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International News
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Al-Qaeda ‘Planning Big British Attack’ (London Times; New York Times; In the News [UK]) “Al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq are planning the first ‘large-scale’ terrorist attacks on Britain and other western targets with the help of supporters in Iran, according to a leaked intelligence report. Spy chiefs warn that one operative had said he was planning an attack on ‘a par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki’ … The report, produced earlier this month and seen by The [London] Sunday Times, appears to provide evidence that Al-Qaeda is active in Iran and has ambitions far beyond the improvised attacks it has been waging against British and American soldiers in Iraq.” And “Britain’s top counterterrorism police officer, Peter Clarke, said Al Qaeda has survived ‘a prolonged multi-national assault’ and its supporters had established ‘an inexorable trend towards more ambitious and more destructive attack planning,’” reports the New York Times. “Terrorist strikes on the UK could include a ‘potentially devastating’ electronic attack, the home secretary [John Reid] said” Wednesday, according to In the News. [View London Times article] [View New York Times article] [View In the News article]
Bin Laden Helped Plan Attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan (CNN) “A Taliban military commander [Mullah Dadullah] says Osama bin Laden helped plan the deadly suicide car bombing outside Bagram Air Base [in Afghanistan] targeting a ‘very important American official,’ apparently referring to Vice President Dick Cheney,” reports CNN. “… Dadullah was interviewed by the Arab-language network al-Jazeera, which identified the official as Cheney.… Dadullah said al Qaeda leader bin Laden also is involved in planning attacks in Iraq.” [View article]
EU Will Give Reasons for Terror Blacklisting (Yahoo! News) “The European Union agreed on Monday to inform groups and people why they are put on its list of terrorist organisations, a move aimed at avoiding decisions being overturned in court,” reports Reuters. “… The reasons for blacklisting would only be revealed if a blacklisted group agreed to it.” [View article]
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United Nations News
UN Says Iraq Is Withholding Figures on Civilian Deaths (CNN) “The United Nations is unable to determine how many Iraqi civilians have been killed so far this year because the Iraqi government won’t share the information,” the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq said in a report Wednesday, according to CNN. “An Iraqi government official denied that the information was withheld to cover up the number of civilian deaths, and the prime minister’s office said the U.N. report ‘lacks accuracy.’ Even without the numbers, the report delivers a grim message: Iraq is facing ‘immense security challenges in the face of growing violence and armed opposition to its authority …’ The report also contains a laundry list of human rights concerns.” [View article] [View report]
Venezuela and Cuba Ask U.N. to Investigate Posada’s Release (Dallas Morning News) “Venezuela and Cuba on Wednesday asked a U.N. counterterrorism committee to investigate the release from a U.S. jail of a Cuban militant who is wanted in Venezuela on charges of plotting a 1976 airliner bombing that killed 73 people,” reports the Associated Press. “The two countries made the request in a letter to Panamanian Ambassador Alberto Arias, the committee’s chairman, saying it was urgent the case be considered as soon as possible following the release last week on bail of 79-year-old former CIA operative Luis Posada Carriles.” [View article]
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National News
Violence Grows on Mexican Border (Christian Science Monitor) “The harder it gets to sneak illicit cargo—immigrants or drugs or other contraband—into the US, the more violence-prone the border has become, not only for border-crossers but also for law officers trying to halt the smuggling,” reports the Christian Science Monitor. “… Though no US border patrol agents have been killed, they’ve been assaulted more often [in Arizona] by illegal immigrants this year—112 attacks, an 18 percent jump—in the state, compared with the same three-month period a year ago. Along the entire US-Mexico border, there’s been a 3 percent increase in such attacks.” [View article]
FDA Aware of but Overwhelmed by Food Hazards (Washington Post; MSNBC; CNN) “The Food and Drug Administration has known for years about contamination problems at a Georgia peanut butter plant and on California spinach farms that led to disease outbreaks that killed three people, sickened hundreds, and forced one of the biggest product recalls in U.S. history, documents and interviews show,” according to the Washington Post. “Overwhelmed by huge growth in the number of food processors and imports, however, the agency took only limited steps to address the problems and relied on producers to police themselves … FDA officials conceded that the agency’s system needs to be overhauled to meet today’s demands.” Yet “the same food safety net that couldn’t catch poisoned pet food ingredients from China has a much bigger hole. Billions of dollars’ worth of foreign ingredients that Americans eat in everything from salad dressing to ice cream get a pass from overwhelmed inspectors, despite a rising tide of imports from countries with spotty records, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal trade and food data.” However, the FDA “said it will test ingredients imported for use in the human food supply in connection with the nationwide pet food recall that has killed, by some estimates, thousands of pets,” reports CNN. And while “the outbreaks of E. coli in spinach and Salmonella in peanut butter, along with contamination in pet food, have highlighted the risks posed by accidental food contamination,” and “the attacks of September 11, 2001, heightened awareness that the food supply could also be vulnerable to deliberate contamination,” the “federal agencies responsible for food safety have no authority to compel companies to carry out recalls,” notes the Government Accountability Office. [View Post article] [View AP article] [View CNN article] [View GAO abstract]
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New this week in the Journal of Homeland Security
In “Satellite Control and the Future of Container Security,” Jim Giermanski, Ed.D., professor and director of the Centre for Global Commerce at Belmont Abbey College, as well as chairman of the board of Powers International, Inc., discusses the role of satellites in container security as well as the shortcomings of radio-frequency identification as a container security measure. |
DHS News
Govt. Finds Questionable Contracts Awarded in Katrina Recovery (San Diego Union-Tribune) The Federal Emergency Management Agency “exposed taxpayers to significant waste—and possibly violated federal law—by awarding $3.6 billion worth of Hurricane Katrina contracts to companies with poor credit histories and bad paperwork,” according to a “new report by the Homeland Security Department’s” inspector general, reports the Associated Press. The report “examines the propriety of 36 trailer contracts designated for small and local businesses in the stricken Gulf Coast region following the 2005 storm.” [View article] [View report]
FEMA Accepts Applications for 2007 First Responder Grants The Federal Emergency Management Agency began accepting applications Wednesday for $33.7 million in equipment and equipment training awards for first responders via the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. The grants are limited to law enforcement agencies, fire, and other emergency responder organizations with specific financial and capability needs. Applicants may review the program solicitation through the Responder Knowledge Base. The application period closes May 29. The 2006 grants were awarded in March (see the March 30 newsletter). [View press release]
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Other Federal News
Pentagon to End Talon Data-Gathering Program (Washington Post) Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence “James R. Clapper Jr. is moving to end the controversial Talon electronic data program, which collected and circulated unverified reports about people and organizations that allegedly threaten Defense Department facilities,” reports the Washington Post. “Clapper, a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, ‘has assessed the results of the Talon program and does not believe they merit continuing the program as currently constituted,’” according to a Pentagon statement. [View article]
U.S. Central Command Discards the Phrase ‘Long War’ (New York Times) “After taking over last month as the head of Central Command, Adm. William J. Fallon quietly retired the phrase” long war, reports the New York Times. “The phrase was coined by Gen. John P. Abizaid before he retired as head of the Central Command. It was intended to signal to the American public that the country was involved in a lengthy struggle that went well beyond the war in Iraq and was political as well as military.” However, “cultural advisers at the command had become concerned that the concept of a long war alienated Middle East audiences by suggesting that the United States would keep a large number of forces in the region indefinitely.” [View article]
NRC Wants New Nuclear Reactors Protected Against P*** Crashes The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants all new reactors to have greater built-in protections to avoid or mitigate the effects of a large commercial aircraft impact, making them even more resistant to an attack. The NRC will seek comment from the public, the nuclear industry, and the technical community on the proposal. [View press release]
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State and Local News
Montana Recognizes Tribal ID Cards (Billings [MT] Gazette) Days after rejecting the federal Real ID requirements (see last week’s newsletter), Montana passed a law “that requires tribal identification cards to be accepted as readily as state ID cards by state agencies,” reports the Associated Press. “It takes effect Oct. 1.” [View article]
| Please submit events and educational programs by noon Wednesdays for consideration as items in that week’s newsletter. |
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Education
The Homeland Security Institute lists these education programs as a service to readers who may be interested; it does not endorse them or their courses. New education listings are posted for four weeks.
Preventing and Responding to Workplace and School Violence (May 1; online) This online seminar will address “5 Things Campus Security Officers Need to Know.” It will present field-tested methods to defuse threatening situations, components of a best-practices workplace violence program, methods for mass emergency notification, strategic crisis leadership: making good decisions during chaos, and methods to establish a new normal. [View course website]
Managing the Threat of Suicide Bombers and Improvised Explosive Devices (May 7-8; Arlington, VA) This course will discuss terrorist activity in the United States; terrorism statistics, trends, and threats; explosives; IEDs; concealment techniques and methods of operation; suicide bombers’ rationale, recruitment, training, and methods of operation; how to respond to suicide bombers, combined attacks, and secondary devices; effective bomb threat and bombing response plans; building and vehicle searches and evacuations; and Internet and other information sources on terrorists and bombing. [View course website]
Advanced Identification Systems European Union (May 14-16; Brussels, Belgium) The seminars will feature presentations on market information and future trends, privacy and standards, eID, government ID programs, biometrics, identity management, data protection, physical and logical access control, and surveillance. They are free to government and military personnel. [View course website]
Mirror Image (May 20-25; Moyock, NC) Mirror Image is an intensive, one-week classroom and field training program, designed to realistically simulate terrorist recruiting, training techniques, and operational tactics. Participants will receive insight into the mindset and rationale of the terrorist through hands-on experience with the methods and means they use, plus education about the ideologies that motivate them and cultural dimensions that influence their decision making. [View course website]
Advanced Hands-On CAMEO® Training (May 21-23; Boston) CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) is a suite of software applications used widely to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. It is developed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Response and Restoration to assist frontline chemical emergency planners and responders. CAMEO can be used to access, store, and evaluate information for developing emergency plans. It also helps users meet the chemical inventory reporting requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. [View course website]
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U.S. Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium (June 3-7; Cincinnati) The theme of this year’s Symposium is “The Many Faces of Public Health.” It offers continuing education seminars on the latest trends and innovations in public health care delivery, administration, and research. [View symposium website]
Emergency Preparedness for Government Facilities (June 4-5; Arlington, VA) This course provides “strategic resources to prepare for, and recover from, any emergency or disaster.” It will help the students create or improve their organization-wide emergency management plan to ensure that all procedures are in place and that all equipment and personnel needs are addressed so that they can respond to an emergency quickly and instinctively. [View course website]
Advanced Identification Systems Asia (June 4-6; Shanghai, China) Presentations will cover market information and future trends, interoperability, testing, standards, eID, large-scale system requirements, national ID, ePassport, and registered traveler programs, commercial ID applications, biometrics, identity management, privacy and data protection, physical and logical access control, and surveillance. The seminars are free to government and military personnel. [View course website]
Terrorism: Threats, Training, Tactics and Technology (June 11-13, Boston) Nationally renowned experts will discuss terrorism, emerging threats, training, tactics, and technology issues. Participants will have the opportunity to explore some of the challenges and gain a comprehensive understanding of issues related to terrorism. [View course website]
Teaching About Terrorism for Institutions Serving Minorities (June 16–24; Atlanta) The Homeland Security Department’s Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs is sponsoring a Summer Workshop on Teaching Terrorism for faculty and graduate students at institutions serving minorities. It be held at Morehouse College and will offer an intensive short course on the fundamentals of terrorism, introduce academics to new and innovative techniques utilized to teach terrorism, and provide access to high-level officials working in the intelligence and counter-terrorism fields. [View course website]
Physical Infrastructure Technologies in Homeland Security (June 20; Washington, DC) This course will discuss evaluating and implementing technologies and techniques for sustainability and integration, with a special emphasis on it convergence, surveillance, and inspection. [View course website]
Managing Today’s Threats to Homeland Security (June 27; Washington, DC) With a special focus on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive weapons, this class will give attendees a quick snapshot of how government and industry are addressing the threat, from policy decisions through recent research and technology development. [View course website]
Commercial Biometrics (July 30–Aug. 1; San Diego) Presentations will discuss and advance biometric applications and solutions in commercial markets, including financial services, retail, healthcare, high tech and telecom, industrial and residential, gaming and hospitality, and education. The seminars are free to government and military personnel. [View course website]
Advanced Identification Systems 2007 (November 28-30; Washington, DC) 30 industry experts will cover large-scale ID systems; identity management and eID; data sharing, privacy, and protection; ePassport, national ID, and registered traveler programs; testing, standards, and interoperability; physical and logical access control; and biometric application breakthroughs in the commercial and government sectors. The seminars are free to government and military personnel. [View course website] |
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New Upcoming Events
(After four weeks, new events will be moved to the Upcoming Events page)
Biological Sampling and Detection Symposiums (April 30–May 2; Richmond, VA) A mix of first responder, homeland and military defense, and system developers, set in an informal atmosphere that promotes wide information exchange, broad community contacts, and multi-dimensional views of common problems. [View conference website]
Real ID Online Forum for State Legislators and DHS (May 4; online) The Homeland Security Department will sponsor a webinar from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT to take comments from state legislators and legislative staff on the draft Real ID regulations. [View press release]
(May 7-10; Baltimore) The Ninth Bioremediation Symposium will integrate the latest developments in fundamental research with innovative engineering applications. Presentations will cover remediation of contaminated soil, groundwater, sediments, and landfills; bioaugmentation and biostimulation to enhance intrinsic microbial processes; phytoremediation; bioremediation used in concert with physical or chemical processes; and regulatory and public perception issues. [View conference website]
(May 7-11; Atlantic City, NJ) The general sessions feature regionally and nationally recognized experts. “Breakout” sessions enhance and emphasize, in a smaller group format, specific emergency management programs and objectives, allowing close interaction with state and regional experts. [View conference website]
Global Border Security Conference & Expo (May 8-10; San Antonio) This conference addresses the challenges and trade opportunities of the daily movement of more than 1 million people (including over 600,000 aliens), over 300,000 private vehicles, and over 80,000 shipments of goods across U.S. borders. [View conference website]
Cascading Infrastructure Failures: Avoidance and Response (May 16; Washington, DC) The symposium brings together concerned communities including government and industry technical and policy principals with experience in cascading infrastructure failures. It is designed to illuminate best practices for avoiding and responding to cascading failures created by natural, accidental, or malicious infrastructure debilitation. [View conference website]
Building International Partnerships to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction (May 16-17; Washington, DC) The symposium will examine the opportunities and challenges. [View conference website]
ACE Exchange IV and V (May 21-23, Laredo, TX; June 4-6, Buffalo, NY) The Automated Commercial Environment is the commercial trade processing system being developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to facilitate legitimate trade while strengthening border security. The ACE Exchanges will provide information on ACE and allow an open forum of communication between Customs and Border Protection and the trade community. The conferences will educate the trade community on the benefits of ACE, its impact on business operations, and legal policy changes under way, such as the new mandatory electronic manifest policy. [View conference website]
Biodefense Vaccines and Therapeutics (June 4-6; Washington, DC) The theme of this year’s conference is policy, funding, and development. The conference is a place where government and industry come together to share their strategic plans and discuss industry’s participation in the government’s biodefense efforts. [View conference website]
Sensors Expo and Conference (June 11-13; Rosemont, IL) This event focuses exclusively on sensors and sensor-integrated systems. The program will cover measurement and detection, emerging technologies and applications, systems and embedded intelligence, wireless sensing, and low-power sensing. [View conference website]
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism–International Nuclear Terrorism Law Enforcement Conference (June 11-13; Miami) The conference will feature 2½ days of industry exhibits and will be attended by policy, program, and tactical levels from participating agencies and an international contingent of U.S. partner nations. [View conference website]
CRTI Summer Symposium (June 11-15; Gatineau, Quebec) Canada’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Research and Technology Initiative summer symposium will focus on building resiliency from concept to operations. CRTI is responsible for building new science and technology necessary for response and preparedness. [View conference website]
(June 26-28; Washington, DC) This conference offers a “solutions-oriented dialogue” to define the real communication problems faced and the capabilities needed to address them, identify interoperability and information-sharing needs and requirements, work towards aligning missions among federal, state, local, and non-governmental actors, and create the social and technical networks necessary for collaboration with a diverse array of participants. [View conference website] |
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