May 8, 2008
Memri Dispatch #435
By: D. Nagy *
Islamist Forums Teach Mujahideen in terrorist activities to carry out Jihad
Introduction (complete 15 page PDF)
In recent years jihadist organizations have been using the Internet for purposes of indoctrination, propaganda, recruitment, and maintaining morale among the mujahideen. In addition, Internet forums provide venues not only for sharing views, but for exchanging information that serves the operative needs of the mujahideen, such as guidance in guerilla warfare techniques, and information on manufacturing and using explosives, weapons, and poisons.

May 7, 2008

Memri Special Dispatch | No. 1921 |

Syrian President Assad: Syria's Contacts with Israel Are Aimed at Establishing Common Ground for Negotiations

In a comprehensive April 27, 2008 interview, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad told the editor-in-chief of the Qatari daily Al-Watan, Ahmad Ali, that Turkey was mediating contacts between Syria and Israel, and that efforts were being made to establish common ground for future negotiations between the two countries.

May 7, 2008
By Rodger Baker

A fire aboard the number 842 bus in Shanghai’s Yangpu district during morning rush hour May 5 killed three people and injured a dozen more. The bus, operated by the Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co., caught fire around 9:15 a.m. local time near Huangxing Road and Guoshun Road. Publicly, security officials say the fire was an accident caused by a mechanical problem. However, security officials have privately said that an individual came on board the bus carrying flammable materials. There is strong suspicion that the fire was the result of an intentional act, perhaps related to someone frustrated with losses on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

May 6, 2008
By George Friedman

Gen. David Petraeus, who commanded the surge in Iraq, was recommended April 23 by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to be the next head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, this means Petraeus would remain in ultimate command of the war in Iraq while also taking command in Afghanistan.

May 2008


The NEFA Foundation has released a new report by Senior Analyst Josh Lefkowitz titled "Terrorists Behind Bars," which examines the myriad complexities the worldwide prison system must address when managing incarcerated extremists.

While in prison, jihadists have caused officials fits by radicalizing fellow inmates, planning jailbreaks, distributing propaganda to associates, continuing to exercise operational control over their organizations, and plotting attacks. Reflecting these trends, Jordanian researcher Hassan Abu Hanieh has observed, "Things no longer end in prison anymore. In fact, increasingly they begin there." Additionally, the report analyzes campaigns by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Yemen, and even the U.S. military in Iraq to "reeducate" jailed militants.

May 5, 2008
The Lekarev Report

According to a report on Army Radio today, the findings in the most recent scandal surrounding Prime Minister Olmert will "shock the country" when revealed. A partial gag order will be lifted on the case as soon as tomorrow.