Jane's Terrorism Country Briefing: Kenya January 2019 by Kemi Barca - Jane's Terrorism & Insurgency Centre In Kenya, JTIC recorded a total of three attacks in January at a daily average of 0.1 per day. No attacks were recorded in December. Compared to the preceding 12 months, this represented no change from the average 0.1 attacks per day recorded during this period.The attacks recorded in January resulted in a total of 21 non-militant fatalities at a daily average of 0.7 per day. No non-militant fatalities were recorded in December. Compared to the preceding 12 months, there was an increase from the daily average of 0.1.Attacks and Fatalities (IHS Markit)The significant increase in non-militant fatalities compared to the 12-month average was driven by a single attack that targeted the 14 Riverside Road hotel, DusitD2 hotel and office complex in the Westlands district in the capital Nairobi on 15 January. Read more:...

112 UA Syria: Suicide bomber attacks U.S. military vehicles, eight victims Almost all the deceased people were common citizens A suicide bomber blew up a car near the tomb of Sheikh Aqeel in Syria’s Manbij, as the result of which eight people died, Rudaw reports this.According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, a jihadist targeted a convoy that included an armored US military vehicle.There were seven common citizens and one representative of the opposition alliance “The Forse of diplomatic Syria” among the victims,” the report said.The bomber attacked four U.S. military vehicles in a convoy on the road between Manbij and al-Bab. Col Sean Ryan, the representative of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition, reported that no US forces have been killed or injured on the explosion. Read more: https://112.international/society/syria-suicide-bomber-attakes-us-military-vehicles-eight-victims-37690.html...

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington TimesProsecutors say Coast Guard Lt. Christopher P. Hasson was poised to become one of the worst mass murderers in U.S. history — yet all they have charged him with is possessing a synthetic opioid and owning an illegal gun-silencer.It’s a curious situation that has legal analysts questioning where the government should draw the line between a domestic terrorist and a man merely fantasizing about doomsday scenarios.“Lots of people have bad thoughts, but we don’t have thought crimes in the United States,” said Tung Yin, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School.To hear investigators tell it, Lt. Hasson had worked up a target list that included top Democrats and liberal members of the news media, kept a well-stocked arsenal capable of mass mayhem and was weeks into a drug regimen timed to end with becoming a “superhuman one-man-army for 2 hours.” Read more: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/10/christopher-hasson-case-shows-terror-prevention-ta/...

Cincinnatti.com Man convicted of supporting terrorism says propaganda convinced him ISIS was good Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer Laith Alebbini admits he tried to travel to Syria to meet with the Islamic State group, also called ISIS, but he says he only did it because he wanted to fight Syria's Bashar al-Assad and help the Syrian people.Now, he is trying to avoid decades in prison.Alebbini, was arrested in April 2017 at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. He's been in jail ever since.In December, the Dayton, Ohio man pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support and resources to a terrorist group.Read more: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/crime-and-courts/2019/03/11/man-convicted-supporting-terrorism-says-he-believed-isis-wasnt-evil/3130524002/...

Voice of America U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in Washington Monday and told him that the United States stands with India in fighting terrorism. Indians dance as they wait to welcome Indian fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman at India Pakistan border at Wagah, 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) from Amritsar, India, March 1, 2019.After their meeting, the State Department said the two discussed the importance of bringing to justice those responsible for a suicide attack on an Indian paramilitary convoy claimed by Pakistan-based militants.The State Department said the diplomats spoke of "the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil." Read more: https://www.voanews.com/a/us-says-it-stands-with-india-in-fighting-terrorism/4824324.html...

Minneapolis Star Tribune Attacking terrorism at its domestic roots A promising yet small program in Minnesota is aimed at "disengagement." By Editorial Board Star TribuneThe commitment of Minnesota’s federal court system to root out the causes of homegrown terrorism and to deradicalize, or disengage, those who get caught up in it is both commendable and prudent. It’s a goal that should be considered by court officials in other parts of the U.S. as they deal with both domestic and foreign hate groups.The early success of a deradicalization program in Minnesota is detailed in a recently released report by Kevin Lowry, the onetime chief probation officer for the state’s federal court district. Lowry managed a pilot project at the urging of senior U.S. District Judge Michael Davis after an influx of cases involving young Somalis who were enlisted to serve terrorist groups such as al-Shabab and ISIS.Read more:  http://www.startribune.com/attacking-terrorism-at-its-domestic-roots/506905122/...

NL Times Islamic school in Amsterdam in contact with terrorist group: Counterterrorism coordinator By Janene Pieters Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security, intelligence service AIVD and national coordinator for counterterrorism and security NCTV have major concerns about Islamic school Cornelius Haga Lyceum in Amsterdam. In a letter to parliament and Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, they wrote that there are indications that the board of the school has been in contact with a terrorist group for years, RTL Nieus reports.The board of the school has been in a Salafist and radical environment since 2000, the NCTV said. According to the letter, it is known that the board had contact with terrorist group Caucasus Emirate for at least three years. This group is responsible for multiple attacks on the Moscow metro in 2010, among other things, according to the broadcaster.In addition to contact with the terrorist group, there are more "worrying...

Just Security Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Are Not the Same Thingby Matthew Wein Counterterrorism and homeland security are not the same thing. It is not surprising though that the two get intertwined and conflated. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was, after-all, created in the wake of the horrible terrorist attacks on 9/11. The twenty-two agencies that were brought together into what became DHS were, in part, tasked to keep America safe. But the counterterrorism mission begins and is largely fought overseas by the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community agencies across Europe and in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. While there is obviously overlap and connections between the two mission spaces, they are decidedly not the same. When they are unnecessarily fused together their missions can become muddled and their intended outcomes can miss the mark.Inherently Reactive v. Active PreparationAt the most basic level,...

The Arizona Republic by Mike Cruz, Arizona Republic Border officers seized more than $1.3 million worth of cocaine during a smuggling attempt Wednesday at the Lukeville Port of Entry in southern Arizona.U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred a Mexican national — a 44-year-old man — in a Chevrolet pickup truck for secondary inspection when a CBP dog alerted to an odor coming from the vehicle's doors, according to a CBP news release.Officers found 55 pounds of cocaine worth more than $1.3 million, the news release stated.Also Wednesday, officers at the Port of Nogales entry seized nearly $240,000 worth of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, according to a CBP news release. Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2019/03/08/border-officers-seize-more-than-1-3-million-worth-cocaine/3106497002/...

The Heritage Foundation Portland Putting Itself at Risk by Leaving the Joint Terrorism Task Force by David Inserra Last month, the Portland, Ore., City Council voted to leave the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, one of our nation’s first lines of defense against terrorism. “We want to direct our resources towards actual threats,” city Commissioner Chloe Eudaly said. But that’s exactly what the Joint Terrorism Task Force is doing. Leaving the task force will only harm real counterterrorism investigations. Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the country are responsible for investigating, detecting, prosecuting, and removing terrorists and terrorist organizations. They have been key in breaking up cells like the “Portland Seven,” planned attacks on military bases like Fort Dix in New Jersey, and plots against airports. Typically, when we hear about a counterterrorism investigation, the Joint Terrorism Task Force is playing an active and decisive role in the operation.The first Joint...

TERROR AID British cops will be sent to trouble hotspots in Africa to stop terrorism threat The SunPolice will have access to the £14 billion foreign aid budget to target violent extremism that can threaten the UKBy Ryan Sabey, Sunday Political Correspondent BRITISH cops are to be deployed to trouble hotspots to stop the rising threat of terrorism in Africa, we can reveal.Law enforcement agencies will have access to the £14 billion foreign aid budget to target the violent extremism that can threaten the UK at home. Cabinet Minister Penny Mordaunt has revealed our experts will “build stronger police forces and set up British serious and organised crime units” in developing countries.She says the help intends to focus on the “root causes” which help fuels the terror networks.Training up foreign cops will help stop organised gangs to move funds across borders and seize assets to stop gangs from operating. Read...

Eurasia Review China Slams Terrorism, But Not Pakistan: Sino-India Economic Relations Unlikely To Deteriorate – Analysis By Subrata Majumder China slammed terrorism in the RIC (Russia, India, China) communique in Beijing, in the post India’s airstrike on terrorist camps in Pakistan. Its Foreign Minister Wang Yi was emphatic in saying, it was “especially important to eradicate the breeding grounds of terrorism” . But, at the same time he refrained from castigating Pakistan. He said that ”Pakistan has always been opposed to terrorism”. This exhibits China’s double face against Pakistan, even though Pakistan is recognized the global breeding centre of terrorism. To the surprise, China urges two nations to remain restrain from escalating the war tension.For the first time China made a balancing tact between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan were engaged in several face-off and physical wars. All the time, China raised outcry against India. Read more: http://www.eurasiareview.com/01032019-china-slams-terrorism-but-not-pakistan-sino-india-economic-relations-unlikely-to-deteriorate-analysis/...

NDTV Counterterrorism, Withdrawal Of Troops Focus Of Taliban Negotiations: US The US has been discussing counterterrorism, troop withdrawal, intra-Afghan dialogue and a ceasefire with Taliban. World | Press Trust of India Washington - The US has said the ongoing negotiations with the Taliban are focused on four interconnected issues, including counterterrorism and withdrawal of troops, that will be key for any future agreement to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.A high-powered American delegation led by Special US Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has been holding meetings in Doha, Qatar with a high-level Taliban team led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.The talks have been going on for several days to finalise a draft agreement on a potential foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and to end the 17-year war in the country."These discussions are ongoing, and what they're focusing on are the four interconnected issues that are going to compose any...

India.com Three IEDs Found at London's Heathrow, City Airport And Waterloo Station, Counter-terrorism Investigation LaunchedBy India.com News Desk London: A counter-terrorism investigation was launched after three small improvised explosive devices (IED) were found at Heathrow Airport, City Airport and Waterloo station, said the UK police on Tuesday.According to the London Metropolitan Police, the three devices sent to the above-mentioned airports’ stations are capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened. “The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is treating the incidents as a linked series and is keeping an open mind regarding motives,” read the statement further.The Met Police said: “The packages – all A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags – have been assessed by specialist officers to be small improvised explosive devices.While one mailer was found near Heathrow Airport, another mailer turned up near City Airport, and the third in the mailroom at Waterloo Station. A building...

Six futuristic concepts on the Pentagon’s counterterrorism “wish list”by Justin Rohrlich - Quartz A Department of Defense (DoD) branch that “identifies and develops capabilities to combat terrorism and irregular adversaries” is looking for big ideas.According to a solicitation issued earlier this year, DoD’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) wants scientists and researchers to deliver, among other things, adhesive skin patches that double as alarms; color night vision; armed underwater drones; long-range facial recognition; and a device that can locate and identify human targets through solid walls.CTTSO’s request represents a “wish list” of sorts, says Paul Rosenzweig, a former deputy assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security who has written extensively about counterterrorism.Now a senior fellow at the R Street Institute, a conservative-leaning Washington, DC think tank, Rosenzweig thinks some of what CTTSO hopes to achieve is likely doable, and reasonably quickly. Certain concepts, however, will probably...

Gatestone Institute Must We Really Be Careful What We Do Lest We Offend Extremists? by Douglas Murray  • What is striking and controversial are the repeated interventions into the debate made by the government's own 'extremism commissioner', Sara Khan. Over recent years Khan has been a hugely admirable figure. The founder and leader of the women's group 'Inspire', Khan has shown a generation of British people – including, most importantly, young Muslim women – that it is possible to be resilient against the fanatics in their faith and also to argue for the rights of women. She has been an unarguable force for good, and has had to withstand appalling pressure from Islamist groups in the UK. "It is, I think, completely misconceived to suggest that we should change our foreign policy because it might cause some people to take up arms against us. That's a form of blackmail...." —...

ISIS May Be Knocked Out of Syria But It’s Alive in US Clarion Project ISIS may be knocked out of Syria, but the group is alive in the U.S., both in distributing its poisonous ideology and translating that into actual plots. Here are three ISIS supporters that law enforcement caught — two were in the process of planning attacks. Two were sentenced to almost 16 years in prison each and will have years of supervised release afterwards. The third, surprising, got only seven years.A 22-year old from New Jersey was sentenced to 16 years in prison for planning a bombing attack in New York City for ISIS.Gregory Lepsky from Point Pleasant pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was sentenced March 1 in a federal court in Trenton. When released, he will be subject to lifetime supervision.Lepsky admitted he planned to detonate...

Algeria's Strategy to Overcome Regional Terrorism The National InterestAlgeria is vulnerable to extremism, but its successful counterterrorism efforts may provide lessons for its neighbors in North Africa and the Middle East. by Michael Greco Algeria is vulnerable to terrorism. As the Islamic State loses momentum, fears are growing that fighters could return home and spark new insurrections, a familiar tale that Algeria has little interest revisiting. Unfortunately for Algerians, the country risks a return to the “Black Decade” of the 1990s when fighters who traveled to Afghanistan to wage Jihad came back to Algeria radicalized and ignited a religious war. While there are only 175 known ISIS members from Algeria, its neighbors, Tunisia and Libya, have seen thousands of youth join the extremist group. An influx of radicalized, unemployed youth threatens Algeria’s stability and economic development. Algeria’s Ambassador to the United States Madjid Bouguerra addressed how his country seeks to...

The algemeiner by Abigail R. Esman It’s been a relatively quiet year for jihadists in the West. This, combined with the military fall of the Islamic State, has led politicians and pundits alike to declare a victory of sorts: ISIS is defeated, they announce, or they condemn concerns about potential Islamist terrorist attacks as racist “Islamophobia.”But they are wrong.A report issued earlier this week by the Dutch National Coordinator of Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) confirms that Muslim extremism, and particularly Salafism, is on the rise across Europe — as are recruiting efforts to radicalize European Muslims through Salafist schools, mosques, and social groups.What’s more, ISIS continues to be a threat, largely through the possibility of returnees — Europeans who fought with ISIS and who now are trying to come home, bringing their ideology and training with them. ISIS also continues to recruit through propaganda, most of it online. And despite...

By Amanda Darrach, CJR Seamus Hughes of George Washington University's Program on Extremism. Photo by Amanda Darrach.Last Wednesday afternoon, Seamus Hughes stood in his driveway in the suburbs of Maryland, scraping snow off his car. He took a break, pulled his phone from a pocket, and indulged in his favorite pastime: trawling court documents. He saw something interesting: a detention memo showing that a lieutenant in the US Coast Guard, held in Maryland on drug and gun charges, had been stockpiling weapons and human growth hormone on the recommendation of a manifesto by Anders Breivik, a Norwegian terrorist who killed more than 70 people in 2011. The lieutenant, Christopher Hasson, planned to use “focused violence” to “establish a white homeland.” He also kept a hit list of media personalities and elected officials. Hughes tweeted, and attached the memo. “Always troll the MJ court filings folks. Always,” he wrote. Soon, The...