Experts See Security Risks in Downturn

[Newsjock]

Source: Washington Post

By Joby Warrick
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 15, 2008; Page A01

Intelligence officials are warning that the deepening global financial crisis could weaken fragile governments in the world's most dangerous areas and undermine the ability of the United States and its allies to respond to a new wave of security threats.

U.S. government officials and private analysts say the economic turmoil has heightened the short-term risk of a terrorist attack, as radical groups probe for weakening border protections and new gaps in defenses. A protracted financial crisis could threaten the survival of friendly regimes from Pakistan to the Middle East while forcing Western nations to cut spending on defense, intelligence and foreign aid, the sources said.

The crisis could also accelerate the shift to a more Asia-centric globe, as rising powers such as China gain more leverage over international financial institutions and greater influence in world capitals.

... Intelligence officials say they have no hard evidence of a pending terrorist attack, and CIA Director Michael V. Hayden said in a news conference Thursday that his agency has not detected increased al-Qaeda communications or other signs of an imminent strike.

But many government and private terrorism experts say the financial crisis has given al-Qaeda an opening, and judging from public statements and intercepted communications, senior al-Qaeda leaders are elated by the West's economic troubles, which they regard as a vindication of their efforts and a sign of the superpower's weakness.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/14/AR2008111403864.html?hpid=topnews

[barbtries]

1. even if this is true,

fuck fear. i'm over it. i want peace in the world.

i think these "experts" are just trying to make sure they never become obsolete.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Bingo.

This is their method of glue-sniffing or wanking.

[Blue State Bandit]

4. This is a healthy fear.

This is about situational awareness. Don't let a little thing like an election fool you. We may have conquered those who propagate fear, but we still face the mess they are leaving behind.

Don't kid yourselves. We are far, so far from being out of the woods. We have trapped the rats in the corner, but they still have their fangs. Be they foreign or domestic.

[sohndrsmith]

7. a healthy fear? I'm not sure I agree with you on that one...

Of course a election doesn't suddenly erase dangers. Exaggerated (or worse, manipulated - or even worse, created) fear-mongering to foster a political agenda isn't reasonable or healthy to perpetuate.

Bottom line - electing a president, even the best one in decades, perhaps, if we're lucky, doesn't suddenly make us safe. It never has and it never will. Decisions can be made that will make us safe-ER... but there is no such thing as absolute safety. Life itself is not safe. It's damn risky and so far no one has ever been able to protect him/herself from the not so safe end result.

The world is full of miracles, risks, joys, sorrows. Having a reasonable, realistic, pragmatic view of the present and potential risks and useful measures to deal with them is the least dangerous scenario. Having a village idiot cowboy with the maturity of a 9 year old bully at the helm (under any circumstance) is just about the most dangerous situation there is other than a monumental asteroid hit.

We've done crazy dangerous and it's put us at far greater risk with it's recklessness. Thankfully we have someone taking over who is capable of handling the damage that the nitwits created. This is a good thing, not a bad thing.

[Alamuti Lotus]

3. Really?

Situations like the present erode whatever misguided faith people have in the currently established order, thus they turn against it. That's news? I suppose it is to those who think their privilged positions are unshakable. The manifestation of their fears will be showing itself more and more.

[Arctic Dave]

5. With the mindboggling amout of money we have pissed away

to make ourself feel "safer" and we are still pissing our pants at what might happen.

I guess the MIC has to keep the money coming in somehow.

[truthisfreedom]

6. *yawn* terrorists have built-in obsolescence.

They never planned for this kind of world economy. If they attack, they completely screw their own.

[peacetalksforall]

8. It's obvious that the European countries love that we accepted the role of world

police and they get to participate in a way that brings minimal battle to their countries.

At the core of the U.S. and European and other predator nations who assist in the staging of their battles is ownership of earth resources.

What the people want is to own their own earth resources while they also are allowed survival, shelter, food, safety to raise their children and be provided and provide themselves with opportunity in peaceful surroundings.

Those who want to own and control the earth resources create a world that allows them to get the earth resources while making money at it - weapons, toys, the use of young children-soldiers.

The U.S. Military is a tool of the 'own and control earth resources' group.

They have divided the world into Commands which correlate to all the war fronts for gaining earth resources.

Their plans involve a lot of persuasive propaganda which they are receiving with grand success in this country by the fact that all seven networks, four major newspapers, two magazines, and many church reverends that the masses watch, read, and listen to are their propaganda outlets.

The earth resource wannabe owners involve using people resources from this highly populated country = a war corp - the reverse of a peace corp.

Their strategy is one of all out lies, death, destruction. At the core of each is theft. They steal trust. They steal the truth of purpose. They steal votes to stack the deck. They steal lives, body parts, peace of mind, right mind, spirit. They steal a young persons right to fulfill a dream for a family and career or they interrupt the dream. They destroy infrastructure in order to make money on rebuilding. They steal the concept and reality of peace. They steal jobs to make more money. They steal the people's money, savings, homes, hopes for their agenda.

Their stink follows them with battles burials and untold losses.

We must recognize this before anything can be done. People must tell themselves they are going to stop being made into fools for a few.

People need to give their attention to what is going on. And give peace a chance.

higher class 15 nov 2008

[High Plains]

9. "Experts See Security Risks" because that's their job.

Booga-booga.

Just like a narc looks at a highway and sees a "drug trafficking corridor."

[ohio2007]

10. Taj fire contained; evacuation in progress

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/26-update-terror-in-mumbai.htm

Posted by High Plains
"Experts See Security Risks" because that's their job.

The head of the anti terror task force of India ate three bullets in that hotel a few hours ago. well....if ya gotta go,



it looks like a nice place to 'check out' imo

http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20081127/738/tnl-mumbai-anti-terrorist-chief-karkare.html
Booga- booga


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5241036.ece

[mbperrin]

12. Absolutely right. I'm of an age where they looked at Rooskis

and saw imminent atom bomb attack. All those hours lost in those stupid duck and cover drills, as well as mind numbing fear as little kids knew that we would never grow up....

The real truth is, we're not so important in the whole of history for everyone to be out to get us.

But money to made without working real hard in Booga Booga land....

[bemildred]

11. More un-attributed fear-mongering.

And a big "No shit, Sherlock" award too.