Raw footage of Oslo after bombing
Eyewitness video taken after the bombing in Oslo.
Senior Hizballah Official Wanted for Murder
Among the suspects indicted last month by the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) – the body charged with investigating the assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri – is Mustafa Badreddine, a senior figure in Hizballah’s international terrorist operations branch. Public exposure of his activities, including Hizballah’s reported role in the Hariri murder, would deal a severe blow to group.
The Empires Strike Back…Against Cyber Threats
OK, I admit to being a Star Wars fan. One of the films’ story lines is the Empire’s attempt to strike back against the rebel forces and crush them. As in time honored tradition back here on Earth, the strategy never works. Watching the not-so-swift vengeance of governments against the Lulzs of the world after the recent spate of internet attacks – well, here we go again.
Countering the threat posed by AQAP: Embrace, don’t chase Yemen’s chaos
By Frank Cilluffo and Clinton Watts
Last week, Gregory Johnsen of the blog Waq-al-Waq crafted a thoughtful response to our article “Yemen & Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Exploiting a Window of Counterterrorism Opportunity.” Below is our response to further what we believe to be a particularly important debate. We begin by addressing Johnsen’s conclusion and then discuss each of his points individually.
Napolitano Is Releasing a Border Strategy Tomorrow; Does Anyone Care?
Local TV in Arizona has reported that on Thursday, July 7, 2011, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, with Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin and Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, will be announcing the 2011 Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy in Nogales, Ariz. Unless the Attorney General is a surprise guest, I doubt this press conference will be more than the rhetoric the secretary herself complains about incessantly.
ATF's "Fast and Furious" Speculation and Facts
If you have been following the news reports concerning ATF’s Operation “Fast and Furious,” you are acutely aware that CBP agent Brian Terry was killed in the line of duty and some of the weapons found at the scene have been traced back to what is now known as “Operation Fast and Furious.” For various political reasons, including conspiracy theories, there has been and continues to be a feeding frenzy by reporters and commentators on both the left and the right. Everyone needs to take a step back, take a deep breath and look at the facts.
UN Security Council Changes Sanctions After Bin Laden's Death
On June 17, the UN Security Council enacted sweeping changes to the international sanctions regime against al Qaeda and the Taliban. The Security Council adopted two resolutions aimed at dividing al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the wake of Usama bin Laden’s death, creating a consolidated list of those understood to be supporting al Qaeda.
Yemeni Instability Emboldens Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula; Here's How the U.S. Should Respond
Today we released an issue brief on Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) that highlights the current threat that AQAP poses, the implications of AQAP’s ascension in the wake of the Yemeni government collapse and considers options to address the threat. We contend that the current security vacuum that AQAP has exploited to expand and secure its safe haven, also allows the U.S. greater flexibility of counterterrorism options and maneuverability, providing a unique opportunity to reduce AQAP’s capabilities through the use of special operations forces and armed drones.
NY Mayor Bloomberg on Immigration and U.S. Economic Revival
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the trip to Washington yesterday to meet with members of Congress and delivered a very strong speech at a Council on Foreign Relations symposium, “The Future of U.S. Immigration Policy.” Bloomberg’s message was one that all sides in the caustic immigration debate need to hear: that in the dire economic situation this country faces, the question is no longer what the United States can do for immigrants, it’s what immigrants can do for us.
Audits Important for Conflict Mineral Supply Chain
Recently, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued due diligence guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas. These guidelines are a necessary first step in helping the local populace, developing countries, and multi-national corporations meet international requirements. In a high-risk environment, corporations must have vibrant management systems that strongly communicate and actively demonstrate to employees and outside entities their commitment to a conflict-free supply chain.
