General

The Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus issued a report this month detailing what would be required to secure the US borders. It concluded that 36,000 troops, from either state militia, or the National Guard, would “dramatically reduce if not virtually eliminate” illegal immigration. The report said the buildup could be accomplished within 30 days, and there was currently adequate manpower available. [1]

Middle East

The withdrawal of Syrian armed forces has been completed, and a team of six UN personnel is inspecting offices used by Syrian intelligence, during the occupation of Lebanon. However, the process of verifying the removal of intelligence operatives is inherently flawed, since the intelligence business is, by its very nature, fundamentally engaged in secrecy and deception. Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Michel Aoun has claimed that Syria still has intelligence personnel in Lebanon, and is still using elements of the Lebanese security forces that were loyal to the Syrians for its operations. [2]

Aaron Klein of WorldNetDaily.com has reported how UN personnel verify the cessation of intelligence operations. They inspect sites, declared by the Syrians, to have been used by the intelligence services in the past. The inspections are coordinated with Lebanese security, which has been infiltrated by Syrians and elements of the Lebanese security forces that are still loyal to the Syrians. Consequently, the Syrians usually know well in advance of pending inspections. [3]

This month, Syria announced it had ended all military and intelligence cooperation with the US. It can be speculated that Syria backed the reign of terror to emphasize the importance of negotiations and good relations with the Assad regime.

The insurgency in Iraq came back quite powerfully this month. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is now focusing on using car bombs and attacking large groups of civilians. Zarqawi’s an expert terrorist and is quite accomplished at exploiting the constant media reports of attacks, even if they’re not effective militarily, to shake the will of the West, and agitate cultural divisions in Iraq. In the battle for Iraq, Zarqawi can, unfortunately, claim May 2005 as a victorious month, although one can hope that intelligence gathered, as a result of American operations around al-Qaim, will eventually counter his gains. Aggressive operations in early June, leading to several high-level detentions, are an encouraging development.

Despite Zarqawi’s recent successes, there still appears to be an internal crisis in the insurgency. A letter sent to Zarqawi, from an Al-Qaeda operative, based in Iraq, complains of poor leadership, low morale, and weakening support among Iraqis. [4] Part of Zarqawi’s success can be blamed on Syria, as the US believes that is where the latest offensive was planned. [5]

Zarqawi was injured this month, in Operation Matador, but has reportedly recovered. However, Internet postings, with various claims about his status, indicate there is still some uncertainty in the command of his group.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi released more evidence that Iraq sponsored Al-Qaeda, during Saddam Hussein’s regime. He told al-Hayat newspaper that Iraqi documents indicate that Ayman al-Zawahiri, the number two man in al-Qaeda, used a false ID to attend the Ninth Popular Islamic Conference in Iraq, in September of 1999. Zarqawi also entered Iraq around the same time. Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, current head of the Baathist insurgency, was the director of the meeting, which included at least 150 radical Islamic personnel from around the world. Additionally, Allawi claimed that Hussein used Farouq Hijazi, the ambassador to Turkey, and former Iraqi intelligence official, to manage ties with al-Qaeda, and was responsible for executing Abu Nidal, who refused to work with radical Islamic groups. [6]

Many analysts have focused on the exportation of Wahhabism from Saudi Arabia, but ignore the fact that the same thing is happening, to a lesser degree, in Qatar. Qatar sends millions of dollars annually to Wahhabist spiritual leaders, who preach jihad, and support Osama Bin Laden. This money is often distributed to volunteers on their way to fight Coalition forces in Iraq. [7]

Iranian negotiations with the Europeans ceased temporarily this month but there is talk of a resumption of negotiations. Unfortunately, the Europeans want to wait until after June’s presidential elections in Iran to continue negotiations. By delaying, they’re missing the best opportunity to support the Iranian people against the regime.

The Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) is reporting that Iran is using front companies to defeat a ban on certain dual-use materials, specifically graphite, and a graphite compound. The graphite is used as a casing for molten weapons-grade uranium, so it can be fitted onto a warhead, or used to shield missile cones from heat. A site is being built near Ardekan, in central Iran that the government claims is for “steel manufacturing”, but the MEK counters, is for producing nuclear-grade graphite. The Iranians are also accused of smuggling a graphite compound that can resist high levels of heart, and is used in missile technology. [8]

Asia

The Wall Street Journal reported that a secret defense agreement exists between India and Iran. Supposedly, the agreement gives India permission to use Iranian bases to attack Pakistan, in the event of war. WorldThreats.com has never received any specific information or even rumors of such cooperation and, therefore cannot comment on the veracity of the report, but finds it quite interesting, especially considering past Iranian-Pakistani cooperation in a number of fields. [9]

The US Senate’s Oil-For-Food investigation has revealed that Saddam Hussein bribed key figures in the Russian government, by giving them oil rights worth millions of dollars, when sold for profit. Iraqi Vice President Ramadan, currently in US custody, confirmed the bribery schemes. The first two Russian figures implicated are the parliamentarian Vladimir Zhirinovsky, head of the Liberal Democratic Party (and seen as a radical outcast) and Alexander Voloshin, the former chief of staff to Putin in the Presidential Council. [10]

Latin America

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continued his agenda to build a Marxist, anti-US Latin America. Part of his effort is controlling his own country’s media and influencing the rest of the continent. He is developing a new satellite television network, Telesur, controlled by his government, that he claims will counter US media influence. [11] WorldThreats.com believes this will be a Marxist, pro-Castro equivalent of Al-Jazeera.

It is also possible that Chavez is seeking WMD capabilities. There have been rumors that the North Korean delegation, that recently visited Caracas, was there to discuss ballistic missile sales, and President Khatami of Iran recently visited, as well. A “high-ranking Latin American official” has stated that Chavez intends to “introduce nuclear elements into Venezuela”. At the meeting, Chavez publicly stated that Iran had the right to enrich uranium and could “count on us for all our support” against the US. [12] Soon after, Chavez publicly announced talks with the Iranians to begin cooperation in the nuclear field. [13] Some speculate, though, that Chavez is simply attempting to provoke a nascent conflict in order to reinforce his credentials as an anti-American figure.

[1] Washington Times, May 23, 2005.

[2] WorldNetDaily.com, May 2, 2005.

[3] WorldNetDaily.com, May 6, 2005.

[4] Reuters, May 3, 2005.

[5] Associated Press, May 18, 2005.

[6] UPI, May 23, 2005.

[7] Times Online, May 1, 2005.

[8] Associated Press, May 2, 2005.

[9] Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2005.

[10] Reuters, May 16, 2005.

[11] Newsmax.com, May 6, 2005.

[12] Houston Chronicle, May 21, 2005.

[13] Reuters, May 22, 2005.

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