The Future of Al Qaeda Report

“Challenged for more than a decade by a determined global counter-terrorism (CT) campaign, Al-Qaeda (AQ) is facing an uncertain future. The death of Osama bin Laden, the popular uprisings spreading across the Middle East and North Africa, and the global recessionary pressures that are causing governments to re-evaluate their CT strategies are amongst the many far-reaching developments that will influence AQ’s future prospects.

How AQ adapts to the challenges and opportunities that will shape its next decade is a source of spirited debate amongst government officials, academic experts, think-tank analysts and private consultants. Insofar as this lack of consensus suggests that AQ’s path is not yet set, it creates a need to explore its alternative futures. To this end, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) launched a foresight project in September 2012 to explore how AQ might evolve along any one of three model paths over the course of the next five years: gradual decline; incremental growth; and rapid growth.”

Source:Reference Library | RiskIntel

Indonesia Kills Seven Terrorism Suspects in Two-Day Operation

“Indonesia’s anti-terrorism squad killed seven suspects and arrested 13 in operations that started yesterday, after two men were held last week in connection with an alleged plot to bomb Myanmar’s embassy in Jakarta.
The raids took place in Jakarta, Kebumen, about 440 kilometers (275 miles) southeast of the capital, Bandung, 147 kilometers east and Kendal, about 440 kilometers east, National Police Spokesman Boy Rafli Amar told reporters during a briefing today. Those killed ‘fought back’ when they tried to arrest them, Amar said without elaborating.”

Source:Indonesia Kills Seven Terrorism Suspects in Two-Day Operation – Bloomberg

UAE to set up international counter-terrorism centre

“The UAE has finalised moves to set up an international counter-terrorism centre, it was announced on Wednesday.
The Federal National Council’s committee for foreign affairs has viewed a draft law for the setting up of the International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedaya), the WAM news agency said.
The head of the committee, Rashid Al Sharaiqi, said the bill had been referred to the house by the government for deliberation.
In its explanatory note, the government says it had set up Hedaya to honour a pledge it made during the Global Counter-terrorism Forum (GCTF) held in New York two years ago.”

Source:UAE to set up international counter-terrorism centre – Culture & Society – ArabianBusiness.com

France says taking AQIM threat seriously after video

“President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that France was taking the threat from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) seriously after a purported leader of the Islamist group called for attacks on French interests throughout the world.”

Source:France says taking AQIM threat seriously after video | Reuters

Six admit planning to bomb English Defence League rally

“Six men from the West Midlands have pleaded guilty to planning to bomb an English Defence League rally.

Omar Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Hasseen, Anzal Hussain, Mohammed Saud, Zohaib Ahmed and Jewel Uddin admitted preparing an act of terrorism. All six will be sentenced on 6 June.”

Source:BBC News – Six admit planning to bomb English Defence League rally

Britain warns of terrorism, kidnapping in Libya

“There’s a high threat of terrorism and kidnapping in Libya following an attack Tuesday on the French Embassy in Tripoli, the British government said.

The French government condemned an attack on its embassy, which was mostly empty at the time of the morning blast. CNN said a 13-year-old girl and two security guards were injured when a car bomb exploded near the embassy.”

Source:Britain warns of terrorism, kidnapping in Libya – UPI.com

Canada foils ‘al-Qaeda inspired’ terror attack on train

“Canada’s authorities say they have arrested and charged two people with conspiring to carry out an ‘al-Qaeda inspired’ attack on a passenger train.

At a news conference, the authorities said the suspects Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested in Montreal and Toronto on Monday.”

Source:BBC News – Canada foils ‘al-Qaeda inspired’ terror attack on train

Dagestani jihadist group issues statement on Boston bombings

“Vilayat Dagestan, a jihadist group that is part of the Caucasus Emirate, an al Qaeda-linked group operating in the North Caucasus, has issued a statement on the Boston Marathon bombings.

The group released the statement on its main website earlier today, citing ‘speculation’ in the press that one of the bombers ‘could be affiliated with the mujahideen of the Caucasus Emirate, in particular, the mujahideen of Dagestan.’ The statement has been translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.”

Source: Dagestani jihadist group issues statement on Boston bombings – The Long War Journal

Surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had time to tweet on the run

“Between planting bombs and being on the lam, he somehow found time to tweet.

Boston bombing ‘Suspect 2,’ identified by police as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, took to Twitter about a dozen times since Monday’s deadly twin blasts killed three people and injured more than 180 others.”

Source: Surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had time to tweet on the run – NY Daily News

FBI Hunts Terror ‘Sleeper Cell’ Linked to Tsarnaev Brothers

“The FBI is hunting a 12-man terrorist ‘sleeper cell’ linked to the brothers suspected of carrying out the Boston bombings.

The Bureau believes that Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev received training in bomb-making before they carried out the attack, which killed three people.”

Source: Boston Marathon Bombings: FBI Hunts Terror ‘Sleeper Cell’ Linked to Tsarnaev Brothers – IBTimes UK