How Quickly We Forget - Placing National Security on the Back Burner

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) unveiled its annual Budget and Economic Outlook report which projected that the federal deficit will exceed $1 trillion for the fourth year consecutively. In other news, CPAC succeeded in re-energizing the base and the 2012 election is escalating in intensity.

At the same time, other issues exist which have received minimal media attention, but which are no less important than the above mentioned. While we continue to monitor our massive debt, constitutional overreach and election coverage, we would be remiss in not acknowledging current threats to national security.

One such threat is documented in an article by Seth Jones, writing for Foreign Affairs. Jones highlights the disquieting relationship between al Qaeda and Iran - one which has the potential to significantly impact the U.S. Though Hezbollah has operated as an Iranian proxy for some time, now Iran is working with al Qaeda, as well, and is providing the group with a safe haven, out of reach of U.S. drones. Iran is also facilitating al Qaeda fundraising, communications with al Qaeda in Pakistan and the movement of foreign fighters through Iran. Jones suggests that Iran is amenable to further developing the relationship with al Qaeda.

Jones goes on to emphasize the fact that Tehran “could support an al Qaeda attack against the United States or one of its allies, although the regime would surely attempt to hide its role in any plotting.”  Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, believes that an attack by Iran against the U.S. could occur in response to a perceived threat of an attack by the U.S. on Iran.

But, as Van Hipp indicates in a Fox News article, there are also threats which have been ongoing. In addition to citing Iran’s nuclear program and the fact that it is progressing to the point at which even a bunker buster may not be able to subdue it and its increasing missile launch capability, Hipp also directs our attention to China and North Korea.

The alignment between Iran and North Korea has been in place since the early ‘80s. Iran assisted North Korea with funding for its missile development and now North Korea has reportedly developed enough fissile material for at least six plutonium based nuclear weapons in addition to the Taepodong missile.

The Chinese, on the other hand, have been focusing primarily on cyber warfare. The Pentagon, other U.S. government agencies and defense and security companies, in the U.S., have been barraged by China’s cyber offensive. 

Then too, Hezbollah continues their industrious spread throughout the world. They are now active in 40 countries - including right across the border in Mexico. According to Michael Braun, former chief of operations at the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), “Hezbollah are absolute masters at forming close relationships with existing organized crime groups around the world that helps them facilitate what they need to do to move their agendas forward.” Braun went on to emphasize that “if anyone thinks for a moment that they don’t have their eye on the southwest border and all of our country, then they couldn’t be more wrong.”

Braun warned that these liaisons allow the "groups to operate freely in our neighborhood” and he stressed that the U.S. would regret it if the threats were not taken seriously.

It has been noted that Hezbollah’s agenda is the same as that of al-Qaeda. Both embrace the goal of destroying the United States. Both are also intent on reducing Western resistance to the spread of radical Islam.

It is estimated that Hezbollah is made up of 10,000 armed members, world-wide. Hezbollah’s network includes cells throughout Latin America and Central America. And, not only are they also active right across the open border in Mexico, but they also have cells within the U.S. Under any circumstances, sustaining an attack by Hezbollah could be catastrophic. It should, then, go without saying that with reduced U.S. military strength, due to the gutting of the Pentagon budget, the potential exists for far more devastation.

There have been reports of terrorists crossing the U.S./Mexican border, one of which occurred in November of 2010. Ahmed Muhammad was indicted for allegedly aiding and abetting hundreds of people’s entry into the U.S. via Brazil to Mexico and then on to the U.S. Even in view of these events and of 9/11, there are those who vehemently support an open border.

And, U.S. authorities continue to pursue of individuals, found within the U.S., who aid and abet terrorists.  Recently, Craig Benedict Baxam, age 24, and a resident of Laurel, Maryland was charged with attempting to provide material support to al Shabaab, a terrorist group based in Somalia.  The affidavit supporting the complaint states that Baxam joined the U.S. Army in 2007 and completed eight months of training in cryptology and intelligence.  Following deployment to Iraq, he reenlisted in the Army. A month prior to a deployment to Korea, Baxam separated from the Army and returned to Maryland.

Federal prosecutor, W. Anders Folk has affirmed that that al Shabaab’s power-seizing animus is not limited to Somalia. Despite claims that al Shabaab is too small to present a problem to the U.S., Folk points out that many people were similarly persuaded regarding al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. But, as of Christmas, 2009, when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted a suicide bombing on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, estimations of al Shabaab’s potential have changed.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, for all practical purposes, functions as command central for al Shabaab operations in the U.S. According to the Investigative Project on Terrorism, al Shabaab in the area routinely travel back to Somalia for training. Recruitment efforts include using Internet videos, with the purpose of glamorizing the movement. While jubilant in the deaths of martyrs and striving for jihad, they excoriate their enemies in Somalia and the West.

Similarly, another African-based terrorist group, Boko Haram, according to a report by the U.S. Representatives Subcommittee on Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence, has quickly evolved and poses an emerging threat to the U.S. The report reveals that Boko Haram "has the intent and may be developing capability to coordinate on a rhetorical and operational level" with al Qaeda. The report emphasizes that heed should be taken in view of the group’s rapid progression. And, it has been an unusually swift progression.

Another looming concern is that of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Clapper has said that the spread of WMD is “among our top concerns” because "the time when only a few states had access to the most dangerous technologies is past." He added that chemical and biological components "move easily in our globalized economy, as do the personnel with scientific expertise to design and use them.”

In addition to that, technology has advanced to a level at which biological weapons can be created by using the latest advances in synthetic biology. This process, which was originally about reading DNA is now about both reading and writing DNA.

With the genesis of synthetic biology, ultimately terrorists will not be limited to mass attacks with biological weapons. They will also be able to target specific individuals based on those individuals' own unique DNA.

James Clapper also indicated that advances in information technology have paved the way for mass-scale data collection by China, Russia and various non-governmental entities.

Terrorist groups, in particular, have made use of social media to further their goals. The New Internet explains that on Twitter, for example, terrorists and jihadists can distribute content quickly and to a vast amount of people. Particular innovations in technology – such as encryption software and cloud computing – enable them to store and disseminate material online, while disguising their activity.

UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, affirms that “terrorists are increasingly using online technology, including Google Earth and Street View, for planning attacks. While radicalization continues to be primarily a social process, terrorists are making more use of new technologies to communicate their propaganda.”

The Taliban has two official Twitter accounts: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Abdulqahar Balkhi.

In the midst of all of this, the Obama administration laid out a total of $489 billion in defense cuts over ten years and acknowledged that the United States would no longer be able to fight two regional conflicts simultaneously.
 
A potential $500-600 billion in cuts, in addition to that, as a result of the Super Committee's failure, could yield disastrous consequences for the U.S. in terms of national security.

Van Hipp wrote in his article that "if these additional cuts go through, I doubt seriously whether the United States would be able to fight even one MRC successfully."

We, as a country, need to be able to focus on more than two or three issues at a time. To not do so could seal the fate of thousands of U.S.citizens--again.

Explosions in Bangkok

Explosions rocked Bangkok last night, as three Iranian men who were building bombs, apparently managed to blow up one of them in their own house. They fled the scene, one has so far escaped custody, one of the others was arrested at the airport trying to leave the country.

The third man, injured in the first blast, attempted to take a taxi to the hospital. When the driver refused to take him, he threw a bomb under the taxi, injuring the driver and three bystanders. Later confronted by police, he attempted to throw another bomb at them, but only succeeded in blowing his own legs off. He was then taken to the hospital under police custody.

At the home, police found yet another explosive device, but were able to diffuse it. The home was only four blocks from the Israeli embassy and nearby a Jewish community center. The events in Thailand would seem to add weight to Israel's accusations that Iran was responsible for yesterday's attacks on Israeli Embassy Staff.

Epidemic in Central America

A mysterious disease is killing off sugar cane workers in Central America. Thousands of workers have been dying from unexplainable kidney failure. It is not contained to one area, or even one country, but stretches from southern Mexico all the way down to Panama.

Some, especially environmental activists, are trying to blame the illness on pesticides. Nothing however backs their theory, especially the wide spread area that is being effected. Doctors, however, say that something else is to blame.

The workers often start at ages as young as ten. Working practically nonstop for nine hours, forcing their bodies into dehydration. The effects of constant dehydration, and fatigue would damage the liver and other organs.

To protect against this, many companies have begun supplying water, sometimes even with added electrolytes, for the workers. But for all too many it is too late an action. And many workers still refuse to believe that a simple thing such as drinking water, could save their lives.

FDA vs. Fresh Milk

Rainbow Acres organic Amish farm, in Pennsylvania, will be closing down after the Food and Drug Administration won it's suit against the farm over fresh milk. The FDA went after the farm stating, "that interstate sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal.

According to the FDA milk that has not been pasteurized is too likely to carry diseases such as typhoid fever and diphtheria. Because of this they were backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The judge in the case ruled that if the farm was caught selling across state lines again, that he would fine them for the cost of the investigation, as well as court fees. The owner of the farm, which also sells eggs, honey, butter, and other organic foods; has decided to simply shut down his farm, instead of enduring continued harassment from the FDA.

Attacks on Israeli Embassy Staff

Staff of Israeli embassies were attacked with bombs in India and Georgia. In New Delhi, several people were injured when the bomb went off there, after being placed on a car by a motorcyclist. In Tbilisi, police were able to defuse a similar bomb before it could go off.

Both attacks were copy cat versions of assassinations of Iranian scientists over the last years, including in January. Iran was quick to blame each of those attacks on Israel, the United States, and Great Britain; and had threatened revenge.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that these attacks clearly were done by Iran and Hezbollah. Adding that in the last few months, several other attacks in various countries, had been thwarted before they could be carried out. Recently the US had charged Iran with plotting an attack against a Saudi ambassador, in the States.

Iran responded to the charges, by the Prime Minister, with blame on Israel, saying the Israelis did them against their own people to cause problems for Iran. The Indian government stated that they will find out who is guilty of the attacks, and that they will bring them to justice. Israel has said they will not retaliate for these attacks, since no one was killed, but that the attackers should be wary.

Iran's Penal Code Revised

Iran's penal code has been revised. It no longer allows for the execution of minors, nor the stoning of adulterers. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Sudan, and Yemen still allow for the execution of minors. Pressure is now on those four countries to end the practice as well.

The stoning of various Iranian women, had been met by extreme criticism over the last year by the international community. And the last one's sentence of execution had been reversed due to the outcry by rights groups around the world.

Arab League Calls for UN Peacekeepers

The Arab League has officially asked for the United Nations to join them in a joint peace keeping mission in Syria. The League stated that a peace must be enforced by the Arab and international community. Further demanding that Syrian forces cease killing civilians and remove all military forces away from cities. The statement also called for all diplomatic ties to be cut off with President Bashar al-Assad's regime, and for the opposition to be recognized and given financial support.

This move comes as Al Qaeda forces throughout the world call for a jihad against the Syrian government. Forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Muslim Brotherhood of Jordan have been seen in Syria attacking Syrian troops. Since the beginning of the violence, Assad and his government have said they were under attack from foreign extremists, now it seems to be true.

It is unlikely that the UN will be able to make such a move, as both Russia and China have vetoed UN Security Council resolutions to impose sanctions. This despite the almost completely one sided, massacre level of violence being seen in the country. Russia has in fact continued to help arm Syria's military.

Welfare Drug Tests

A Republican measure to require drug tests for Colorado welfare recipients before they get benefits got its first approval amid criticism that it unfairly stigmatizes low-income people.

Republican Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg says the intent of his bill is not to pick on any group but to ensure government funds are going to people who need it, not to people who have money to buy drugs.

A House committee voted in favor of the bill on a party-line vote with Democrats voting against. Opponents say the bill draws on negative stereotypes of minorities and low-income people who are being used as scapegoats during tough economic times.

Utah is considering similar legislation. Florida passed a law last year but it's being challenged on constitutional grounds.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Syrian Violence Increases and Spreads

Government troops continue to pound opposition areas with artillery, tanks, and rockets. Over the past week hundreds have been killed as security forces besiege cities, towns, and neighborhoods that are homes to the protestors, opposition, and rebels. The fighting in Syria is so one sided that most of it is simply a massacre. There are places where rebels and troops that have defected are able to fight back, but for the most part they are simply just out gunned.

Lebanon, has also seen violence due to the Syrian conflict, hours after a mass rally against Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Street fighting has broken out in parts of Tripoli between groups that support Assad and groups that are for his removal from office. The Lebanese military has begun making raids into the neighborhoods, in an effort to enforce peace.

United States Ambassador Ford, who had been the head of the Syrian embassy until it was closed, has led a US campaign of sharing declassified satellite pictures from the Facebook for the embassy. The photos show Syrian military forces bombarding their own cities. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, "Our intent here is to obviously expose the ruthlessness of the brutality of this regime and its overwhelming predominant advantage and the horrible kind of weaponry that it is deploying against its people".

The US is not the only country closing it's embassy. Several other countries have, whilst others kept theirs open but recalled their ambassadors. Others yet have had theirs forcibly closed by Syria. Tunisia and Libya, homes to successful anti-government revolts last year, both received messages that they had 72 hours to get out of the country.

Iran Expands Military as Sanctions Bite

Iran has announced the expansion of it's fleet with the addition of two Ghadir class submarines. Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari proudly declared that every component of the ship had been built and assembled in Iran. The Ghadir class is bragged to be capable of complete stealth running, and would specifically target American aircraft carriers.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had his own announcement. He declared that, "within the next few days the world will witness the inauguration of several big new achievements in the nuclear field." The only thing further he stated, about it, was that Iran would never back down from nuclear enrichment. A program which has caused ever increasing hostilities between Iran and the rest of the world. So far the world's answer has been in the form of sanctions.

Just last week the United States increased it's sanctions upon Iran. The European Union and other individual nations have placed their own sanctions on Iran, only Russia's vetoing of any United Nations sanctions has kept the UN from joining in. Despite Ahmadinejad and his government's assurances, the effects of the sanctions are becoming visible. Food prices have dramatically increased within the country, as many of it's suppliers either have their own sanctions on Iran, see no profit in trading with them, or are simply afraid to go near the area due to Iran's constant stream of threats to blockade the area. On March 2, there are parliamentary elections for Iran, and the displeasure of the people is likely to be felt in the ballot box. Protests against the government are planned for February 14. The last elections were followed by mass demonstrations as the people felt that Ahmadinejad's reelection was rigged, and that their votes had been ignored.

Meanwhile in Shiraz, a home, where Christians met to worship, was raided by state police. The worshipers have been detained in an unknown location, and their families have not been notified on what charges. Last month in Ahvaz an entire congregation was taken away during a raid, still yet to be heard from. Iran recognizes Christianity as a religion, but continues to persecute, torture, and or murder anyone who converts from Islam.