Coerced Confession Traps Detainee, Lawyers Say
Young runaway Abdul Rahim endured cigarette burns, electric shocks and repeated beatings at the hands of Taliban soldiers who captured him in 2000, he said -- all because he refused to fight for al-Qaeda….(Washington Post, 14 Oct 06)

Al-Qaeda active in Pak tribal areas: Report

Several activists of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban militia and Islamist extremists from Iraq and Uzbekistan are active in Pakistan's South Waziristan, The News International newspaper said on Friday….(Indo-Asian News, 13 Oct 06)

U.K. army chief urges leaving Iraq

In a surprising challenge to the government, the most senior British military officer was quoted Friday as saying the country's army should leave Iraq, where it is the main U.S. ally, "some time soon."…(New York Times, 13 Oct 06)

British Parliamentarian's Veil Controversy

Last week Jack Straw , a member of the British Parliament, provoked international debate by saying that he asks Muslim women constituents who wear the veil to uncover their faces when meeting with him...The transcript of discussion follows:…(Washington Post, 13 Oct 06)

Briton Pleads Guilty in Plots Tied to Al-Qaeda

…Dhiren Barot, 34, of north London, also pleaded guilty to planning attacks in Britain involving radiological devices known as dirty bombs and a scheme to blow up three limousines packed with gas cylinders in underground parking garages. Prosecutors said these plans were detailed on computer files seized in Pakistan….(Washington Post, 13 Oct 06)

Germany: New Appeal for Man in 9/11 Cell

The Federal Court of Justice, Germany’s highest criminal court, began considering the appeal of Mounir el-Motassadeq, the Moroccan man convicted in 2005 of belonging to a cell of Al Qaeda in Hamburg whose other members included ringleaders in the Sept. 11 attacks…(New York Times, 13 Oct 06)

'Contradictory' evidence used in deportation case

The security services and the Home Office came under fire yesterday for providing misleading evidence to a secret terror court…(Independent, 13 Oct 06)

Bin Laden urged to disown Iraq's Qaeda chief: TV

A man who said he was a jihad leader in Iraq called on al Qaeda's Osama bin Laden to disown Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the recently appointed leader of the group in Iraq, Al Arabiya television reported on Friday. The Dubai-based channel aired a video for Abu Osama al-Mujahid in which he complained to bin Laden that Iraq's al Qaeda under the leadership of Masri had committed "unjustified violations" such as the killing of prominent sheikhs in Iraq….(Reuters, 13 Oct 06)

South Korean Held for Export of Strategic Nuclear Goods

…Prosecutors in Uijeongbu City said Thursday they and the National Intelligence Service arrested the man identified as Lee (45) on charges of smuggling 15 tons of potassium fluoride, whose export is restricted, on May 31 this year for US$27,500 to a country in the Middle East….(Chosun, 13 Oct 06)

Blast inside Iraqi police station

A bomb has exploded in a police station in the Iraqi city of Hilla, killing the commander of an Iraqi special police force…(BBC, 13 Oct 06)

Seven dead in Afghan blast

At least seven Afghans have been killed in a car bombing that targeted a NATO convoy in the southern city of Kandahar….(Aljazeera, 13 Oct 06)

543 mines recovered in Kolkata

A huge cache of arms, including 543 anti-personnel mines, was recovered and three arms peddlers were arrested following a joint raid by the Army Intelligence unit of the Eastern Command….(Hindu Times, 13 Oct 06)

Egypt's nuclear dilemma

It came as no surprise when in September Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for Egypt to pursue a nuclear energy program…(Jane’s, 13 Oct 06)

Charge of Treason Difficult to Prove, Legal Experts Say
The decision to charge alleged al-Qaeda propagandist Adam Gadahn with treason is something of a gamble by the U.S. government, which has not pursued such a case in more than 50 years and has a mixed track record for convictions over the course of American history, according to legal experts and historic accounts….(Washington Post, 13 Oct 06)

Korean test seen as only partial blast

Four days after North Korea tried to set off its first nuclear bomb, U.S. intelligence agencies think the blast detected by seismic sensors was a plutonium-fueled device that did not fully explode….(Washington Times, 13 Oct 06)

Hamas leader sticks to hard line

The political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has again ruled out recognizing the State of Israel or abandoning "armed resistance"….(BBC, 13 Oct 06)

America's Iran-Watchers Flock to Dubai

A handful of U.S. diplomats here on Iran's doorstep have quietly opened a diplomatic mission to monitor the Islamic republic and reach out to its people despite a three-decade-old freeze in formal relations….(AP, 13 Oct 06)

Iran Blames U.S. For Sectarianism In Iraq

Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei today accused the United States of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs and creating religious divisions in the country…..(RFERL, 13 Oct 06)

US forces killed ITN man in Iraq

A coroner has recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on ITN reporter Terry Lloyd, who was shot dead by US forces in southern Iraq in March 2003…(BBC, 13 Oct 06)

Speakers assess state of Middle East policy

Target Iran, by Scott Ritter and The End of Iraq, by Peter Galbraith

… The two men differed in both their outlook on the war and in how they communicated it to the audience — Ritter's booming, passionate delivery contrasted Galbraith's breakdown of what the United States needs to do to avoid spreading civil war in Iraq….(Rutland Herald, 12 Oct 06)

Author on Pakistani nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan

This is a transcript from PM...The BBC Security Correspondent Gordon Corera is the author of a book on A.Q. Khan called Shopping for Secrets…..(ABC, 12 Oct 06)

Man admits UK-US terror bomb plot

A man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder people in a series of bombings on British and US targets. …(BBC, 12 Oct 06)

Texas Man Sentenced for Terrorist Deals

A former computer company executive was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for conspiring to launder money for an official of the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Bayan Elashi was convicted last year in federal court on charges accusing him of having financial dealings with a terrorist…..(AP, 12 Oct 06)

North Korea Arms Trade Seen As Threat

North Korea's claimed test of a nuclear weapon is only the tip of what frightens the rest of the world. It's all the more worrisome because the country has shown itself to be a virtual bazaar for spreading missiles, conventional weapons and nuclear technology around the globe….(AP, 12 Oct 06)

U.S. Seen Retreating From Democracy Push

The United States has quietly retreated from its high-profile push for democracy in the Muslim world, since the Hamas election stunned the Bush administration by bringing a violent militant group to power…..(Reuters, 12 Oct 06)

N.Y. Lawyer's Case Prompts Debate on Bush Tactics

The case of a New York attorney convicted of aiding terrorism has prompted debate among U.S. lawyers about whether the Bush administration wants to scare them away from representing terrorist defendants….(Reuters, 12 Oct 06)

Bush Faults Clinton Policy, But the Debate is Complex

…Bush's current policy, in fact, envisions direct, bilateral negotiations with North Korea on certain issues in the six-nation talks, such as missile proliferation and normalizing relations. That commitment to direct talks is enshrined in the agreement of principles guiding future negotiations that was reached in Beijing in September 2005….(Washington Post, 12 Oct 06)

Possible Attack in Manila after Ramadan, say Intelligence Reports

Sources within the Filipino military intelligence have raised the alarm of possible large scale terrorist attacks in Manila and other urban centres in the Philippines after the current Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to end in less than two weeks…(AKI, 12 Oct 06)

Iraq passes regional autonomy law

The Iraqi parliament has approved a law allowing provinces to merge into regions which would enjoy a measure of autonomy. The law is controversial as many Sunni Muslims and others fear it would lead to the country's partition. …(BBC, 12 Oct 06)

Leaders divided on Syrian talks

New Syrian peace overtures have divided the Israeli government and public, with many prominent figures arguing that the country may be missing a historic opportunity to isolate Iran and weaken Hezbollah….(Washington Times, 12 Oct 06)

Azerbaijan could permit Iran gas transit to Georgia - minister

If Georgia and Iran reach a natural gas export agreement, Azerbaijan is ready to allow Iranian gas to be transited across its territory to Georgia, the country's industry and energy minister said Thursday….(RIA Novosti, 12 Oct 06)

Jury Selection Begins in Terrorism Trial

...Muhammad Salah, 53, from suburban Bridgeview, and Abdelhaleem Ashqar, 48, of Alexandria, Va., are charged with operating a 15-year racketeering conspiracy to supply the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas with money to carry out a campaign of murders and kidnappings….(AP, 12 Oct 06)

Trial Fact Sheet

Gunmen kill 11 in Baghdad TV raid

Gunmen have killed 11 people in an attack on the offices of a new satellite TV channel in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say. …(BBC, 12 Oct 06)

Gunmen kill 9 at Sunni TV station in Baghdad

…(CNN, 12 Oct 06)

UN 'pulls' staff out of Somali after threats

The UN said on Thursday it had temporarily pulled international staff out of parts of Somalia controlled by the Islamic radicals after receiving "direct written threats."….(IOL, 12 Oct 06)

Mexico probes alleged Hezbollah financing: reports

…Mexico started the investigation three months ago on a request from the United States, which is helping in the probe, the daily El Universal said. The alleged cell is suspected of financing Hezbollah rather than planning attacks itself, according to the Milenio newspaper….(Reuters, 12 Oct 06)

Air passengers 'could be tagged'

Electronically tagging passengers at airports could help the fight against terrorism, scientists have said. The prototype technology is to be tested at an airport in Hungary, and could, if successful, become a reality "in two years"….(BBC, 12 Oct 06)

Saudi Arabia to Build Security Fence along Iraqi Border

As part of its battle against terrorism, Saudi Arabia has recently announced a plan to build an 814-kilometer security fence along its border with Iraq…(MEMRI, 12 Oct 06)

Secret terror courts questioned after evidence bungle

The Government's process of secret hearings for the deportation of terrorist suspects came under renewed scrutiny today after a barrister revealed that MI5 had offered contradictory evidence against two men …(Times Online, 12 Oct 06)

Iraq Qaeda-led group forms coalition

An Iraqi militant group led by al Qaeda said it formed a coalition to step up the fight against U.S.-led forces and urged Sunni Muslim tribal leaders to join, according to a Web video posted on Thursday….(Reuters, 12 Oct 06)

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 6

…This October 10, 2006 video contains a message to the Iraqi nation from the commander of Kataib Thawrat Al-'Ishrin (The 1920s Revolution Brigades)….(MEMRI, 12 Oct 06)

French police face Muslim 'intifada'

Radical Muslims in France's housing estates are waging an undeclared "intifada," or uprising, against the police, with violent clashes injuring about 14 officers each day…..(London Daily Telegraph, 12 Oct 06)

Crossover Extremists Pose Big Threat

Terrorists from different extremist groups who unite against a common cause _ such as the United States _ may be among the next big threats to America, the FBI's newly promoted counterterror chief says. FBI Assistant Director Joseph Billy Jr., named Thursday as the permanent chief of the agency's counterterrorism division, said there's no evidence yet of "crossover" extremists in the U.S….(AP, 12 Oct 06)

Fingering Danny Pearl's Killer
Who murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl? Since his kidnapping and execution by Islamic militants in Pakistan in 2002, various suspects have been identified….(Time Magazine, 12 Oct 06)

Group Wants Probes Into Detainees' Cases

Amnesty International on Thursday demanded the Canadian government launch independent investigations into the cases of three Muslim citizens who were detained and allegedly tortured in Syria while being interrogated about terrorist ties….(AP, 12 Oct 06)

U.S Navy takes over command for anti-terrorism force

United States military task force in the Horn of Africa that was set up three years ago to deter terrorism has rolled out expansion plans with the U.S Navy taking over the facility’s leadership from the U.S Marine Corps….(African News Dimensions, 12 Oct 06)

American in Qaeda Tapes Accused of Treason

The Justice Department on Wednesday charged an American with treason for the first time in more than a half-century, accusing a former Southern California man of giving “aid and comfort” to Al Qaeda by appearing in a series of highly publicized videotapes urging violence against the United States….(New York Times, 12 Oct 06)

Videos Prompt Treason Charge for Southland Man

His tirades gave 'aid and comfort' to Al Qaeda, says the indictment of the convert to Islam. The 28-year-old is the first U.S. citizen to face such a charge since the WWII era….(LA Times, 12 Oct 06)

U.S. Supporter of Al-Qaeda Is Indicted on Treason Charge

…(Washington Post, 12 Oct 06)

TSA Secrecy Rules Eased

Congress has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to ease secrecy rules at the Transportation Security Administration, helping families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks who have sued to unearth security practices before then….(Washington Post, 12 Oct 06)

Suspects Said Nabbed in Pakistan Attacks

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf announced Wednesday that authorities had captured suspects allegedly behind an attempt on his life and said Pakistan had to win its battle with extremists….(AP, 11 Oct 06)

'All-time high' in Baghdad violence

The number of sectarian killings each month in Baghdad has more than tripled since February, and the violence has not slowed despite a major offensive in the capital. Death squads killed 1,450 people in September, up from 450 in February, according to U.S. military statistics. In the first 10 days of October, death squads have killed about 770 Iraqis….(USA Today, 11 Oct 06)

Chavez Vows to Fight Attacks on Morales

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez warned Wednesday that his country is ready to take action against any government that takes power in Bolivia if his close ally, Evo Morales, is toppled….(AP, 11 Oct 06)

U.S. Brings First Treason Case in Over 50 Years

…Gadahn converted to Islam from a Jewish-Christian family when he was 17 and a few years later moved to Pakistan. He was previously known as Adam Pearlman and grew up on a goat ranch outside Los Angeles…(Reuters, 11 Oct 06)

American Al Qaeda Member to Be Indicted for Treason

The American Al Qaeda spokesman known as "Azzam the American" will be indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles, FOX News has confirmed. Adam Yahiye Gadahn, whose exact whereabouts is unknown but is believed to be in Pakistan, is expected to be charged with material support and treason….(Fox/AP, 11 Oct 06)

Homeland Security seeks deals on cargo scanning

The Homeland Security Department expects to formalize agreements with up to three foreign ports by the end of this year to scan all cargo containers before they are shipped to the United States…(Congress Daily, 11 Oct 06)

FBI Agents Still Lacking Arabic Skills

…The numbers reflect the FBI's continued struggle to attract employees who speak Arabic, Urdu, Farsi and other languages of the Middle East and South Asia, even as the bureau leads a fight against terrorist groups primarily centered in those parts of the world…..(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

Muslim Anger Burns Over Lingering Probe of Charities

More than four years ago, federal agents swarmed into homes and businesses in Herndon and elsewhere in Northern Virginia, carting away 500 boxes of documents they believed contained evidence of an international terrorism financing network.…(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

Islamic Center files suit on checks

The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., one of the most prominent mosques in the country, is accusing its longtime financial manager of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars by funneling checks to companies under his control….(Washington Times, 11 Oct 06)

Racial Profiling Won't Stop Terror

…There are more than 1 billion Muslims in the world -- a huge population to single out for special scrutiny -- and only a tiny fraction are members of al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. And focusing on Muslims would ignore the fact that terrorists professing adherence to other religions have claimed many lives over the years as well, and will certainly do so again in the future…..(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

We Need a New Deterrent

"Present at the Creation" was the title Dean Acheson gave to his memoir about the founding of the post-World War II order. Now, with North Korea claiming to have tested a nuclear weapon in defiance of the international community, and Iran seemingly on the way, Harvard professor Graham Allison argues that we are present at the unraveling…..(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

Word of Test Confirms Stances in 2 Nations

In the suburbs north of here, the thaw between the Koreas has led South Korea to dismantle highway barricades meant to slow down an invasion of North Korean tanks. Japan, meanwhile, has begun investing billions of dollars in erecting a high-tech shield against North Korean missiles…..(New York Times, 11 Oct 06)

Intercepting Radicalization at the Indoctrination Stage

Your concerns about “radicalization” as a threat to U.S. Homeland Security are warranted. For after twenty five years of studying the ideology and the evolution of the doctrines that produced the self-declared Jihadist movement which has declared, waged and continues to conduct war against the United States and other democracies….(Family Security, 10 Oct 06)

Khamenei defends nuclear 'right'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, says the country will continue developing nuclear technology….(BBC, 11 Oct 06)

Thailand to stay under martial law for another month

Thailand will remain under martial law for about another month as the post-coup government lets political turbulence settle, Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas said on Wednesday….(Reuters, 11 Oct 06)

U.S. Waits for Firm Information On Nature and Success of Device

The White House yesterday played down North Korea's nuclear capability as government scientists and intelligence analysts waited for additional data to confirm whether Pyongyang had conducted a successful nuclear test….(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

Terrorism network commanded from jail

Jailed leaders of Jemaah Islamiah are using Indonesian prisons as a recruiting ground and publishing house, translating radical Islamic texts and distributing them across the country to indoctrinate future terrorists. The translated jihadist manuals are being widely distributed.….(Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Oct 06)

Iraqi Dead May Total 600,000, Study Says

A team of American and Iraqi public health researchers has estimated that 600,000 civilians have died in violence across Iraq since the 2003 American invasion, the highest estimate ever for the toll of the war here….(New York Times, 11 Oct 06)

Study Claims Iraq's 'Excess' Death Toll Has Reached 655,000

….(Washington Post, 11 Oct 06)

Across Europe, Worries on Islam Spread to Center

Europe appears to be crossing an invisible line regarding its Muslim minorities: more people in the political mainstream are arguing that Islam cannot be reconciled with European values….(New York Times, 11 Oct 06)

War Stories Investigates: The Jihad

 “War Stories” on Fox News Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 8 p.m./11 p.m. ET

The word is everywhere, but what does it mean? Jihad — holy war or struggle — now threatens innocent people of every faith. Al Qaeda may now be at the top of the terror ladder, but the roots of this global war are deep in history…..(Fox, 10 Oct 06)