I am still undecided, without definitive evidence on whether this is blowback from a western policy that is in total disaray whichever way you look OR this is a False Flag by western security forces to bring France back into line as a US vassal.
I think, personally that the jury is out on this - so I will be posting material reflecting both positions - this does not imply any fixed opinion on my side.
What is sure, however, that everyone from Netanyahu, to the US - and the French state - is milking this for what it is worth.
The best commentary came from Zero Hedge -
"So terror is everywhere... nowhere is safe... but do not panic."
France Warns 'Terror Cells' Have Been Activated, US Issues Worldwide Travel Alert
I think, personally that the jury is out on this - so I will be posting material reflecting both positions - this does not imply any fixed opinion on my side.
What is sure, however, that everyone from Netanyahu, to the US - and the French state - is milking this for what it is worth.
The best commentary came from Zero Hedge -
"So terror is everywhere... nowhere is safe... but do not panic."
France Warns 'Terror Cells' Have Been Activated, US Issues Worldwide Travel Alert
From CNN
11
January, 2015
Be
afraid, be very afraid. While French Interior Minister Bernard
Cazeneuve said Friday "The nation is relieved tonight,"
after the two standoffs concluded, as
CNN reports,the
French government's work is not over. French
law enforcement officers have been told to erase their social media
presence and to carry their weapons at all times because terror
sleeper cells have been activated over the last 24 hours in the
country,
according to a French police source. Investigations continue into
which terrorist group was ultimately responsible and, not be outdone
in the fearmongery, The
US State Department has issued a Worldwide Caution warning travelers,
of the "continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence
against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world." Thank
goodness we have the governments to protect us.
As
CNN reports, terror
cells have been activated in France,
A
German newspaper, the Hamburger Morgenpost, that reprinted the
Charlie Hebdo cartoons said it suffered an arson attack overnight.
A
German newspaper, the Hamburger Morgenpost, that reprinted the
Charlie Hebdo cartoons says it suffered an arson attack overnight.
The
incident happened at about 2 am local time. Unidentified people threw
stones and an incendiary devices into the building housing the
“Hamburger Morgenpost” tabloid newspaper in Hamburg, Germany’s
second largest city.
“Rocks
and then a burning object were thrown through the window,” a police
spokesman told AFP. “Two rooms on the lower floors were damaged but
the fire was put out quickly.”
French law enforcement officers have been told to erase their social media presence and to carry their weapons at all times because terror sleeper cells have been activated over the last 24 hours in the country, a French police source who attended a briefing Saturday told CNN Terror Analyst Samuel Laurent.
Ahmedy Coulibaly, a suspect killed Friday during a deadly Kosher market hostage siege, had made several phone calls about targeting police officers in France.
The alert came as the lone remaining suspect wanted in connection with a terrorism spree -- Hayat Boumeddiene -- entered Turkey on January 2, a Turkish prime ministry source told CNN Saturday.
Turkish police have tracked her movements, according to the source
Boumeddiene is believed to have left for Turkey "of course to reach Syria" at the beginning of the year, according to a French source close to the nation's security services.
If accurate, it could mean Boumeddiene was not in France at the time of Thursday's deadly shooting of a policewoman in Paris, as authorities originally believed. Authorities offered no immediate explanation of the discrepancy but have said she is wanted in connection with a terrorist attack.
A flurry of developments Saturday included claims linking one of the Charlie Hebdo attackers with the so-called underwear bomber, who sought to bring down a plane over Detroit in 2009.
The connection has not been confirmed by officials, and French investigators are still trying to piece together the web of connections between three suspects killed Friday as two sieges came to a bloody end.
Despite
claims by the terrorist group that they were responsible for the
planning of the 'Charlie Hebdo' massacre, investigators in France and
the United States have been looking for evidence tying the Kouachi
brothers to associates in terror networks such as al Qaeda's Yemen
affiliate and ISIS.
A Yemeni journalist and researcher, Mohammed al-Kibsi, told CNN that he had met and spoken with Said Kouachi in Yemen in 2011 and 2012.
Kouachi, who was studying Arabic grammar, and underwear bomber Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab previously were roommates for one to two weeks in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, living in the same small apartment, al-Kibsi said. Abdulmutallab is serving a life sentence for trying to bring down a Northwest airlines flight over Detroit on Christmas Day 2009 with an underwear bomb.
Kouachi's residence was very near to the famous Al-Tabari School and he and AbdulMutallab used to pray together there,said al-Kibsi by telephone Saturday. It wasn't clear when they were roommates, but AbdulMutallab was arrested after the 2009 bombing attempt.
Al Kibsi said Kouachi first went to Yemen in 2009, and stayed until mid 2010 before leaving briefly and returning at the end of that year. Kouachi remained in Yemen most of 2011, according to Kibsi, who said he met the man twice.
U.S. officials have said Said Kouachi spent several months in Yemen in 2011, receiving weapons training and working with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
But there has been no official confirmation as yet of the claim that he and AbdulMutallab were associates.
A senior Yemeni national security official told CNN that Kouachi entered Yemen multiple times with an officially issued visa.
"Said was not being watched during the duration of his stay in Yemen because he was not on the watch list," said the official, adding that, at the time, Yemen's western allies had not raised concerns about Kouachi. The official did not specify when the visits took place.
And
not be outdone in the fearmongery stakes, the US State Department has
issued a Worldwide Caution...
The
Department of State is updating the Worldwide Caution to provide
information on the continuing
threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and
interests throughout the world. Recent
terrorist attacks, whether by those affiliated with terrorist
entities, copycats, or individual perpetrators, serve as a reminder
that U.S. citizens need to maintain a high level of vigilance and
take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This
replaces the Worldwide Caution dated October 10, 2014.
The
Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of
terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against
U.S. citizens and interests overseas. On
September 22, 2014, the United States and regional partners commenced
military action against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL), a designated terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq. In
response to the airstrikes, ISIL called on supporters to attack
foreigners wherever they are. Authorities believe there is an
increased likelihood of reprisal attacks against U.S., Western and
coalition partner interests throughout the world, especially in the
Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Kidnappings
and hostage events involving U.S. citizens have become increasingly
prevalent as ISIL, al Qa`ida and its affiliates have increased
attempts to finance their operations through kidnapping for ransom
operations. ISIL,
al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Qa’ida in the
Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are particularly effective with kidnapping for
ransom and are using ransom money to fund the range of their
activities. Kidnapping targets are usually Western citizens from
governments or third parties that have established a pattern of
paying ransoms for the release of individuals in custody.
Extremists
may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target
both official and private interests. Examples
of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential
areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of
worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other tourist
destinations both in the United States and abroad where U.S. citizens
gather in large numbers, including during holidays.
U.S.
citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack
public transportation systems and other tourist
infrastructure. Extremists
have targeted and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems,
aviation, and maritime services. In the past, these types of
attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid,
Glasgow, and New York City.
EUROPE: Current
information suggests that ISIL, al-Qa’ida, its affiliated
organizations, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Europe. Authorities
believe the likelihood of a terror attack in Europe is increased as
European members of ISIL return from Syria and Iraq. Additionally,
there is a continuing threat in Europe from unaffiliated persons
planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but
conducted on an individual basis. In the past several years,
organized extremist attacks have been planned or carried out in
various European countries. European governments have taken action to
guard against terrorist attacks, and some have made official
declarations regarding heightened threat conditions.
MIDDLE
EAST and NORTH AFRICA: Credible information indicates
terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests
in the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. government remains
highly concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens,
facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests.
No
part of Syria should be considered immune from violence. The
security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable as a civil war
between government and armed anti-government groups continues
throughout the country. There is an increased threat of
terrorism from groups such as ISL, al-Nusrah, as well as other
extremists whose tactics include use of suicide bombers, kidnappings,
use of small and heavy arms, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Since the start of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad's regime in March 2011, the United States has received
reports of numerous foreigners kidnapped in Syria, many of whom are
still in captivity. The majority of the victims are journalists
and aid workers. U.S. citizens and other Westerners have been
murdered by ISIL in Syria. Violent extremists from various countries
operate in Syria and may be planning attacks against the United
States and other Western targets.
A
number of extremist groups also operate in Lebanon and the potential
for death or injury in Lebanon exists because of periodic terrorist
bombing attacks throughout the country. As a result of spillover
violence from the Syria crisis, Sunni groups are active and
Hizballah, a group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist
organization, has been present and active for many years.
U.S.
citizens in Iraq remain at high risk for kidnapping and terrorist
violence. Numerous insurgent groups, including ISIL, previously known
as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, remain active and terrorist activity and
violence persists in many areas of the country. ISIL and its
allies control Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, and have captured
significant territory across central Iraq and continue to engage with
Iraqi security forces in that region.
Al-Qaida
in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement for Unity and Jihad in
West Africa (MUJAO), and al-Murabitun remain active and operate
primarily in southern Algeria, southwestern Libya and Tunisia in the
wake of French and African intervention in northern Mali. In Algeria,
terrorists sporadically attack Westerners and Algerian government
targets, particularly in the Kabylie region, and near Algeria’s
borders with Libya and Mali. In September, a French tourist was
kidnapped and murdered by an Algerian-based terrorist group.
Terrorists have targeted oil processing plants in Algeria, Saudi
Arabia, and Yemen. In Libya, various groups have called for attacks
against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests. Terrorist organizations
continue to be active in Yemen, including al-Qa’ida in the Arabian
Peninsula (AQAP).
AFRICA: Al-Qa’ida
continues to operate primarily in North Africa. Vestiges of extremist
elements, including AQIM, MUJAO, and al-Murabitun continue small
scale operations in northern Mali mostly related to planting land
mines on lines of communication used by UN peacekeeping troops. The
major parts of these groups were forced to move to southern Algeria,
southwestern Libya and Tunisia in the wake of French and African
intervention in northern Mali. Terrorist groups have stepped up their
rhetoric calling for additional attacks or kidnapping attempts on
westerners and others, particularly those linked to support for
international military intervention.
Additionally,
the terrorist group AQIM has declared its intention to attack Western
targets throughout the Sahel (an area that stretches across the
African continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea to
include Senegal, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea). It
has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings,
and the murder of several Westerners throughout the region, including
southern Algeria.
Al-Shabaab
assassinations, suicide bombings, hostage taking, and indiscriminate
attacks in civilian-populated areas are frequent in Somalia.
Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia have demonstrated
their intent to attack Somali authorities, the African Union Mission
in Somalia, and non-military targets such as international donor
offices and humanitarian assistance providers. Al-Shabaab retains its
demonstrated capability to carry out attacks in government-controlled
territory in Somalia and in neighboring countries such as Kenya and
Djibouti.
Boko
Haram, an extremist group based in northeast Nigeria, has claimed
responsibility for many attacks, mainly in northern Nigeria. The
first months of 2014 have seen a continued increase in Boko Haram
attacks and clashes with Nigerian government security forces in
northern Nigeria. Boko Haram has also targeted women and children for
kidnapping, reportedly kidnapping women in northern states for
marriage as “slave brides,” and kidnapping more than 200 school
girls from a private school in Borno state. Boko Haram is known
to descend on whole towns, robbing banks and businesses, attacking
police and military installations, and setting fire to private homes.
U.S. citizen missionaries in northern Nigeria have received specific
written threats to their safety and well-being, although none have
yet been harmed.
U.S.
citizens considering travel by sea near the Horn of Africa, the Gulf
of Guinea, or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme
caution, as there have been armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings
for ransom by pirates. The threat of hijacking to merchant vessels
continues to exist in Somali territorial waters and as far as 1,000
nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya in
international waters. There has also been a recent rise in piracy and
armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, including hijackings.
U.S.
government maritime authorities advise mariners to avoid the port of
Mogadishu and to remain at least 200 nautical miles off the coast of
Somalia. In addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa, the
Gulf of Guinea, or in the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that
vessels travel in convoys and maintain good communications at all
times. U.S. citizens traveling on commercial passenger vessels should
consult with the shipping or cruise ship company regarding
precautions that will be taken to avoid hijacking incidents.
Commercial vessels should review the Department of Transportation
Maritime
Administration's Horn
of Africa Piracy page
for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and
naval forces in the region.
SOUTH
ASIA: The U.S. government continues to receive information
that terrorist groups in South Asia may also be planning attacks in
the region, possibly against U.S. government facilities, U.S.
citizens, or U.S. interests. The presence of al-Qa’ida, Taliban
elements, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, indigenous sectarian groups, and other
terror organizations, many of which are on the U.S. government's list
of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, poses a potential
danger to U.S. citizens in the region. Terrorists and their
sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and ability to
attack locations where U.S. citizens or Westerners are known to
congregate or visit.
The
presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups poses a
danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan. Across the country,
terrorist attacks frequently occur against civilian, government, and
foreign targets. Attacks have included armed assaults on heavily
guarded sites, including Pakistani military installations and
airports. The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security
measures, particularly in the major cities. Terrorists and criminal
groups regularly resort to kidnapping for ransom.
No
province in Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and
crime, and the strong possibility exists throughout the country for
hostile acts, either targeted or random, against U.S. and other
foreign nationals at any time. Elements of the former Taliban
regime and members of other terrorist organizations hostile to the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and foreign
nationals remain active in every province of the country.
Furthermore, travel to all areas of Afghanistan remains unsafe due to
ongoing military combat operations, landmines, banditry, armed
rivalry between political and tribal groups, and the possibility of
insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne or other
improvised explosive devices. U.S. citizens are increasingly targeted
for kidnapping. The threat situation in Afghanistan is still
considered critical and is expected to remain so through the current
political and military transition.
India
continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may
affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Anti-Western terrorist
groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as
Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen,
Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. Past attacks have
targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such
as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas,
mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas. Attacks have taken
place during the busy evening hours in markets and other crowded
places, but could occur at any time.
CENTRAL
ASIA: Supporters of terrorist groups such as the Islamic
Movement of Uzbekistan, al-Qa’ida, the Islamic Jihad Union, and the
Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain active in Central Asia.
These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to
target U.S. government interests.
EAST
ASIA AND PACIFIC: Information from credible sources suggests
that there is a continued risk of armed terrorist and criminal groups
operating and planning attacks against foreigners, including U.S.
citizens, in the East Asian and Pacific region. Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)
and the Abu Sayyaf Group, have cells operating throughout Southeast
Asia and JI is linked to al-Qaida and other regional terrorist
groups.
There
is a risk of travel to the southern Philippines, specifically related
to kidnapping threats in the Sulu Archipelago and the ongoing threat
of violence on the island of Mindanao, particularly in Central
Mindanao.
Over
the past year there have been several kidnappings-for-ransom
targeting foreigners in the Eastern Sabah province of Malaysia and in
the southern Sulu Sea area by terrorist or insurgent groups based in
the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines. In addition to
incursions on the coastal and island resorts themselves, criminal or
terrorist bands may attempt to intercept boats ferrying tourists in
the area.
Indonesian
security forces have disrupted a number of terrorist cells, including
JI, a terrorist organization that carried out several significant
bombings in Jakarta and Bali over the past decade. Although
Indonesian counterterrorism efforts have been successful in
preventing terrorists from conducting large-scale attacks in recent
years, extremists in Indonesia may demonstrate a willingness and
ability to carry out small-scale violent attacks with little or no
warning.
*
* *
So
terror is everywhere... nowhere is safe... but do not panic.
Paris
massacre possible prelude to wave of Europe-wide attacks – media
citing NSA
RT,
11
January, 2015
The
deadly events that unfolded in France over the last week may be the
first in a wave of attacks to strike Europe, a German daily reports,
citing NSA intercepts of communications between Islamic State (IS,
formerly ISIS/ISIL) leaders.
Paris
was marked as the first in a series of European cities to be
attacked, including Rome, the report in the German tabloid Bild read.
However, the article didn’t furnish details of a concrete plan to
launch an attack.
The
US National Intelligence Agency (NSA) also reportedly had information
that Cherif and Said Kouachi, the brothers who carried out the mass
shooting at the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, had contacts
in the Netherlands.
Police
were said to have been put on high alert after intelligence learned
that Amedy Coulibaly, the terrorist who killed a policewoman on
Thursday in Paris and another four people in a kosher supermarket in
Vincennes on Friday, may have activated sleeper cells which aim to
attack law enforcement, CNN reported.
In
a slickly produced video released online, Coulibaly swears allegiance
to “Caliph Ibrahim”, also known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the
self-proclaimed IS leader.
When
asked by an unidentified interviewer if he had any links to Cherif
and Said, Coulibaly responded:
“The
brothers of our team were split into two groups…I went out a bit
against the police.”
Despite
Coulibaly’s declared allegiance to IS, Cherif had earlier claimed
he was trained and financed by Al-Qaeda in Yemen.
On
Saturday, one of the Al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen, Harith al-Nadhari,
posted a video online threatening France with vengeance.
"Soldiers
who love Allah and are His messengers are amongst you," he
said.
"They
do not fear death. They seek martyrdom in the name of Allah."
Police
initially suspected Boumeddiene may have played a role in organizing
the Paris attacks. Turkish security sources, however, told AFP that
she arrived in Turkey on January 2, and had since likely moved on to
Syria.
At
least 20 people, including the three attackers, were killed in a
spate of attacks in and around Paris this week.
Following
the bloody culmination of events on Friday, French President Francois
Hollande warned that the threats facing France were not over.
NYPD
Put On High Alert After ISIS "Unleash Killings" Video,
Feinstein Warns Of Terrorist Sleeper Cells
11
January, 2015
NYPD
cops were put on high alert Saturday night after ISIS released a
propaganda video urging the killing of "intelligence officers,
police officers, soldiers, and civilians" in the US,
according to The
NY Post.
This was then further fear-mongered by Senator Diane Feinstein who
said Sunday she believes there are terrorist
sleeper cells in the U.S. that
could carry out attacks similar to the ones in France - thoiugh not
mentioning any specific threats. Of course, this heightened
terror alert comes at the worst possible time,
as AP
confirms what
we discussed previously, that NYC has seen a steep decline in the
number of arrests amid a rumored
work slowdown by NYPD copson
the heels of disillusionment with de Blasio.
As
The NY Post reports, NYPD
cops were put on high alert Saturday night after ISIS released a
propaganda video urging the killing of “intelligence officers,
police officers, soldiers, and civilians” in the US.
“Strike their police, security, and intelligence members, as well as their treacherous agents,” the vile video, released on Twitter by ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammad Al-Adnani, urges.
“If you are assigned to a fixed post, do not sit together in the RMP [police car],” members of the Sergeants Benevolent Association were instructed in an e-mail obtained by The Post.
“At least one officer must stand outside the vehicle at all times. Pay attention to your surroundings. Officers must pay close attention to approaching vehicles . . . Pay close attention to people as they approach. Look for their hands.”
Heightening the tension was last week’s terror attack in Paris, in which two of the 17 people killed were police officers.
And
Diane Feinstein further reinforces, (as
The Washington Times reports) saying
Sunday she
believes there are terrorist sleeper cells in the U.S. that could
carry out attacks similar to the ones in France that
left 17 people dead last week.
Sen Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, did not comment on specific threats against America but said other attacks are possible.
“I think there are sleeper cells not only in France but certainly in other countries and, yes, in our own,” she said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “This calls for vigilance. … Hopefully, we can be even more active in terms of doing those things which enable us to find terrorists, see who they’re communicating with and to track that.”
Ms. Feinstein’s words come the same day a new Rasmussen poll shows that 65 percent of Americans believe terrorist attacks similar to those seen in France last week are likely to happen over the next 12 months.
But administration officials say there is no information on specific plots or sleeper cells.
“I don’t think that we have any information that would indicate, certainly with regard to the homeland, that there is any ongoing threat or any threat that was activated by what we see so tragically here in France,” Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said on ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday. “With regard to sleeper cells here in France, that is an investigation that’s ongoing and being conducted by our French allies.”
Of
course the timing is dreadful given the apparent work slowdown by
NYPD cops (via
AP),
Despite efforts by New York City officials to tout a dip in serious crime, another statistic is getting more attention — a steep decline in the number of arrests across all five boroughs in the two weeks since two police officers were shot dead in their patrol car.
The totals suggest that a rumored work slowdown has taken hold amid discord between the rank and file and Mayor Bill de Blasio, and raise questions about what impact it could have on the city's crime rate.
Patrick Lynch, head of the powerful Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, insisted Tuesday that the union was not sanctioning a labor action. He pointed to a shootout during an armed holdup late Monday that left two plainclothes officers wounded as proof that it was business as usual at the nation's largest police department.
Officers, who are working without a contract, are "putting themselves in danger to keep this city safe just as they always do," Lynch said.
But the enforcement statistics strongly indicate that the slowdown is real, even if it was initiated at the grassroots level.
Last week, the number of summonses for minor criminal offenses and traffic and parking violations decreased by more than 90 percent compared with the same week a year earlier, statistics show. For example, summonses for urinating in public were down to 347 from more than 4,077 last year.
...
"If the law is not being enforced in the street, we're all in danger," Reppetto said. "The criminals take their cue and run wild."
I haven’t really been following very closely but it seems to me that RT is towing the general media line on this.
Over 3 million march in Paris in solidarity after Charlie Hebdo attack, hostage crises
Arson at German paper 'Hamburger Morgenpost' that reprinted Charlie Hebdo cartoons
A German newspaper, the Hamburger Morgenpost, that reprinted the Charlie Hebdo cartoons says it suffered an arson attack overnight.
The
incident happened at about 2 am local time. Unidentified people threw
stones and an incendiary devices into the building housing the
“Hamburger Morgenpost” tabloid newspaper in Hamburg, Germany’s
second largest city.
“Rocks
and then a burning object were thrown through the window,” a police
spokesman told AFP. “Two rooms on the lower floors were damaged but
the fire was put out quickly.”
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