Stakelbeck on Terror

Off to Illinois to Investigate Homegrown Jihad

Erick Stakelbeck — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:03:00 GMT

I'll be in Illinois from Monday, November 16th until Thursday, November 19th. While there, I'll be spending time in Chicago investigating the recent arrests of two Pakistani nationals accused of plotting to conduct attacks against targets In Denmark and of working with Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist groups. I'll also spend time in Springfield, IL exploring the case of Michael Finton, a white convert to Islam who allegedly plotted to blow up a federal building in the city. I'll check back in with my findings when I return to the office later this week.

Fort Hood the Latest in a String of Homegrown Jihad Plots

Erick Stakelbeck — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:05:28 GMT

Since May, I've written frequently about the steady and disturbing growth of homegrown Islamic jihadist plots broken up on U.S. soil. Unfortunately, some plots, like the Fort Hood massacre--which is the deadliest Islamic terror attack on U.S. soil since 9/11--have been successful. Now, the Long War Journal has a comprehensive rundown of all those plots that will absolutely floor you if you haven't been paying attention over the past six months. I have been paying very close attention, obviously, but seeing this list at LWJ is still jarring:

In recent months, the US has experienced an alarming rise in jihadist activity. In the last two months alone, five terror plots have been foiled by the FBI, and there have been dozens of other arrests for various related crimes, such as providing material support for terrorists. The plots have been directed at targets at home and abroad, both civilian and military. The arrests clearly demonstrate the potential for al Qaeda and other extremist groups to recruit and carry out attacks in the US.

The extent of influence by al Qaeda and allied groups is evident in their ability to convince potential terrorists in other countries to come to the US with the intention of carrying out attacks; it is also shown by the capacity of these groups to indoctrinate US citizens and nationals. The case of Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan national accused of plotting attacks in the US, stands out in what has been described as the biggest plot against America since 9/11.

Be sure to read it all. The piece goes on to chronicle a long list of jihadist activity on U.S. soil that has taken place in the last six months alone. By the way, you have to love how the mainstream media--well, some of them--is finally starting to acknowledge that, yes, the Ft. Hood massacre was motivated by Major Hasan's radical Islamic beliefs. Of course, they are only doing so begrudingly, after the evidence has become undeniable and overwhelming that Hasan was indeed an Islamic jihadist. But most MSM outlets, disgracefully, hung on to their politically correct, head-in-the-sand narrative as long as they could.

Ft. Hood Shooter Motivated by Islamic Beliefs?

Erick Stakelbeck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:54:09 GMT

The latest indicator of Nidal Malik Hasan’s religious/political motivations in perpetrating the Ft. Hood massacre just crossed the wires. According to eyewitnesses, Hasan yelled “Allahu Akhbar.” or “Allah is great,” while mowing down U.S. soldiers. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Click on the viewer below to see my live appearance from today’s 700 Club, in which I analyze Hasan’s history of radical Islamism. CBN News Reporter Jennifer Wishon has the set up story first and then my analysis follows.

Make Your Financial Investments "Terror-Free"

Erick Stakelbeck — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:48:29 GMT

I did a story for CBN News back in June about the possibility of sanctions against the Iranian regime, and how shutting off imports of refined gas to Iran could have major repercussions for Ahmadenijad and the mullahs. In researching for the piece, I learned that four of the five companies supplying Iran with these vital shipments of refined gas were European. I wondered why the U.S. didn't just cut these compaines off and refuse to do business with them until they severed ties with Iran.

Mark Langerman had a similar thought. Only he's turned his thoughts into action. Langerman, an Arizona-based financial planner, is spearheading what he hopes is a growing trend: terror-free investments. His new financial management firm, Empowerment Financial Group, helps clients avoid investing in companies that do business with state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, Syria, North Korea and Sudan.

'We believe that we have a tangible solution to help people fight the economic war on terror," says Langerman, who launched the company along with partner Paul Seidman. "This is a bottom-up, grassroots movement."

Langerman says some 586 companies do business with state sponsors of terrorism, including 21 of them in the U.S. He adds that If these companies had their access to the U.S. financial market--the world's largest--cut off, the impact would be devastating enough that they would be forced to reconsider their business dealings with America's enemies.

Langerman hopes this terror-free investing initiative will catch on like other recent movements, including divestment from South Africa over apartheid and the "green" push for tougher enviornmental regulations.

"20 years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find companies with environmental regulations--now it's the norm," he says. "We hope the same thing can happen, over time, with terror free investing."

The portfolios of EFG clients are screened and certified terror-free by an independent research provider on a quarterly basis. The comany is working towards establishing a mutual fund that is terror-free.

"By starting this firm, I decided to put my money where my mouth is," says Langeman. "Every American can make a difference in the economic war on terror."

So what are you waiting for?

Evangelicals and Rabbis Unite Against Nuclear Iran

Erick Stakelbeck — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:05:32 GMT

Iran is once again making a mockery of its negotiations with the West, first agreeing, then backtracking, on an agreement to have its uranium shipped overseas for enrichment. (a move that, oddly enough, would only buy the Iranian nuke program more time in the long run) This ongoing diplomatic debacle is another harsh reminder that Iran is steeped in taqqiya--or deception--the Islamic concept that justifies lying to non-believers. The Iranians have shown time and again that they simply cannot be trusted as honest partners in any serious negotiations.

It's long past time that the Obama administration got tough with the Iranians. Enough carrots: there needs to be some heavy sticks applied here to convince Iran that nuclear weapons are a no-go. One potent way to do that is through economic sanctions. As I reported on CBN News back in June, there is a bi-partisan groundswell of support in Congress for serious sanctions against Iran that would, among other things, cut off imports of refined gas to the Islamic Republic. Support for such santions not only transcends political parties; it also transcends faiths.

Leaders of the New York Evangelicals and the New York Board of Rabbis, along with the Southern Baptists’ Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, have joined together to urge the international community to enact crippling sanctions against the Iranian regime that would make Iran pay a heavy price for its continued dirve towards nuclear weapons. You can read their "Stop Nuclear Iran" resolution here. As you'lll see, it lays out ten reasons for tough sanctions that are undeniable and compelling.

It is heartening to see Christians and Jews working together on such an important initiative. As we've reported frequently on CBN News, such cooperation is a growing and welcome trend.

The time for sanctions is right now. The Iranians, according to various intelligence estimates, could have a nuclear device by 2010. The recent revelation that Iran has a hidden nuclear facility outside Qom just raised the stakes even higher. The Israelis can't wait much longer to avert a potential second Holocaust.

Radical Islamic Cell Broken up in Detroit

Erick Stakelbeck — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:55:01 GMT

This is the ninth terrorist plot broken up on U.S. soil in the past six months alone, and the third this week (following this and this). And that isn't even including the successul jihadist shooting of a military recuiter in Arkansas in May or the continuing federal investigation of Somali-Americans who are leaving U.S. cities to return home and wage jihad alongside an al Qaeda- linked group.

Is it safe to say we have a legitimate and growing homegrown jihad problem in the U.S.? The answer is readily apparent, although most Americans--particularly the media--seem oblivious right now.

Watch my report on the latest bust of a Sunni extremist group based in Detroit, by clicking on the viewer above.

Lt. Col. Allen West on Afghanistan Strategy

Erick Stakelbeck — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:52:03 GMT

I've long admired retired U.S. Army Lt. Col Allen West as an extremely sharp and honest analyst of military and security matters. Lt. Col. West retired from the army in 2004 after a distinguished 20-years-plus career that included a number of honors, the Bronze Star among them. He has served in several combat zones, including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was battalion commander for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. West also served in Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan officers to take control of their country's security. Given his intimate knowledge of the Afghanistan theatre and the growing national debate over whether to send more troops there, I thought this would be the perfect time to get Lt. Col. West's observations.

He recently took time from his busy schedule--he's running for Congress in Florida's 22nd District--to sit down with me at CBN's Washington, D.C. bureau, where we discussed a variety of topics, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel and the worldwide jihadist movement.

Lt. Col. West's analysis on Afghanistan--specifically the controversial new rules of engagement there-- will be featured in an upcoming story of mine on the 700 Club. I'll also be posting more excerpts form our interview here on the blog. In the meantime, click on the viewer above to watch some of our conversation. What is the end game in Afghainstan? Can we win? And is political correctness hampering our efforts?

Click the player to watch.

Sesame Street Looking to Air in Gaza

Erick Stakelbeck — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:26:57 GMT

Sing it with me: "Sun-ny days, sweepin' the bombs away..."

From The Bibi Report, via AFP:

Big Bird and his pals are trying hard to get access to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to talk about peaceful conflict resolution and carry out some Muppet Diplomacy, Sesame Street announced on Wednesday.

"We know that it's an extremely volatile area, but we also feel that it's really important that we take these step forward to promote self esteem for Palestinians," said Gary Knell, president of the Sesame Workshop, the educational organisation behind the popular children's series.

A Palestinian version of the series - Sharaa Simsim - is already shown in the West Bank, but the signal does not reach Gaza.

"We are going into production with new programmes now based in Ramallah that will focus a lot on peaceful conflict resolution," Knell said at a news conference in Jerusalem

He said he is particularly keen to send the famous Muppets to Gaza, where the station run by Hamas has stirred international outrage with its cartoon characters seen as glorifying violence against Israel.

Ah, yes, That would be Farfur the Mujahid Mouse and Nahoul the Jihadi Bumblebee. This has the potential to be a real throwdown. I smell a fatwa against Elmo. And why not? There' s already one against Mickey Mouse.

Sesame Street Looking to Air in Gaza

Erick Stakelbeck — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:22:12 GMT

Sing it with me: "Sun-ny days, sweepin' the bombs away..."

From The Bibi Report:

Another Homegrown Terrorism Plot Broken Up; This Time, Outside Boston

Erick Stakelbeck — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:25:32 GMT

Another day, another homegrown terror plot broken up. Shopping malls are an easy, soft target for Islamic terrorists. It doesn't take a genius to walk into a mall, yell "Allahu Akhbar" and start firing. From CBN News:

A 27-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring with others to carry out terror attacks against shoppers in U.S. malls and against U.S. military in Iraq.

Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah) of Sudbury sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" people in foreign countries and to kill prominent U.S. politicians.

Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons.

This isn't the first time Mehanna has been detained on terrorism-related charges. In November 2008, he was arrested and charged with lying to investigators about the whereabouts of convicted terrorist Daniel Maldonado. Mehanna had been in contact with Maldonado, who trained with al Qaeda members in Somalia.

The breakup of the Mehanna cell marks the sixth major terror plot that has been thwarted on U.S. soil in the past five months alone. A seventh plot proved successful, when an Islamic jihadist shot and killed a U.S. military recruiter in Arkansas in May. And U.S. officials say Somali-Mmericans continue to travel to Somalia to join the jihad there. What they do if--and when--they return to the U.S. is the big question.