News & Opinion on Terrorism & Strategic Communication — September 10, 2007

Bring It On, Redux? “Seemingly taunting Osama bin Laden, President Bush’s homeland security adviser said Sunday the fugitive al-Qaida leader is ‘virtually impotent’ beyond his ability to hide away and spread anti-American propaganda.” (AP, 9/9).

Was Azzam the American bin Laden’s Speechwriter? “A Californian heavy metal fan, who converted to Islam and became the first American to be charged with treason in half a century, has been fingered as the author of Osama bin Laden’s latest video lecture – which left the terror chief sounding like an anti-globalisation protester.” (Telegraph, 9/10).

U.S. Surveillance Exposed German Plot. “A U.S. intelligence intercept of suspicious communications between Pakistan and Stuttgart was the initial break that ultimately led to the arrest this week of three suspected Muslim militants.” (Los Angeles Times, 9/7). See also this follow-up story on 9/8.

Edwards’s Counterterrorism Proposal Gets Good Reviews. “Edwards has put his finger on the single most important shortcoming in the war on terrorism – the serious lack of international cooperation and coordination in efforts to grapple with terrorism on a world wide scale.” (CT Blog, 9/9).

Afghan Parliament Wants Apology for Balls of Blasphemy. “Afghanistan’s parliament demanded Saturday that US-led forces apologise for distributing footballs that carried Koranic verses and have been labelled insulting to Islam.” (AFP via Khaleej Times, 9/8).

Saudis Aim to Combat “Smear Campaign” Against the Kingdom. “Seventy-three researchers from the Arab world, the United States, Europe, Russia and Japan are working to publish books under a Saudi-financed international project aimed at removing misconceptions about Islam and the Kingdom.” (Arab News, 9/9).