U.S. National Security's Achilles Heel - The Electromagnetic Spectrum - - Rachel Ehrenfeld - On December 23, 2013, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency issued a solicitation “to … conduct satellite system performance modeling, satellite system … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – May 3 – 10, 2014
Syria
Al Qaeda and the U.S. Intelligence*
Left: The Late Abu Khaled al-Suri On April 30, 2014, the State Department issued its latest Country Reports on Terrorism. Dealing with 2013, it confirms what we have known for some time: that the numbers of terrorists and acts of terrorism are … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda and the U.S. Intelligence*
Benghazi: Deja Vu All Over Again – Hiding the Threat of Islamic Terrorism
A video sharply critical of Islam and Mohammed, "Innocence of Muslims", was first posted to the Internet in July 2012. Two months later, still a week prior to the anniversary of the attacks in America on 9-11, there had still been little reaction … [Read more...] about Benghazi: Deja Vu All Over Again – Hiding the Threat of Islamic Terrorism
Al Qaeda’s Expanding Caliphate *
The successors to Mohammed as leaders of the Muslim religion bore the title of "Caliph". The Caliphate has undergone numerous historical transformations and was never recognized by the Shiites, who claim that the legitimate line was cut short by … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda’s Expanding Caliphate *
Hezbollah’s Involvement in the Civil War in Syria
Left: Hezbollah operatives celebrate their victory after the takeover of the city of Yabrud (YouTube, March 16, 2014). Hezbollah regards the takeover of Yabrud as a security and morale-boosting achievement, costing the organization relatively few … [Read more...] about Hezbollah’s Involvement in the Civil War in Syria
Profile of Shi’ite Foreign Fighters in Syria
The Shi'ite foreign fighters fighting in Syria can be divided into two main groups: one consists of Hezbollah operatives, of whom there are several thousand, sent by the organization to participate in offensive and defensive operations in Syria. The … [Read more...] about Profile of Shi’ite Foreign Fighters in Syria
Shi’a Jihadis in Syria
Left: Group picture of Shi'ite foreign fighters in the Abu al-Fadhel al-Abbas Brigade, a military unit composed mainly of militia operatives from Iraq. In white is Qasim al-Ta'i, a prominent Shi'ite Iraqi cleric who recruits Shi'ite operatives for … [Read more...] about Shi’a Jihadis in Syria
ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14
Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to announce that he will not annex Crimea to Russia even if Sunday's referendum outcome will favor such action, Rachel Ehrenfeld says in Crimean Tatars, However, in seizing Crimea, Vladimir Putin may well have … [Read more...] about ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14
The Saudi Dilemma*
These are perilous times for the desert kingdom, which sees itself as the very center of Sunni Islam, which for Sunnis is the only true Islam. It is facing a highly complex and dangerous confluence of circumstances that would have seemed most … [Read more...] about The Saudi Dilemma*
Are Mosques Recruiting Foreign Fighters for Syria?
At least 11,000 Sunni, and 10,500 Shiite foreign fighters from 74 countries (not including Iranian “advisors”) are reported to have joined the struggle over Syria. However, we know little about the recruiting mechanism that led them to Syria. Were … [Read more...] about Are Mosques Recruiting Foreign Fighters for Syria?