China seeks to ease tension after H-bomb claim by DPRK
Friday, December 11, 2015
Nuclear security
China seeks to ease tension after H-bomb claim by DPRK
Beijing called on Thursday for constructive efforts to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula .The appeal came after a report said the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea 's top leader Kim Jong-un had announced that his country is capable of detonating a hydrogen bomb .The DPRK has turned into "a powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonate (a ) self-reliant A-bomb and H-bomb to reliably defend its sovereignty and the dignity of the nation ", the official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday , quoting Kim .Kim made the remarks while inspecting a historical military site . Previously , the DPRK has said its pursuit of nuclear weapons stems from a "hostile US policy " toward the nation .
China seeks to ease tension after H-bomb claim by DPRK
Politics
Europe Has Plenty of Its Own Donald Trumps
Europe has been shocked and outraged by Donald Trump's call to exclude Muslims from migration to the U.S. A petition to have him banned from the U.K. gained 200,000 signatures, more than enough to force Britain's parliament to consider a debate on the issue. Yet what Trump had to say should feel outrageously familiar.
Europe Has Plenty of Its Own Donald Trumps
Europe has been shocked and outraged by Donald Trump's call to exclude Muslims from migration to the U.S. A petition to have him banned from the U.K. gained 200,000 signatures, more than enough to force Britain's parliament to consider a debate on the issue. Yet what Trump had to say should feel outrageously familiar.
Populist bigotry about Muslims has already mainstreamed in Europe. Europeans haven't been outraged enough about that.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Mass media security
Turkish Author Elif Shafak: 'We've Forgotten How to Laugh'
Words are heavy in Turkey, and every writer, every poet and every journalist knows that, because of a word, because of a sentence, because of a tweet or even a retweet, you can be sued, you can be demonized by the media and you can even land in prison. So when we write, we write with this knowledge in the back of our minds. And if someone says: I am not affected by this, I would not believe that person. The truth is: nobody can escape this pressure. And as a result, there is a lot of self-censorship. When I am writing political op-eds, yes I do think carefully about the impact of my words. When I am writing fiction, it's a different story. In my fiction I am more reckless. I don't care about the real world until I am done with the book.
Turkish Author Elif Shafak: 'We've Forgotten How to Laugh'
Words are heavy in Turkey, and every writer, every poet and every journalist knows that, because of a word, because of a sentence, because of a tweet or even a retweet, you can be sued, you can be demonized by the media and you can even land in prison. So when we write, we write with this knowledge in the back of our minds. And if someone says: I am not affected by this, I would not believe that person. The truth is: nobody can escape this pressure. And as a result, there is a lot of self-censorship. When I am writing political op-eds, yes I do think carefully about the impact of my words. When I am writing fiction, it's a different story. In my fiction I am more reckless. I don't care about the real world until I am done with the book.Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Middle East
Russia 'refuses to rule out use of nuclear weapons in fight against ISIS'
President Vladimir Putin eluded to the stance during an interview yesterday after the country’s Defence Minister confirmed the first ever cruise missiles strikes launched from a submarine in the Caspian Sea had successfully struck targets in Raqqa.
Russia 'refuses to rule out use of nuclear weapons in fight against ISIS'
President Vladimir Putin eluded to the stance during an interview yesterday after the country’s Defence Minister confirmed the first ever cruise missiles strikes launched from a submarine in the Caspian Sea had successfully struck targets in Raqqa.
During the encounter broadcast on state television Sergei Shoigu said Calibre missiles were launched from the Rostov-on-Don submarine in the Mediterranean.
Mr Putin then added that the missiles can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads “which, I hope, will never be needed”, he said.
His warning came as Russia stepped up its barrage on Syrian rebels with the submarine strikes and bombing raids in the air.
Electoral battles
It’s not chaos. It’s Trump’s campaign strategy.
He referred to Mexicans as “rapists,” questioned Sen. John McCain’s status as a war hero, ridiculed the physical appearance of his opponents, falsely claimed that “thousands” in New Jersey cheered as the World Trade Center fell and, this week, called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
It’s not chaos. It’s Trump’s campaign strategy.
He referred to Mexicans as “rapists,” questioned Sen. John McCain’s status as a war hero, ridiculed the physical appearance of his opponents, falsely claimed that “thousands” in New Jersey cheered as the World Trade Center fell and, this week, called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
Despite predictions that such searing, divisive rhetoric and the resulting outcry would cripple his campaign, Donald Trump’s insults and controversial proposals have propelled him to the forefront of the 2016 presidential race — and kept him there.
And while it may seem like a lurching, chaotic campaign, Trump is, for the most part, a disciplined and methodical candidate, according to a Washington Post review of the businessman’s speeches, interviews and thousands of tweets and retweets over the past six months.
Terror threat
FBI director: U.S. facing greatest threat from terrorist groups since 9/11
FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday that the U.S. is at its greatest threat level from terrorist groups since 9/11.
Comey shared the information at a Senate FBI oversight hearing after Sen. Lindsey Graham questioned him on his agency's knowledge of terrorism.
"Do you agree with the following statement: There are more terrorist organizations with men, equipment and safe havens, along with desire to attack the American homeland, anytime since 9/11?" the South Carolina Republican asked.
"I agree," Comey said.
Combating extremism
ISIS, Muslims and the West
Current models of multiculturalism and assimilation require an urgent review, as do policy and state behaviour in Europe - especially France. At the same time, Muslim communities have to find ways of effectively tackling the widely reported youth radicalisation. Many non-practising but disillusioned Western Muslims were lured online by utopian solutions provided by groups like the ISIS, and the internet is undoubtedly a huge space to regulate.
ISIS, Muslims and the West
Current models of multiculturalism and assimilation require an urgent review, as do policy and state behaviour in Europe - especially France. At the same time, Muslim communities have to find ways of effectively tackling the widely reported youth radicalisation. Many non-practising but disillusioned Western Muslims were lured online by utopian solutions provided by groups like the ISIS, and the internet is undoubtedly a huge space to regulate.
Military
There has been much sensational media attention over Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to shore up Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, withhints that it could even be the start of a second Afghanistan for Russia. But there are strong incentives for Russia to fight in a limited role in Syria. TheNew York Times recently highlighted this, detailing how Russia under Putin has been keen on advancing its military prowess and Syria has therefore become Russia’s proving ground. In this sense, the invasion of Ukraine and intervention in Syria are no mistake, but rather stepping stones toward a larger Russian strategic goal.
Russia's Military Is Catching Up to the West by Fighting in Syria
There has been much sensational media attention over Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to shore up Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, withhints that it could even be the start of a second Afghanistan for Russia. But there are strong incentives for Russia to fight in a limited role in Syria. TheNew York Times recently highlighted this, detailing how Russia under Putin has been keen on advancing its military prowess and Syria has therefore become Russia’s proving ground. In this sense, the invasion of Ukraine and intervention in Syria are no mistake, but rather stepping stones toward a larger Russian strategic goal.
Arms trade
Weapons Makers Caught On Tape Celebrating The Financial Benefits Of ISIS And Syrian War
At a Credit Suisse conference in West Palm Beach this week, representatives from major defense contractors spoke to their investors about how well business was going in these times of global war. Representatives from top firms like Raytheon, Oshkosh, and Lockheed Martin were in attendance, in somewhat of a celebration of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and Africa.
Weapons Makers Caught On Tape Celebrating The Financial Benefits Of ISIS And Syrian War
At a Credit Suisse conference in West Palm Beach this week, representatives from major defense contractors spoke to their investors about how well business was going in these times of global war. Representatives from top firms like Raytheon, Oshkosh, and Lockheed Martin were in attendance, in somewhat of a celebration of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and Africa.
Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President Bruce Tanner gave a speech openly praising the “indirect” benefits that defense contractors would see as a result of the war in Syria. A portion of his speech was captured on audio by someone inside and shared widely on the Internet hours after the conference.
In the audio that was captured, Tanner discussed the many recent troubles in the Middle East, with an escalation of conflict in Syria and Turkey. He pointed out how these conflicts would lead to increased sales for their company.
Combating extremism
To Thwart Radicalisation, France Is Tightening Security
Nearly 60 people suspected of Islamist radicalism have had their security clearances to work at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport revoked. The 86,000 individuals who have security permits allowing them to work in secure sites, including infrastructure facilities and airports, are to be re-examined. New criteria is to be added to the requirements for eligibility, including the “appreciation of radicalisation” as a contributing “problem in terms of security and safety.” These stringent measures were brought in following the January 2015 attacks on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.
To Thwart Radicalisation, France Is Tightening Security
Nearly 60 people suspected of Islamist radicalism have had their security clearances to work at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport revoked. The 86,000 individuals who have security permits allowing them to work in secure sites, including infrastructure facilities and airports, are to be re-examined. New criteria is to be added to the requirements for eligibility, including the “appreciation of radicalisation” as a contributing “problem in terms of security and safety.” These stringent measures were brought in following the January 2015 attacks on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.
Human trafficking
Turkey Cracking Down On Refugee Smuggling
Turkey Cracking Down On Refugee Smuggling
At least one of Turkey’s border is now being controlled more tightly. Following an agreement with the European Union, Turkey is cracking down on people smuggling and curbing the flow of refugees to Greece.
Three smugglers and 1,300 Afghans, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians were apprehended near Ayvacık, a Turkish town to the north of the Greek island of Lesbos on 30 November.
The UN reports that 425,000 people were smuggled from Turkey to Lesbos this year alone, and 300,000 more to other Greek islands. The EU has been highly critical of Turkey for not doing enough to stem the flow of refugees through its borders.
On 29 November, the EU has pledged over $3 billion to Turkey in exchange for tightening border security and stemming the flow of refugees.
Trump style immigration control
Seems there is not a single country where Muslims would not show their true colors… But no! There is such a country. It’s one of the most developed countries on Earth, and its democratic nature is recognized worldwide, a true ally of the USA and a member of NATO. However, with all this, there was not a single terrorist attack perpetrated by Muslims in this country. Moreover, there was not a single, even minor, riot, disturbance or protest, no matter how many citizens of this country support cartoons of the prophet Muhammad published in some Danish newspaper or in a French magazine.
ISLAMIC TERRORISM: WHY THERE IS NONE IN JAPAN
Seems there is not a single country where Muslims would not show their true colors… But no! There is such a country. It’s one of the most developed countries on Earth, and its democratic nature is recognized worldwide, a true ally of the USA and a member of NATO. However, with all this, there was not a single terrorist attack perpetrated by Muslims in this country. Moreover, there was not a single, even minor, riot, disturbance or protest, no matter how many citizens of this country support cartoons of the prophet Muhammad published in some Danish newspaper or in a French magazine.
...Officially, immigration to Japan is not closed to Muslims. But the number of the immigration permits given to the applicants from Islamic countries is very low. Obtaining a working visa is not easy for adepts of Islam, even if they are physicians, engineers and managers sent by foreign companies that are active in the region. As a result, Japan is “a country without Muslims”.
Terror threat
President Obama on Sunday night said that it was “clear” that Tashfeen Malik and her husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, the two alleged assailants in the San Bernardino mass shooting, had “gone down the dark path of radicalization, embracing a perverted interpretation of Islam that calls for war against America and the West.” He did not speculate as to why people journey down that path or prescribe how the United States might deter, or detour, them. But a March report from Lebanon-based Quantum Communications provides some insight.
Why Do People Join ISIS? Here’s What They Say When You Ask Them
President Obama on Sunday night said that it was “clear” that Tashfeen Malik and her husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, the two alleged assailants in the San Bernardino mass shooting, had “gone down the dark path of radicalization, embracing a perverted interpretation of Islam that calls for war against America and the West.” He did not speculate as to why people journey down that path or prescribe how the United States might deter, or detour, them. But a March report from Lebanon-based Quantum Communications provides some insight.
Cyberwars
America’s secret arsenal
What's going on? The growth points to one of the most cutting-edge, but also obscure, realms of American military activity: its cyber strategy, and especially its strategy for cyber offense. The United States already has, most observers believe, the most powerful cyberattack capabilities in the world. Much less clear is just what its capacities actually are—and when the Department of Defense believes it should use them.
In conventional war, weapons and strategies are fairly well-understood; the international community has developed rules of the road for armed conflict. Even tactics wrapped in secrecy, such as covert military raids, are governed by some standards about when and how we use them.
America’s secret arsenal
In conventional war, weapons and strategies are fairly well-understood; the international community has developed rules of the road for armed conflict. Even tactics wrapped in secrecy, such as covert military raids, are governed by some standards about when and how we use them.
Electronic warfare
The United States is uniquely positioned to take advantage of current and next generation of electronic warfare technologies, but that’s not what we’re doing, say Clark and Gunzinger. In fact, a lack of “operational concepts” read that to mean coherent planning is holding the U.S. back, both in terms of acquiring technologies that are already fairly developed. “DoD’s lack of operational concepts that describe new [electromagnetic system] war-fighting methods and capabilities may be the most significant barrier to a shift into the competitive regime,” the authors write.
A Glimpse At Tomorrow’s Electromagnetic Spectrum Weapons
The United States is uniquely positioned to take advantage of current and next generation of electronic warfare technologies, but that’s not what we’re doing, say Clark and Gunzinger. In fact, a lack of “operational concepts” read that to mean coherent planning is holding the U.S. back, both in terms of acquiring technologies that are already fairly developed. “DoD’s lack of operational concepts that describe new [electromagnetic system] war-fighting methods and capabilities may be the most significant barrier to a shift into the competitive regime,” the authors write.
Transport security
Smiths Detection System Qualifies For Updated TSA List
The dual-view HI-SCAN 6040-2is X-ray inspection system from Smiths Detection, Inc. (SDI) has become its latest system to be accepted into the “Qualified” section of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL).
Smiths Detection System Qualifies For Updated TSA List
The dual-view HI-SCAN 6040-2is X-ray inspection system from Smiths Detection, Inc. (SDI) has become its latest system to be accepted into the “Qualified” section of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL).
The HI-SCAN 6040-2is is an advanced, dual-view X-ray inspection system which uses multiple views and sophisticated algorithms to indicate items that might be threats. It offers ACSTL “Category A” screening for smaller items, items that will later be in pallets, or break bulk cargo. It is designed to penetrate 35mm steel and is suitable for use in government buildings, hotels and other infrastructures where security checkpoints are required. It also has been approved for EU Standard 3 Type C (Liquid Explosive Detection System) use in airport checkpoints across Europe.
Border security
US clamps down on visa-waiver scheme
US clamps down on visa-waiver scheme
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to bar people who have visited Iraq and Syria in the past five years from a programme that allows visa-free entry to the US.
The measure, passed 407-19, is part of lawmakers’ efforts to improve domestic security after terrorist attacks that killed 130 people in Paris and 14 in San Bernardino, California. One of the San Bernardino attackers had come to the US on a fiancee visa but didn’t participate in the State Department’s visa waiver programme.
“We simply cannot give people from other countries special access to our country if we don’t have all the information we need to ensure they are not a threat to our national security,” said bill sponsor Candice Miller, a Michigan Republican. “Obviously the world is a very different place” than when the visa waiver programme was created, she said.
Сounterinsurgency
Growing Terrorist Threat Requires New U.S. Investments in Counter-IED Capabilities
Once upon a time, the U.S. military thought it was pretty much through having to deal with large scale, protracted counterinsurgency operations. That is what it was told by the Pentagon in the 2010 Defense Strategic Guidance and the 2012 Quadrennial Defense Review. It followed that no more counterinsurgencies meant a significantly reduced danger from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the singular threat that confronted U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. At one time during the U.S. military involvement in those two countries, IEDs were responsible for more than 60 percent of U.S. casualties. A massive, focused effort, centered on the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), was able to reduce the IED threat by more than half. The post-Iraq/Afghanistan military didn’t see the need nor did it have the funds to invest in advanced counter-IED capabilities. JIEDDO was initially downsized and renamed the Joint IED Defeat Agency (JIDA), and there is an effort underway by some in Congress to bury the new organization within some larger entity.
Growing Terrorist Threat Requires New U.S. Investments in Counter-IED Capabilities
Once upon a time, the U.S. military thought it was pretty much through having to deal with large scale, protracted counterinsurgency operations. That is what it was told by the Pentagon in the 2010 Defense Strategic Guidance and the 2012 Quadrennial Defense Review. It followed that no more counterinsurgencies meant a significantly reduced danger from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the singular threat that confronted U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. At one time during the U.S. military involvement in those two countries, IEDs were responsible for more than 60 percent of U.S. casualties. A massive, focused effort, centered on the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), was able to reduce the IED threat by more than half. The post-Iraq/Afghanistan military didn’t see the need nor did it have the funds to invest in advanced counter-IED capabilities. JIEDDO was initially downsized and renamed the Joint IED Defeat Agency (JIDA), and there is an effort underway by some in Congress to bury the new organization within some larger entity. Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Navy
The US Navy’s advanced stealth warship USS Zumwalt began its first sea trials on Monday. The new destroyer cost over $4 billion to build, took several decades to construct from concept, and its design is not without controversy and potential risk.
USS Zumwalt Begins Sea Trials
The US Navy’s advanced stealth warship USS Zumwalt began its first sea trials on Monday. The new destroyer cost over $4 billion to build, took several decades to construct from concept, and its design is not without controversy and potential risk.
The Navy’s largest ever guided-missile destroyer, the USS Zumwalt, left the Bath Iron Works on the Kennebec river in Maine to test it sea worthiness.
Financial security
Technology is changing the face of banking
Supervisor of banks Dr. Hedva Ber told the the “Capital Market and Banking” session at the "Globes" Israel Business Conference that technology is changing the face of banking. She said, "The technological and digital revolution that has changed many areas of our lives, has also come to the world of financial services, including the banking industry. Various processes are taking place with great power in the banking and technology fields, and these are expected to have an impact in Israel as well."
Technology is changing the face of banking
Supervisor of banks Dr. Hedva Ber told the the “Capital Market and Banking” session at the "Globes" Israel Business Conference that technology is changing the face of banking. She said, "The technological and digital revolution that has changed many areas of our lives, has also come to the world of financial services, including the banking industry. Various processes are taking place with great power in the banking and technology fields, and these are expected to have an impact in Israel as well."
She continued, As part of this, bank customers are moving to direct banking and greatly reducing their visits to branches. Direct banking includes the Internet, banking via smartphones (mobile banking), and the increase in the use of ATMs.
Surveillance
To MI5 with love
SPOOKS, ministers and civil-rights picketers all agree on one thing: Britain’s barnacled surveillance laws need updating. Surprisingly, they have found other things to agree on, too. The publication of the Investigatory Powers Bill on November 4th was approached with trepidation: an earlier version, the so-called “snoopers’ charter” of 2012, produced screaming rows in government, and eventually foundered. This time there is consensus: rules for how much internet data spies, police and councils can collect from the public and what they can do with the information are to be set down more explicitly than ever before.
To MI5 with love
SPOOKS, ministers and civil-rights picketers all agree on one thing: Britain’s barnacled surveillance laws need updating. Surprisingly, they have found other things to agree on, too. The publication of the Investigatory Powers Bill on November 4th was approached with trepidation: an earlier version, the so-called “snoopers’ charter” of 2012, produced screaming rows in government, and eventually foundered. This time there is consensus: rules for how much internet data spies, police and councils can collect from the public and what they can do with the information are to be set down more explicitly than ever before.
Climate security
Storm Desmond: Six more inches of rain to come as thousands remain without power after severe flooding
Thousands of people who have fallen victim to Storm Desmond remain without power in the aftermath of serious flooding - and more rain is on the way.
The Met Office will keep its Yellow Warning in place throughout today, warning of a "danger to life" after record rainfall hit homes and businesses across the country.
Extreme weather conditions have claimed three lives, predominantly hitting northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
And six more inches of rain is expected to fall in the north in the next 24 hours, sparking fears of more devastation and disruption for those affected.
Middle East
Germany: Saudi Arabia Is Weakening The Middle East
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a leading German newspaper, reports that the BND is also concerned about Saudi Arabia’s “impulsive intervention policy” affecting regional stability.
Germany: Saudi Arabia Is Weakening The Middle East
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a leading German newspaper, reports that the BND is also concerned about Saudi Arabia’s “impulsive intervention policy” affecting regional stability.
The German intelligence agency is predominantly worried about the Saudi Arabia-led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War as of March 2015; Saudi Arabia is leading a group of nine Arab countries in support of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, against the Houthi tribal uprising in the country. Operation Decisive Storm has invited criticism from the global community on charges of creating a humanitarian crisis on the ground. The coalition’s military offensive ended April 2015, with Saudi Arabia calling for a change in focus “from the military operations to the political process”.
The BND is also reportedly unsettled that the kingdom’s rising tensions with Iran and the threat of proxy wars may prove to weaken the Middle East as a whole.
Public security
FBI: Both San Bernardino attackers ‘were radicalized and have been for quite some time’
FBI: Both San Bernardino attackers ‘were radicalized and have been for quite some time’
Authorities now believe that the two attackers who killed 14 people here last week had been radicalized for quite a while, an FBI official said Monday.
“Both subjects were radicalized and have been for quite some time,” David Bowdich, the assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles Field Office, said at a news conference.
Bowdich touched on the question of whether one of them guided the other down the path of radicalization, saying that police did not know yet when or how this might have occurred.
Immigration security
Trump calls for ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’
Trump calls for ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’
Donald Trump called Monday for a "total and complete shutdown" of the entry of Muslims to the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
In a statement released by his campaign Monday afternoon, Trump included recent poll findings that he says show that a sizable segment of the Muslim population has "great hatred towards Americans."
"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension," Trump is quoted as saying in the statement. "Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine.
Chemical & biosecurity
ISIS army of scientists set to wage chemical and biological war on West: Experts warn weapons of mass destruction 'have been carried undetected' into European Union
The terror organisation, also known as Daesh, “may be planning to try to use internationally banned weapons of mass destruction in future attacks” according to the European Parliament document compiled by its political analyst Beatrix Immenkamp in the wake of last month’s Paris attacks. Hundreds of experts with chemistry, physics and computer science degrees, who are capable of manufacturing deadly weapons from raw materials, are believed to be among the new recruits.
ISIS army of scientists set to wage chemical and biological war on West: Experts warn weapons of mass destruction 'have been carried undetected' into European Union
The terror organisation, also known as Daesh, “may be planning to try to use internationally banned weapons of mass destruction in future attacks” according to the European Parliament document compiled by its political analyst Beatrix Immenkamp in the wake of last month’s Paris attacks. Hundreds of experts with chemistry, physics and computer science degrees, who are capable of manufacturing deadly weapons from raw materials, are believed to be among the new recruits.
And a staggering 150 cases of nuclear or radiological trafficking are reported annually as ISIS continues to wage war against the West.
Terrorism
Women's involvement in terrorism growing, Calif. Case shows
Islamic State group propaganda is resonating with a growing and loyal following of young women and teenagers, complicating U.S. counterterrorism efforts to identify and monitor supporters such as Tashfeen Malik, the 29-year-old mother suspected in the California shootings along with her husband.
Women's involvement in terrorism growing, Calif. Case shows
Islamic State group propaganda is resonating with a growing and loyal following of young women and teenagers, complicating U.S. counterterrorism efforts to identify and monitor supporters such as Tashfeen Malik, the 29-year-old mother suspected in the California shootings along with her husband.
It's unusual for a woman to be involved in mass violence in the United States. But the increasing number of women drawn to IS is worrisome to American law enforcement and making it almost impossible to flag the prototypical recruit for investigation. Even harder to detect: a husband and wife team, like the one blamed for Wednesday's shootings in San Bernardino, that doesn't need to use a telephone to plot an attack.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Climate security
Earlier this year, the Pentagon released a detailed report on the security risks of global warming, concluding that “climate change will aggravate problems such as poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership and weak political institutions that threaten stability in a number of countries.” The intelligence community agrees: Former CIA Director Leon Panetta, current Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and current CIA Director John O. Brennan have all weighed in on climate-related political destabilization in resource-poor countries. In a report to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clapper’s office wrote that “extreme weather, climate change, and public policies that affect food and water supplies will probably create or exacerbate humanitarian crises and instability risks,” citing climate change as a potential cause of water scarcity in dry regions like the Middle East.
Growing Connection Between Climate Change, Terrorism Affects Politics
Earlier this year, the Pentagon released a detailed report on the security risks of global warming, concluding that “climate change will aggravate problems such as poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership and weak political institutions that threaten stability in a number of countries.” The intelligence community agrees: Former CIA Director Leon Panetta, current Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and current CIA Director John O. Brennan have all weighed in on climate-related political destabilization in resource-poor countries. In a report to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clapper’s office wrote that “extreme weather, climate change, and public policies that affect food and water supplies will probably create or exacerbate humanitarian crises and instability risks,” citing climate change as a potential cause of water scarcity in dry regions like the Middle East.
Treachery
72 DHS Employees on Terrorist Watch List
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D., Mass.) disclosed that a congressional investigation recently found that at least 72 people working at DHS also “were on the terrorist watch list.”
“Back in August, we did an investigation—the inspector general did—of the Department of Homeland Security, and they had 72 individuals that were on the terrorist watch list that were actually working at the Department of Homeland Security,” Lynch told Boston Public Radio.
“The [former DHS] director had to resign because of that,” he said.
DHS continues to fail inspections aimed at determining the efficiency of its internal safety mechanisms, as well as its efforts to protect the nation.
Views & opinions
Obama’s going to PARTY after his ‘solemn’ defense of ISLAM in ISIS speech tonight…
Our idiot-in-chief gave a speech largely in defense of Islam when it was supposed to be about the jihadist attack in San Bernardino, but he won’t let him stop his partying!!
But hey, we know that Obama is taking this terrorist threat seriously because he’s honoring the guy that gave us the Star Wars prequels tonight...
Obama’s going to PARTY after his ‘solemn’ defense of ISLAM in ISIS speech tonight…
Our idiot-in-chief gave a speech largely in defense of Islam when it was supposed to be about the jihadist attack in San Bernardino, but he won’t let him stop his partying!!But hey, we know that Obama is taking this terrorist threat seriously because he’s honoring the guy that gave us the Star Wars prequels tonight...
International security
Last week, Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, which triggered a furious response from the Kremlin. The Turkish military said it had issued ten warnings in five minutes prior to bringing down the Russian warplane. Experts are also wondering about Turkey’s reason for shooting down the Russian jet, especially considering the fact that Turkey violated Greek airspace over 1,400 times this year alone. A possible idea is that it could be Turkey’s revenge for Russian airstrikes on Turkmen rebels who share ethnic ties with Turkey, according to Zachary Yost of The Canal.
Should Americans Risk Their Lives For Turkey?
Last week, Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, which triggered a furious response from the Kremlin. The Turkish military said it had issued ten warnings in five minutes prior to bringing down the Russian warplane. Experts are also wondering about Turkey’s reason for shooting down the Russian jet, especially considering the fact that Turkey violated Greek airspace over 1,400 times this year alone. A possible idea is that it could be Turkey’s revenge for Russian airstrikes on Turkmen rebels who share ethnic ties with Turkey, according to Zachary Yost of The Canal.
The incident with Turkey – a NATO member state – and the Russian jet has already been called the most dangerous military encounter between NATO and Russia’s armed forces in over 50 years. Whatever the reason, it has already triggered an uproar in geopolitics with many wondering if this is the beginning of a major military confrontation between Russia and NATO with the involvement of the U.S.
Gun control
San Bernardino Shooting Reopens Gun Control Debate
Unsurprisingly, the incident has inspired widespread discussion regarding gun violence and gun laws in the U.S. President Barrack Obama has condemned Wednesday’s tragedy and called for more stringent rules regarding the issuance of firearms so that such incidents may be averted in the future. President Obama has voiced a popular concern that these shootings- in their nature and frequency- are almost unique to the United States. Commenting on the same, President Obama remarked, “We should never think that this is just something that just happens in the ordinary course of events because it doesn’t happen with the same frequency in other countries.”
San Bernardino Shooting Reopens Gun Control Debate
Unsurprisingly, the incident has inspired widespread discussion regarding gun violence and gun laws in the U.S. President Barrack Obama has condemned Wednesday’s tragedy and called for more stringent rules regarding the issuance of firearms so that such incidents may be averted in the future. President Obama has voiced a popular concern that these shootings- in their nature and frequency- are almost unique to the United States. Commenting on the same, President Obama remarked, “We should never think that this is just something that just happens in the ordinary course of events because it doesn’t happen with the same frequency in other countries.”
Terror threat
Obama tries to ease anxiety over terrorism with Oval Office address
President Obama said Sunday that the threat of terrorism to the United States has evolved into a new phase in the wake of recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., but he vowed that the nation will ultimately defeat the Islamic State and other militant groups.
Obama tries to ease anxiety over terrorism with Oval Office address
President Obama said Sunday that the threat of terrorism to the United States has evolved into a new phase in the wake of recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., but he vowed that the nation will ultimately defeat the Islamic State and other militant groups.
“The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it,” Obama said during a 14-minute Oval Office address. Using an acronym for the group, he declared: “We will destroy ISIL.”
Obama, who has struggled to calm public fears, hoped the rare prime-time address would help reassure an uneasy nation after a series of deadly terrorist attacks. Aides said he made the decision to speak directly to the nation — only the third time he has used the Oval Office for such a speech — late last week and worked on his remarks through the weekend.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Corruption
The Clinton Files: Those White House Coffee Klatsches
Between Jan. 1, 1995 and Aug. 23, 1996, some 1,500 people were invited to the White House for coffee sessions with President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Vice President Al Gore. The coffees were a fundraising scheme hatched by Clinton’s longtime political adviser Dick Morris, and may have raised more than $3.5 million for the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton/Gore re-election effort. But now the questions are, who were the donors invited to these gatherings and what promises did they receive from the administration in exchange for their political contributions?
The Clinton Files: Those White House Coffee Klatsches
Between Jan. 1, 1995 and Aug. 23, 1996, some 1,500 people were invited to the White House for coffee sessions with President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Vice President Al Gore. The coffees were a fundraising scheme hatched by Clinton’s longtime political adviser Dick Morris, and may have raised more than $3.5 million for the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton/Gore re-election effort. But now the questions are, who were the donors invited to these gatherings and what promises did they receive from the administration in exchange for their political contributions?
Electronic surveillance
When dealing surveillance systems the majority of people imagines skilled hackers that break their computers or communication lines in order to spy on specific targets.
UK ANPR systems are one of the ‘world’s biggest surveillance systems’
When dealing surveillance systems the majority of people imagines skilled hackers that break their computers or communication lines in order to spy on specific targets.
The situation is quite different, we are surrounded by a number of systems that collect an impressive amount of data that could be used to spy on us.
If you are a Briton for example, you have to know that in your country there is a widespread use of automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR). These systems are used by the UK law enforcement and are considered one of the largest surveillance systems in the world. The principal problem related to the use of the automatic number plate recognition systems is the absence of a legal framework that regulate its usage.
Follow the money
Having cemented its status as the Middle East's most feared Islamist militant organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) appear well-equipped to claim another distinction: the world's wealthiest terror group.
In June 2014 ISIS robbed Mousels central bank and came into undreamed of wealth after making off with 500 billion dinars - £256 million, approximately $429 dollars.
The radical group is also said to have made off with a large amount of gold bullion from the bank, which was left unguarded in the chaos accompanying the militants' takeover of the city, which is one of Iraq's main oil centres. However Atheel al-Nujaifi, the governor of Nineveh province, said ISIS members had also seized many more millions from banks across the region and the total figure is likely to be far higher than the headline figure. The newly-acquired booty has elevated it to the world's best-resourced terror organisation.
ISIS Funding
In June 2014 ISIS robbed Mousels central bank and came into undreamed of wealth after making off with 500 billion dinars - £256 million, approximately $429 dollars.
The radical group is also said to have made off with a large amount of gold bullion from the bank, which was left unguarded in the chaos accompanying the militants' takeover of the city, which is one of Iraq's main oil centres. However Atheel al-Nujaifi, the governor of Nineveh province, said ISIS members had also seized many more millions from banks across the region and the total figure is likely to be far higher than the headline figure. The newly-acquired booty has elevated it to the world's best-resourced terror organisation.
Terror threat
Daesh stolen oil can’t flow through Damascus-controlled territory. Can’t flow though Shiite-dominated Iraq. Can’t go east to Iran. It’s Turkey or nothing. Turkey is the easternmost arm of NATO. The US and NATO “support” Turkey. So a case can be made that the US and NATO ultimately support Daesh. What’s certain is that illegal Daesh oil and illegal KRG oil fit the same pattern; energy interests by the usual suspects playing a very long game.
What these interests are focused on is to control every possible oil asset in Iraqi Kurdistan and then in “liberated” Syria. It’s crucial to know that Tony “Deepwater Horizon” Hayward is running Genel, whose top priority is to control oil fields that were first stolen from Baghdad, and will eventually be stolen from the Iraqi Kurds.
Who Owns ISIS?
What these interests are focused on is to control every possible oil asset in Iraqi Kurdistan and then in “liberated” Syria. It’s crucial to know that Tony “Deepwater Horizon” Hayward is running Genel, whose top priority is to control oil fields that were first stolen from Baghdad, and will eventually be stolen from the Iraqi Kurds.
Nuclear security
Your Radiation This Week No 33
Spokane, Washington is the No 1 Radioactive City in America this week! Congrats to Spokane! Miami, Florida and Bakersfield, California are close behind in the CPM race to the end.
Thirty-eight (38) American cities exceeded 1,000 CPM this week; that’s up 6 cities since last week – YRTW No 32. Another eleven (11) cities are clustered between 900 and 999 CPM. Stay Alert and take all appropriate precautions. The most prevalent isotope, Cesium 137, takes a daunting 600 years to decay to infinitesimal levels and it is not even particularly long-lived radiation. The Cesium will remain for 600 years.
Public security
When mass shootings become ordinary
Now “things that everyone ought to do” include “remove your shoes” and “leave liquids at home.” And “little ordinary things” involve pat-downs, full-body scans, concrete planters in front of buildings and the horror of the unattended package. No more “none of your business.” Now it’s “see something, say something.” All the ordinary things of our day.
When mass shootings become ordinary
Now “things that everyone ought to do” include “remove your shoes” and “leave liquids at home.” And “little ordinary things” involve pat-downs, full-body scans, concrete planters in front of buildings and the horror of the unattended package. No more “none of your business.” Now it’s “see something, say something.” All the ordinary things of our day.
Let’s add the latest entry into the commonplace: mass shootings. So far this year, according to a tracker maintained by Reddit called Guns are Cool, there have been 355; that’s an average of more than one a day. And last week’s Colorado Springs massacre came with a twist: a suspect reportedly on a mission to commit premeditated and treacherous murder for ideological and religious reasons.
Defense
Russia’s Ready For Nuclear War: Deploys Doomsday Plane
Russia’s Ready For Nuclear War: Deploys Doomsday Plane
Russia’s defense industry has completed a number of tests of the airborne strategic command center aboard an Ilyushin Il-80 aircraft, which will be used by Russia’s military on battlefields when there is no ground infrastructure in the area, and when communications from ground facilities have been disrupted, according to RT.
To this day, the United States was the only country in the world to possess a command center of this kind. The new generation flying command center is a modification of the Il-86 wide-body jet airliner, and is set to enter service in Russia’s military by the end of 2015, according to Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC).
The Il-80 command center has significantly improved performance in terms of survivability, functionality and reliability, while the electronics on board have drastically reduced power consumption, according to the manufacturers, as reported by RT.
OSINT
Interview: Former CIA Officer Robert Steele Discusses Why We Need an Open Source Revolution
The CIA is a bureaucracy. The normal U.S. ‘secret world’ mentality is that of a little gray man, who “goes along to get along.” In fact, the primary mission of a corporate organization like the CIA is to keep the money moving and grow the budget.
My class in 1979 was the first modern class where they changed the profile to recruit entrepreneurial self-starters who could think for themselves. And we were a disaster. Half my class quit within five years, I lasted nine. We simply could not tolerate or go along with toxic leadership and stupid procedures that did nothing to actually produce intelligence (decision-support).
The emphasis in the secret world is on spending as much money as possible, which translates into spending mostly on technical collection that is not processed– while neglecting human and open source collection as well as deep analysis that includes historical and cultural context.
Interview: Former CIA Officer Robert Steele Discusses Why We Need an Open Source Revolution
My class in 1979 was the first modern class where they changed the profile to recruit entrepreneurial self-starters who could think for themselves. And we were a disaster. Half my class quit within five years, I lasted nine. We simply could not tolerate or go along with toxic leadership and stupid procedures that did nothing to actually produce intelligence (decision-support).
The emphasis in the secret world is on spending as much money as possible, which translates into spending mostly on technical collection that is not processed– while neglecting human and open source collection as well as deep analysis that includes historical and cultural context.
Environmental security
Nanomaterials Can Now Absorb Oil Spills
Researchers at Australia’s Deakin University have developed a material that has the potential to save the earth from future oil-spill disasters, and prevent a repeat of the 2010 Gulf Coast BP catastrophe that caused untold damage to the environment and cost some $40 billion.
Nanomaterials Can Now Absorb Oil Spills
Researchers at Australia’s Deakin University have developed a material that has the potential to save the earth from future oil-spill disasters, and prevent a repeat of the 2010 Gulf Coast BP catastrophe that caused untold damage to the environment and cost some $40 billion.
Scientists at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) have spent two years perfecting the material, which absorbs oil like a sponge, and are preparing to trial it in cooperation with industry representatives.
The material is the most exciting development in oil spill cleanup technology in decades, said Alfred Deakin Professor Ying (Ian) Chen, the lead author on a paper that outlines the team’s work.
“Oil spills are a global problem and wreak havoc on our aquatic ecosystems, not to mention cost billions of dollars in damage,” Professor Chen said. “We are so excited to have finally got to this stage after two years of trying to work out how to turn what we knew was a good material into something that could be practically used.”
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