Mexico travel warning issued by U.S. State Department

“Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day.  The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality.  Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico.  The TCOs themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity.  As a result, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere.  U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery. ”

(Source: Mexico.)

Canada unveils terrorism strategy

“Public Safety Minister Vic Toews unveiled Canada’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy Thursday, which includes response plans to major attacks and strategies for de-radicalizing homegrown terrorists and “lone wolf” attackers.”

(Source: Ottawa unveils terrorism strategy.)

Afghan private security handover looking messy

“The push by Afghanistan’s president to nationalize legions of private security guards before the end of March is encouraging corruption and jeopardizing multibillion-dollar aid projects, according to companies trying to make the switch.”

(Source: The Associated Press: Afghan private security handover looking messy.)

Somali Militants Join al-Qaida

“In one bold move, al-Qaida incorporated al-Shabab, one of the world’s most assertive extremist groups, thereby expanding its reach out of tribal Pakistan and bolstering its dwindling ranks. Expect the growing U.S. shadow war in Somalia to heat up in response — and U.S. citizens who’ve joined Shabab are likely to be first in the crosshairs.”

(Source: Legion of Doom: Somali Militants Join al-Qaida | Danger Room | Wired.com.)

FBI focused on ‘sovereign citizen’ extremists around the country to prevent violence

“The FBI has been paying closer attention to ‘sovereign citizen’ extremists around the country out of concerns that they will react violently when they interact with government officials.

Sovereign citizens are people who reject their U.S. citizenship and don’t recognize government authority, like laws and taxes. In 2009, the FBI started paying closer attention to the movement, which previously had been grouped with the militia movements in the bureau’s domestic counterterrorism operations. Many people who claim to be followers of this movement are involved in white collar crimes like tax evasion schemes and making fraudulent documents, the FBI said.”

Source: FBI focused on ‘sovereign citizen’ extremists around the country to prevent violence – The Washington Post

Somalia – Car Bomb Strikes Capital

“A suicide car bomber killed at least 11 people and wounded 15 others in an explosion on Wednesday in Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said. “

Source: Somalia – Car Bomb Strikes Capital – NYTimes.com

Gunmen attack Indonesia workers near Freeport mine

“Unidentified gunmen have attacked a group of workers near Freeport-McMoRan’s gold and copper mine in eastern Indonesia, wounding several of them.”

(Source: The Associated Press: Gunmen attack Indonesia workers near Freeport mine.)

U.S. Closes embassy in Syria

“The State Department shuttered its embassy in Syria and pulled out its remaining staff Monday after the government refused to address its security concerns, senior State Department officials tell CNN.”

Source: BREAKING: U.S. Closes embassy in Syria – CNN Security Clearance – CNN.com Blogs

Car bomb kills at least seven in Afghanistan

“A car bomb exploded near a busy shopping area in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, on Sunday, which officials said killed at least seven people.”

(Source: World News – Car bomb kills at least seven in Afghanistan.)

Attackers blow up gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai

“An Egyptian security official says attackers have set off explosives along a gas pipeline in the country’s Sinai peninsula, halting exports to neighboring Israel and Jordan.”

(Source: Attackers blow up gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai – Yahoo! News.)