BUB: Counterterror Update Around the World

This evening's Battle Update Briefing:

Child Recruitment in Pakistan
A very chilling story from Pakistan

Part of the compound consists of four rooms -- each wall adorned with brightly colored paintings in clear contrast to the barren and harsh landscape surrounding it. The children were told that this was what awaited them in heaven.
Each of the images has a river flowing through it. Some have people playing in the water. Others have women lining the banks.

Sounds nice, no?

It was here, according to the Pakistani military, that children aged 12 to 18 were turned from innocent youngsters into cold-blooded killers, willing to blow themselves to bits as suicide bombers.
The discovery of the compound was first reported in Pakistani media last month. Yusuf says his unit took it over after a three day battle with militants.

The military says that the children are told that these are rivers of milk and honey, that the women are the virgins that await them in heaven. That the children were told that they will live in the company of the holy prophet and be served feasts.
One has a home similar to the mud homes in the area which the military says is meant to invoke memories of where the children are from but with a beautiful mountainous green backdrop. Written across it are the words "Long live the Taliban of the mountains."

Homegrown Terror in Texas?
Meanwhile, back in Texas.

As detailed by Dave Macy and published on Canada Free Press yesterday, police in Houston responding to a domestic disturbance found something they did not expect: an AT-4 shoulder-mounted rocket launcher that can shoot a missile nearly 1,000 feet through buildings and tanks. Channel 2 in Houston also reported that police found Islamic terrorist literature at the same location. According to news reports, the items belong to Nabilaye I. YANSANE, who was charged with criminal trespassing related only to the domestic incident. No charges were filed for possession of the launcher or the literature. (A video provided by KPRC Channel 2 in Houston can be viewed at this link. All still images courtesy of Click2 – KPRC Houston).

The reasoning for lack of criminal charges, of course is that the “once used” AT-4 rocket launcher, in its present state, is essentially nothing more than an elaborate paper weight due to its single use application. It can be legally purchased on the open market, from gun shows to army surplus stores. With regard to the Islamic terrorist literature found at the same location, our own Bill of Rights allows us the ability to possess certain writings within the scope of the law, despite the increasingly unpopular fact under the Obama administration and the reign of Napolitano that we are fighting Islamic terrorists on our own soil.

Overview of US Counterterror Agencies
And here are the agencies all involved in trying to fight these terror networks on behalf of the US.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Serves as head of the intelligence community and as principal adviser to the president on intelligence matters. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, is ultimately responsible for integrating foreign, military and domestic intelligence. Blair and CIA Director Leon Panetta have squabbled for months behind-the-scenes over the DNI's oversight role. Officials say 2004 legislation overhauling the intelligence system left some of the DNI's authorities vague.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
CIA Director Leon Panetta reports to the Director of National Intelligence. The CIA oversees and carries out clandestine operations around the world. Seeking to ease tensions between the DNI and the CIA over turf, the White House recently brokered a deal under which the CIA will keep Blair's office informed about its secret activities, intelligence officials said.

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
An intelligence powerhouse that intercepts and monitors communications overseas. It is headed by Lieutenant General Keith Alexander. The agency answers to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.

NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER
Established in 2004 to serve as the main processing center for counterterrorism intelligence gathered by more than 16 government agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency. The center had intelligence about the would-be bomber but did not "connect the dots." Michael Leiter is the center's director.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Since the September 11 hijacked-plane attacks, the FBI has shifted to focus more on pursuing terrorism threats and suspects, domestically and internationally. As a result, FBI Director Robert Mueller has set up 65 new Joint Terrorism Task Forces designed to investigate threats, gather evidence and intelligence as well as share information with various other national, local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It has agents assigned to the National Counterterrorism Center.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
President George W. Bush created a special Office of Homeland Security in response to the 2001 attacks. In late 2002 Congress approved the creation of a new department to focusing on protecting the United States, now headed by Janet Napolitano. A massive agency with some 225,000 employees, it includes a focus on security for the U.S. borders, transportation systems and cybersecurity. It includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The TSA was created soon after September 11 to replace private-sector screeners who were employed by the airlines and criticized for lax inspection practices. TSA is responsible for checking passengers and luggage. It also includes federal air marshals who travel on some U.S. and foreign flights in an effort to detect and combat potential attacks. It has been widely criticized by travelers for issuing confusing instructions on screening procedures and on security measures aboard flights. Obama's choice of Erroll Southers to head TSA has been held up by a Republican senator.

By: Brant