| October 1, 2007 Edition |
Why We're Winning Now in IraqAnbar's citizens needed protection before they would give their "hearts and minds."The Wall Street JournalFrederick W. Kagan Many politicians and pundits in Washington have ignored perhaps the most important point made by Gen. David Petraeus in his recent congressional testimony: The defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq requires a combination of conventional forces, special forces and local forces. This realization has profound implications not only for American strategy in Iraq, but also for the future of the war on terror. Full Story |
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| QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
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The person who makes a success of living is the one who see his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. Cecil B. DeMille |
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| PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES, EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS |
Iran's New FighterAn impressive technological feat--from 1959.The Weekly StandardReuben F. Johnson In the midst of recriminations over Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at Columbia, the Iranian head of state has sent signals this past week that rather than trying to find a diplomatic solution with Washington and its European allies he will continue to maintain a defiant and belligerent stance over Teheran's weapons programs. The latest in a series of "messages" being sent to the West is the news reported this past week of Ahmadinejad presiding over a military parade that featured a cornucopia of weapon systems now in the hands of the Iranian armed forces. Among these was a new Iranian-designed and produced fighter aircraft, the Sa'eqeh (Lightning), which had just begun series-production in August according to Iran's official state news outlets. Full Story The Element of SurpriseTo help combat the terrorism threat, officials at Los Angeles International Airport are introducing a bold new idea into their arsenal: random placement of security checkpoints. Can game theory help keep us safe?NewsweekAndrew Murr Security officials at Los Angeles International Airport now have a new weapon in their fight against terrorism: complete, baffling randomness. Anxious to thwart future terror attacks in the early stages while plotters are casing the airport, LAX security patrols have begun using a new software program called ARMOR, NEWSWEEK has learned, to make the placement of security checkpoints completely unpredictable. Now all airport security officials have to do is press a button labeled "Randomize," and they can throw a sort of digital cloak of invisibility over where they place the cops' antiterror checkpoints on any given day. Full Story The Bad Guys You Don't KnowMeet Hizb ut-Tahrir.The Weekly StandardOlivier Guitta While al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood have become household names, another Sunni Islamist group of nearly equal importance--Hizb ut- Tahrir (HT), or the Islamic Liberation party--remains little known in the United States. That may be changing. HT's activities in places as far-flung as Britain, Germany, Indonesia, and the Palestinian territories have been cropping up in the news, and HT has lately entered the social networks of cyberspace, posting propaganda videos on YouTube to troll for recruits to its campaign for uniting Muslims worldwide in a new caliphate. Full Story |
| BREAKING NEWS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL |
Iran the BullyBloody Work in AfghanistanNew York PostPeter Brookes Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spent much of his U.N. speech yesterday complaining of "bullying" by the West. Funny - in addition to its well-known bloody works in Iraq and Lebanon, Tehran's meddling in Afghanistan is a major, and rising, menace. Tehran is aiding the Taliban and other anti-government insurgents with weapons and training. It's also pouring spies over the border - and forcing Afghan refugees to return home. Up 'til now, Pakistan was Afghanistan's biggest problem - the host for Taliban safe havens in the border tribal areas. But now Tehran is becoming another major source of trouble. Full Story Defiance in DamascusThe Washington TimesNir Boms The streets of Damascus have seen most things. They saw military marches with strutting generals leading their people to war. They have seen the images of presidential figures, such as the late Hafez Assad and his son, the current president, Bashar Assad, displayed on every corner. They have seen those of other allies like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah or Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But they had never seen a Syrian American calling for reform. Full Story What Is Putin's Plan?The Washington PostAndrew C. Kuchins Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised everybody when he named the relatively unknown Victor Zubkov as his new prime minister. For months, many observers anticipated the naming of a new prime minister with great expectation, as conventional wisdom has held that this person will become the next Russian President. Nobody expected Zubkov. Once again, the unpredictable Mr. Putin zigged while Kremlin watchers zagged. Full Story The Buddhism bombBurma's leaders know that suppressing protesting monks could blow up in their faces.Los Angeles TimesDavid I. Steinberg The passive, otherworldly image of Buddhism can be misleading. In Burma, where two-thirds of the country is Buddhist, the religion has an overwhelming influence on day-to-day life and plays a continuing political role that makes the current protest marches by tens of thousands of monks through the streets of Yangon especially significant. Buddhism has long been one of the key ingredients of Burmese nationalism, and it has been used by political leaders of all stripes as a source of legitimacy. Full Story The Next MusharrafA Westernized, chain-smoking spy could soon become the most powerful man in Pakistan.NewsweekRon Moreau and Zahid Hussain Pervez Musharraf could hardly be flattered to think why some people are so eager for him to win Pakistan's Oct. 6 presidential vote. It's because he'll have to step down as armed forces chief before he's sworn in—as he promised just before the Supreme Court decided last week to let him run again. The general must know how desperately Pakistan's military needs a full-time commander, especially after he's spent months too busy fighting for his political life to give the job his proper attention. So Musharraf is widely believed to have chosen a successor at last: Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, the former director general of the military's powerful spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Full Story |
| THE WEEKLY CARTOON |
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| 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 |
Thwarting Terrorists: More to Be DoneThe Washington PostMatthew Bunn Today, Harvard's Project on Managing the Atom and the Nuclear Threat Initiative publish their annual report on security of nuclear weapons and materials around the world. The good news in " Securing the Bomb 2007" is that much progress has been made toward upgrading security for nuclear stockpiles. The bad news is that the essential ingredients of nuclear weapons exist in hundreds of buildings in more than 40 countries, and terrorists are actively trying to get a nuclear bomb or the materials to make one. Full Story Getting smart IDs to first respondersIndustry group reaches out to put affordable smart ID technology into first responders' handsGovernment Computer NewsWilliam Jackson A group of smart-card technology companies have formed a consortium to put affordable smart identification cards into the hands of first responders at the state and local levels. The companies will provide hardware, software and services free or at steep discounts to cut the cost of deploying interoperable cards by as much as 75 percent. The consortium, Tiers of Trust, was announced Sept. 11, the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and the Pentagon that graphically demonstrated the need for, and the lack of, reliable interoperable IDs that could be used to verify identity and track the presence of emergency response personnel. Full Story The Struggle for SamarraIt hasn't been easy.The Weekly StandardJeff Emanuel The development of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)--consisting of Iraqi Police ('IPs,' who are under regional control), National Police ('NPs,' who belong to the federal government's Ministry of Interior), and Iraqi Army--has been both a priority and a point of frustration for the Coalition forces who are trying to train them as quickly and effectively as possible to fill the role currently being served in Iraq by the U.S. military. Full Story America's new LafayetteFrench President Sarkozy could be America's best friend in Paris in decades. As a good friend, he also has advice.The Christian Science MonitorSami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between America and France? Like Rick and Louis in "Casablanca," the two countries are reaching a new, post-Iraq-invasion appreciation of each other – long overdue, and due mostly to France's new president, Nicolas Sarkozy. It started with his different – for France – attitude toward the United States. (Former French President Jacques Chirac would never have vacationed stateside, let alone in New Hampshire, the way Sarkozy did this summer.) And it's being followed up with encouraging changes in foreign policy. Full Story Why I want to keep fighting in IraqA US soldier gives his perspective on the war.The Christian Science MonitorChris Brady Despite strong public appeals by Gen. David Petraeus and President Bush this month, American views on the Iraq war remain dim. The latest Pew survey shows that 54 percent say US troops should come home as soon as possible, while 47 percent believe the US will probably or definitely fail to achieve its goals in Iraq. Many experts and politicians, meanwhile, have suggested the war can't be won. I am a US soldier in Iraq. And I disagree. It's not too late to succeed. The stakes in Iraq are too high not to keep fighting for progress. 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 EvaluationA SOG PairRecently I had reason to request some donations from various manufacturers to support a non-profit organization I belong to. SOG Knives was one of the companies that stepped up and offered a few things. Among what they sent was a couple knives that Iíve tested before and it occurred to me that a particular pair of them would be almost ideal for certain types of public safety and/or military work. That pair is the fixed blade SEAL Pup Elite and the lockblade folding Trident. Let me review them and explain why I think they would serve so well.Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/knives/sogpair.htm
Recreational Equipment ReviewDay Trip Hydration SystemsAbout four times a year I have to clean out my closet. Recently I had to move my office and that involved moving all the contents of the closet as well. I found myself sorting hydration systems according to the use I had for them and several jumped out at me as those I prefer to have on hand for day hikes or one-overnight outings. This weekís review takes a look at a couple of them, their pros and cons, and which ones have proven great performers in the past months (and years in some cases).Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/1dayhydro.htm |
| CHAPLAINS CORNER |
WHY???This question comes often in conversations between me and others.Some are just inquisitive... Why I do what I do? Some are people who are being helped... Why would I take the risk? Why would I go to that effort for them? Why would I enter into another's pain and problems when I have no personal nor economical interest? Some are people who object to what I am doing at the moment... These never understand the reasons behind enforcement of laws and they do not want to understand. They just want to ask," Why is it being done to me specifically?" Most do not really want to know the answer... They are just venting their anger and/or frustration at my actions. As recently as this week someone wanted to know why I am a Chaplain... Why I have been involved with law enforcement over the past forty five years... "How did you know this was what you were supposed to do? How did it happen?" http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2007/article/100107chaplain.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 |
Ever had a loaded weapon pointed at you.....Keep honking. |
| 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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