The United States is dispatching Patriot defensive missiles to four countries in the Middle East — Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. The U.S. is also keeping two ships in the Gulf capable of shooting down Iranian missiles. Washington is also helping Saudi Arabia develop a 30,000-strong military force to protect its oil installations.
The U.S. released the information by leaking it to American newspapers the administration is evidently seeking to alert Tehran to a hardening of its position.
The US navy is in the process of upgrading all its Ticonderoga class cruisers and a number of destroyers to carry the Aegis ballistic missile defense system.
The U.S. military is drawing up a new air-sea battle plan in response to threats such as China’s persistent military build-up and Iran’s possession of advanced weapons, according to the Pentagon’s latest strategy review known as the Quadrennial Defense Review.
A Pakistan state television report stated Hakimullah Mehsud had been injured in a drone attack in the Shaktoi area January 14 and died three days later. His burial was reported in the village of Mamuzai in the North Waziristan region.
The Pakistani Taliban on Sunday denied rumors that their chief Hakimullah Mehsud is dead.
Gloster Meteor — the United Kingdom’s first jet fighter showing takeoff and flight.
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies’ first operational jet. Designed by George Carter, it first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Gloster Meteor was not an aerodynamically advanced aircraft but the Gloster design team succeeded in producing an effective jet fighter that served the RAF and other air forces for decades. Meteors saw action with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the Korean War and remained in service with numerous air forces until the 1970s. Two Meteors, WL419 and WA638, remain in service with the Martin-Baker company as ejection seat testbeds.
“New York Governor David Paterson says he’s “elated” that our concerns about the trial are being considered by the president.”
New York officials and New York residents are worried about …
Logistic affects of massive demand on law enforcement
Congestion of traffic
Strain on budget
Disruption of businesses that are already struggling
Sen. Chuck Schumber (D) New York …
“I called the White House and told them that it would be a very good idea if they looked for alternative sites.”
What are the optional sites for the 9/11 Terror Trials for KSM, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Stewarts Air Force Base/ Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York
West Point
Video of Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in GOP Weekly address discussing the Obama administration’s treatment of Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab as a common criminal, instead of a terrorist.
Common criminal or terrorist?
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee discusses the Obama administration’s failures in dealing with the Christmas Day bomber.
Sen. Collins expresses her incredulity that the bomber was interrogated for only 50 minutes before getting his Miranda rights.
Sen. Collins says, “The Obama administration appears to have a blind spot when it comes to the War on Terrorism. . . . Theres no other way to explain the irresponsible, indeed dangerous, decision on Abdulmutallab’s interrogation. There’s no other way to explain the inconceivable treatment of him as if he were a common criminal. This charade must stop. Foreign terrorists are enemy combatants and they must be treated as such. The safety of the American people depends on it.”
Director of National Intelligence not consulted
Secretary of Defense not consulted
Secretary of Homeland Security not consulted
Director of National Counter Terrorism Center was not consulted
Ojore Nuru Lutalo, 64, was arrested Tuesday on an Amtrak route from Los Angeles to Chicago. He was pulled from a train and detained in La Junta, Colorado. Lutalo was charged with endangering public transportation.
The offender was talking on a cell phone, stating that he hadn’t killed anyone yet and spoke about going to jail. Passenger reported the suspicious incident, also quoting him Lutalo saying, “We have to work in small groups. They can hold you for 18 months. Do they have security on these trains? Are you with me or not?” Also in a sentence mentioning Al-Qaeda he was quoted saying, “17th century tactics won’t work, we have 21st century tactics.”
Lutalo also had a tan blanket over his entire body so the conductor could not see what he was doing. Lutalo also possessed propaganda materials for the anarchist group Afrikan Liberation Army.
Intense gun battles have raged between NATO-backed Afghan troops and heavily-armed militants targeting UN and government buildings in the city of Lashkar Gah.
Afghan forces had to call in NATO air support after coming under fire — reporting a large number of militants. NATO reports helicopters are over the city and firing on militants. A similar commando assault occurred in Kabul about two weeks ago.
At least 11 people killed in violent fighting between Somalia’s main opposition, al-Shabab fighters, and African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Mogadishu. Nine civilians were killed.
The violence erupted early Friday near the K4 area in southeastern Mogadishu, a major flashpoint.
