10.31.2005

WW4

Muslim Brotherhood vs. The World >>> There is no detail of the actual specific plans of 'The Project', but the basic strategy shines through. Note the connection to Tariq Ramadan, whom I mentioned in a post a little while back concerning the influence of Islam in the United Kingdom.

Nigerian Plane Crash Deliberate? >>> Douglas Farah has the details on the growing suspicions of the October 22nd crash that killed 117 people. Given that amongst the dead were several regional military and CT officials, as well as an American Special Forces officer, there is certainly a motive for sabotage.

The 'Suitcase Nuke' Myth >>> All you ever wanted to know about portable nuclear weapons and terrorism. An excellent article by Richard Miniter.
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OIF

Iranian Smuggling Routes >>> While there is no doubt that some sort of 'smuggling routes' of some kind between Iran and Iraq do exist, the precise locations marked on the map must be taken with a grain of salt.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Gunshot Detectors Improved >>> Though an interesting and apparently effective device, many specifics are unknown, such as its effective range and how well it will work in an urban setting.
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10.30.2005

OIF

Iraqi Deaths Estimated At 26,000 >>> Note that this number is from insurgent attacks only, and is since January 2004. Though an estimate, the number seems awfully inflated for a period of 22 months.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Why The Army Doesn't Want More Troops >>> Basic quality vs. quantity. Another important point not mentioned in the article is that World War IV is a very asymmetrical war, which therefore requires smaller groups of soldiers. For example, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan was won chiefly with special operations troops and air support.
****************

10.29.2005

WW4

Bombings In New Delhi >>> So far there has been no claim of responsibility, though it can reasonably be assumed that some type of Jihadist group was behind the attacks.

Iran vs. Israel >>> This is the whole text of President Ahmadinejad's comments concerning Israel.

al-Qaeda Takes A PR Hit >>> An interesting look at public opinion of al-Qaeda, as well as a noteworthy glimpse of Jordanian demographics.

MANPAD Attack In France? >>> Why is the word 'terrorists' in quotations in the title blurb at the top of the page?

Zarqawi's Network Rivals bin-Laden's >>> The culture of terrorism has finally developed its own celebrity, and now bin-Laden has been greatly upstaged by Zarqawi. Whether this was Zarqawi's intention (and what bin Laden thinks about it) is a whole different issue.
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OIF

US Soldier Killed Hotel Bomber >>> There is something to be said in the fact that Spc. Green would defend with his life a hotel full of journalists when those very journalists have made very little effort to morally defend the actions and mission of Spc. Green and other soldiers like him.

More On The Basra Prison Break >>> The amount of restraint demonstrated by the SAS operators is extremely noteworthy. They could have easily defeated the Iraqi police in a shootout, but instead chose to surrender and allow themselves to be tortured in order to save the lives of the Iraqi policemen.
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OEF(A)

Former al-Qaeda Training Site Abandoned >>> Hopefully one of these camps will be saved and some sort of monument will be built there to signify what it once was.
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10.28.2005

WW4

Denmark Arrests Linked To Bosnia >>> Note that all the suspects were between the ages of 16 and 20. As for a motive, Denmark has roughly 500 troops stationed in Iraq.

Jihad Watch Turns Two >>> Robert Spencer's blog is two years old today and, with an average of 400K hits daily, is still going strong. I wish him the best as he continues his extremely relevant work.

Huh? >>> Security Watchtower discovers an interesting inconsistency in the MSM.
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OIF

IEDs >>> Wretchard has an excellent look at the characteristics of IEDs and their history in conflicts other than Iraq.

Snipers In Iraq >>> This CENTCOM news release highlights the importance of snipers in urban combat. Arguably, there hasn't been a battlefield this suitable for snipers (on both sides) since the Battle of Stalingrad.

Nearly 3,000 Iraqi Police Graduate >>> You won't find this story in the media, obviously. Note that some of the officers graduated from neighboring Jordan.
****************
DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Jamming With B-52s >>> 2014? Why will it take nine years to outfit a B-52 with an electronic jamming system?

SF Expands; Revises Training >>> The more than 200% increase in new SF operators is a welcome change from the dwindling numbers they'd seen pre-9/11. The increase of veteran training instructors is also very substantial, as it helps pass along critical knowledge that be would otherwise only be gained through combat.
****************

10.27.2005

WW4

Iran Calls For Israel's Destruction >>> When people ask why Israel can have nuclear weapons and Iran can't, it's because Israel would never make a statement like this.

New Website For Terrorism Research >>> There are several interesting powerpoint presentations, and an open forum to discuss terrorism-related issues with other readers.

Al-Qaeda Members Harbored In Iran >>> No surprise here. Seems to fit in with Richard Miniter's reports of bin Laden being traveling to Iran in 2002.

Morrocan Jihad >>> This from another excellent terrorism website.
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OIF

"We Don't Need Al-Qaeda" >>> A reporter from the Guardian spends five days with a Sunni insurgent leader and his followers in Iraq. The entire article is extremely revealing: The widespread Sunni regret of having boycotted the January elections. Abu Theeb's desire to vote; even using his men to guard the polling station. He harbors a great amount of distrust and rejects Al-Qaeda, their beliefs, and their tactics. His instructions to his men to only set up IEDs outside of a two kilometer radius of the town in order to prevent civilian casualties and an American reprisal. Also worth noting is the Sunni stuffing of ballot boxes, even while some Sunnis claimed the Shi'a did the same thing.
****************

10.26.2005

OIF

2,000 >>> Faces From the Front has an excellent perspective on the US military's 2,000th death in Iraq and the media frenzy surrounding it.

Bill Roggio Heads to Iraq >>> The Fourth Rail has consistently been the premier source of intelligent and conclusive analysis concerning Iraq, and with Roggio's travel there that is sure to increase. Please donate and support his efforts.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

New South Korean Tank >>> The South Koreans seem to be realizing that someday their neighbor to the north might come knocking, and it's best to be prepared.
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10.25.2005

OIF

Palestine Hotel Bombing >>> John Robb has a excellent look at the perfectly-staged media grab of yesterday's bombings in Baghdad. This was a brilliantly-staged attack by the insurgents, who not only managed to get all three detonations on camera, but set up the attack to coincide with the 2,000th US military death in Iraq, which will give them even more face time in the MSM. The effect will be multiplied on TV cable news, where MSNBC, FOX and Chicken Noodle News will run the video incessantly.

Another Look >>> Roggio has the goods on the Palestine Hotel attack as well. Check the maps for the tactical details of how it all went down.


Elsewhere In Iraq >>> More Roggio. The Wild West of Iraq has yet to be tamed, but there is without a doubt a new sheriff in town.

Remember That Constitution Thing? >>> Turnout: 63%. Percentage in Favor: 78%. As I have stated repeatedly, in the United States of America, The World-Renowned Herald of Democracy, those numbers would be impossible.
****************
DOMESTIC

Weekly Standard on JF >>> Politics of CP had the link on a 2002 Weekly Standard article concerning Jamaat ul-Fuqra. Read the whole thing.
****************
DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

US Navy's LCS >>> There is an exhaustive list of additional links and resources at the bottom of the article. Be sure to check those out.
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10.24.2005

WW4

No Piggy Banks In UK >>> Dymphna from Gates of Vienna shares one of the Baron's dinner-table-prophecies. This would be quite funny if it wasn't true.
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OIF

'Pressure Bombs' In Iraq >>> Basically land mines, this is another example of the Darwinian shift of insurgent tactics.

Miqdadiyah, Iraq >>> Bill Roggio has a look at another one of Iraq's many under-reported cities. His post has several excellent and informative links.

Weapons Cache in Rawah >>> That is one big EOD crater....
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

TACMAV >>> Someday, these things will be the size of a dime. Reminds me of the movie Innerspace.
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10.23.2005

WW4

Ramadan at Guantanamo >>> Point Blank makes a great point, and he'd be hard pressed to find anybody who would take that bet.
****************
OIF

Ramadi Insurgency >>> The important thing to remember is that the city is nowhere near as infested with enemy fighters as Fallujah was before November 2004, and that a little over a week ago Fallujah had a 77% turnout for the referendum. Also worth noting is Roggio's prediction that Ramadi will be 'dealt with' by the end of November in preparation for the December 15th parliamentary elections. We'll see if he's right.
****************
DOMESTIC

Jamaat ul-Fuqra HQ in New York >>> The Politics of CP has another look at a JF compound, this time it's the group's headquarters.

More on JF and Gilani >>> CP has some background info on JF founder Shiekh Gilani and a man named Khalid Khawaja. The bin Laden connection is extremely interesting but besides the point: Not all terrorists are part of al-Qaeda, but they're still the enemy in this war.
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10.22.2005

OIF

Size of the Iraqi Insurgency >>> Security Watchtower provides an interesting look at the estimated number of insurgents operating in Iraq, as well as their percentage of the overall Iraqi population. Once again, the numbers tell a different and far more rational story than the nightly news.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Vehicle-Mounted Missile Protection >>> While the potential to hit nearby friendly or civilian targets is certainly an important concern, it is quite possible that a number of the defensive steel pellets could strike whoever fired the missile at the vehicle, as long as they remained along the trajectory of the missile (and the therefore the pellets).
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10.21.2005

WW4

Report on Hariri Assassination Edited >>> The report was apparently edited after it was decided to make it public, and this article of the Seattle PI seems to reveal the un-edited text.

More On UN Report >>> Security Watchtower has the executive summary of the Mehlis Report.

CT in Southeast Asia >>> A basic overview of the ongoing security efforts in one of the most ignored fronts of World War IV.
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OIF

Following the Money In Iraq >>> This report sheds some light on reported desertions, the capture of Yasir Ibrahim, and polling place security.
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DOMESTIC

5th Man Arrested in Baltimore >>> Very few details on this threat have emerged but, like the NYC subway alert, local officials believed that the specific information involved neccessitated an increase in security. The individuals were arrested on imigration violations and will be deported.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Fighter Jets Pulling Recon >>> This hardly seems like an efficient use of aircraft given the maintenance and fueling costs, but it has to be done. At the very least, it allows pilots to keep up on their flying.
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10.20.2005

OIF

Iraqi Referendum Results >>> Dan Darling at Winds of Change has an excellent look at the situation surrounding the results of the Iraqi referendum and urges everybody to wait and see, instead of jump to conclusions.

Iraqi Constitution is Bad News? >>> Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch presents a more ominous take on the new Iraqi constitution and its (unsurprising) adherence to Islam.

Inside the Iraqi Navy >>> With all the focus on the land-based ISF, there has been little mention of their sea-faring comrades, which seem to be doing well. Note that they have been independent of Coalition command since May, and are recruiting and training their own personnel. Arguably the most important job of the ISF is to defend the Iraqi oil terminals that handle roughly 87% of the country's economy, with 80% coming from the al-Basra Oil Terminal alone (For more details on this under-reported aspect of Iraqi security, read Michael Yon's post Walking the Line II.)

Another AQI Lieutenant Down? >>> It is unknown how solid this information is, and whether Sa'ad Ali Firas was really a high-level insurgent or not, but regardless of his rank he won't be killing people anymore. Security Watchtower has the details.
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10.19.2005

WW4

Londonistan >>> The CT Blog has an interesting piece on the new chief of the UK Terror Task Force. If this is true, how did Blair miss this one?
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OIF

ISF Carries Out 1,000 Missions Alone >>> Though only a few of these missions are serious raids, it's important to recognize that the ISF has organized itself to run the lower-level operations just as well. It can be easy to just focus on kicking down doors and shooting/arresting people, but patrolling the local street and running traffic checkpoints is just as important. This is an excellent example of the logistical capability achieved by the ISF.
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DOMESTIC

Jamaat ul-Fuqra in South Carolina >>> First Gates of Vienna reveals the suspected JF compound in Red House, Virginia. A few days later, The Politics of CP posts a detailed map of JF activities and compounds inside the United States. Soon after, CP brings it on with post detailing the purported JF compound in Colorado. Yesterday: California. Today: South Carolina. Tomorrow: ???
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

F-22 Deploys to Utah >>> We'll see how it goes from here. The F-22 is such a nice plane but, as I've stated before, it is extremely impractical in our current military situation. When we go to war with another military superpower it will perform wonderfully, but not until then. Here's hoping we never have to use the thing....
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10.18.2005

OIF

The Anbar Campaign >>> Not surprisingly, Bill Roggio has once again compiled an excellent strategic view of what's going on in Iraq. Make sure you view the flash presentation.
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DOMESTIC

More On Jamaat ul-Fuqra >>> Gates of Vienna provides another gold vein of information on this increasingly frightening domestic terrorist group.

Still More On Jamaat ul-Fuqra >>> Yesterday, The Politics of CP posted some detailed information on the JF compound near Buena Vista, CO. Today he has the details on another compound in Baladullah, CA.

OU Suicide Bombing >>> More Gates of Vienna. Like the JF story above, the Joel Hinrichs suicide bombing gets increasingly interesting as we learn more about it, and is still widely ignored by the MSM.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Strykers in Iraq >>> An excellent piece about the effectiveness and survivability of the M1126.
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10.17.2005

OIF

The Not-So-Great Ramadan Offensive >>> Even more so than with the January elections, the insurgents failed to create a serious disruption on voting day, and the result was astounding. Once again, the ISF took the main role in providing security for polling places, while Coalition troops pretty much sat back and watched. With a touch of sarcasm, Bill Roggio lists (in it's entirety) the extent of insurgent attacks on Saturday.

Ramadi >>> Also from Bill Roggio's Fourth Rail. Note the sheer number (around 70) of insurgents killed in airstrikes near Ramadi. The level of enemy concentration means one of three things: Either they were too ignorant to spread themselves out and were killed en masse because of it (highly unlikely given the common knowledge of Coalition air capabilities) or perhaps these were the only areas safe for insurgents to operate in and they were forced to group together (equally unlikely) or the third and most probable explanation is that Ramadi is so infested with insurgents that such a high concentration is simply typical of the area.

Iraqi Referendum Statistics >>> Security Watchtower has an excellent list of the results and turnout of Saturday's vote in Iraq. Make sure to read it carefully. The Constitution appears to have been overwhelmingly approved and it's worth mentioning that turnout in Fallujah (yes the same Fallujah gutted by the USMC in November 2004) was 77 precent! Not only is this a sign of enormous progress in a newly-democratic Iraq, but it is a well-deserved slap in the face of the American people, who couldn't get a 77 percent turnout to decide whether or not we should all move to Siberia.

Iraqi Insurgent Demographics >>> Once again, Security Watchtower has an extremely well put together map of the major insurgent groups in Iraq. Note how AQI appears to be streaming in from Syria.
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DOMESTIC

Jamaat ul-Fuqra Locations >>> JF in America is turning out to be one of the most explosive revelations of World War IV and is being fueled by the blogging community alone. I covered it some last week and intend to do so with great intensity in the future. This particular post from The Politics of CP details the purported locations of JF compounds within the United States.

JF in Colorado >>> Another excellent post at the Politics of CP detailing one of the Jamaat ul-Fuqra compounds mentioned in the link above near Buena Vista, CO.
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No Posts Until Monday the 17th

I be will out of town (and away from an internet connection) this weekend, so look for the next post on Monday the 17th. In the meantime, feel free to browse past posts and do check out the Blogs of Note on the right. I read all of these several times daily and I often link to them. They are all extremely informative and worth your time to read through.

Also, it pains to not be able to post on the 15th (the day of the Iraqi referendum), but look for an in-depth analysis sometime next week on what is sure to be another momentous occasion on the road to a Free Iraq.

Stay vigilant,

>>>Jesse Clark

10.13.2005

WW4

Syrian Interior Minister Suicide - The Plot Thickens >>> It's unknown whether this was a real suicide or an 'Abu Nidal' suicide (shot six times in the head). The idea that Lebanon took this guy out is a little sensational, as is the rumor that Assad wanted him dead. Of course, anything is possible.

More on the Zawahiri Letter >>> Dan Darling presents a very interesting look at Ayman al-Zawahiri, who appears to be remarkably in touch with how his war is going. Mr. Darling's analysis is very informative and definitely worth the read.
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OIF

Possible Bombing Spree Averted >>> This is an excellent example of Iraqi military units launching CT operations on their own. It is not known whether the intelligence that precipitated the raid was gathered through US sources, or by the Iraqi themselves. Reports of Iraqi military success are abundant, but little mention has been made regarding any development of Iraqi intelligence capabilities and organizations.
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DOMESTIC

More on Jamaat ul-Fuqra >>> Gates of Vienna posts another intriguing update into this continuing story.

New HUMINT Director >>> Hopefully all this reorganizing will make things more streamlined and efficient, but I wouldn't bet on it. 'Jose', the former CIA DDO, has an interesting job description: He will oversee all US HUMINT, while one of his deputies focuses specifically on the CIA's Directorate of Operations and the other works with the entire intelligence community, some 15 agencies in all.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Special Forces Gets New Dream Toy >>> Another example of technology bridging the gap.

Remote Control Bradley? >>> The logical evolution from UAVs.
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10.12.2005

WW4
Terror Warning In India >>> Not specific, but it's worth noting that every major terror attack has had some sort of warning like this one that preceded it. Most of them don't pan out, but enough of them do to warrant some degree of caution. You never really know for sure.

Five Years Later >>> Yet another warning sign on the road to 9/11.

Al-Libbi's Importance Confirmed >>> There was much debate over whether or not his May 2005 capture in Pakistan was that big of a deal. Now we find out that Zawahiri certainly thinks so. Also worth mentioning is the revelation that Zawahiri is asking Zarqawi for money! Unless this is some sort of required payment on Zarqawi's part, it seems to indicate that al Qaeda is in a bit of a squeeze.

England Fights Back >>> Jamaat ul-Fuqra, the American based Jihadist group (which Gates of Vienna detailed in a post earlier this week that I linked to) is one of those 15 groups now banned in the UK. Of course, they continue to operate with impunity in the United States.
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OIF

Operation River Gate >>> They find weapons and ammo caches everyday over there, but this one is particularly staggering in both size and the type of munitions involved.

ISF Hits 200,000 >>> The 270,000 goal is projected for July or August 2006, but at the current rate of growth (about 10,000 new troops a month) they should get there around May or June.

Constitution Compromise >>> No constitutional amendments for the first eight years? Of course that's a bad idea! No wonder the Sunnis were opposed!
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OEF(A)

Life In The 'Stan >>> Belmont Club has a great piece on the development of Afghanistan, and the small military footprint that made it possible.
****************
DOMESTIC

OU Suicide Bombing - What We Know>>> Given that the MSM has pretty much avoided reporting this story, there is little concrete information to stand on, and even this blog has reported information that wasn't 100% solid. (A thousand apologies, and I did make the necessary corrections.) The Counterterrorism Blog sorts it out.

Nuclear Reactors Open To Attack >>> This story is just breaking and is the result of a four-month long ABC News investigation into the security of several nuclear reactors on US college campuses. The results are appalling. The full report will air on ABC's 'Primetime' on Thursday, October 13th. I will continue to look into the story and post any additional information as soon as I find it and it is deemed credible.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Stryker Proves Itself >>> For an even more in-depth look at Strykers in use in Iraq (specifically in the Mosul area) read some of Michael Yon's reports from Iraq.

Recruiters Offering Free iTunes Downloads >>> No comment.
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10.11.2005

WW4

Bush Finally Calls It What It Is >>> Daniel Pipes sums up the argument against the 'War on Terror' nomenclature quite well. Terrorism is a military tactic, and 'declaring war' on it is like 'declaring war' on a flanking maneuver or an amphibious landing. The enemy is radical Islam, AKA Islamists, Jihadists, Islamo-fascists, or what have you. This war has been going on for 26 years now and we've been fighting back for four of them, and only after we were hit hard on 9/11 and realized that this is not a simple law-enforcement issue. President Bush presents a surprisingly descriptive and in-depth look (for Bush, that is) at who the enemy really is, just four years too late.

Jihad In Egypt >>> Security Watchtower has a look into recent developments in Egypt with a few posts dating back to March 2005. Since the July 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh bombings, Egypt has been at the top of the Jihad Hit List, especially considering Ayman al-Zawahiri's background in the country and his remarks about it.
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OIF

Summary Of Recent Operations >>> The Fourth Rail has an in-depth description of each operation of the Anbar Campaign, as well as a finely crafted flash presentation at the bottom of the post. Click on it for an visual look at the past few weeks of action.

Cat And Mouse >>> A inside look at the tactics of insurgent mortar attacks and Coalition response. Note that the article is repeated twice, but is still as interesting the second time around!
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OEF(A)

Still A Dangerous Place >>> But nowhere near as dangerous as it used to be.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

B-1 Gets A Boost >>> The B-1 is a superb aircraft, and will continue to prove it's worth for the next several decades as it has in the past. However, Congress shouldn't be the ones deciding whether to keep it or toss it. While this is an example of Congress getting it right, more often than not they don't and money gets wasted.

Anti-Torpedo Device >>> Sounds like a great idea. Of course, the people who are upset about the effects of sonar tests on marine animals will have a fit with this. But there are a few points worth mentioning: The effect of the acoustic shock wave on nearby animals is surely less than the detonation of a torpedo. Furthermore, the environmental devastation of a sunken submarine or aircraft carrier and the resulting fuel and chemical leaks would be monumental. In terms of the lesser evil, the choice is clear.
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10.10.2005

WW4

Another Hijack Plot >>> This time in Britain.

Positive Side Of Asian Earthquake? >>> After al-Qaeda praised Hurricane Katrina as an Act of Allah, what might they think about this?

Identifying Bali Suicide Bombers >>> *WARNING-GRAPHIC IMAGES*
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OIF

Operation Saratoga - Week One >>> With over 750 arrests, the amount of intelligence from Saratoga looks to be enormous, and will no doubt lead to other raids and operations.

Fallujah Operation Kills Terror Facilitator >>> At the very least, it appears that a potential suicide bombing was averted. The eight arrests are also helpful.
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DOMESTIC

Jamaat ul-Fuqra >>> Gates of Vienna has a startling investigation into what could be one of several home-grown terror cells in America. More on JF here.

University of Oklahoma Suicide Bombing >>> A story that has gotten much coverage in the blogging community while very little in the MSM has gotten a little more interesting with the discovery of a large explosives stockpile and radical Islamic documents in the student's apartment. Since the media has neglected to report this story, a visit to Wikipedia will fill you in on what happened.

Bombs At Georgia Tech >>> Hot on the heels of the University of Oklahoma suicide bombing of October 1st and Friday's discovery of a bomb near UCLA, comes another explosive device on a college campus.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Caffeine Gum For Soldiers >>> And the question on the minds of every energy-drink junkie: Will this gum ever be commerically available?

XM-25 Begins Testing >>> As versatile a weapon as this is, 18 pounds is far too heavy for combat operations, especially those in an urban environment. Lighten the load and this thing will be a dream for any infantry squad.
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10.9.2005

DOMESTIC

2002 Hijack Plot? >>> Hard to believe that al Qaeda thought the hijack plan would work a second time. Also, if you haven't read the 9/11 Report, the information that the 9/11 planners hoped to hit West Coast targets such as the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bridges, the U.S Bank Tower in L.A., and the Bank of America Tower in Seattle might be news. Far more intriguing, however, is the notion that the 2002 plot was contracted to Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian wing of the group, known for the 2002 Bali bombings (and probably the ones last weekend) as well as other various attacks.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Why Everyone Loves UAVs >>> UAVs are probably the biggest military innovation since GPS guidance and the parachute. The Iraq War has brought these things into the spotlight, and given their potential use in civilian applications as well as military, they won't be going anywhere soon.
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10.8.2005

WW4

10 Arrested in Britain

CT In Eastern Africa
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OIF

Operation River Gate Update >>> Note the seizure of the al Qaeda bomb factory and propaganda equipment.

UK / Iran Rift Getting Wider >>> This is one of the major first indications that Iran is actively fueling the Iraqi insurgency, at least in southern Iraq. Up until now, the major concern of outside influence was from Syria, with the few rumors of Iranian involvement being unconfirmed. Common perception held that Shi'a Iran was closely allied with the newly Shi'a Iraq, which seemed feasible on the surface but declined to consider the brutal 1980's war and the resulting hatred that still sits fresh in the minds of people in both countries.

One Week Until The Vote >>> The 'no vehicle rule' on Election Day will make a huge difference, as the largest mass-casualty weapon the insurgents have is the VBIED. Expect a few more human suicide bombers and maybe more mortars than normal, but if January's election was any indication, the vote should be fairly peaceful. Also, considering how well it worked in January, the Coalition has no doubt set up more fake polling sites to draw fire from the real ones.

Photos >>> Photos from Operations Iron Fist and River Gate. These photos were all taken within a few miles each other, yet note the various types of terrain that needs to be taken into account for any sort of military operation.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Lasers For The F-22 >>> Not if, but when....

Concrete Vs. Concrete >>> Probably the most under-reported effort to minimize civilian casualties. Most people think this is just a joke, but anyone who's taken a high school physics class knows the amount of kinetic energy involved with one of these things is off the charts.

All Hail The Bradley >>> Arguably the most versatile urban combat tool in the military arsenal, the Bradley gets nowhere near the level of attention of other vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank or Humvee.
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10.7.2005

OIF

Did You Get The Memo? >>> Sounds like Zawahiri recognizes that Zarqawi's methods could be doing more harm than good. The varying opinions within the Jihadist community are extremely under-reported, and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

IED Emir Captured >>> These guys are pretty much captured every week, so it's not that big of a deal. However, these guys are usually a great source of intel as they tend to keep vary methodical records. Look for more raids/captures to come from this one.

More Map Fun >>> Keep this one. Makes a good reference.

Iron Fist Update >>> The Fourth Rail was right about the Clear and Hold aspect of Iron Fist. Read on for more.

More On Iraqi Security Forces >>> Another well-crafted piece from the Fourth Rail.
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10.6.2005

OIF

Operation Saratoga >>> Fourth Rail has the details. Make sure to study the maps.

Iron Fist/River Gate Update >>> Fourth Rail again.

How Disappointing >>> This could have been a very gracious gesture on the part of the Swiss. However, it's not all bad news for the Iraqi procurement effort: Hungary recently donated 77 T-72 tanks to the new Iraqi Army, allowing them to form their first post-Saddam armored brigade.

Pentagon Finally Does the Right Thing >>> Somebody dropped the ball on this one, and fortunately for the Pentagon and the soldiers on the ground, they changed their mind. The Pentagon's failure to deliver adequate equipment to the men on the ground (forcing them to buy it themselves) while spending BILLIONS to produce impractical space-age stealth fighters and restructure the entire US Army is one of the biggest black marks of the Iraq War.

This Is Why You Wear Body Armor (VIDEO) >>> This is actual video shot by the insurgents, which is becoming more and more common as they seek to use the videos of successful attacks as propaganda. Even more remarkable is what happened afterwards.
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DOMESTIC

White House Spy? >>> No one seems to be mentioning that the alleged espionage took place AFTER this guy had left the White House and was working for the FBI as a high-ranking intelligence analyst. He was an FBI spy --not a White House spy-- as much as the MSM would like to make him out to be. Check the dates, people!
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

So Long, F-14 >>> Everyone who's ever seen Top Gun knows this plane. It was one of the finest pieces of combat equipment ever produced.

Uh-huh >>> This one made me laugh. But at least the F-35 could serve some sort of purpose in our current military operations, unlike the F-22.

Sniper Teamwork >>> Sounds delicious, as long as it doesn't cost too much.
****************

10.5.2005

OIF

Operation River Gate Update >>> The portion concerning media inaccuracy is especially interesting.

Iraqi Army Strength >>> The Belmont Club has an excellent post concerning the recent reports of Iraqi Battalion strength.

Najaf, Karbala, Now Baghdad >>> Be sure to check out the map of Baghdad in the post.

Popular Support For Iraqi Constitution >>> The poll numbers stated here (79% in favor) are astounding. Here in the United States, we couldn't even get 79% in favor of our own Constitution!

Organization of Al Qaeda in Iraq >>> Make sure to view the chart (it's a PDF file) and note the color coding on the bottom right.

The Terrorist Hierarchy >>> Having viewed the above chart, read this article VERY CAREFULLY. This is a complex and often misunderstood issue, and Mr. Darling does a very thorough job of detailing it. I am furthermore considering this article 'Required Reading' for anybody who wishes to discuss the vagaries of al Qaeda and it's sub-cultures without becoming a victim of their own ignorance.
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OEF(A)

Basic Summary of Recent Events >>> Seems remarkably peaceful. The US is starting to pull their troops out and NATO will probably take the wheel soon.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Counter-Sniper Robot >>> Similar to a device currently mounted on many US Humvees in Iraq.

More Guided Weapons >>> No surprise here.
****************

10.4.2005

First off, today is an important day for two reasons: It marks the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims and the start of Rosh Hashanah for Jews. Interesting that they happened to fall on the same day this year.
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OIF

Operation Hunter Expands >>> Fourth Rail has the info on Operation River Gate, targeting the Haditha area.

Operation Mountaineers in Ramadi >>> Already completed, this small op seems to have done some good.

AO Map >>> Fourth Rail also has this nifty map which shows the AO for Iron Fist, River Gate, and Mountaineers. Also worth noting is the list of US and Iraqi troop composition in various cities.

Building the Iraqi Defense Force >>> As with any army, it's the NCOs that keep it together, and Iraq has a long way to go in training theirs.
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10.3.2005

While everybody else is talking about Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers to the US Supreme Court, here's what's going on elsewhere:
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OIF

US Car Theft Linked to Iraqi Car Bombing >>> This could have enormous implications in regards to domestic CT.

Iron Fist - Day 3 >>>Bill Roggio's Fourth Rail is still the only site that is thoroughly detailing Operations Hunter and Iron Fist, a fact that I have communicated to many other blogs and news organizations through e-mails and comments. However, at least in the blogging community, most sites are simply linking to Roggio's because he has consistently provided the most accurate and conclusive detail on Iron Fist and it's importance as a part of Operation Hunter. (To see what I mean, just Google Operation Hunter, and the only relevant thing you'll find is his stuff.) Fourth Rail also has several great pictures and maps to give a better understanding of the geographic detail of the ongoing operations. For instance:

Map of Operation Hunter >>> The area inside the green square labeled 'Beginning of September' is the area of Operation Hunter.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

F-22 Effectiveness >>> The F-22 is surely the ultimate air-superiority fighter, but air-superiority is worthless in the current war. When we go to war against an enemy with an air force, the F-22 will be an instrument of beauty, and several mythological comparisons immediately come to mind, but in World War IV, where air-to-air combat is non-existent, the F-22 has as much military value as a catapult.

10.2.2005

OIF

Operation Iron Fist >>> Media coverage of Iron Fist is continually failing to place the offensive in its proper context as only a fraction of Operation Hunter. Once again, The Fourth Rail is leading the pack with the details.

Al Qa'im's Dirty History >>> It's interesting to note that the Syrian border is only a few miles away.

Iraqis Learn Politics Quickly >>> By all indications, al-Jaafari is neither very cooperative nor popular with Iraqis, and his government will probably not last long after the October 15th referendum.
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10.1.2005

WW4

Bali Bombing - Part Two >>> While this was not exactly on the exact third anniversary of the first Bali bombings, which took place on Oct. 12th 2002, both bombings did occur on an early Saturday in October.
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OIF

Operation Iron Fist >>> The Fourth Rail has the details on the first day of Iron Fist and how it's only one piece of a larger operation known as 'Operation Hunter', which will include other towns on the Iraqi-Syrian border and establish a Coalition presence between al Qa'im and Haditha along Highway 12, the major pipeline of foreign fighters from Syria.

Map Of Iraq Attacks >>> CENTCOM has provided this lovely map of attacks in Iraq by province and intensity. Note the attacks are mainly in Baghdad and up Highways 1 and 4 (north to Samarra and Ba'quba) and 12 (west to Ramadi). Mosul, up north, is still hot, and the yellow spot west of it is Tal Afar. The attack spot on the Syrian border is al Qa'im. It's worth pointing out that though it looks like the entire al Anbar province is under attack, no one lives in most of the province except near the Euphrates, so it looks worse than it is because of it's size.
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DEFENSE & TECHNOLOGY

Army Recruitment Distortion >>> There are two points that are worth repeating here: 1. Army re-enlistment "remained highest among units who saw the fiercest combat." 2. "For the year, more than 250,000 Americans enlisted for the first time in the United States Armed Forces."

Unnecessary Super-Jet Enters Production >>> Do we really need the F-22?

NSA Trick For Sale? >>> How often does this happen?
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IOTW Archive

>>> The following is a list of past Idiot of the Week postings from this blog. The entries are arranged chronologically from newest to oldest. <<<

Cindy Sheehan (sort of)

Jill Edwards and Ashley Miller

SFS Archive

>>> The following is a list of past Saturday Featured Stories from this blog. The entries are arranged chronologically from newest to oldest. <<<

The University of Oklahoma Suicide Bombing

Jamaat ul-Fuqra in America

Acronyms

The following is a list of acronyms that will be found on this blog that most people may not be familiar with, as well as their meanings:

AO - Area of Operation (The physical area in which an event takes place)
AQI - Al Qaeda in Iraq
CENTCOM - US Military Central Command (Responsible for operations in the Middle East and Central Asia)
CIA - Central Intelligence Agency (Head US intel agency in charge of, you know, spying)
CT - Counterterrorism
DCI - Director of Central Intelligence (CIA Director)
DDI - Deputy Director (Intelligence) (The head of the CIA's intelligence department)
DDO - Deputy Director (Operations) (The head of the CIA's operations department)
DOD - Department of Defense (Runs the US military)
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Getting rid of UXO by blowing it up)
GMLRS - Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (Like the normal MLRS, but GPS-guided)
GPS - Global Positioning System (A satellite-based locating system used by hikers and smart bombs)
GWOT - Global War on Terror (Also known as World War IV)
HUMINT - Human Intelligence (Intel gathered by actual human beings)
IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (UN organization tasked with countering nuclear proliferation)
IED - Improvised Explosive Device (A cheap bomb usually made from UXO)
IOTW - Idiot(s) of the Week (The special Sunday posts of this blog. Check them out here.)
ISF - Iraqi Security Forces
JDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition (A GPS-guided bomb)
JF - Jamaat ul-Fuqra (A radical Islamist terrorist organization with several compounds in the US)
LCS - Littoral Combat Ship (Future US Navy vessel that will specialize in close-to-shore operations)
MANPAD - Man Portable Air Defense (A shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile, such as the Stinger or SA-7)
MSM - Mainstream Media (Newspapers, news radio, network and cable news)
NCO - non-commissioned officer (i.e. a corporal or sergeant)
NSA - National Security Agency (In charge of US SIGINT and cryptography)
OEF(A) - Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
OEF(P) - Operation Enduring Freedom (Phillipines)
OIF - Operation Iraqi Freedom
OSINT - Open Source Intelligence (Intel gathered through public means, such as the internet or TV news)
SAM - Surface-to-air missile (Can be a MANPAD or a vehicle-launched variety)
SF - US Army Special Forces (AKA The Green Berets, but don't call them that. Not to be confused with SOF)
SFS - Saturday Featured Story (The special Saturday posts of this blog. Check them out here.)
SIGINT - Signals Intelligence (Intel gathered by electronic means, usually communications intercepts and the like)
SOF - Special Operations Forces (The generic term for all types of elite soldiers. Not to be confused with SF)
VBIED - Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (A car bomb)
UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Such as the Predator, Global Hawk, or Dragon Eye)
UCAV - Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (A UAV with weapons)
USMC - United States Marine Corps
UXO - Unexploded Ordnance
WP - White Phosphorus (An chemical composition used for incendiary weapons, flares, and smoke screens)
WW4 or WWIV - World War IV (AKA the War on Terrorism, GWOT)

This post will be continually updated as time progresses and new acronyms are used.

Welcome!

Welcome to World War IV Daily!

Thanks for stopping by. Here at WWIV Daily, my goal is to consistently and thoroughly update the reader on the rapid and often substantial daily developments in present-day geopolitics, specifically concerning the 'Global War on Terror' (GWOT) and its various sub-categories. However, I have decided to abandon the 'War on Terror' terminology in favor of a more accurate description of the circumstances and scale of this conflict, which I will refer to as The Fourth World War.

First coined by Eliot A. Cohen in November 2001, the term 'World War IV' has slowly caught on in the government and counterterrorism (CT) community, and was mentioned again by Former CIA Director James Woolsey in November 2002. In September 2004, Norman Podhoretz described the subject in great detail.

But no matter what you choose to call it, World War IV is being waged everywhere. Though some aspects are highly reported by the media, others are not. Public knowledge of the complexities and inherent historical depth of the conflict is sadly inadequate, as is the understanding of how long this war is going to last or--even more surprising--how long it's been waging.

Through links to news reports, contemporary research and analysis, and within the investigative blogging community, WWIV Daily is committed to expanding public knowledge in respects to the past, present, and future of this battle of epic proportions.

But let me take a minute to explain what WWIV Daily isn't. First of all, unlike most blogs, I will take a 'headlines' approach. Rather than long-winded essays on a specific topic, I will present a number of links concerning a broad range of topics. Each link will usually be accompanied by a summary of its significance, supporting information, or perhaps a small bit of commentary on my part. Other than that, I hope to keep this site relatively free of bias or opinion. I have little tolerance for unsubstantiated conspiracy theories or partisan talking points. Substance beats the hell out of style every day of the week. You can read the stories I link to and decide for yourself, and each post will allow readers to expand upon the issues via comments. I would love to see a heated--yet respectful--discussion community taking on news of the day.

As for those comments--consider this my 'Comments Policy'--however, I will not edit, redact, or otherwise censor any of the comments made by my readers. You are responsible for your own statements, and should you choose to be a moron, you'll damage your intellectual merit and credibility far more than I ever could. On the other hand, if you engage the subject in an intelligent, courteous, yet nonetheless passionate manner, you will find yourself welcomed and accepted by a company of individuals of similar caliber. I see it happen everyday in the blogosphere.

Another important matter is the issue of associations. These days, just linking to somebody's blog can get you in trouble if they happen to post a particularly inflammatory piece. Let me make this clear: Just because I mention, link to, comment about, or communicate directly with another blog does not mean I support their beliefs, statements, or opinions. However, if another blog is linked to or recommended, you can rest assured that I do indeed see some intellectual value in what they are producing, regardless of its inherent opinions, etc. Facts do not conform to the ideological boundaries that we so often divide one another with. You'd be surprised what you can learn from somebody completely different than you.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I am a United States citizen and a registered Independent. I deeply love my country and I wish the best for all of its citizens, regardless of race, religion, wealth, social status, political affiliations, or whatever other ridiculous label we use to segregate ourselves into a false sense of superiority over our fellow man.

I look forward to working on this blog and I'm truly excited for its possibilities. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail anytime.

Stay safe out there.