News & Opinion on Terrorism & Strategic Communication — October 12, 2007

Better Terrorism Through Networking. “This analysis focuses on the potential application of information and communication technologies that may be used across the full range of activities that make up terrorist operations and whether these applications can lead to new and different approaches to terrorist operations.” (RAND, 10/11).

Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week Fueling Controversy. “‘Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week’ is still three weeks away, but the event and a similar campaign from Young America’s Foundation are already setting off campus controversies and debates about tolerance and free speech.” (Inside Higher Ed, 10/9).

Sydney Blumenthal Flames Karen Hughes. “However noble the abstractions of your rhetoric, your speeches are uniformly received as irrelevant propaganda. Even after objective observers have called attention to this pattern, you have done little to adjust. While it would be unfair to put the entire burden of transforming the image of the United States on you, it is a sad fact that your actions have deepened cynicism about American motives.” (Salon, 10/11).

America is the Prophet of Liberty. “Khudayr Taher, a liberal Iraqi author now living in the U.S., is a regular commentator for the liberal Arab e-journal Elaph. In a series of articles published September 21-25, 2007, he described his transformation from an ardent Shi’ite sectarian in his native Karbala to a liberal devotee of Enlightenment values.” (MEMRI, 10/12).

Could Hamas Target the West? “On 22 March 2004, Israeli security forces assassinated Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yasin. His deputy and successor, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, issued a statement implying that Hamas would avenge Yasin’s death with attacks on Israel — and on the United States.” (Matthew Levitt via Washington Institute for Near East Policy, date unknown).