TerrorismCentral Newsletter Archive
For the year 2003
For the year 2007 | For the year 2006
For the year 2005 | For the year 2004 | For the year 2002
For the week ending December 28, 2003
As 2003 comes to a close, the Feature Article looks at a recent fraud investigation touched by a sense of deja vu. Next week, watch for the Annual Review issue. News Highlights cover events of the past week including separatist rebels in Assam, elections in Serbia, and "body packing".
For the week ending December 21, 2003
With the US announcing a heightened level of terrorist alert, this week's Feature Article reviews recent reports on domestic preparedness in that country. News Highlights include Libya's undertaking to eliminate its unconventional weapons programs, information about detainees in the UK, US and elsewhere, new statistics that point to dramatic global disparities in economies and health, and other events of the past week.
For the week ending December 14, 2003
The military junta in Greece came into power in 1967; a year before the Baath party seized power in Iraq. More than thirty years later, the aftermath of these two events still makes the News Highlights. The capture of Iraq's dictator, Saddam Hussein, marks the beginning of his road to justice, a path that has now been taken by 15 members of the leftist Greek guerilla group, November 17, described in this week's Feature Article.
For the week ending December 7, 2003
This week's Feature Article turns attention to Australia and its counter-terrorism initiatives, focusing on ASIO. In addition to events of the past week in Asia Pacific, the News Highlights track everything from the newest research into the cause of the World Trade Center collapse to the arrest of an alleged co-conspirator of "Shoe Bomber" Richard Reid.
For the week ending November 30, 2003
This week the Feature Article wraps up the 3-part series on viruses with a look at SARS and public health. If you missed last week on AIDS and the military, do check it out. https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2003/112303.html#FeatureArticle Meanwhile, News Highlights cover the bloodiest month yet in Iraq, election results from Northern Ireland, and other events from around the world last week.
For the week ending November 23, 2003
Major attacks in Turkey overshadowed much of the news this week. For summaries of this and other events during the week, see the News Highlights. In the Feature Article, virus season continues with an article on HIV/AIDS and its close relationship with global conflict. Next week concludes the 3-part series with a look at SARS and the public health implications of last year's outbreak.
For the week ending November 16, 2003
It's virus season, and time to mark some important anniversaries. November 1983 was the first time a computer virus was defined and experimentally demonstrated. It also marks 20 years since the first isolates of what we now know of as the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and one year since the World Health Organization launched global surveillance reporting for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This week starts a 3-part series of Feature Articles looking at the impact of these viruses.
For the week ending November 9, 2003
From arms embargo violations in Somalia and the lack of occupation planning in Iraq to the most recent bombing in Saudi Arabia, the News Highlights review events from the past week around the globe. Taking a look at sources of funding for such events, the Feature Article discusses the US Money Laundering strategy.
For the week ending November 2, 2003
Iraq shares borders with six countries that met this weekend to discuss security issues and accusations they are interfering in Iraq. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shares borders with nine countries, whose interference in DRC is well documented. An update on plunder in DRC and the related issue of conflict diamonds is given in this week's Feature Article. Other border issues are seen in News Highlights on Eritrea/Ethiopia, Cameroon/Nigeria, and Czechoslovakia/Germany -- and also provide a summary of events of the past week elsewhere around the globe.
For the week ending October 26, 2003
The "axis of evil" has been reduced by one following Iran's agreement to EU/IAEA terms. See this week's Feature Article for details of the nuclear crisis and its resolution. News Highlights review events of the week, from the latest security report in Afghanistan to the growing crisis in Zimbabwe.
For the week ending October 19, 2003
The International Bar Association's Task Force on International has released a groundbreaking report, summarized in this week's Feature Article, that analyzes the ad hoc responses to terrorism by countries around the world following the September 11 attacks against the US. News Highlights range from new reports on public health in Iraq and anthrax in America to elections in Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia.
For the week ending October 12, 2003
A year ago, the devastating bombings in Bali brought Jemaah Islamiah (JI) to the forefront of international terrorism. This week's Feature Article shares profiles of ten alleged JI leaders. In addition to this and other Asia-Pacific stories, News Highlights cover events from the past week ranging from the Security and Exchange Commission indictment of a teenage cracker to the progress of peace agreements in the Horn of Africa.
For the week ending October 5, 2003
Ten years after US forces entering Somalia encountered unexpected resistance and a disastrous military encounter in which US soldiers were mutilated and dragged through the streets, the Feature Article looks at Somalia as an example of a failed state. News Highlights include other events of the week involving failed states and preemption, including Israeli strikes against Syria as well as the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, there is news of progress in peace talks, governance, terrorist financing, legal proceedings and much more.
For the week ending September 28, 2003
In "Identity Theft" last week, the feature article investigated this fast-growing cybercrime. This week's Feature Article we describe on measure taken by the US government to help control false identities used in terrorism financing. News Highlights review events from around the world, from marking the third anniversary of the Palestinian intifada to the latest moves in the Zacarias Moussaoui case as well as new reports on the arms trade and cyber-threats.
For the week ending September 21, 2003
This week's Feature Article looks back thirty years to the first time identity theft reached the public stage and describes what has happened since. The theme of identity will be pursued in other articles over the next couple of weeks. In addition, the News Highlights summarize events around the world related to terrorism and political violence, ranging from the latest Internet worm threat to international efforts to reduce poverty and from extradition struggles in Argentina to violent elections in Zambia.
For the week ending September 14, 2003
Two years ago this week hijackers flew planes into US targets, including the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, leaving thousands dead. Ten years ago Rabin and Arafat reached the Principles for peace between the Arabs and Israelis that preceded the current roadmap. And on September 11, 1973, a military coup in Chili ushered in 17 years of dictatorship. This anniversary is featured in the Feature Article. For summaries of other news this week, see the News Highlights.
For the week ending September 7, 2003
This week's News Highlights cover events around the world from the past week, ranging from the crumbling Middle East roadmap to the latest identity theft statistics. In the Feature Article, we review recent information on vehicle bombs.
For the week ending August 31, 2003
The week began with car bombs in India that killed at least 50 and ended with a car bomb in Iraq that killed at least 95. For highlights of this and other news around the world, see the News Highlights, below. Car bombs will be discussed in next week's Feature Article, but this week focuses on a less deadly attack: the Blaster worm.
For the week ending August 24, 2003
From Baghdad to Jerusalem, this was a week in which efforts towards peace and reconstruction in the Middle East have been seriously undermined. These events are summarized in the News Highlights as well as other events around the world, including the recovery of 14 European tourists kidnapped by the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) and a new interim leader in Liberia. The Feature Article highlights some of the serious frauds reported in the "United Kingdom Threat Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2003".
For the week ending August 17, 2003
The death of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, the capture of alleged Jemaah Islamiah operations chief Hambali, a settlement over the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, and the trial in Germany of al Qaeda suspect Abdelghani Mzoudi are just a few of the news stories covered in this week's News Highlights. The Feature Article reviews good governance in the context of new UN guidelines.
For the week ending August 10, 2003
News Highlights this week range from the succession dispute in Azerbaijan to currency shortages in Zimbabwe. The Feature Article commemorates the fifth anniversary of the East African embassy bombings.
For the week ending August 3, 2003
Last week US President Bush gave a rare press conference in which he reiterated the continued threat from al Qaeda and suggested that the war in Iraq helped reduce the terrorist threat. The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee disagrees. This week's Feature Article contains extracts from their report "Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism". For the rest of the week's news around the world, see the News Highlights.
For the week ending July 27, 2003
This week saw two 50th anniversaries: the Cuban revolution and the Korean armistice. These and other events of the past week are featured in the News Highlights. Also in this week's Feature Article, guest author Joyeeta Choudhury shares information regarding North Korea's nuclear program.
For the week ending July 20, 2003
Last week's Feature Article discussed terrorism in Corsica, and the News Highlights this week include the predicted new attacks by the Corsican National Liberation Front. You'll also see summaries of other recent events around the world. This week's Feature Article is about the use of intellectual property to finance terrorism.
For the week ending July 13, 2003
Last week's Feature Article looked at the origins and contemporary issues surrounding the marching season in Northern Ireland. This week we look at another region known for long-running political violence: the island of Corsica. News Highlights review events from the past week around the globe, from Algeria to Zimbabwe.
For the week ending July 6, 2003
As the marching season in Northern Ireland is in full swing, this week's Feature Article takes a look at the origins and contemporary issues surrounding the practice. News Highlights take a look at new opportunities for peace in Liberia, as President Taylor accepts an asylum offer from Nigeria, as well as other events from the past week around the globe.
June 2003
For the week ending June 29, 2003
Last week the Feature Article reviewed past peace plans in the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The conflict in the Sudan is somewhat younger, dating from independence in 1956, but has been every bit as bloody and intractable. This week's Feature Article reviews the background, current status and prospects for Sudan's peace process. News Highlights key events elsewhere in Africa and around the world.
For the week ending June 22, 2003
As the killing of another Hamas leader by Israeli troops further threatens the Mideast Roadmap this week's Feature Article looks back at earlier efforts to gain peace between Israelis and Palestinians. News Highlights range from the latest international opinion poll results to sabotage of oil interests in Nigeria and Iraq.
For the week ending June 15, 2003
This week the Feature Article talks about terrorism and political violence in Peru, focusing on the Shining Path guerilla group. This story was inspired by the news that 71 people were kidnapped in Peru. This story and other events of the past week can be found in the News Highlights.
For the week ending June 8, 2003
This week's News Highlights begin with the results of the G8 meeting and continue around the world. The Feature Article takes a look at Liberia's President Charles Taylor.
For the week ending June 01, 2003
Following recent reports of smuggling, ranging from North Korea's alleged sale of heroin through weapons caches off the coast of Gaza, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at a related maritime issue that doesn't get a lot of attention: piracy. The News Highlights this week cover events around the world, from the G8 summit to the latest discussions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan.
April 2003
For the week ending April 27, 2003
The news this week has been full of tales of torture and brutality from the people of Iraq. Unfortunately, this is not news; the disastrous human rights situation in Iraq and elsewhere was documented for decades. Amnesty International (http://www.amnesty.org), for example, has campaigned for human rights for over forty years and Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org) for more than twenty.
For the week ending April 20, 2003
The Stevens report mentioned in last week's Feature Article on the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has been released. This week we look at the key findings of the report and the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) that particularly benefited from the practices described in it. This issue also contains an update on the status of the Good Friday agreement, as well as recent developments with SARS, nuclear proliferation (not just in North Korea) and other News Highlights of the Week.
For the week ending April 13, 2003
While waiting for the outcome of intense discussions between Ireland and Britain over the Good Friday agreement and restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland, this week's Feature Article takes the time to review the 1989 murder of Pat Finucane and its ongoing investigation. New developments in the Middle East and around the world are reviewed in the News Highlights.
For the week ending April 06, 2003
One of the first casualties of war is human rights. Last week, the US Department of State issued new annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. This week's Feature Article reviews the findings of this report and international reaction to them, as well as sources of information about the US's own record, one that has come under enhanced scrutiny following security measures introduced in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
For the week ending March 30, 2003
The weekly News Highlights review international developments from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. The Feature Article discusses an issue of increasing international importance, "Emerging Infectious Diseases". It uses Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to ask whether public health systems and international reporting and communications are up to the challenges of disease transmission in a global economy, especially one facing the risk of agents deliberately introduced, as would be the case in a bioterrorist incident.
For the week ending March 23, 2003
There may be no historical event more divisive than the present crisis in Iraq. Not only are nations bitterly divided but also communities, friends and families. We make no attempt to cover the breaking news, but have provided highlights of pertinent issues of international relations and the impact, to date, on the worldwide terrorist situation.
Despite the war in Iraq, diplomacy is proceeding on many fronts. This week's feature article looks at an issue that is -- beyond doubt -- crucial for the long-term interests of the world at large: Water. It is interesting to note that the last large-scale war over water was 4,500 years ago on the River Tigris, now part of Iraq.
For the week ending March 16, 2003
This week's Feature Article summarizes the current Financial Action Task Force Report on Money Laundering Typologies, focusing on terrorist financing activities including abuse of charitable organizations and securities to transactions involving diamonds and gold.
For the week ending March 09, 2003
This week's Feature Article summarizes the current Financial Action Task Force Report on Money Laundering Typologies, focusing on terrorist financing activities including abuse of charitable organizations and securities to transactions involving diamonds and gold.
For the week ending March 02, 2003
The US government has issued a number of inter-related strategies that deal with various aspects of security. These include the National Strategies to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, Drug Control, Homeland Security, Secure Cyberspace and Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets. This week's feature article looks at another: the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. In addition, News Highlights start with AIDS demographics and the latest news from North Korea and Iraq, and end with the state of smallpox vaccinations in the US and the latest in legal and policy issues in combating terrorist financing.
For the week ending February 23, 2003
This week's Feature Article looks at a General Accounting Office report on terrorist conviction reports while the News Highlights give updates on other legal cases, including the first conviction of an al Qaeda member associated with the September 11 attacks.
For the week ending February 16, 2003
This week's Feature Article looks at Iraq's relationships with terrorist groups. Activities of groups including Ninja rebels, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Polisario Front, Irish Republican Army (IRA), Basque separatist ETA, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Jemaah Islamiyah, Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Pattani Mujahideen, and many others, as well as Russia's new list of terrorist organizations, can be found in the News highlights.
For the week ending February 09, 2003
Oil is not the only underlying reason for the persistent drive towards war against Iraq; the ?military-industrial complex? must also be fed. This week?s feature article reproduces in full the US Department of State?s Bureau of Verification and Compliance Fact Sheet on their just released report ?Military Expenditures and Arms Transfers?. Other news on Iraq, North Korea and the rest of the world is found in the News Highlights.
For the week ending February 02, 2003
For the large number of readers in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the non-US Americas, who have not been inundated with details of the new US Department of Homeland Security, this week?s Feature Article will tell you all you need to know. News Highlights provide updates on the threat of war in Iraq and nuclear proliferation in North Korea as well as a summary of the week?s events around the globe.
For the week ending January 26, 2003
Last week we began a two part series on The Algerian Connection by reviewing the early origins of terrorism and political violence in Algeria. This week, Part II reviews the international connections that have emerged over the last several years. Given news of the arrests in Spain, this is timely coverage. Other news of the week from around the world is in the News Highlights.
We are also pleased to highlight a research paper from one of our readers, Maelien Shipman. The paper ?Abu Sayyaf: Analysis of Open Source Information? is available in the Browse Topics/Terrorist Groups section of the web site, or you can link to it at:
https://terrorismcentral.com/Library/terroristgroups/AbuSayyafGroup/ABUSAYYAFAnalysis.html
For the week ending January 19, 2003
This week?s feature article looks at the Algerian Connection, broadening the perspective offered last week in the discussion of Jemaah Islamiyah in Singapore. This article is especially timely in light of news coming from European investigations, particularly after the discovery of ricin in the UK. This finding and other events from around the world are covered in the News Highlights section of this issue.
For the week ending January 12, 2003
This week's feature article ends our 3-part series on the financing of terrorism with a review of technology used in the investigations now under way, as discussed last week. Next week, we turn our attentions to the ongoing conflict in Jammu-Kashmir.
For the week ending January 5, 2003
Welcome to the annual Year in Review issue, featuring the key events of 2002.
A printed version of the complete 2002 collection of all 52 weeks of news reviews and articles will be available later this month. Email for details.