International News

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Britain Facing 30 Terrorism Plots, Says Spy Chief (Reuters AlertNet) “Muslim extremists are plotting at least 30 major terrorist attacks in Britain and the threats may involve chemical and nuclear devices, the head of Britain’s domestic spy agency said,” according to Reuters. “Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of intelligence agency MI5, said young British Muslims were being groomed to become suicide bombers and her agents were tracking some 1,600 suspects, most of whom were British-born and linked to al Qaeda in Pakistan.… The threat was growing and affected other countries from ‘Spain to France to Canada and Germany’, she said.” [View article]

Mass Kidnapping in Iraq, Some Hostages Killed (New York Times) “Gunmen dressed in Iraqi police commando uniforms and driving vehicles with Interior Ministry markings rounded up dozens of people inside a government building in the heart of Baghdad on Tuesday and drove off with them in one of the most brazen mass kidnappings since a wave of sectarian abductions and killings became a feature of the war,” reports the New York Times. “About 70 of the captives were released on Tuesday night and Wednesday” and told officials that some hostages had been “abused and slain,” reports the Associated Press. Many more were still being held. [View Times article] [View AP article]

Britain Says Kenya Corruption Invites Terrorists (Yahoo! News) “Top-to-bottom corruption in Kenya has heightened the East African nation’s vulnerability to terrorism and made it an increasingly popular route for drug-traffickers, a senior British official [Foreign Office Minister of State Kim Howells] said,” according to Reuters. “‘This weakness has been recognized by drug-traffickers and probably by terrorists too,’ Howells [said] during a visit to” Kenya. “Howells said the rise of an Islamist movement in neighboring Somalia this year had heightened the risk to Kenya.” [View article]

Thai Govt. Tries to Quell Muslim Insurgency (Yahoo! News) Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s “promise to eradicate injustice against Muslims comes amid fears that many will join groups that are believed to want a homeland independent from the predominantly Buddhist country,” reports the Associated Press. “Since taking office Oct. 1, the ex-army commander has apologized for the wrongdoing of the former government, joined in dialogues with hundreds of Muslim youth, revived a once-effective organization for settling local conflicts and even announced that he would support the limited enforcement of Islamic law in Muslim-dominated provinces.… Surayud’s policies have won praise from the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world’s largest Muslim political bloc. But the prime minister said he does not expect that a conflict whose roots go back a century can be easily resolved.” [View article]

Somalia’s Islamic Militia Ready to Talk (New York Times) “The Islamic movement that controls the capital [Mogadishu] and most of Somalia’s south said Monday it was ready to resume peace talks with the war-battered East African nation’s weak government providing [that] Ethiopian troops return home first,” reports the Associated Press. “Meanwhile, hundreds of militiamen loyal to the transitional government were massing in central town of Galkayo which the Islamic courts militia fighters were expected to try to seize as they expand territory under their control … Ethiopia denies it has troops in Somalia backing government-allied forces and says it has only a few hundred military advisers in the country. Peace talks between the Islamic movement and the government collapsed in October, with the Islamists saying the Ethiopian troops’ presence made the peace initiative untenable and insisting they return home.” [View article]

Indonesian Islamists Seek to Isolate Pro–bin Laden Radicals (Washington Post) “Southeast Asia’s biggest militant organization is apparently seeking to rein in its radical wing and invoke Islamic law against the indiscriminate anti-Western attacks demanded by Osama bin Laden,” reports Reuters. “… Web sites and other forums affiliated with the Jemaah Islamiah network now feature religious tracts that call into question a 1998 decree from bin Laden that Muslims must hit Western targets worldwide in defense of their faith.… a split within the movement into mainstream and pro-bombing factions … dates at least from the first Bali resort blast in 2002 and picked up speed through three subsequent suicide attacks.… JI’s radical wing … used the so-called bin Laden fatwa to justify the four bombings—two in Bali and two in Jakarta. It also relied on al Qaeda for some initial financing, but how the relationship developed after that is in dispute.” [View article]

Iran Grooms a Successor for bin Laden (London Daily Telegraph) “Iran is trying to form an unholy alliance with al-Qa’eda by grooming a new generation of leaders to take over from Osama bin Laden,” the Daily Telegraph reported. “Western intelligence officials say the Iranians are determined to take advantage of bin Laden’s declining health to promote senior officials who are known to be friendly to Teheran.… intelligence officials have been most alarmed by reports from Iran that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is trying to persuade al-Qa’eda to promote a pro-Iranian activist to a senior position within its leadership.” [View article]

U.S. Is Top Purveyor on Weapons Sales List (Boston Globe) “The United States last year provided nearly half of the weapons sold to militaries in the developing world, as major arms sales to the most unstable regions—many already engaged in conflict—grew to the highest level in eight years, new US government figures show,” reports the Boston Globe. “According to the annual assessment” by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, “the United States supplied $8.1 billion worth of weapons to developing countries in 2005—45.8 percent of the total and far more than second-ranked Russia with 15 percent and Britain with a little more than 13 percent. Arms control specialists said the figures underscore how the largely unchecked arms trade to the developing world has become a major staple of the American weapons industry, even though introducing many of the weapons risks fueling conflicts rather than aiding long-term US interests.” [View article] [View CRS report]

Plutonium Found in Iran Waste Facility (WMAR-TV, Baltimore) “International Atomic Energy [Agency] experts have found unexplained plutonium and highly enriched uranium traces in a nuclear waste facility in Iran and have asked Tehran for an explanation, an [agency] report said Tuesday,” according to the Associated Press. “The report … also faulted Tehran for not cooperating with the agency’s attempts to investigate suspicious aspects of Iran’s nuclear program that have [led] to fears [that] it might be interested in developing nuclear arms. And it said it could not confirm Iranian claims that its nuclear activities were exclusively nonmilitary unless Tehran increased its openness.” In recent statements, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad “appeared to indicate that Iran was on the verge of proficiency in the whole cycle of nuclear fuel—from extracting uranium ore to enriching it and producing nuclear fuel.” [View article]

Al-Jazeera Begins Worldwide English Broadcasts (BBC) “The Arabic television news channel al-Jazeera” on Wednesday “launched its new English-language station … broadcasting from the station’s headquarters in Doha, Qatar,” reports the British Broadcasting Corporation. “Al-Jazeera in Arabic is known for its forthright style, frank journalism and willingness to discuss taboo issues. This has made it a thorn in the side of governments from Washington to Riyadh [Saudi Arabia].” [View article]

Canada Plans Biometric Card for Transport Workers Canada’s Transport Ministry plans to amend the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations to support implementation of the new Restricted Area Identity Card by Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. Following a 15-day comment period that began November 11, the new card system would be deployed at 29 major airports for 120,000 aviation workers by December 31. [View press release]

Britain’s Senior Police Officer ‘to Be Cleared’ of Wrongdoing in Accidental Shooting (London Times) “Sir Ian Blair, Britain’s most senior police officer, is set to be cleared of serious wrongdoing by an official inquiry into the killing of an innocent Brazilian man in south London last year,” reports the London Times. “The beleaguered Metropolitan police commissioner is expected to be exonerated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on the central charge that he lied to the public over the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.… The IPCC will this week complete its final investigation report into the fiasco, which led to claims of a cover-up at Scotland Yard and calls for Blair’s resignation.” [View article]

Indonesian Islamic Clerics Say Bush Isn’t Welcome (Yahoo! News) “President Bush is not welcome to visit Jakarta … because his policies have hurt Muslims … [the Indonesian Council of Ulemas] representing Islamic clerics in Indonesia says,” according to Reuters. “Bush will visit Indonesia, the world’s most populous Islamic nation, on November 20 on a brief stopover after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam.” [View article]

Al-Qaeda’s Chief in Iraq Says He Has 12,000 Fighters (Yahoo! News) “The head of Al-Qaeda’s Iraq branch, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, has said he has mobilized 12,000 fighters for a self-styled ‘Islamic state of Iraq,’ in an audio message posted on the Internet” on November 10, reports Agence France-Presse. “… The authenticity of the message attributed to Muhajer could not be independently confirmed.” [View article]

Senior al-Qaeda Leader Captured in Afghanistan (CNN) “A senior al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan [Abu Nasir al-Qahtani]who escaped last year from Bagram prison has been captured,” reports CNN. “… al-Qahtani was among six people arrested last Monday during a raid by coalition and Afghan forces in Khost province … A coalition military press release issued at the time of al-Qahtani’s arrest described him only as a ‘known al Qaeda terrorist.’” [View article]

Tsunami False Alarm Showcases Alert System (Seattle Times; International Herald Tribune; Reuters AlertNet; Malaysia Star) “A powerful undersea earthquake prompted tsunami warnings Wednesday for Japan, Russia and Alaska, but the danger passed after a series of tiny waves hit the northern Japanese coast,” report the Associated Press and the Christian Science Monitor. “Still, the event served as a useful test of Japan’s sophisticated early-warning system and of its civil-defense emergency procedures designed to speedily remove people from low-lying coastal areas.” Five-foot waves struck the harbor in Crescent City, CA, causing damage but no injuries, reports the Associated Press. The alert in Japan prompted evacuations in the Philippines: “Hundreds of residents of coastal towns in northern and central Philippines evacuated on Thursday despite official assurances that there was no threat of a tsunami following a major quake in the north Pacific,” reports Reuters. Also, “Thailand plans to install the region’s first tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean basin in the coming weeks,” reports the Associated Press. [View Times article] [View Tribune article] [View Reuters article] [View Star article]

U.S. and Mexico Strengthen Pandemic Flu Preparedness The United States and Mexico agreed Tuesday to boost cooperation on pandemic influenza preparedness among the six Mexican states and four U.S. states that share the international boundary. The two nations will coordinate preparedness efforts, domestic and international disease surveillance activities, and response planning for a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza. [View press release]

New this week in the Journal of Homeland Security In Guests of the Ayatollah, Mark Bowden describes the November 4, 1979, takeover of the American embassy in Tehran, Iran, and the 444 days during which most of the staff was held hostage, as the crisis was lived by those who experienced it. Analytic Services Senior Editor Steve Dunham reviews the book.

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National News

Airport Arrest Turns Up Nuclear Info (USA Today) “A man was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after officials say they found him carrying more than $78,000 in cash and a laptop computer containing information about nuclear materials and cyanide,” reports the Associated Press. “Sisayehiticha Dinssa, an unemployed U.S. citizen, was arrested Tuesday after a dog caught the scent of narcotics on cash he was carrying.” [View article]

U.S. Says Foreigners May Be Arrested on Suspicion and Held Indefinitely (Washington Post) “Immigrants arrested in the United States may be held indefinitely on suspicion of terrorism and may not challenge their imprisonment in civilian courts, the Bush administration argued [on Monday], opening a new legal front in the fight over the rights of detainees,” reports the Associated Press. “In documents filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond [VA], the Justice Department said a new anti-terrorism law being used to hold detainees at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, also applies to foreigners captured and held in the United States.” [View article]

Disaster Drills: Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect (Government Executive) “Michael J. Hopmeier, a former adviser to the surgeon general and now president of the consulting firm Unconventional Concepts Inc., … and others say many preparedness exercises are not nearly as valuable as advertised, or as they could be,” reports Government Executive. “Simply holding them is not sufficient; the exercises must be evaluated to ensure they are testing the system enough to expose vulnerabilities and problems that must then be repaired.” The article cites the 2004 Hurricane Pam drill that did not expose the system’s flaws that would be revealed by Hurricane Katrina the following year, and notes that the Top Officials (“Topoff”) series “is a lightning rod for criticism.” [View article]

High Fraud Rate With Religious Worker Visas (USA Today) “Federal agents on Wednesday arrested 29 people, mostly Pakistanis, who allegedly posed as Muslim religious workers to obtain special visas to enter the USA,” reports USA Today. “… The visas allow a legal visitor to work only in a religion-related job for a limited time, generally no more than three years.… In a report released in July, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services said the religious-worker classification was ‘historically considered to have a high fraud rate.’” [View article]

Critical Infrastructure Protection Councils’ Progress: A Mixed Bag “All 17 critical infrastructure sectors have established their respective government councils, and nearly all sectors have initiated their voluntary private sector councils in response to the” National Infrastructure Protection Plan, reports the Government Accountability Office. “Council activities have ranged from getting organized to refining infrastructure protection strategies.” Some “sectors still need to identify their most critical assets across their sectors, assess their risks, and agree on protective measures.” [View abstract]

New Test Could Help Nip Flu Pandemic (Denver Post) “A new $10 flu test, developed at the University of Colorado at Boulder, can identify a flu strain within hours—providing a key tool to quickly recognize avian flu and any emerging pandemic,” reports the Denver Post. “… A quick test would help doctors know whether to send patients home … or isolate them, administer anti-viral drugs to recent contacts and alert public health authorities.… Tests currently used to identify flu strains take one or two weeks … The new test—dubbed the MChip—takes about 11 hours and is very accurate, according to peer-reviewed results published online this week in the journal Analytical Chemistry.” [View article]

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DHS News

DHS Will Rate Intl. Travelers by Risk (Government Computer News) Using the Homeland Security Department’s Automated Targeting System, “terrorism risk assessments will be assigned to any individuals seeking to enter or leave the United States,” reports Government Computer News. “… The records are excluded from public review and maintained for up to 40 years.” [View article] [View DHS announcement]

DHS Inspector General Will Examine IT Security, Program Management, and Procurement Practices (Federal Computer Week) “The Homeland Security Department’s information technology security, program management and procurement practices will be among the prime targets of the department’s inspector general during fiscal 2007, according to the IG’s recently published annual performance plan,” reports Federal Computer Week. The Inspector General’s Office “identified 17 areas as posing the most serious management challenges for DHS.” [View article]

Changing Security Rules May Snarl Thanksgiving Air Travel (Baltimore Sun) “Airport security rules for toiletries and other liquids have changed twice since summer,” reports the Sun. “Many infrequent fliers don’t know them. Transportation Security Administration screeners don’t seem to apply them evenly. And the government, airports and the airlines don’t have a uniform plan to aid the 25 million that are expected to fly in the days surrounding Thanksgiving.” The TSA current list contains 63 items permitted aboard airliners and 73 prohibited items. Pudding, yes. Gasoline, no. And leave the cattle prod back at the ranch. [View article]

Coast Guard Collects Biometric Data on Illegal Migrants The Coast Guard on Monday began collecting biometric information from illegal migrants interdicted while attempting to enter U.S. territory through the body of water between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico known as the Mona Passage. The Coast Guard will compare the digital fingerprints and photographs of illegal migrants against the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) database, which includes information about wanted criminals, immigration violators, and those who previously encountered government authorities. [View press release] [View Focus on US-VISIT]

‘Pre-Positioned Contracts’ Are Key to FEMA Hurricane Response (Government Executive) The Federal Emergency Management Agency “has put in place individual assistance, public assistance and technical assistance contracts, [as well as] purchasing methods for tarps, tents, water, ice and others,” the agency’s Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Acquisition Officer told Government Executive. “… At the time of a disaster, you don’t want to be sitting there going, ‘What are our payment terms and conditions? Do you have the number of people you need cleared?’ You want to be able to have people up and ready who can respond.” [View article]

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State and Local News

State and Local Homeland Security Efforts Grow (Federal Computer Week) “State and local governments” are taking on more “responsibility to protect and serve the local public in a crisis,” according to a three-part report in Federal Computer Week.

[View article]

Dallas Suburb Passes Anti-Immigration Measures (Washington Times) A Dallas suburb—Farmers Branch—“became the first Texas city to pass tough anti-immigration measures, prompting fears they could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism,” reports the Associated Press. “City Council members unanimously approved fines for landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, making English the city’s official language and allowing local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to check their immigration status.… Attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a civil rights advocacy group, told council members before the vote that the proposals could violate federal housing laws preventing discrimination and [violate] the First Amendment.… More than 50 municipalities nationwide have considered, passed or rejected similar laws [see the Nov. 3 newsletter], but until now that trend hasn’t been matched in” Texas. [View article]

Nevada Town Restricts Language, Benefits, Flags (Carson City Nevada Appeal) Pahrump, NV, has “adopted an ordinance declaring English the official language, restricting the display of foreign flags and denying town benefits to illegal immigrants,” reports the Associated Press. “… Town Manager David Richards called the English Language and Patriot Reaffirmation ordinance a statement that ‘everyone should speak English, and if you are going to move here then you ought to respect the American flag and fly it in prominence.’ … Town business is already conducted in English, the ordinance regulating the display of flags won’t be enforced, and the town has no real ‘benefits’ to take away because public aid is administered by the state or the county.” [View article]

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Dual-Benefit Solutions

Air Force Will Create Cyber Command (Federal Computer Week) The Air Force plans “to create a Cyber Command to bring full-scale military operations to cyberspace, although no one knows if the tactics and policies that the Defense Department uses to wage war will be effective on the cyber battlefield,” reports Federal Computer Week. “… the new command will coordinate offensive and defensive network and electronic warfare and raise the importance of cyberspace as a warfighting terrain. Its military objective would be to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum and defend the country’s critical infrastructure” and “work to defeat terrorists by disrupting their radio-controlled improvised explosive devices, the satellite communications they use for planning attacks and the Web sites they create for training and recruiting. Homeland security will be a big part of the command’s responsibilities, which will include protection of telecommunications systems, utilities and transportation.… The Cyber Command will also offer forces to joint force component commanders for network warfare; global strike and integration tasks; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities … Countries such as China have been trying to extricate information from U.S. networks for more than a decade” (see the Quote of the Week) and “Chinese attacks on [Defense Dept.] networks are on the upswing, and China is now the United States’ peer competitor in cyberspace.” [View article]

Dual-benefit news archive

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Private-Sector News

TSA Contracts to Upgrade Explosives Detectors (Government Computer News) “The Transportation Security Administration has awarded a contract worth $40 million to L-3 Communications Inc. for a refresh of the agency’s explosive detection systems,” reports Government Computer News. “The new order contains software and hardware upgrades that will enable airports to make existing eXaminer 3DX systems comparable to new systems. The eXaminer 3DX uses multi-slice computer tomography imaging technology that provides 3-D imaging to scan entire objects.” [View article]

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Education

The Homeland Security Institute lists these education programs as a service to readers who may be interested; it does not endorse them or their courses. New education listings are posted for four weeks.

Mirror Image (December 10-15 and January 14-19; Moyock, NC) Mirror Image is an intensive, one-week classroom and field training program, designed to realistically simulate terrorist recruiting, training techniques, and operational tactics. Participants will receive insight into the mindset and rationale of the terrorist through hands-on experience with the methods and means they use, plus education about the ideologies that motivate them and cultural dimensions that influence their decision making. [View course website] Executive MS in Crisis and Emergency Management (January; University of Nevada, Las Vegas) The university is offering an Executive Master of Science Degree in Crisis and Emergency Management beginning in January 2007. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and ability to apply important competencies for addressing natural, intentional, and technical disasters. The degree program lasts about 18 months, requires successful completion of 12 three-credit courses, and offers a combined in-class and distance-learning environment. [View course website]

Upcoming Events

New Events (After four weeks, new events will be moved to the list below, in chronological order) Framing Counterterrorism: Comparing Perspectives and Goals (November 28; Washington, DC) The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) is sponsoring this event to explore the frameworks used to shape counterterrorism strategies. The panel discussion will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, in the Murrow Room on the 13th floor. RSVP to infostart@start.umd.edu. Security and Intelligence at Home (December 6-7, 2006; College Park, MD) An in-depth look at what’s driving innovation in domestic security and intelligence and how these innovations can be shared and enhanced. Panel sessions moderated by experts will discuss state, local, and private-sector partnerships; the intelligence role of citizen volunteers; challenges facing state, local, and tribal entities; barriers to information sharing; globalization and its impact on domestic security; and the private sector and 21st-century intelligence. [View conference website] 2007 Railway Security Forum & Expo (January 22-23; Arlington, VA) The forum will address best practices, passenger screening, fusion centers, security standardization, tunnel operations, container security, tracking and tracing technology, hazmat security, and more. The expo will feature security technology providers. [View conference website] Maritime & Port Security 2007 (January 22-23; Arlington, VA) The conference, held in conjunction with the Railway Security Forum & Expo, will look at the SAFE Port Act, new international requirements, and other issues. It will feature presentations by industry professionals with practical experience in today’s maritime and port security environment. [View conference website] Cyber Security Challenges and Solutions (January 30; Washington, DC) This forum sponsored by the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection is an opportunity for experts from different constituencies to develop a mutual understanding of vulnerabilities across sectors and to increase awareness of risks. Participants will discuss current cyber-security vulnerabilities, threats, and challenges, see demonstrated approaches and solutions to real-world process control systems and economic security challenges facing our country, and hear about future I3P research initiatives. [View conference website] Homeland Security Innovation Conference (February 21–23; Charleston, SC) This third annual conference showcases the Charleston area as a model community for public-private partnerships, technological advances, and business opportunities for homeland security and business continuity planning. A pre-conference day of behind-the-scenes VIP tours is followed by two days of expert presentations, political leaders’ reports, product exhibits, and networking opportunities. For more information, contact Jill Galmarini, (843) 805-3015 or jgalmarini@charlestonchamber.org. [View conference website] Sayres Response 2 Terrorism (April 11-12; San Pedro, CA) An intensive conference, featuring an international roster of distinguished counter-terrorism professionals with special focus on the asymmetric maritime threat. For conference reservations, logistics and more information, contact Linda Grimes, (310) 732-0010, or Linda.Grimes@sayresandassociates.com. [View conference website]

November 21-23, Helsinki, Finland: Information Society Technologies 2006

December 3-6; Baltimore: Society for Risk Analysis

December 12; Cincinnati: First Joint Critical Infrastructure Protection Conference

February 6-7; Washington, DC: Homeland Security: The Ripple Effect

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Calls for Papers

New Calls for Papers Cascading Infrastructure Failures: Avoidance and Response (May 16, 2007; Washington, DC) The Spring Research Symposium, sponsored by the Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance, welcomes papers on “Facility/System Real-World Cascading Failure Case Studies,” “Multiple-Hazards and Vulnerable Intersections,” “Infrastructure Interdependency Assessment and Modeling,” and “Cascading Failure Solutions.” The deadline for submitting abstracts is December 8. [View conference website]

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