TerrorismCentral Newsletter Archive
For the year 2006
For the year 2007 | For the year 2005
For the year 2004 | For the year 2003 | For the year 2002
For the week ending December 31, 2006
The biggest story of the week was the execution of Saddam Hussein. These news summaries also cover the death of former US President Gerald Ford, bombings in Madrid and Bangkok, and other events from this week. Recommended Reading provides an extensive list of 2006 Year in Review links, ranging from political and technical issues to some light entertainment. We wish you all a happy and more peaceful 2007.
For the week ending December 24, 2006
This week countries around the world have issued security warnings related to year-end holidays. At this writing, there have been no holiday-related incidents. Given this happy circumstance, we will simply wish you all a happy holiday season. And just in case, we've included the Federal Trade Commissions holiday shopping tips in Recommended Reading.
For the week ending December 17, 2006
Deteriorating conditions in the Middle East continue to pose a threat of civil wars in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Similar regional conflicts are increasingly likely in the Horn of Africa and through the spillover from Darfur, Sudan. Several of these conflicts have roots in conflict over natural resources. One of those most critical to the global economy is oil. In CIM/Energy, you will find details of a report from the Energy Security Leadership Council. The report, presented to President Bush and the Congress, calls for immediate reduction of the US dependency on oil, no matter where it is produced. Also note coverage of Blood Diamonds featured in Recommended Reading.
For the week ending December 10, 2006
Today, as the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor moved the US into World War II, a similar debate over foreign policy and national security is underway, in the debate over the strategy to salvage Iraq. Recommended Reading includes the full text of the Executive Summary and President Bush's initial response to the Iraq Study Group report, as well as links to related reports and commentary that address the findings in and response to the report. The Newsletter does not neglect other crises around the world, including the growing conflicts in Somalia and Sudan, and their regional impact. There is also thorough coverage of emerging threats, critical infrastructure protection, and disaster reduction. Today also marks the first Global Day for Darfur.
For the week ending December 3, 2006
Rescue efforts are underway in the Philippines after a typhoon led to mudslides that may have killed thousands. A more insidious disaster is the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In South Africa alone 950 people die of AIDS each day. World AIDS Day was marked on 1 December. In out ongoing efforts to help control this scourge, the Asset Management Network has gone RED. When you purchase a subscription, we will donate ten percent of the purchase price to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
For the week ending November 26, 2006
This week Iraq saw the worst day of civilian casualties since the 2003 invasion, another assassination in Lebanon, and spreading conflict in the Horn of Africa that all point to civil war and regional conflicts. It is, therefore welcome, that the Palestinians and Israel have stepped back from the brink with a ceasefire. On another note, we look at the balance between security and privacy illustrated in the SWIFT case: see Recommended Reading for details.
For the week ending November 19, 2006
Climate and energy are recurring themes in this week's Newsletter, reflecting the range of issues raised during the Climate Change conference in Nairobi. News summaries also reflect conflict situations around the world, and key developments in emerging threats and sectors of the critical infrastructure. On a less serious note, the US Defense Department has entered premature holiday mode with the opening of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa Tracker website for this year, at
http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php
For the week ending November 12, 2006
This week you'll find several reports on political risk, energy, the environment, and economies. Many of these issues intersect, as most clearly seen in the UN's Human Development Report and the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook. There were also many elections this week, and Recommended Reading focuses on the US, including the full text of a preliminary election observer report.
For the week ending November 5, 2006
Every week in the Newsletter's section on Emerging Threats we cover news and research on a topics ranging from corruption to weapons proliferation. Of these, global climate change dwarfs all others. This week Sir Nicholas Stern, former Chief Economist of the World Bank and now Head of the UK Government Economics Service and Adviser to the Government on the economics of climate change and development, released his Review on the Economics of Climate Change. The findings in this seminal work are covered in several sections, and Recommended Reading includes a condensed executive summary.
For the week ending October 29, 2006
This week was marked by political anniversaries including the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution (see Recommended Reading) and one year since the riots in France. It has also opened political opportunities, with important votes in Brazil, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Panama. Infectious diseases dominate news in Emerging Threats and Critical Infrastructure/Public health. Note that we have updated our Avian Influenza Special Report.
For the week ending October 22, 2006
Much of this week's news focuses on policy failures and debates over alternatives, ranging from Afghanistan and Iraq to veils and torture. There is also coverage of the recent FATF meeting, new reports on maritime security and electricity supplies, and many other topics. Recommended reading focuses on the story behind the Military Commissions Act signed into law this week.
For the week ending October 15, 2006
From North Korea's nuclear testing and the threat of nuclear proliferation to Britain's row over the Muslim veil, religious symbols and multiculturalism, we bring you news summaries from around the world. Britain is also facing challenges over its approach to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which is covered in the section of Political Risk, while recent books related to the US and Iraq are featured in Recommended Reading.
For the week ending October 8, 2006
Ceremonies were held today to remember the victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, in which more than 73,000 people died. Millions more were displaced, and recovery remains nascent. In this issue we review the aftermath of this disaster, including allegations that some of the aid was diverted to finance terrorism. South Asia is the topic of many other stories this week, including the anniversary of the fall of the Taleban government and the aftermath of the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan are also featured in this week's Recommended Reading.
For the week ending October 1, 2006
The US Congress was busy finishing up before the mid-term elections, so this week includes a large number of legislative actions, hearings and reports, including framing a controversial detainee bill. News highlights from around the globe include elections from Austria to Zambia, as well as recent developments in transnational frauds across multiple industries, laundering money through a fake employment site, and much more. Recommended Reading was going to feature the fifth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, but we pushed it out a week to instead provide the US Director of National Intelligence's Declassified Key Judgments of the National Intelligence Estimate on "Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States" in full.
For the week ending September 24, 2006
From UN General Assembly coverage to Identity Theft Task Force recommendations, this Newsletter covers the global threats and opportunities facing international businesses and governments today. Take particular note of our participation in the Connected Health initiative, where we have contributed valuable information about lessons learned not only in healthcare but in other critical sectors.
For the week ending September 17, 2006
This week's Newsletter marks the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the US, describes the widening crises in Iraq, the Sudan, and elsewhere, identifies new medical breakthroughs in malaria and tuberculosis, and reminds everyone to wear shoes that are practical for descending high rise buildings in an emergency.
For the week ending September 10, 2006
This week highlights the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States. Coverage includes the commemoration in the US, evaluations of the "war on terror", US policies following the attacks, implications in various regions and industries, and a range of recent reports and books related to these events. Another anniversary marked this week is the tenth anniversary, on 10 September, when UN member states overwhelmingly endorsed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to control nuclear arms (See ETM/Weapons). Global news coverage ranges from a new mechanism to treat malnutrition to the World Bank's evaluation of regulatory relief.
For the week ending September 3, 2006
Disasters remain a major theme this week, with the anniversary of the levee breaches that inundated New Orleans, the current hurricane and monsoon season, and the meeting of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. As well as coverage in the Disaster Reduction Monitor, there are reports on the economic impact in ETM/Economies, and some preparedness resources in Recommended Reading. Another disaster covered this week is the second anniversary of the Beslan school siege, and an independent report that casts further doubt on the official description. Other stories of government corruption are found in ETM/Corruption, and in some of the cases covered in the coverage of anti-money laundering and terrorist finance.
For the week ending August 27, 2006
Welcome to the 27 August issue of this Newsletter. A year earlier, we were reporting on the devastating hurricanes striking the Gulf Coast of the US. This year Recommended Reading reviews year since hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Other weather-related events are also reviewed, as well as several news stories regarding their causes and mitigation techniques. The topic of disaster reduction will be covered further in next week's issue, coming after the International Disaster Reduction Conference. Other stories this week provide updates to airline terror plots and security measures, the latest events in the Middle East, more reports of confidential data compromised by weaknesses in cyber security, and many other topics.
For the week ending August 20, 2006
News this week covers global topics such as the 2006 International AIDS Conference emissions trading, as well as reports that begin locally but have international implications. These include the latest reports on airport security following the recently revealed transatlantic bomb plots, Holocaust cartoons on display in Iran, and organized crime trends in Canada. Make sure you take a look at section 8 to read our news of an upcoming seminar in which we are participating.
For the week ending August 13, 2006
News of the alleged terrorist plot involving liquid explosives on airplanes spans the three continents of North America, Europe, and South Asia. This issue of the Newsletter describes the plot (GTM), the political fallout (PRM), the economic impact (ETM/Economy), the financing (AML), the purported weapons (ETM/Weapons), and the reaction in the transportation sector (CIM). In addition to this and other news highlights from the past week around the world, Recommend Reading focuses on recent books and reports related to fraud.
For the week ending August 6, 2006
The news this week was again dominated by worsening security in the Middle East, but this Newsletter covers all the other key events as well. For example, you can find information about new AML/CFT modalities including Hezbollah fundraising in the tri-border area of South America, money laundering through tax havens, and "sandwiching" illegal logs. There are also stories about emergency preparedness, soccer teams working against sectarianism and prejudice, and summer reading lists. On another matter, if you are interested in joining an advisory/editorial board or speakers bureau drop us a note to .
For the week ending July 30, 2006
The long history of conflict in the Middle East is called to mind in many of the events of the past week, from marking 50 years since Egypt's charismatic President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which is covered in Recommended Reading, to today's horrific death toll in the ancient town of Qana (Cana), Lebanon. Other news reports this week cover Democratic Republic of Congo's first multiparty elections in 40 years, efforts to combat corruption in the former Soviet bloc, the use of stolen car parts to finance terrorism, and many other topics
For the week ending July 23, 2006
The G-8 leaders reached agreement on issues ranging from counterterrorism to trade, which are cited in the relevant sections of this week's Newsletter. The conflict in the Middle East also covers multiple sections, including the reports in terrorism and political violence, as well as implications to the global economy, trade and transportation, and energy prices. Following up the G8 and WTO meetings, Recommended Reading looks at books covering development strategies.
For the week ending July 16, 2006
India's commercial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), was the scene of a major attack on 11 July when seven coordinated explosions ripped apart local trains during the rush hour commute, killing more than 230 people and injuring more than 700 injured. A day later, this tragedy was pushed aside by the widening conflict in the Middle East. Already launching major operations in Gaza, Israel opened a second front against Hezbollah and Lebanon. Meanwhile, the issues of nuclear terrorism and the unresolved issues regarding the nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran continue to fester, and global security is plumbing new depths. On a different note, the Happy Planet Index, which measures consumption levels, life expectancy, and happiness rather than national economic wealth, finds that Vanuatu is the happiest nation - islands in general performed well.
For the week ending July 9, 2006
Among the news highlighted in this issue of the Newsletter, European counterterrorism efforts are prominent in several areas. This isn't surprising, since 7 July marked the first anniversary of the London transport bombings. Reports about the UK, EU, and Australian response are in the relevant sections, while portraits of both victims and attackers are featured in Recommended Reading. We have also compiled three government reports about the attacks on a CD, for easy reference. New this week is a section in Emerging Threat Monitor that targets Natural Resources, covering such topics as economic risk, environmental harm and the paradox of the "oil curse".
For the week ending July 2, 2006
Although the growing crisis in the Middle East is dominating the news, it is taking place in the context of other events happening around the world. This is illustrated both by such reports as massive Indonesian demonstrations outside the US embassy in Jakarta, calling for the US to help resolve the situation. Interconnections extend even further, as can be seen in the intersections of reports on terrorism, political violence and energy, the "invisible web" of the global "war on terror" and how different legal systems address it. Such connections are reported in many other ways throughout this Newsletter, and in more detail in the monthly Monitor publications.
For the week ending June 25, 2006
This week's Recommended Reading features the controversial allegations in "The One Percent Doctrine". Surveillance, privacy and data protection arise in several of the news stories, including multiple data breaches, US congressional hearings on data protection, and the disclosure of another secret US surveillance program, this one leveraging an international financial transaction network.
For the week ending June 18, 2006
Iraqi operations in the aftermath of Zarqawi's death, the consequences of stabilization in Somalia, lack of emergency preparedness in the US response system, sanctions against Chinese firms doing business in Iran, workplace abuse and harvesting underwater lumber are just a few of this week's news stories. Don't forget to check out the online store for subscriptions and other reports.
For the week ending June 11, 2006
The life and death of Abu Musab al Zarqawi is the focus in this week's Recommended Reading. News includes this and other activities in Iraq and conflict zones around the world, as well as new modes of terrorist financing, the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and nuclear developments in Australia, Iran, France, the UK and other countries.
For the week ending June 4, 2006
The 25th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS infection is reported in emerging threats, where it joins avian influenza; public health where the latest UNAIDS report and related issues are summarized; and Recommended Reading, where the early years are recalled, painfully. Major terrorist raids in Canada and the UK are covered, as well as the political ramifications. News summaries also include such tidbits as Japan's record low and Australia's record high fertility rates, the tropical past of the Arctic, and the irrepressible.info campaign for freedom of information.
For the week ending May 28, 2006
The tragic earthquake in Java, Liberia's illegal rubber tappers, a life sentence for the surviving Beslan school siege attacker, the Philippines' first successful money laundering case, the Enron convictions, and the books and movie associated with it, are just a few of the topics covered in this week's news summaries. For in-depth analysis and access to supporting materials, consider purchasing a Monitor subscription from out online store.
For the week ending May 21, 2006
This Newsletter carries a lot of bad news, but if you look carefully this week you will find that Iraq has a new government and a sacred rite in Indonesia is helping prevent the eruption of Mount Merapi. There are tips on holding affordable elections and on evading NSA surveillance (US readers take note!). We review an interesting book about the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Best of all, we have launched an online store, so you no longer need to use email and phone for purchases.
For the week ending May 14, 2006
A week after Nepal's active conflict came to an end, Sri Lanka has resumed a low-intensity conflict. Such changes are tracked in this Newsletter each week. Other global coverage in this issue includes new ways to hack an ATM, the fate of those involved in lawless siphoning of oil or rubber, and a British defense report on the existence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
For the week ending May 7, 2006
Global news highlights in this issue range from scenario planning for pandemic flu to use of a coffee shop to front a money laundering operation. In Recommended Reading, we are featuring three key reports addressing causes, consequences, and intervention in terrorism: "2006 Failed States Index"; "Country Reports on Terrorism 2005"; and "Uniting Against Terrorism: Recommendations for a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy".
For the week ending April 30, 2006
The US Department of State issued the 2005 Country Reports on Terrorism. They report 11,000 terrorist attacks and 14,60 deaths, most in Iraq. Suicide attacks increased, now causing more than 20 percent of worldwide terror deaths. More details will be provided next week, when we will also release a Special Report on terrorism trends over the past decade. This week, news highlights from around the globe range from the major incident in Egypt and new oil infrastructure threats in Nigeria to poor international preparedness for a flu pandemic and a new report that shows how loose information collection creates a booming business for shell corporations in the US. Recommended Reading this week focuses on the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
For the week ending April 23, 2006
The nexus between natural resources, corruption, and violence is revealed in many of the stories this week. They include diversion of Chad's oil revenue from development to defense, bribery and money laundering in getting Iraqi reconstruction contracts from the Coalition Provisional Authority, and an increasing variety of border disputes. Highlights from global news in the past week also includes the most recent incidents of terrorism and political violence, and as well as reporting on recent disasters, Recommended Reading covers the centennial of the San Francisco earthquake.
For the week ending April 16, 2006
Among the global news summaries this week are a number of anniversaries:
* On 12 April the International Court of Justice (ICJ) marked its 60th birthday. (See Emerging Threats/Human Rights) and Venezuela commemorated the fourth anniversary of a failed military coup against President Chavez (Political Risk Monitor).
* The Easter Rising on 14 April 1916 began the modern Irish independence movement. (See Recommended Reading)
* The US launched air strikes on Libya on 15 April 1986. Twenty years of terrorism later, Libya has renounced weapons of mass destruction, and efforts are under way to eliminate the few remaining sanctions against it, including its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. (See Global Terrorism Monitor/Africa)
For the week ending April 9, 2006
News in Political Risk Monitor this week is loaded with elections and uncertainty over forming governments, from Belarus to Thailand. Much of the disarray is connected with corruption, terrorism and political violence that plague so many countries around the world, as described in other sections of the Newsletter. As the US Congress leaves for its spring recess, a lot of hearings and other legislative efforts were crammed in to the week. You'll find these stories and links to testimony in many locations, including the sections on AML/CFT, emerging threats and critical infrastructure protection. We'd also like to point out new information about former Liberian President Charles Taylor (Global Terrorism Monitor), Burkina Faso's inability to deal with H5N1 avian influenza (Emerging Threats), and a special event in which Keira Knightley is auctioning her Oscar dress to raise funds for the East Africa Food Crisis (Disaster Reduction).
For the week ending April 2, 2006
Hot off the press: "Best Health Buys" is a set of three books that outline the current and future state of global health, with recommendations for the most crucial, proven, and cost effective measures to pursue. Recommended reading focuses on recent histories regarding Ukraine's Orange Revolution, while news in the Political Risk Monitor provides information on the status of the country's elections last week. Don't miss other highlights in international events, ranging from freed hostages in Nigeria and Iraq, to a series of disastrous earthquakes in Iran.
For the week ending March 26, 2006
The "Iraqi Perspective Project" shows what Saddam Hussein and leading figures in his regime were thinking ahead of the US-led invasion, but news from this week describes what is happening on the ground as we enter the fourth year of this seminal war. In addition to the Middle East, the Newsletter reports on key events from elsewhere around the world related to terrorism and political violence, how these events are financed, and ways to mitigate the risks or recover from incidents.
For the week ending March 19, 2006
The World Water Forum is underway in Mexico City, 16-22 March. Full coverage of this topic is in Critical Infrastructure Protection/Water, below. Other news includes violence across Palestinian territories following Israel's assault on a Jericho prison, a US National Security Strategy that names Iran the biggest threat, new reports on Tamil Tiger financing, and the latest updates on pandemic flu, the levees in New Orleans, and other developments from the past week.
For the week ending March 12, 2006
The tragic bombings of a Hindu temple in the pilgrimage city of Varanasi, Zimbabwe's 782 percent inflation rate, competing human rights reports from China and the US, and information on how exports are used to launder money, are just a few of the topics covered this week. In addition to these summaries of key events from around the globe, check out our new document delivery service, described in section 8.
For the week ending March 5, 2006
This weekly Newsletter provides an electronic update to our monthly print publications. This week's news around the world includes:
? The capture of Shaikh Abdur Rahman, head of the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in the Global Terrorism Monitor
? The infamous raid by masked police on Kenya's flagship Standard newspaper, in Political Risk Monitor
? AML/CFT Monitor's updates on regulations and the discovery that al Qaeda used cash couriers to help finance attacks in Bali and Java, Indonesia
? The economic impact of avian influenza is addressed in Emerging Threat Monitor
? Critical Infrastructure Monitor provides a progress report on Dubai Ports World acquisition of P and O, and the controversy it has generated in the US
? Discovery of the "Pompeii of the East" is among the topics in Disaster Recovery Monitor
? Recommended reading reviews books covering the science, practice, and history of climate change
For the week ending February 26, 2006
Counterterrorism in North Africa and the Bush administration's self-evaluation of their response to Hurricane Katrina are among the news from the past week. Each issue of this Newsletter looks at current and historical issues of global risk, focusing on the asymmetric threats posed by natural disasters, terrorism, and transnational crimes, as well as ways to mitigate and respond to these threats.
For the week ending February 19, 2006
Excess logging coupled with heavy rain is blamed for the worst disaster this week, with the collapse of a mountain in the Philippines that buried 1800 people under a flood of mud. A similar combination was covered in earlier Disaster Reduction Monitor news covering smaller incidents in Indonesia. In addition to environmental threats discussed at last week's AAAS meeting, Emerging Threat Monitor, also addresses the accelerated threat from avian influenza now that is has spread to India and Africa. This week we also discuss rising fatalities in the widening cartoon protests (Political Risk Monitor), fresh attacks in the Niger Delta (Global Terrorism Monitor), adding financing of weapons of mass destruction to AML/CFT regimes, and addressing risks in the energy sector of our Critical Infrastructures.
For the week ending February 12, 2006
Ahead of Valentine's day, check out the new guide to buying conflict-free diamonds, described this week in the AML/CFT Monitor news. Updates on the conflicts funded by the illegal trade in diamonds can be found in the Global Terrorism Monitor and Political Risk Monitor Newsletter entries.
For the week ending February 5, 2006
Interpol usually reserves Orange Notices for urgent warnings of bombs and disguised weapons. But Friday's escape of 23 dangerous prisoners, including at least 13 convicted al Qaeda terrorists, some involved in the attacks on the USS Cole and the Limburg garnered the personal intervention of Secretary General Ronald Noble. He said, "Al Qaeda terrorists have been deemed a serious threat to the entire world community by the UN Security Council, by Interpol and by a wide range of countries. Their escape cannot be considered an internal problem for Yemen alone".
For the week ending January 29, 2006
Among this week's news are efforts to end stability in the resource-rich Great Lakes region of Africa, democratic intervention into succession of Kuwait's ruling family, details on the financing of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) from one of their former commanders, new identity theft incidents and protective measures, and the deadly effects of record cold in Europe at a time of serious energy disruption. The surprise victory of Hamas, which will now form the next Palestinian government, is given particular attention in our special report, found at
http://www.politicalriskmonitor.com/2006/01/PRM2902.shtml
For the week ending January 22, 2006
As the northern hemisphere enters the height of the winter cold, international energy supplies have been threatened by terrorism and political violence in two of the world's largest suppliers: Nigeria and Russia, posing a range of threats to personal safety and continuity of major sectors of the critical infrastructure. These events, as well as last week's terrorist incidents, legal cases, and other news from around the world are all covered in this issue of the Newsletter.
For the week ending January 15, 2006
Skinheads in Russia, arms smugglers in Lebanon, LTTE attacks in Sri Lanka, money laundering in Northern Ireland, flood information exchanges between Louisiana and the Netherlands, and the "dirty war" in West Africa are just a few of the international events summarized in this week's Newsletter. Don't forget to take a look at the new product information here and on the websites.
For the week ending January 8, 2006
Welcome to the new and improved Newsletter. It has been redesigned around topical categories that reflect new and forthcoming print publications. Brief information about these can be found in section 8. Please email with your comments - and let us know if you'd like to receive this in HTML.
For the week ending January 1, 2006
Welcome to the Year in Review issue, summarizing the "state of the world" and reviewing our coverage in 2005.