The news is once again filled with a story about an "alleged" terror attack on an airline. I use the term "alleged" because the young Nigerian in question, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, although charged has not been convicted.
The fact that the explosive and syringe were found on him, not to mention the fact that he started a fire, makes him guilty to me, and rather than waste the expense of a trial, I think he should be sent off to that maximum security prison in Illinois where the rest of the Gitmo gang is probably headed.
What I want to know, is if the young man was on a potential terrorist list, did USA Intelligence share this with Netherlands Intelligence? Was Abdulmutallab on a Europe wide alert list, or did the USA fail to share the information?
If a flyer is on the terrorist watch list, does TSA routinely take these individuals aside and do body searches, or do they mainly follow normal procedure? If someone is on a terrorist watch list I want to know why they are no subjected to a body search as part of the normal routine.
After all, if you are on some kind of suspicious terrorist watch list, then logic tells me this individual needs to be subjected to special attention whenever they use public transportation. In my mind that means trains and buses, as well as airplanes.
Which leads to another question, what precautions are in place for train and bus travel?
Since Abdulmutallab boarded his final flight in Amsterdam I will be curious to see what hearings in the USA Congress will resolve. Will Netherlands Intelligence share what they find out about whether Abdulmutallab obtained the explosives in the Netherlands, or did he bring them from Nigeria? Will Nigerian Intelligence share anything they find out about Abdulmutallab and his activities in Nigeria?
If USA Intelligence does not get the whole story, then the gaps are going to be hard to fill in.
Finally, what effect will all of this have on air travel in the USA? Will we be forced to more detailed searches and longer delays?
What is the best method to protect American flyers with the least amount of inconvenience?
I will be writing to my senators with specific questions and I will share the letter and any responses.
If the USA is going to truly fight a world wide war on terror, then we and the rest of the world need to start cooperating fully to bring about a victory in this long running war.
Its Common Sense!!
Showing posts with label Al-Qaeda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al-Qaeda. Show all posts
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Karzai - Second Term
Abdullah Abdullah evidently decided that even with UN inspectors monitoring the polling stations, that he would not get a fair vote count, and bowed out of Afghanistan's presidential race. His departure allowed the Election Committee to give President Karzai his second term.
USA President Obama congratulated Karzai but said that Karzai's actions would speak louder than words and would be very influential in what actions the USA takes over the next several months.
Why did Abdullah bow out? Okay, we know the first election was corrupt and rigged, but this time the hope was UN inspectors would make some kind of difference. If nothing else, a close contest would have put pressure on Karzai to focus on the Afghan people and his country, rather than himself and immediate family.
My fear is that Karzai will now consider himself invincible, becoming arrogant, aloof and a dangerous ally.
Hopefully I am wrong. Time will tell. In the meantime tens of thousands of American military service personnel are putting their lives on line to free Afghanistan of the Taliban and al Qaeda. If they do not receive the support they need - foremost from the Afghan people and government - then their mission will fail and the deaths of thousands (American and Afghan) will have been for nothing.
President Obama needs to watch President Karzai closely and insure the security of our military personnel. If Karzai betrays us, the the USA and NATO need to withdraw from Afghanistan and join with hunting down the Taliban and al Qaeda in Pakistan. Karzai will be left to his own devices, and maybe that desperate act will allow the Afghan people to have a true chance for freedom.
Its Common Sense!
USA President Obama congratulated Karzai but said that Karzai's actions would speak louder than words and would be very influential in what actions the USA takes over the next several months.
Why did Abdullah bow out? Okay, we know the first election was corrupt and rigged, but this time the hope was UN inspectors would make some kind of difference. If nothing else, a close contest would have put pressure on Karzai to focus on the Afghan people and his country, rather than himself and immediate family.
My fear is that Karzai will now consider himself invincible, becoming arrogant, aloof and a dangerous ally.
Hopefully I am wrong. Time will tell. In the meantime tens of thousands of American military service personnel are putting their lives on line to free Afghanistan of the Taliban and al Qaeda. If they do not receive the support they need - foremost from the Afghan people and government - then their mission will fail and the deaths of thousands (American and Afghan) will have been for nothing.
President Obama needs to watch President Karzai closely and insure the security of our military personnel. If Karzai betrays us, the the USA and NATO need to withdraw from Afghanistan and join with hunting down the Taliban and al Qaeda in Pakistan. Karzai will be left to his own devices, and maybe that desperate act will allow the Afghan people to have a true chance for freedom.
Its Common Sense!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hillary - No Holds Barred
Our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, let the Pakistani press, and the people and government of Pakistan, know that she does not believe they are putting forth an all out effort to capture al Qaeda operatives in their country. Mrs Clinton made it clear that she finds it impossible to believe that the Pakistan government does not know where the al Qaeda terrorists are hiding.
Mrs Clinton also stated that she does not understand why the people of Pakistan are willing to give up land and let their country grow smaller as they cede parts of it to the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Tomorrow she will be meeting with top Pakistani military leaders to discuss their current war on the Taliban and al Qaeda. One thing I bet she will hear is that Pakistan wants the Afghanistan military, as well as the USA soldiers and their NATO allies to begin taking charge of their side of the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. After all, Pakistan would not have all their current Taliban and al Qaeda problems if the troops in Afghanistan had secured their border.
It will be interesting to see if Mrs Clinton's tough talk will have any positive outcome. The Negatives are already out, we'll see after her talks with the Pakistan military bring anything positive.
Yesterday she spoke of possibly cutting off aide to Pakistan. A pretty big stick, but I do not know what carrot she dangled along with it.
Richard Holbrook will probably find himself confronted with a barrel of new issues - especially hurt feelings - once Hillary leaves. Hopefully he'll be able to get the Pakistan government to work with all of the allies and bring about a meaningful peace in that mountainous region of the world.
Time will tell.
Its Common Sense!
Mrs Clinton also stated that she does not understand why the people of Pakistan are willing to give up land and let their country grow smaller as they cede parts of it to the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Tomorrow she will be meeting with top Pakistani military leaders to discuss their current war on the Taliban and al Qaeda. One thing I bet she will hear is that Pakistan wants the Afghanistan military, as well as the USA soldiers and their NATO allies to begin taking charge of their side of the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. After all, Pakistan would not have all their current Taliban and al Qaeda problems if the troops in Afghanistan had secured their border.
It will be interesting to see if Mrs Clinton's tough talk will have any positive outcome. The Negatives are already out, we'll see after her talks with the Pakistan military bring anything positive.
Yesterday she spoke of possibly cutting off aide to Pakistan. A pretty big stick, but I do not know what carrot she dangled along with it.
Richard Holbrook will probably find himself confronted with a barrel of new issues - especially hurt feelings - once Hillary leaves. Hopefully he'll be able to get the Pakistan government to work with all of the allies and bring about a meaningful peace in that mountainous region of the world.
Time will tell.
Its Common Sense!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Afghanistan Eight Years Later
Eight years ago yesterday the USA attack Al Qaeda locations in Afghanistan after the ruling Taliban party refused to turn over Osama bin Laden and his henchmen after the 9/11 attack.
For eight years the USA and allies have been involved in trying to hunt down and wipe out Al Qaeda, in Afghanistan and where ever else they are hiding.
Unfortunately this war got side tracked when the Bush Administration decided to focus their attention on Iraq.
Now focus is returning to Afghanistan, but big talk and promises are fading and the Obama Administration is face with dealing with the realities.
The Afghan people are not happy with Karzai. I cannot blame them because there seems to be a lot of corruption. At the same time, the majority do not appear to want a return of Taliban control. I sympathize with that because I would not want to be ruled by archaic Middle Age laws applied by fanatics armed with AK47s.
What I believe the USA needs to do is refocus on the original mission. Get bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Our original objective was not to bring democracy to Afghanistan. That is something the Afghans will have to handle for themselves. I believe we can offer financial aide to rebuild infrastructure and help with education and modernization but political change needs to come from the people.
These tribes have been sparring with each other for centuries, they need to resolve their issues without outside interference.
The USA and its allies need to concentrate their military and intelligence operation on hunting down and capturing/killing bin Laden and all his Al Qaeda network. They need to concentrate in Afghanistan and Pakistan and once they have finished there they will need to move to Somalia, Sudan and any other country that is offering Al Qaeda a haven.
The UN needs to issue a proclamation that any nation harboring Al Qaeda criminals need to surrender them or face the consequences.
Obama needs to let Afghanistan and Iraq take care of themselves, offer aide for building, but the military needs to concentrate on Al Qaeda.
Its Common Sense!
For eight years the USA and allies have been involved in trying to hunt down and wipe out Al Qaeda, in Afghanistan and where ever else they are hiding.
Unfortunately this war got side tracked when the Bush Administration decided to focus their attention on Iraq.
Now focus is returning to Afghanistan, but big talk and promises are fading and the Obama Administration is face with dealing with the realities.
The Afghan people are not happy with Karzai. I cannot blame them because there seems to be a lot of corruption. At the same time, the majority do not appear to want a return of Taliban control. I sympathize with that because I would not want to be ruled by archaic Middle Age laws applied by fanatics armed with AK47s.
What I believe the USA needs to do is refocus on the original mission. Get bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Our original objective was not to bring democracy to Afghanistan. That is something the Afghans will have to handle for themselves. I believe we can offer financial aide to rebuild infrastructure and help with education and modernization but political change needs to come from the people.
These tribes have been sparring with each other for centuries, they need to resolve their issues without outside interference.
The USA and its allies need to concentrate their military and intelligence operation on hunting down and capturing/killing bin Laden and all his Al Qaeda network. They need to concentrate in Afghanistan and Pakistan and once they have finished there they will need to move to Somalia, Sudan and any other country that is offering Al Qaeda a haven.
The UN needs to issue a proclamation that any nation harboring Al Qaeda criminals need to surrender them or face the consequences.
Obama needs to let Afghanistan and Iraq take care of themselves, offer aide for building, but the military needs to concentrate on Al Qaeda.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Obama faces change
President Obama seems to be doing some shuffling and changing of opinion on two big topics. Health Care Reform is one. He hit five talk shows this morning, trying to explain his plan. He still appears to feel that he knows what is best and even appears to think he is in the category with FDR with the Social Security Bill and LBJ with the introduction of Medicare.
I think Obama should be careful in his comparisons. His health care reform plans still have too many questions and gaps that need filling. How is there not going to be any tax increase on the middle class to pay for the coverage? Whether it is a federal tax increase or a health insurance premium increase, the middle class is going to pick up the bill one way or another.
He seems to be trying to play both ends of the Democratic party, telling some he really wants the public option and others that it is not that important. Rather than tell the plain simple truth, he playing politics, so much for an open, honest administration.
One thing the President definitely should not do is try and force his plan through Congress with no Republican support. I think that action could lead to a public outcry and repercussions that have not be seen in this country for decades. The President needs to learn meaningful compromise if he is going to lead.
The other area is the war in Afghanistan. After initially being gun ho to send in twenty-five thousand fresh troops, now he wants to reconsider sending any more. In truth, it looks like he is now going to consider an entirely new plan for fighting in Afghanistan and deciding what the priorities should be.
Already members of the Democratic are asking for a time table for troop withdrawal, stating that there is little hope for a democratic state in Afghanistan and that it will always be a place of tribal warfare.
Like George W Bush, President Obama promised to put an end to Al-Quaeda and bring in bin Laden. The prospects of him having any success are few.
President Obama came in to the White House with big plans. Reality is finally setting and he's finding that he is no longer the golden boy he thought he was. People are questioning his actions and motives. People are demanding straight answers and challenging vague responses.
America wants answers that aren't going to cost them a fortune. The President needs to start paying attention to what the people are saying, rather than those around him.
Its Common Sense!
I think Obama should be careful in his comparisons. His health care reform plans still have too many questions and gaps that need filling. How is there not going to be any tax increase on the middle class to pay for the coverage? Whether it is a federal tax increase or a health insurance premium increase, the middle class is going to pick up the bill one way or another.
He seems to be trying to play both ends of the Democratic party, telling some he really wants the public option and others that it is not that important. Rather than tell the plain simple truth, he playing politics, so much for an open, honest administration.
One thing the President definitely should not do is try and force his plan through Congress with no Republican support. I think that action could lead to a public outcry and repercussions that have not be seen in this country for decades. The President needs to learn meaningful compromise if he is going to lead.
The other area is the war in Afghanistan. After initially being gun ho to send in twenty-five thousand fresh troops, now he wants to reconsider sending any more. In truth, it looks like he is now going to consider an entirely new plan for fighting in Afghanistan and deciding what the priorities should be.
Already members of the Democratic are asking for a time table for troop withdrawal, stating that there is little hope for a democratic state in Afghanistan and that it will always be a place of tribal warfare.
Like George W Bush, President Obama promised to put an end to Al-Quaeda and bring in bin Laden. The prospects of him having any success are few.
President Obama came in to the White House with big plans. Reality is finally setting and he's finding that he is no longer the golden boy he thought he was. People are questioning his actions and motives. People are demanding straight answers and challenging vague responses.
America wants answers that aren't going to cost them a fortune. The President needs to start paying attention to what the people are saying, rather than those around him.
Its Common Sense!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
New Afghanistan Policy
Yesterday the Obama Administration stated its new policy regarding the "war" in Afghanistan. No longer is there talk of the creation of a democracy, fighting the Taliban or bringing any kind of peace among the warring factions in the country.
Rather, or at least my interpretation of what President Obama stated, is that the US objective now is solely to eradicate Al-Qaeda where ever they are. The war is focused solely on this terrorist organization and perhaps - although I do not want to make assumptions - any groups who support Al-Qaeda.
I thought this was the original plan back when Bush asked the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan to turn over bin Laden and they did not cooperate. I always thought that the war against terrorism should be focused on the terrorist, not the countries where the terrorist dwell.
We all know the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism. That was Bush getting even with Saddam Hussein for putting out a hit order on his father. (And of course oil control).
Afghanistan was always different. Unfortunately the US policy operated under the misconceived notion that if the government was controlled everything else would fall into place.
As many experts have pointed out multi-tribal societies such as Afghanistan function totally different than the USA. Different history, different traditions, different mentalities. Unfortunately the USA leadership usually fails to study the enemy, rather putting them in the same bucket as the USA, which generally leads to tragedy. (Viet Nam, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan just to name a few.)
If the Obama Administration is serious on focusing solely on taking out bin Laden and Al-Qaeda I wish them good hunting. I think they need to make the necessary diplomatic actions with Afghanistan and Pakistan to receive permission for their hunt, but at the same time stating the USA will stay out of the internal workings of these countries.
I know the reality is that US & NATO forces operating in any country are seen as invaders. However, hopefully if they show their sole objective is the eradication of Al-Qaeda, the Afghans and Pakistanis will allow them to operate and even assist, so they can get the foreigners out of their countries and things can go back to how it was before the USA showed up.
There is no ideal solution. At the same time, I believe that the USA and other nations should provide funds to Afghanistan to rebuild and educate the country so that future decisions in development will be made on learning rather than who has the better armament.
Maybe with cooperation among all parties working to eliminate terror and bringing peace and prosperity to the people things will take a positive turn.
I know its Common Sense, but will anyone actually see it that way?
Rather, or at least my interpretation of what President Obama stated, is that the US objective now is solely to eradicate Al-Qaeda where ever they are. The war is focused solely on this terrorist organization and perhaps - although I do not want to make assumptions - any groups who support Al-Qaeda.
I thought this was the original plan back when Bush asked the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan to turn over bin Laden and they did not cooperate. I always thought that the war against terrorism should be focused on the terrorist, not the countries where the terrorist dwell.
We all know the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism. That was Bush getting even with Saddam Hussein for putting out a hit order on his father. (And of course oil control).
Afghanistan was always different. Unfortunately the US policy operated under the misconceived notion that if the government was controlled everything else would fall into place.
As many experts have pointed out multi-tribal societies such as Afghanistan function totally different than the USA. Different history, different traditions, different mentalities. Unfortunately the USA leadership usually fails to study the enemy, rather putting them in the same bucket as the USA, which generally leads to tragedy. (Viet Nam, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan just to name a few.)
If the Obama Administration is serious on focusing solely on taking out bin Laden and Al-Qaeda I wish them good hunting. I think they need to make the necessary diplomatic actions with Afghanistan and Pakistan to receive permission for their hunt, but at the same time stating the USA will stay out of the internal workings of these countries.
I know the reality is that US & NATO forces operating in any country are seen as invaders. However, hopefully if they show their sole objective is the eradication of Al-Qaeda, the Afghans and Pakistanis will allow them to operate and even assist, so they can get the foreigners out of their countries and things can go back to how it was before the USA showed up.
There is no ideal solution. At the same time, I believe that the USA and other nations should provide funds to Afghanistan to rebuild and educate the country so that future decisions in development will be made on learning rather than who has the better armament.
Maybe with cooperation among all parties working to eliminate terror and bringing peace and prosperity to the people things will take a positive turn.
I know its Common Sense, but will anyone actually see it that way?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Obama and the Middle East
Yesterday President Obama gave his first one on one interview. The reporter was not from Fox, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC or CSPAN. The reporter was Hisham Melhem, who works for
al-Arabiya TV, headquartered in Dubai, but evidently funded by backers in Saudi Arabia.
Needless to say this was a real coup and an indication that the Obama White House will be going to the foreign press to reach a more diverse audience with his message.
Obama stated that he had Muslim relatives in Kenya, that he had lived in the most Muslem populated country in the world (Indonesia) and that he felt all religions had a place in the world. The president stressed that the America's war on terror was against fanatical Islamic fundamentalist, not the majority of believers.
It will be interesting to see what effect the interview will have for the Muslim viewing public. Hopefully, Obama set the right tone and the majority will allow his Administration to pursue its goal towards a lasting Middle East peace.
Also heard from yesterday was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran. Without mentioning President Obama's name, he stated that the USA needs to withdrawal all support of any kind from Israel and apologise to the Iranian people for all of the negative things this country has said about Iran.
Fat chance buddy!
Finally, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden let it be known that if the USA removed its forces from Iraq and Afghanistan immediately and destroyed Israel, that would be proof that the USA was a friend to the Muslim world.
Nothing like thinking you can dictate world policy from a cave somewhere in the middle of no where.
As time progresses we will see how the Obama Administration deals with the Middle East. Obama is to meet with Secretary of Defense Gates and the Joint Chiefs later today to no doubt discuss Iraq and Afghanistan and the preparedness of the USA military to continue war operations indefinitely. With the current financial situation just how much can be spent to arm and support our troops in combat?
Reports are that a new group has started trouble in Gaza and the Israeli military has reacted. George Mitchell was in Egypt yesterday and Israel today. This new outbreak could mean that he will not get to the West Bank or Gaza, what will that mean for any peace accord?
We will continue to wait and watch to see just what real changes the Obama Administration will bring to USA foreign policy.
Let's see if the Obama team is up to really bringing about a lasting peace.
al-Arabiya TV, headquartered in Dubai, but evidently funded by backers in Saudi Arabia.
Needless to say this was a real coup and an indication that the Obama White House will be going to the foreign press to reach a more diverse audience with his message.
Obama stated that he had Muslim relatives in Kenya, that he had lived in the most Muslem populated country in the world (Indonesia) and that he felt all religions had a place in the world. The president stressed that the America's war on terror was against fanatical Islamic fundamentalist, not the majority of believers.
It will be interesting to see what effect the interview will have for the Muslim viewing public. Hopefully, Obama set the right tone and the majority will allow his Administration to pursue its goal towards a lasting Middle East peace.
Also heard from yesterday was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran. Without mentioning President Obama's name, he stated that the USA needs to withdrawal all support of any kind from Israel and apologise to the Iranian people for all of the negative things this country has said about Iran.
Fat chance buddy!
Finally, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden let it be known that if the USA removed its forces from Iraq and Afghanistan immediately and destroyed Israel, that would be proof that the USA was a friend to the Muslim world.
Nothing like thinking you can dictate world policy from a cave somewhere in the middle of no where.
As time progresses we will see how the Obama Administration deals with the Middle East. Obama is to meet with Secretary of Defense Gates and the Joint Chiefs later today to no doubt discuss Iraq and Afghanistan and the preparedness of the USA military to continue war operations indefinitely. With the current financial situation just how much can be spent to arm and support our troops in combat?
Reports are that a new group has started trouble in Gaza and the Israeli military has reacted. George Mitchell was in Egypt yesterday and Israel today. This new outbreak could mean that he will not get to the West Bank or Gaza, what will that mean for any peace accord?
We will continue to wait and watch to see just what real changes the Obama Administration will bring to USA foreign policy.
Let's see if the Obama team is up to really bringing about a lasting peace.
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