Terrorism

Journalism sounds worthy and old-fashioned. But relabel it Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and it holds a new fascination for governments.
There’s an excellent report (available here) by Richard A.Best Jr and Alfred Cumming, about how intelligence agencies over-value secret intelligence and sometimes miss OSINT - or what journalists would call “the bleedin’ obvious.”
But the big flashing headline for […]

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The IPCC’s Stockwell 2 report is undoubtedly the best account of the management confusion surrounding the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes. Well, it’s the only one.
There is a key problem. The central claim in all police communications was that de Menezes was challenged, refused to comply and was then shot. This, Stockwell 2 tells us, […]

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I‘d love to see the difference between a US Defence Dept Video News Release and the piece Frank Gardner presented tonight on the BBC 10. Go view it.
The pay-off to his online copy notes:
…until terrorists actually detonate a dirty bomb, the funding for coping for one [sic] is thin on the ground.
Some equipment is now being distributed, […]

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It’s nearly two years since I wandered away
With the local battalion of the bold IRA,
For I read of our heroes, and wanted the same
To play out my part in the patriot game.
I don’t mind a bit if I shoot down police
They are lackeys for war never guardians of peace
And yet at deserters I’m never let aim
The […]

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A while back the BBC reported on the conviction of Kazi Nurur Rahman. Rahman, you’ll recall, tried to buy Uzis, RPGs and SAM-7s for terrorist purposes.
The Beeb’s report noted that:
When interviewed by police Rahman claimed he was working for MI5, who had recruited him 10 years earlier.
But, in pleading guilty to attempting to possess property intending it […]

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