WMD,Soft Targets, Hip-Hop, Cocaine, and Hezbollah

In a report called "Terrorism 2002-2005" and obtained by FOX News — only the second report of its kind compiled by the FBI since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks — states " Al Qaeda is looking increasingly at targeting market places, subways and other civilian sites." Frankly I don't see anything new or newsworthy in that statement. However, the media seems to think that there are two new trends found in this report:

"First is a preference for high-casualty, high-profile attacks directed against lower-risk, unofficial, so-called soft targets, as traditional military and diplomatic targets become increasingly hardened," states the report.

"Second, the dissolution of much of Al Qaeda's structure by international military and law enforcement efforts has resulted in the dispersal of its multi-national trainees to pursue their own regional agendas." (Fox)

Of most importance was the finding that "the biggest threat from weapons of mass destruction are smaller, easier to manipulate chemical, biological and radiological weapons, rather than nuclear technology."

A variety of intelligence reporting indicates that Al Qaeda has energetically sought to acquire and experiment with biological, chemical, and radiological weapons of mass destruction," the report reads.

"Ricin and the bacterial agent anthrax are emerging as the most prevalent agents involved in WMD investigations," the report continues.

The report cites a series of arrests in the United Kingdom and elsewhere involving Ricin. (Fox)

Related, "What do hip-hop, Hezbollah and meth have in common? More than you might think…" (LA Times)

A dozen people were arrested Tuesday on charges of narcotics trafficking, money laundering and selling counterfeit goods after a two-year counter-terrorism and drug investigation centered in Los Angeles downtown garment district.

The focus of the federal investigation was Ali Khalil Elreda, 32, who was detained at Los Angeles International Airport last year, accused of trying to smuggle $120,000 in money orders and cashiers checks, hidden in a childs toy, to Lebanon, according to an indictment and an affidavit filed in the case.

Authorities also said they recovered 30 kilograms of cocaine and counterfeit clothing worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. attorney’s office said Elreda’s siblings are charged in one complaint with trafficking in counterfeit goods at a store called Hip Hop Connections.

A second complaint accuses Elreda and seven others of conspiring to distribute cocaine. A third complaint accuses Saleh of trafficking in counterfeit goods through his store, Star City A & H in the city’s garment district. A fourth complaint accuses two others of conspiring to traffic in cocaine.

Related: US fears Israeli strike against Iran over latest nuclear claim, TimesOnline.

China tells Iran to heed international pressure

How Would Iran Respond - Analysts Believe Chemical Bio Weapons Threat Is Real

Check out Homeland Security Television here.
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