U.S. Counterterrorism at Risk – Rachel Ehrenfeld – Three days after American jihadists Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi’s attempted to kill the participants of the Mohammed Cartoon competition in Garland, Texas, was foiled, Defense Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged that “ISIS remains a continuing threat and it is a movement that can inspire others far removed from Iraq and Syria to commit acts of violence.” But many, in and out of government, minimize the jihadi threat in the U.S. They want us to believe that jihad is largely a matter of “lone wolves” killing “just a few Americans.” .…more…
The Lure of ISIS – Rachel Ehrenfeld – The Islamic State’s attraction to young Muslim females and males continues to mystify Westerners, especially non-Muslims. They wonder, ”Why would educated and mostly well-off young Westerners be willing to join ISIS?” This follows by search for the ubiquitous “root-causes.”… It’s jihad, stupid! Evidently, ISIS has in its ranks marketers who figured out how best to recruit young Muslims to fight for the radical jihad against the infidels.…more…
Syria breaking up – Lebanon next? – Norman A. Bailey – The already extremely complex Middle East may be on the verge of becoming even more so. At this point, the Sh’ia northern arc of Iran, Iraq, Assad and Hezbollah is in confrontation with the southern Sunni arc of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States (with the partial exception of Qatar). Adding to the confusion are the attempt on the part of Iran to outflank the Sunni arc in Yemen, and the rampaging Sunni Islamic State athwart the Sh’ia arc. It would appear that the northern arc may be about to suffer a further rupture..…more…
A Navigation and Timing Primer: Concepts and Misconceptions – Gene H. McCall …Navigation is recognized as an important activity by almost everyone associated with transportation, logistics, military operations, and, even driving an automobile. In particular, the introduction of low cost GPS navigators containing detailed maps and sophisticated navigation algorithms has brought computer-based route finding to the masses. The fact that most people refer to the navigator attached to the windshield of their automobile as my GPS, however, shows that most have little understanding of navigation principles.…more…
Flemming Rose: “Do We Want to Live in ‘A Fear’ Society, Or in ‘A Free’ Society?” – Emerson Vermaat – “My kids generation and even mine took our freedoms for granted growing up. But now we are challenged to make choices, ” says Flemming Rose, foreign affairs editor at the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten. Rose knows what he is talking about… “I traveled around the world for five years debating the issues raised by the cartoons,” he says… It is freedom of expression on the one hand and on the other hand, the how to balance freedom of expression against other kinds of considerations. The First Amendment in the United States guarantees almost unlimited freedom. But in Qatar, Russia, China, free speech is restricted.”…more…
News & Analysis
Snowden: Court ruling against NSA surveillance is ‘encouraging‘ – Engadget
Pentagon raises threat level at US military bases – The Hill
What the 2016 candidates have to say about the NSA court ruling – Washington Post
US indifference leaves Saudis partnering with terrorists – Benny Avni
Egypt’s Sisi ‘keen’ for cooperation with Russia – AhramOnline
The Saudi Connection: Wahhabism and Global Jihad – Carol E. B. Choksy and Jamsheed K. Choksy
In a propaganda war against ISIS, the U.S. tried to play by the enemy’s rules – Washington Post
Why Can’t Muslims laugh at Mohammed? – David Goldman
Norway ends blasphemy law after Hebdo attack – The Local
ICBM Defense: It’s Up to Congress – Chet Nagle
Capitol Hill
Senate—
Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs – Jihad 2.0: Social Media in the Next Evolution of Terrorist Recruitment – May 07, 2015
GAO Reports
CRS Reports
Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs – May 4, 2015