Droning on
A discussion at C-SPAN on the US’s use of unmanned aircraft in counterterrorism and military operations.
Yearly Archives: 2012
ISAF captures Taliban leader linked to Musa Qala suicide attack
The Taliban leader was involved in the assassination attempt against Haji Abdul “Koka” Wali, the chief of police for Musa Qala in Helmand province.
ISAF targets IMU leader in Kunduz
Special operation forces have conducted at least 16 raids against the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan so far this year.
Al Qaeda
Bin Laden theories flourish in Pakistan
Al Qaeda
Early US Withdrawal Will Increase Chaos: Khalilzad
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Third Phase of Transition Will Need More Cooperation: Interior Minister
Al Qaeda
Bin Laden’s last stand: In final months, terrorist leader worried about his legacy
Al Qaeda
Officials Watch for Terrorists With Body Bombs on US-Bound Planes
Haqqani Network
North Waziristan — a first-hand account
Syria
Outgunned Syria rebels make shift to bombs
Al Qaeda
Documents reveal al Qaeda’s plans for seizing cruise ships, carnage in Europe
Syria
Two bombs struck a government compound in the northern city of Idlib. Rockets hit the central bank in Damascus, killing nine and wounding 100. The government blamed the opposition, but the opposition denied involvement.
Sweden
Sweden’s defense ‘not fit for battle’: expert
Yemen
Security forces killed 12 al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters outside of Lawdar. AQAP confirmed that Mohammed Saeed al Umda was killed in the April 22 US drone strike; al Umda served as Osama bin Laden’s bodyguard in Afghanistan.
Somalia
AMISOM claimed it has defeated Shabaab in Mogadishu, and the al Qaeda-linked group has been expelled from the capital. Shabaab took control of Radio Markabley in Bardere.
Nigeria
A Boko Haram suicide bomber killed 11 people and wounded more than 20 in an attack on a police convoy in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state. A senior police official who was traveling in the convoy escaped unhurt.
United States
World Trade Center Back on Top of New York’s Skyline
Afghanistan
Doubts of victory surface in war on Afghan poppy crops
Egypt
Egypt Military Bends to Islamist Will
Philippines
Philippines Role May Grow as US Adjusts Asia Strategy
Al Qaeda
Al-Qaeda ‘will free British hostage’ if Abu Qatada can go where he wants
Sudan
Ugandan army says Sudan is backing Joseph Kony’s LRA
Iran
China wants drastic US, Russia nuclear arms cuts
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb offered to free a British hostage in exchange for the release of extremist cleric Abu Qatada to a country of his choice or to any of the “states of the Arab Spring.” The terror group also threatened “consequences” for the UK if Qatada is instead deported to Jordan.
Denmark
A Danish army officer faces charges of dereliction of duty for failing to ascertain that four Afghans he targeted for a helicopter strike were not insurgents. One of the suspected terrorists arrested in Copenhagen last week, an athlete who in 2009 rejected an offer to play on the national football team, had posted pro-al Qaeda […]
United Kingdom
The military plans to install missile batteries in London to defend the Olympic Games from terrorist attacks. Plans also call for 13,500 soldiers to assist police during the Games, considerably more than the 9,500 British soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
Al Qaeda names new emir for Pakistan: report
Farman Shinwari, like his predecessor, has close ties to the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen and the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.
AQAP confirms commander linked to Osama bin Laden killed in drone strike
Mohammed Saeed al Umda, who was killed in the April 22 airstrike in Marib, served as a member of Osama bin Laden’s “special bodyguard” before returning to Yemen to become a military commander.
Al Nusrah Front claims credit for suicide bombing in Damascus
The suicide attack killed 11 people. The Syrian resistance has claimed that the attack was executed by the country’s security forces.
Afghanistan
Pakistan, US reach accord on restoring NATO supplies