| September 17, 2007 Edition |
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Note to our readersDue to network filter issues that at times misidentify the Blackwater Tactical Weekly as SPAM, we have decided to move the delivery of the BTW to 1100 EST. We apologize for inconvenience. Thank you for your continued support and readership. New Industry Magazine LaunchedAlexandria, VA - EEI Communications announces the launch of SERVIAM magazine, whose mission is to provide the latest and best information about private sector solutions to promote global stability.SERVIAM (Latin for "I will serve") will share information and provoke dialogue about complex global security and stability problems, including deterring and responding to domestic and international terrorist threats; force and mission augmentation and logistics in hot conflicts; maintaining stability and peace in the aftermath of natural and manmade catastrophes; delivering humanitarian relief to victims; and identifying the technologies and training that will ensure mission success; all from the viewpoint of private sector solution providers. The magazine is written for and by real-world practitioners. Click Here to Get Your Free Subscription! As a Blackwater Tactical Weekly subscriber, you qualify to receive this valuable resource FREE! Simply click on the link below to begin receiving the magazine. https://www.serviammagazine.com/subscribe/btw/ |
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| QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
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I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow. Woodrow Wilson |
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| PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES, EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS |
The Enemy's LosingNew York PostAmir Taheri As some politicians and pundits try to prove that America has lost the war in Iraq, a key question remains unasked: How is the enemy doing? The facts on the ground are that the two chief enemies of the new Iraq - the groups wearing the al Qaeda label and the Iran-backed Shiite militias - are not doing well. Indeed, one might say that both have already lost their bids for power and, the continued killings notwithstanding, are in the process of marginalization. The only way they could make a comeback is if Congress decides to legislate a victory for them. Full Story When Muslim armies wonLessons from yesteryear's jihadi victoriesArmed Forces JournalRalph Peters When terrorists or insurgents in Iraq detonate a roadside bomb to draw out our forces in response, or when they stage a small ambush to lure us into a larger one, they're pursuing a Middle Eastern way of war more than two millennia old, with roots in the techniques of tribes from the steppes. What's surprising isn't that the old lure-and-ambush technique is still in use, but that, after many centuries of Western experience with this particular hook, we remain prone to taking the bait. Full Story Jew-Hatred and JihadThe Nazi roots of the 9/11 attack.The Weekly StandardMatthias Küntzel The idea of using suicide pilots to obliterate the skyscrapers of Manhattan originated in 1940s Berlin. "In the latter stages of the war, I never saw Hitler so beside himself as when, as if in a delirium, he was picturing to himself and to us the downfall of New York in towers of flame," wrote Albert Speer in his diary. "He described the skyscrapers turning into huge burning torches and falling hither and thither, and the reflection of the disintegrating city in the dark sky." Full Story |
| BREAKING NEWS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Battleground EuropeThe Continent is a front line in the war on terror, whether its people know it or not.Los Angeles TimesTimothy Garton Ash To return from the United States to Europe is to travel from a country that thinks it is on the front line of the struggle against jihadist terrorism but is not, to a continent that is on the front line but still has not fully awoken to the fact. Only a fool would rule out the possibility of another terrorist assault on what is now styled the American homeland, but the fact is that in the six years since 9/11, there have been several major attacks (Madrid, London) and foiled plots in Europe. In the United States, there have been no major attacks and, as far as we know, just a few averted conspiracies. Full Story Bin Laden's new image: younger, more MarxistThe former multimillionaire now blames global capitalism and class for the tragedies in Iraq and Afghanistan.The Christian Science MonitorFawaz A. Gerges After a three-year absence, Osama bin Laden has resurfaced in another of his rousing videotapes, only this time with a new image and a new message. Projecting a younger look, Mr. bin Laden gives his most ideological address since the early 1990s with an assault on capitalism and liberal democracy loaded with Marxist and socialist terms. Indeed, this new bin Laden sounds more like Che Guevara, the Marxist revolutionary, than some of his rifle-toting Al Qaeda cohorts. Full Story A Russian 'Election'Two days after he was plucked from obscurity, a crony of Vladimir Putin is elected prime minister.The Washington PostVladimir Putin's Russian "democracy" put on a remarkable show this week. On Wednesday, Mr. Putin accepted the abrupt resignation of the prime minister and announced the nomination of an obscure bureaucrat and personal pal, Viktor Zubkov, whom most Russians had never heard of. Yesterday, the parliament duly voted Mr. Zubkov into office by a count of 381 to 47 after a discussion of less than two hours. As an Associated Press reporter described it, "Lawmakers praised Zubkov, posed easy questions and gladly accepted his responses in rote exchanges" reminiscent "of Soviet-era Communist Party meetings." Full Story On the Road in SamarraAnother mission is accomplished north of Baghdad.The Daily StandardJeff Emanuel Last Tuesday night, Charlie Company 2-505 (82nd Airborne Division) left "the wire" and departed Patrol Base Olson to perform a cordon-and-search operation in a neighborhood where a notorious al Qaeda terrorist used to live. "We think we killed him," said Company commander Captain Buddy Ferris, "so we're going to ask [the people here] if he's dead." Full Story Syria pays price for aiding terrorThe Boston HeraldIsrael has just given the world a good example of the virtues of speaking softly and carrying a big stick. This past week Israel launched airstrikes over northern Syria and said absolutely nothing. At last, Syria has to pay real penalties for its aid to terrorists. Full Story |
| JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
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To view the latest contract opportunities at Blackwater, visit our Contract Web Page. TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME CLICK HERE Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at Blackwater (252) 435-2488 or email dcarter@blackwaterusa.com. |
| SECURITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Peace amid the ruinsUSA TodayRalph Peters In 1945, it seemed unthinkable that the people of Berlin would ever applaud anyone in an American uniform. Our bombers had destroyed much of the city, and the Red Army ravaged what remained. Three years later, Berliners cheered the American pilots overhead. The remarkable shift was provoked by their experience with Soviet brutality. That's an approximation of the turnabout in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. In 2004, U.S. firepower left swaths of the city in rubble. Three years later, local residents realized that, while the Americans couldn't be defeated, we intended to leave eventually, and that a far harsher enemy, al-Qaeda in Iraq, meant to remain and rule through sharia law in its fiercest interpretation. Full Story Why They Hate UsIt's because of our freedom.The Daily StandardJoseph Loconte Last week we learned of another "massive" terrorist plot against American targets, this time thwarted by German authorities, Osama bin Laden has just released another cryptic video threat against the United States, and, six years since the events of 9/11, still we ask: why do they hate us? Critics of U.S. foreign policy can cite many reasons for Islamist rage. But they overlook a more fundamental problem: To al Qaeda and its sympathizers, nothing is more deserving of contempt than the idea of faith as a free and rational choice--a concept more integral to American identity than any other Western democracy. Full Story Next: Iraqi ShiitesU.S. seeking to tame militiaNew York PostJohn Podhoretz Could the surprising change in the worldview of Sunni Iraqis formerly hostile to the United States - the decision of tribes in a province we all but wrote off a year ago to ally with us against al-Qaeda-in-Iraq - be duplicated elsewhere in Iraq? And could it be the way for the United States to score an unlikely quiet victory against Iran? A senior administration official says it's already happening - following the model of the revolution in consciousness in Anbar province. Full Story A 'war of ideas'The Washington TimesMike Walker Al Qaeda has adapted and regrouped, and is operational again. Many analysts believe the criminal terrorist group is planning a cocktail of attacks that would eclipse those on September 11. Today, al Qaeda is much more than a handful of operatives directed by Osama bin Laden. It is an ideology of violence persuading alienated Muslims that Islam is under attack and must be defended by all means. Full Story Bin Laden UnpluggedAnalyzing the latest video.The Daily StandardDaveed Gartenstein-Ross Osama Bin Laden's strength as an orator has always been his ethos. He is an eloquent and seemingly honest speaker, proud of his role in the attacks of 9/11, a principled spokesman for radical Islam's war against the West. Though bin Laden may not have penned all his words personally, the force of his ideas always shines through. As Bruce Lawrence notes in Messages to the World, "these messages are not ghostwritten tracts of the kind supplied by professional speechwriters to many politicians in the West, whether American Presidents, European Prime Ministers, or their Middle-Eastern counterparts." Full Story |
| TACTICAL TRAINING & INTELLIGENCE RESOURCES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Terrorism: Threats, Training, Tactics and TechnologyFor the last seven years the TRC has gathered nationally renowned
experts to explore terrorism, emerging threats, training, tactics
and technology issues to assist those tasked with dealing with these
issues. Over three days, participants will have the opportunity
to explore some of the challenges and gain a comprehensive understanding
of issues related to terrorism. | |
| FRANKS REVIEW |
Tactical Equipment EvaluationGreatest Hits: 4.5 Years LaterAs I sat down to write this week's equipment review it occurred to me that Borelli Consulting has been providing these written evaluations for quite some time now. Looking back I realized that it has been about four-and-a-half years. I certainly would like to thank Blackwater for putting up with me for that long, and I wanted to take the opportunity to look back through some of the "greatest hits" reviews we've produced. At the rate of 52 tactical equipment reviews per year, that gave me well over 200 reviews to sort through. Here's what I found that I think you'll enjoy...Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/other/greatesthits.htm
Recreational Equipment ReviewAnd On The Recreational SideBecause I'm thick in the head it took me awhile to realize that cops and soldiers get time off too. When that dawning realization finally hit me like a V8 commercial (the smack in the head) Borelli Consulting started producing Recreational Equipment Reviews alongside the more duty related tactical reviews. It's hard to imagine, but we've been doing the recreational reviews for more than two years now. Here's a look back at some of the more interesting toys we've reviewed - most of them things we are either glad we still have or wish we did!Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/greathitsrec.htm |
| CHAPLAINS CORNER |
IN THESE TIMESIn these times all Peace Keepers are under scruitny, stress, threat and demand more so than any other time in recent history. Law enforcement is being attacked more often and more deadly than in any recent times of record keeping. The military is being taxed to the limit of endurance and beyond as we try to carry on two active wars and be the keepers of peace in many places at the same time.All of this translates to pressures that reach dangerous levels in the personal lives of Peace Keepers. In the military it is coming from too many times in the sandbox... In law enforcement it is coming from demands that exceed the available personnel and it is also coming from too much demand financially that drives many officers of the law to work extra duty or extra jobs in order to provide for a family... or in some cases for a present family and a previous family. What are the consequences of all of this demand to perform? Fatigue (that goes beyond tiredness), headaches (headache is one of the most common symptoms of too much stress), on the job injuries, increased sensitivity to agitation, digestive problems (eating too much, not eating enough, excess acid, ulcers), increased efforts to self medicate (over the counter drugs and remedies, alcohol, tobacco, too much caffeine), less attention to the needs of significant others... whether our duties take us to home fields or abroad to foreign fields. http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2007/article/091707chaplain.htm |
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| THE PRIVATE SECURITY BLOGOSPHERE |
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The Other Side of The Story (http://pmc-psc-truth.blogspot.com/) Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@blackwaterusa.com. |
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| BUMPER STICKER |
Wisdom lives between the facts |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
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The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication. The BTW provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues. Editor-in-Chief – Gary Jackson (btw@blackwaterusa.com) Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training
at Blackwater (252) 435-2488 Editorial Calendar: The weekly theme may change at the discretion of
the Editor based on current events. To view an archived BTW, Click Here |
| LEGAL NOTICE |
| Blackwater USA (the "Company"), provides this Newsletter as a source of diverse information to its readers. The Company does not warrant or endorse the products or services advertised in or reviewed in the Newsletter. The views and statements of the reviewers and commentators presented in the Newsletter are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Company or its affiliates. The Company does not monitor or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the material provided in this Newsletter or presented at any of the third-party websites to which links are provided in this Newsletter. WARNING: Use of certain of the products and services discussed or reviewed in this Newsletter can lead to personal injury or death. It is critical to follow manufacturers' instructions in using such products or services. The Company will not accept any liability for damages, injuries, or death resulting from the use or misuse of any such products or services. |
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