To Inspect Jet Repair Shops Under New Proposal

Thousands of airplane maintenance shops in the U.S. and abroad would get increased scrutiny to make sure they are not easy prey for terrorists looking to sabotage U.S. jets during routine repairs, a government proposal says.

Some experts and lawmakers have warned for years about potential terrorist saboteurs infiltrating airplane repair shops, and have urged security oversight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says the greatest danger is posed by repair shops that are on or next to airports because a terrorist could take control of an airplane.

A TSA regulation proposed Monday would for the first time enable the agency to inspect airplane repair shops. If the TSA found a problematic repair shop, the agency would tell the Federal Aviation Administration to suspend the shop’s operating license.

TSA Assistant Administrator Lee Kair said the new requirement “guards against the potential threat of an aircraft being destroyed or used as a weapon.” The agency is soliciting public comments on the proposal and could finalize it later this year.

Airplanes ranging from small recreational planes to wide-body jets are repaired at more than 4,200 shops across the U.S. as well as at 700 shops abroad, in countries such as France, Germany, Singapore, Egypt and Jordan.

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Terror In Mumbai Documentary Thursday on HBO

Terror in Mumbai, a documentary about the terrorist activities in Mumbai last year will premiere on HBO Thursday night. Terror in Mumbai features exclusive intercepted audio tapes of the cell phone calls between the terrorists and their controllers in Pakistan, as well as interrogation footage of the sole surviving gunman.

Terror in Mumbai, co-produced with the UK’s Channel 4, will provide the first-ever 360-degree view of the terrorist action, replete with telephone intercepts, when it debuts Nov. 19 at 8 p.m., one week before the first anniversary of the attacks.

This film, narrated by Mumbai-born Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and Newsweek International editor, who appears on camera in the opening and closing, expands on the British version of the documentary chronicling the bloody events of the 60-hour period in 2008 in which 10 young Pakistani men conducted coordinated attacks across the Indian city that left more than 170 people dead.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-16

• RT @ntarc Suspicious White Powder Sent to 3 U.N. Missions : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/2j8TIr #
• House Passes Terrorist-Proof Chemicals Legislation : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/1OeWo8 #
• Homeland Security May Expand Preparedness In Virtual World : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/DqniE #
• DHS Urged To Explore FM Alert System For Cell Phones : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/31wa1F #
• Thx @alonis- Possible Hostage Situation in Jefferson City : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/2vSnxt #
• Just curious… Are any of our followers at #pubcon ? #
• @GirlLuvzSciFi They are if the read our site regularly. in reply to GirlLuvzSciFi #
• John Allen Muhammad, Beltway Sniper Executed : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/2NtjP0 #
• Please RT Man Charged With Terrorist Threats In Mall Incident : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/3VZMOM #
• India Warns of Possible Terror Attacks In 5 Cities : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/1Zbebg #
• Safe Banking Systems ID’s Terror Suspects : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/7i7AF #
• Man Arrested At B.C. Border With Terrorist Resources : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/Gumyg #
• Please RT Live – World Response Conference on Global Outbreak #h1n1 http://bit.ly/XNMgC #
• Homeland Security To Investigate Sewer Smuggling : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/rchUP #
• Authorities To Seize Properties Of Group With Alleged Iran Ties : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/2iqUMq #
• L.A. Port Launches Surprise Inspections http://bit.ly/3YJgeC #
• Five Sept. 11 Suspects to Face Trial in New York : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/1oENCV #
• Man Runs Down Pedestrians In Rochester : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/2BV4SV #
• How To Survive A Dirty Bomb Attack – Tonight On National Geographic Channel : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/4zfnaK #
• How To Survive A Dirty Bomb Attack – Tonight On National Geographic Channel : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/4zfnaK #
• Is American The Missing Link In Mumbai Terror Attack? : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/zvo2W #
• How To Survive A Pandemic or Chemical Attack – Surviving Disaster : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/15qisv #
• Terror In Mumbai Documentary To Premiere On HBO : Homeland Security News http://bit.ly/W1gBh #

Terror Networks Are Nations Biggest Threat – Obama

President Obama today told Chinese students that he believes terror networks such as al Qaeda are the greatest threat to the United States. Obama said that although the terror groups are small in number they present a great danger because they have no conscience. He explained to the students that although they may be small in number, armed with nuclear or biological weapons, just a few individuals could still kill hundreds of thousands of people.

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Ill. Prison Could Be Used For Terror Suspects

A White House official says the Obama administration could buy a prison in northwestern Illinois. to house a limited number of terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay.
The maximum security Thomson Correctional Center is located about 150 miles west of Chicago. It was completed in 2001 but has remained nearly empty due to state budget issues.

Ill. Gov. Quinn issued a statement Saturday saying only that members of the Obama administration will visit to see if Thomson can be put to better use by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Quinn is expected to talk about the matter Sunday.

via Ill. prison could be used for terror suspects – 11/14/09 – Chicago News – abc7chicago.com.

Terrorists Smuggle Fatwas Out of Secure Prisons – UK

According to the Times UK, some of Britain’s most dangerous Al-Qaeda leaders are promoting jihad from inside high-security prisons by smuggling out propaganda for the internet and finding recruits. In an authoritative report, Quilliam, a think tank funded by the Home Office, claims “mismanagement” by the Prison Service is helping Al Qaeda gain recruits and risks “strengthening jihadist movements”.

Abu Qatada, described by MI5 as “Osama Bin Laden’s right-hand man in Europe”, has published fatwas, religious rulings, on the internet from Long Lartin prison, in Worcestershire, calling for holy war and the murder of moderate Muslims, it reveals. Abu Doha, said to be Al-Qaeda’s main recruiter in Europe, has taken courses in Belmarsh prison, south London, enabling him to mentor other inmates.

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How To Survive A Pandemic or Chemical Attack – Surviving Disaster

According to the US government, a biological or chemical terrorist attack is highly likely to occur within the next four years. Will you be prepared?
This week on Surviving Disaster, a double feature, the world is under attack from terrorists with deadly nerve gas and a global pandemic threatens to kills millions.
Host Cade Courtley shows you how to survive.

The full length video is available this week online.

You can watch it here.

Each full episode of this show is available for on week after its on-air premiere. Episodes are added immediately following their premiere date. After one full week of online availability each episode is taken down for one month. After the month has gone by the episode returns and is available for you to watch indefinitely.

Please be aware that selected full episodes and clips are only available for viewing on our site by users located within the United States and Canada.

Watch Video.

German Police Seek Terror Suspect In Afghanistan

Germany’s federal police are reported to have taken an unusual step of distributing posters in Afghanistan, warning of a German terrorism suspect thought to be hiding in one of the tribal areas.

Authorities have identified a 27-year-old German convert to Islam as the al-Qaida associate suspected of traveling to Afghanistan and planning to attack German targets

According to the report, red-framed posters have been placed in the capital Kabul and other Afghan cities, alerting people to the 27-year-old Muslim convert known as “Jan Sch.”, whom the poster describes as possibly “violent and armed”.

The Kazakhstan-born German from Saarland is believed to be hiding in the remote border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan and is suspected of having links to terror network Al-Qaida.

His targets could be German military bases or civilian reconstruction facilities, the report said.

The federal police (BKA) have aimed the posters at international forces in the war-torn country and have therefore put them up mostly at security checkpoints and facilities where foreigners work.

Jan Sch. is regarded by German anti-terrorism officials as part of the so-called “Sauerland group”, led by another convert, Fritz Gelowicz, who was caught along with three co-conspirators while planning a major terrorist attack in Germany in 2007.

via Sourcel.

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