Global Security Brief
A daily, open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.
By Professor Joseph B. Varner
A daily, open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.
By Professor Joseph B. Varner
By Aaron Richman
This Intelligence report includes information from open and closed intelligence sources. Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism.
This Intelligence report includes information from open and closed intelligence sources. Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism. For more information about these intelligence briefings, visit
Senate pulls an all-nighter to push for a vote on withdrawing troops from Iraq. Think Progress is live-blogging the filibuster.
This Intelligence report includes information from open and closed intelligence sources. Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism.
Timothy Brown, a 20-year veteran of the United States Army, wrote an interesting article for the Global Politician about the shifting sectarian dynamics in Iraq. It's a bit long, but a very interesting read.
Excerpt:
The March 2003 United States invasion of Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, reversed 300 years of Turkish Ottoman, Sunni based monarchial and military rule in the country. The toppling of Saddam Hussein, the Baa’th Socialist Party of Iraq, and moreover, the total evisceration of the governmental structure, set in motion the decentralizing centrifugal forces of sectarianism.
Read the entire article at Global Politican online.
![]()
This Intelligence report from the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response includes information from open and closed intelligence sources.
Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism.
Continue reading "Actionable Intelligence Briefing - June 25 to July 2, 2007" »
![]()
This Intelligence report from the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response includes information from open and closed intelligence sources.
Not all information is able to be verified; however, the TAM-C is actively evaluating the reporting to establish its accuracy and to determine if it represents a possible link to terrorism.
Continue reading "Actionable Intelligence Briefing - June 18 to June 25 , 2007" »
By John A. Cote MSSI, CPP
President Bush’s New Iraq plan met with resistance the moment it was unveiled to the world. A Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that 52 percent of Americans disapproved of the plan with 61 percent not agreeing to the increase of 20,000 troops in Iraq.
By John A.Cote MSSI, CPP
Could a major military strike in Iraq be in the very near future? It seems that all the ingredients have been added into the mix for such an event to take place.
The newly appointed Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, has to make a big splash in order to set the tone of his tenor. To do that, he needs help facilitate a rather large and significant policy shift in Iraq.
Secretary Gates has essentially stated that we are losing the war in Iraq and that a major overhaul to the U.S. war strategy is needed to break the endless cycle of violence occurring every day throughout Iraq.
Currently, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is steaming its way toward the Gulf to relieve the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise strike group, which was in the region supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having two complete battle groups in the region is thought to be a show of force to Iran.
But what if there were other reasons why two battle groups were there?
Lately the name Muqtada al-Sadr has been thrown around the Pentagon as the current public enemy number one in Iraq. Could a major Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile (TLAM) attack on the leadership of al-Sadr's group be in the cards?
Such an event would serve as the major policy shift needed in Iraq, because if successful, it would send a major message to anyone trying to interfere in the restoration process of Iraq.
In the early hours of the current Saddam Hussein. Why not try a decapitating blow to the al-Sadr Army by sending in a TLAM strike on all major players in the al-sadr Army other wise known as the Mahdi?
The first battle of Fallujah referred to as Operation Vigilant Resolve held in April of 2004 resulted in an unsuccessful attempt by the U.S. to recapture the city. November 7, 2004 saw a second attempt by the U.S. to recapture the city of Fallujah in Operation Phantom Fury which ended in January of 2005 resulting in another U.S. pull back.
I am sure with having all those troops in the city fighting, quite a bit of intelligence was gathered on the make up and location of the Mahdi Army. It could be this very intelligence which is being analyzed and reviewed right now as you read this article, which is used to program those TLAM’s in order to make a bold U.S. Statement.
John A.Cote MSSI, CPP
Although events in Iraq, Gaza and Afghanistan have been taking more than their share of headlines as of late, a war in Somalia has been brewing for the past few months.
President Bush released a statement following his meeting with the Iraq Study Group Wednesday, saying that the report "gives a tough assessment on the situation in Iraq" and that he plans to "take every proposal seriously."
Calling the war in Iraq "grave and deteriorating" in their report, the group cautions that there's no clear path to success in this situation, but there's definite room for improvement.
Click here to read the report: The Way Forward
Watch or listen to congressional testimony on the report.
(source: C-SPAN)
Some recommendations found in the report:
The much-anticipated report from the 10-member, nonpartisan group is receiving mix sentiments around the blogsphere. Everything from "Where's the Outrage?" to "How an Advisory Commision Should Have Been Conducted"
Let us know your thoughts. Discuss it here.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After years of defending his secretary of defense, President Bush on Wednesday announced Donald H. Rumsfeld's resignation within hours of the Democrats' triumph in congressional elections. Bush reached back to his father's administration to tap a former CIA director to run the Pentagon.
Reposted from - Terror Free Tomorrow
WASHINGTON, DC— While people from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan—the world’s three largest Muslim countries—increasingly oppose US-led efforts to fight terrorism, most are favorable to the United States for past aid and want deeper American assistance in the future. In fact, American assistance results in a substantial favorable change in opinion toward the United States.
On the Huffington Post, writer Bob Burnett provides some analysis on the delicate relationship between Bush and the troops.
by Mike Harbert
For the last couple of weeks, since portions of the most recent National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) were leaked to the New York Times and Washington Post, politicians and talking heads in the media have been finding ways to use the information to further bolster their positions.
Continue reading "A Few Thoughts on the National Intelligence Estimate" »
Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen writes that “the changed circumstances of the latest conflict against terror require, as our military leaders recognize, a different and imaginative use of our military and civilian resources to prevail.”
A poll conducted by the nonprofit organization, Terror Free Tomorrow, shows that despite high levels of anti-Americanism, positive American leadership, particularly humanitarian assistance, results in a more favorable view of the United States.
Do you think Pope Benedict XVI's remarks about Islam crossed the line? Or do you think that he sincerely wanted to move Catholics and Muslims toward productive dialouge?
Continue reading "Instant Poll: The Pope's Remarks, Stimulating Dialogue or a Grave Mistake?" »

Sen. John Warner (R-VA) led a Senate Armed Services Comittee hearing on Iraq and Afghanistan Thursday.