* Infiltrating Al Qaeda scientist Rauf Ahmad did a lot more than have a servant serve tea and cookies to his US interrogators at a comfortable ISI safehouse
Posted by DXer on April 26, 2015
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CASE CLOSED ... what really happened in the 2001 anthrax attacks? 
DXer said
Here is someone on twitter commenting on the recent 38 minute video featuring Ayman Zawahiri’s criticism of the UN:
“Eric Newton
@EricNewton2020
·
Nov 23
What a dig from the Al Qaeda boss at the Taliban.
1)This is going to confuse AQ/Taliban supporters significantly,
2)start the divorce process between the two,
3)further strengthen the IS narrative.
This is also a hint that Zawahiri is not in Afghanistan”
DXer said
News of Chinese lab creating ‘anthrax-like pathogens’ in Pakistan ‘fake’: Foreign Office
In a statement on Sunday, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) described the article as a “politically motivated and fake story” and said it was composed of “distortion of facts and fabrications that quote anonymous sources”.
By: PTI | Published: July 26, 2020 11:30:30 pm
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/news-of-chinese-lab-creating-anthrax-like-pathogens-in-pakistan-fake-foreign-office-6524670/
The Wuhan lab was providing ‘extensive training on manipulation of pathogens and bio-informatics’ to Pakistani scientists ‘to help Pakistan develop its own virus collection database’, the report said. (Reuters File photo)
Pakistan and China have concluded a secret deal to expand potential bio-warfare capabilities, including running research projects related to the deadly anthrax, an Australian media report has alleged, prompting Pakistan to dismiss it as a ‘politically motivated and fake story’.
In an article published on July 23, Australia’s investigative newspaper The Klaxon said China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology has signed a covert three-year deal with Pakistan military’s Defense Science and Technology Organization (DESTO) to collaborate research in “emerging infectious diseases”.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has drawn the international spotlight in recent months because the novel coronavirus is thought to have originated in Wuhan. There had been speculation the disease may have emerged from that laboratory, however most experts have since discounted the theory.
In a statement on Sunday, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) described the article as a “politically motivated and fake story” and said it was composed of “distortion of facts and fabrications that quote anonymous sources”.
“There is nothing secret about the Bio-Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) Laboratory of Pakistan referred to in the report. Pakistan has been sharing information about the facility with the States Parties to the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC) in its submission of Confidence Building Measures,” the FO said.
It said the facility is meant for diagnostic and protective system improvement by Research and Development on emerging health threats, surveillance and disease outbreak investigation.
Pakistan strictly abides by its BTWC obligations and has been one of the most vocal supporters for a strong verification mechanism to ensure full compliance by the states and parties to the convention, the FO said.
The BTWC is a 1975 multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of chemical and biological weapons.
Quoting anonymous intelligence sources, The Klaxon said the China-funded project has conducted ?successful soil sampling tests? to isolate Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT), which has a ?striking similarity? to Bacillus Anthracis – or anthrax, a classified bio-warfare agent.
“Considering the striking similarity between BT and Bacillus Anthracis, a classified bio-warfare agent, (Pakistan’s) improved know-how in handling the bacteria could enrich a potential offensive biological program,? one source said.
The Wuhan lab was providing ‘extensive training on manipulation of pathogens and bio-informatics’ to Pakistani scientists ‘to help Pakistan develop its own virus collection database’, the report said.
“This could help Pakistan enhance its capability of genetic identification of viruses, access to dangerous microorganisms, and use of genomic tools for research and infectious diseases,” an intelligence source said.
The article quoted an anonymous defence source as saying that China wants Pakistan to engage India and it wants to conduct potentially dangerous experiments on foreign soil, without subjecting its own people to risk.
DXer said
Fort Detrick research labs suspended after order from CDC
https://www.localdvm.com/news/i-270/fort-detrick-research-labs-suspended-after-order-from-cdc/
Members of the Maryland congressional delegation including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone have penned a letter to the U.S. Army asking why Congress wasn’t notified of the lab closure.
They went on to ask six questions in their letter including what specific deficiencies led to the CDC shutting down operations and what specific steps is the army taking to correct the deficiencies.
“I am convinced that the outstanding professionals within USAMRIID are actively working to ensure a safe resumption of activities, laboratory research,” Cox explained.
Comment: I wonder if Porton Down notified authorities of the infiltration by scientist working with Dr. Ayman Zawahiri? DIA gave me these documents. JB Petro and his”Science” co-author brilliantly balanced the need for transparency about the perils of scientific openness.
Was USAMRIID the second lab that Rauf Ahmad? Because the FBI’s and the biodefense industry’s CYA instincts, the public may never know.
DXer said
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/371415-prospect-of-biological-weapons-use-in-real-life-is-sinister-worrying
Prospect of biological weapons use in real life is sinister, worrying
Islamabad : Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) on Wednesday organised a one-day National Seminar on Biological Weapons Convention: Implementation Challenges.
Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director, CISS in his welcome address stressed that the prospect of biological weapons use in real life, however, is a lot more sinister and worrying. Their use in the past has resulted in chilling effects on the human population and led the international community to reach consensus to ban this entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Ambassador Inam-ul-Haq, in his address as the chief guest, pointed to a grim fact that the biological weapons do not receive the required press coverage and public attention. Since nuclear safety and security measures have been discussed at the summit level due to their destructive nature, this has not happened in the case of biological weapons, which necessitates the incorporation of Biological Weapons Treaty and the implementation challenges as the agenda of national seminars. In this context, he commended the efforts of CISS in promoting awareness regarding challenges with respect to chemical and biological threats to security and their solutions.
Zamir Akram, made the keynote address in which he focused on elements of the convention and implementation challenges. Adding other implementation challenges, he stated that due to the rapid science and technology developments, countries need to meet more than once in five years to discuss measures to confront the “dual use” nature of biological weapons.
He also raised the issue of implementing Article X of the BWC that emphasizes on international cooperation and assistance because of the tension that exists in promotion of biological technology transfers in the presence of strategic trade controls to address proliferation risks. He highlighted Pakistan’s stance in support of implementation of all articles of the BWC in a balanced, non-discriminatory and comprehensive manner.
DG Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Kamran Akhtar believed in most credible and sustainable method of strengthening the Convention through multilateral negotiations towards a legally binding Protocol, including verification provisions, dealing with all the Articles of the Convention.
Zawar H. Abidi, member of Group of exports UNSC 1540 committee spoke on the UNSC Resolution 1540 and Pakistan. He stated that in line with increasing threat of terrorism, the risk posed by various microorganisms as biological weapons need regular evaluation. He also agreed with earlier speakers regarding implementation challenges and also referred to the easy access to biological weapon development and production by terrorists due to the recent advancements in science and biotechnology.
Dr Zafar Ali, DG Export Control Division, MOFA, Islamabad, highlighted that Pakistan has adopted stringent bio-safety and bio-security measures for safety and security of biological agents, facilities, technologies and equipment. He emphasized the point that although the Strategic Export Control Division was functioning and the Strategic Export Control Act was effective since 2004, there is a need to enhance coordination at national and international level for effective bio-ethics, bio-safety and bio-security standards and adoption of Internal Compliance Program. Awareness raising and capacity building is important in implementing peaceful application of biology for socio-economic development.
Dr Javed Khurshid, Distinguished Visiting Fellow of CISS, speaking on the Emerging Infectious Diseases—Bioterrorism: A Threat to National Security”, emphasized on the implementation of Bio-technology Weapons Convention through strengthening emergency management systems against bio-terror viruses and diseases such as HIV.
Brig Muhammad Afzal Khan spoke on Chem-Bio Threat and Response, argued that through control measures and control regime our threat perception would be increasingly crystallized. He also pointed out to the challenges of handling the bio-and Chem-threats, having diverse and unpredictable manifestations.
In this context, he argued that it was required of all stakeholders to develop a well thought out and integrated approach in dealing with the complex nature of threats. Technical teams need to be equipped with techniques and training of dealing with the severity of the threats of bio and chemical weapons in the emergency time for providing a suitable and timely response.
All speakers pointed out the basic weakness of Biological Convention lies in the absence of international monitoring, inspections and verification mechanisms.
The seminar was well attended by academics, professionals and students. Many questions were asked from the panellists and were answered in a comprehensive way.
DXer said
ISIS propaganda calls for biological terror attacks on the West and depicts San Francisco under a noxious cloud
ISIS in recent weeks has stepped up calls for biological attacks on the West
Urged lone wolves to concoct virus from ‘the feces and droppings of rats’
One propaganda poster depicts a noxious cloud above San Francisco
By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com
Published: 09:56 EDT, 5 August 2018 | Updated: 09:56 EDT, 5 August 2018
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6028625/ISIS-propaganda-calls-biological-terror-attacks-West.html
A 2016 West Point study found that while ISIS has long advertised its desire to obtain and use sophisticated biological weapons, the group faced ‘significant practical challenges’ in the endeavor, including the lack of sophisticated personnel and technology, and sufficiently reliable power grid in the territory it controlled.
‘Biological weapons are very unlikely to be developed by the Islamic State as a mass casualty tool,’ the report said.
‘Western medical countermeasures and response capabilities were able to handle the 2001 anthrax attack and quickly contain Ebola in the United States in 2014. All this suggests the impact of a deliberate biological attack by the Islamic State in the West would be extremely limited.’
Comment:
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, searing heat — and the best ISIS can do is recommend its supporters to go rummaging around the ubiquitous feces of San Francisco homeless?
At the same time, Bin Laden’s son, yet another momma’s boy, is being urged by his mom to just continue to bring Ayman Zawahiri’s tea and be his gopher?
With President Trump’s resignation increasingly possible — due to the suspected perjury by Don Trump, Jr. before Congress — Ayman Zawahiri might better just find a good retirement home and STFU.
Even when FBI Director Mueller’s critics regularly suggest he botched Amerithrax, his biggest “whodunnit,” the FBI, it seems, has been very successful in tamping down the threat domestically.
Media outlets (a blogger, Daily Mail) perhaps should not even bother report this “call to biological arms” by ISIS. All the “call” does is bespeak the impotence that Ayman Zawahiri and his ilk have demonstrated for many years.
DXer said
Amerithrax was hugely botched.
R. Scott Decker now acknowledges that 2 years after Stevens death, the FBI had still not obtained any of the Ames known to be abroad.
A delay in collecting evidence risks that it is not preserved.
The USAMRIID and Porton Down conducted annual in-person exchanges. Ivins, Ezzell and the others would go to the UK. Or they would come here.
Those exchanges were provably infiltrated by a scientist sent by Ayman Zawahiri.
R. Scott Decker knew this.
A leading Ames researcher from Porton Down in Fall 2001 started working for the FBI to work on the genetics in Maryland.
Decker’s failure to not collect the samples from abroad — that Mueller would allow it — is stunning.
There needs to be a Congressional investigation.
Decker just assumed that the Ames was not obtained abroad he says at more than one point because the writer of the letter had spelled the word “penacilin”. That doesn’t even make sense.
DXer said
Britain’s Novichok Chaos Brings Back Memories of Anthrax Attacks
By Peter Isackson
April 6, 2018
https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/novichok-sergei-skripal-poisoning-britain-anthrax-attacks-us-news-41521/
“We don’t know, and it’s unlikely that the kind of investigation that could reveal either the motives or the truth about the acts will ever take place. There is at least one person who knows everything about the case and about the motives of a number of people: Robert Mueller. But he now appears to be occupied with another investigation.”
Comment:
While MSNBC-fans are consumed by the Daniels litigation — like a cat following a laser around the room — on more important fronts, things don’t appear to be going well for the President in the Russia investigation. Grabbing the phones of Russian oligarchs at the border shows former FBI Director Mueller’s investigation continues to reach out to develop relevant facts. They recently searched a storage locker kept by Manafort.
Amerithrax was more difficult. IMO, it partly was because Adnan El-Shukrijumah was in the wind. The mastermind (above Zawahiri), Mohammed Atef, was dead. The affable Yazid Sufaat, although detained in Malaysia, was determined to be mum because he felt betrayed by his country. For his part, Yazid Sufaat pled the Fifth when I asked him what strain he was using. He was then thrown in jail for another 7 years to reflect on the benefits of being more candid about terroristic activities.
Now as for what Yazid Sufaat’s assistant, Al Barq, shared upon being tortured in Jordan and Israel, we’ll never know. Sufaat’s other assistant died in combat. And Rauf Ahmad, the Pakistan government scientist who infiltrated the Porton Down conferences, was protected by the ISI. This Isackson seems like a smart fellow. It would be interesting to have a dialogue with such types after they read and learn about Al Qaeda’s anthrax program and its infiltrating scientists like Rauf Ahmad.
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
DXer said
UK To Build New Chemical Defence Centre Following Salisbury Spy Poisoning
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/chemical-defence-centre-gavin-williamson_uk_5aaa2937e4b0600b8300322a
The centre will be located at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in Porton Down, which played a key role in identifying the lethal nerve agent Novichok, used in the Salisbury attack.
The government will also be offering the anthrax vaccine to “high-readiness forces” to provide them with protection against “deadly danger”.
Comment: The government has suppressed information about Rauf Ahmad’s infiltration of Porton Down.
Information about that infiltration is contained in the section (and outline) being withheld from Ken Dillon in his FOIA lawsuit.
The federal district court judge should review the Lambert memo in camera.
At the Porton Down-sponsored Dangerous Pathogens 2000 Conference, Dr. Zawahiri’s infiltrating scientist Rauf Ahmad, in addition to presenting on the isolation of Bacillus Anthracis, presented on the detection of bacterial contamination in water.
Posted on November 15, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/at-the-porton-down-sponsored-dangerous-pathogens-2000-conference-dr-zawahiris-infiltrating-scientist-rauf-ahmad-in-addition-to-presenting-on-the-isolation-of-bacillus-anthracis-presente/
GAO: On Rauf’s Quest For Virulent Anthrax For Ayman Zawahiri, Was The Second Lab He Visited A BL-3 Lab at Porton Down? Was He Cleared To Go?
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 21, 2012
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/gao-on-raufs-quest-for-virulent-anthrax-for-ayman-zawahiri-was-the-second-lab-he-visited-a-bl-3-lab-at-porton-down-was-he-cleared-to-go/
Peter Turnbull, working with Ames at Porton Down, came to advise Amerithrax and had organized the UK conferences infiltrated by Rauf Ahmad
Posted by Lew Weinstein on March 22, 2011
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/peter-turnbull-working-with-ames-at-porton-down-came-to-advise-amerithrax-and-had-organized-the-uk-conferences-infiltrated-by-rauf-ahmad/
DXer said
Porton Down laboratory to get £48m boost after Skripal attack
Defence science and technology institution was at centre of investigation and clean-up
https://www.ft.com/content/d78f43fc-27b0-11e8-b27e-cc62a39d57a0
If we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it.
The Chair of the Dangerous Pathogens 2000 conference at which the Al Qaeda scientist’s Rauf Ahmad’s research on killing mice with anthrax was presented, worked at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Center while advising the FBI’s Amerithrax Investigation ; the paper Dr. Baillie presented was co-authored with sequencer of the Ames strain
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 16, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-chair-of-the-dangerous-pathogens-2000-conference-at-which-the-al-qaeda-scientists-rauf-ahmads-research-on-killing-mice-with-anthrax-was-presented-worked-at-the-university-of-maryland-biotec/
The FBI did not take custody of the Pakistan anthrax scientist Rauf Ahmad who conducted a seminar on using a balloon to disperse the anthrax he had made
Posted by Lew Weinstein on January 17, 2015
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/the-fbi-did-not-take-custody-of-the-pakistan-anthrax-scientist-rauf-ahmad-who-conducted-the-seminar-on-dispersing-the-anthrax-he-made-using-a-balloon/
CIA and FBI [SHOULD HAVE KNOWN] Rauf Ahmad harvested “anthrax spore concentrate” for Al Qaeda for experiment on guinea pigs on “7-4-001” – handwriting on anthrax spore concentrate is same as handwriting of Rauf Ahmad in correspondence planning anthrax lab with Ayman Zawahiri
Posted by Lew Weinstein on November 26, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/cia-and-fbi-knew-rauf-ahmad-harvested-anthrax-spore-concentrate-for-al-qaeda-for-experiment-on-guinea-pigs-on-7-4-001-handwriting-on-anthrax-spore-concentrate-is-same-as-handwriting-of-rau/
DXer said
At page 141 of his recent book, Scott Decker writes:
“Steele followed Ivins out of the walk-in cold room and to the freezer used by Ivins. Opening it, Steele looked over the frozen tubes, boxes, and racks as frost vapors swirled in slow circles. He noted several boxes — seven after counting — labeled Ames. The boxes bore names of USAMRIID research scientists Steel recognized as having left army employment, including Knudson, along with dates of “1985,” “Dec 89,” “3/91,” “9/92, and “11/2000.” One box bore Ivins’s name. More boxes labeled Ames carried names of people unrecognizable to Steele. As he looked through the contents of the boxes, racks, and beakers, he kept counting and reached forty-one — samples that had not been submitted to the repository he managed.”
Yet Scott Decker merely assumes that all the other labs — including the lab used to process the anthrax used in the letters — submitted all their samples. Why would they? Why would the perp have sent in proof of his or her involvement in murder?
Despite Scott’s best intentions and best efforts, over the course of years — and his learned educational background — his mode of inquiry was never going to be sufficient to solve the Fall 2001 anthrax mailings. Bank robberies tend to be a tad easier. You get a picture of the perp and then you run him to the ground.
Instead, the FBI should have interviewed Yazid Sufaat in December 2001 rather than waiting until November 2002. And the FBI and CIA should have interviewed Al Qaeda infiltrator Rauf Ahmad in a context other than the ISI safe house protected the government scientist, with the government scientist having a servant serve the agents tea and cookies.
DXer said
Pakistan terrorism crackdown ‘necessary’ to Trump’s Afghanistan …
Politico-4 hours ago
Trump accused Pakistan of “housing the very terrorists that we are fighting … It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/22/pakistan-terrorism-crackdown-necessary-to-trumps-afghanistan-strategy-241885
DXer said
Might the thoughtful commentator Filippa Lentos, in urging that the world focus on the risk of state (rather than terrorist) misuse of biological weapons, usefully also address the fact that Zawahiri’s Rauf Ahmad was a Pakistani GOVERNMENT science who was kept at an ISI safe house and had a servant available to serve guests tea and cookies? How effective was US FBI’s attribution ever likely to be?
http://thebulletin.org/ignore-bill-gates-where-bioweapons-focus-really-belongs10876
3 July 2017
Ignore Bill Gates: Where bioweapons focus really belongs
Filippa Lentzos
Filippa Lentzos
Filippa Lentzos is a senior research fellow jointly appointed in the Departments of War Studies and of Global Health and Social Medicine at King’s College London. Her research focuses on…
Bioterrorism seems to be back in fashion. In the past, it has received bursts of attention that arose from particular incidents—the “anthrax letters” sent through the mail to US politicians and media outlets in 2001, for instance, or the purchase of plague bacteria by white supremacist Larry Wayne Harris in 1995. This time, it’s an unlikely individual calling attention to the bioterror threat—Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder turned philanthropist. Over the last several years, the world’s richest man has spent vast sums of money on global health, and in the last few months he has turned his attention to bioterrorism. At a high-profile security summit in Munich in February, he warned that bioterrorism could kill tens of millions. At a London security meeting a couple of months later, he said terrorists could wipe out 30 million people by weaponizing a disease such as smallpox.
DXer said
Mike Rogers was mentioned today as being under consideration also.
Mike Rogers is more familiar than most with the Al Qaeda anthrax threat and has expressed frustration with Pakistan intelligence.
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
An Invitation
From: [Tom Daschle and Mike Rogers]
To: [John Podesta]
Date: 2016-01-12 19:29
Subject: An Invitation
Dear John,
We hope this note finds you well. I’m sure things are very busy for you right now!
Former Congressman Mike Rogers and I invite you to join us for a salon dinner discussion on biodefense on February 22nd at 6:00 pm at the Cosmos Club in Washington D.C. As you know, biosecurity is an issue that I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with first hand when anthrax was sent to my Senate office. However, even with the anthrax attacks that took place in 2001, and the Ebola outbreak in 2014, biodefense isn’t being as seriously considered as I believe it should be.
Mike, as I am sure you know, during his time in office was the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Mike built a legacy as a tireless and effective leader on biodefense, counterterrorism and national security policy. Mike currently hosts a nationally-syndicated radio show, is a CNN national security commentator, a Distinguished Fellow at the Hudson Institute and serves on the Board of Trustees at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.
Last year, I had the privilege of serving on the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense led by Governor Ridge and Senator Lieberman. Mike briefed the panel and informed our final recommendations. Now that that the panel’s report has been released, we believe we have an opportunity to elevate the political prioritization of biodefense and preparedness, as well as advance near and mid-term changes to address the challenges and gaps we continue to face.
Mike and I would like to bring together a small group of thought leaders, such as yourself, for an informal discussion. Ideally, we would like to build on the discussion that the Blue Ribbon Panel Study began, and identify some actionable priorities. In the end, we hope to use the ideas gathered during the dinner discussion to develop both short-term and mid-term strategies for increasing political interest in improving our national health security.
Given your experience and expertise in these areas, Mike and I are hopeful that you will be able to join us.
…
All the best,
Tom Daschle
Former US Senate Majority Leader
Mike Rogers
Former Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
DXer said
The ISI sheltered anthrax infiltrator Rauf Ahmad. If we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it.
Ayman al-Zawahiri: How a CIA Drone Strike Nearly Killed the Head of Al-Qaeda
By Jeff Stein On 4/21/17 at 2:09 PM
http://www.newsweek.com/ayman-al-zawahiri-cia-donald-trump-drone-strike-osama-bin-laden-pakistan-587732
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) has been protecting the Egyptian-born al-Zawahiri, a trained surgeon, since U.S. forces evicted Al-Qaeda from Afghanistan in late 2001, several authoritative sources tell Newsweek.
His most likely location today, they say: Karachi, the teeming port city of 26 million people on the Arabian Sea. “Like everything about his location, there’s no positive proof,” says Bruce Riedel, a 30-year CIA veteran who was the top adviser on South Asia and the Middle East for the past four U.S. presidents. “There are pretty good indications, including some of the material found in Abbottabad,” where bin Laden was slain, “that point in that direction,” he adds. “This would be a logical place to hide out, where he would feel pretty comfortable that the Americans can’t come and get him.”
Hindustan Times-Apr 22, 2017
Pakistan’s ISI spy agency has been sheltering al Qaeda chief in the port city of Karachi after he survived a US drone strike near the Afghan …
Pakistan ISI protecting Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in Karachi …
India Today-Apr 22, 2017
ISI protecting ‘most wanted’ al-Zawahiri in Karachi: report
The Hindu-Apr 22, 2017
Al Qaeda chief al-Zawahiri in Karachi? Here’s why the ISI could be …
Yahoo News-Apr 22, 2017
Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri is hiding in Pakistan with ISI’s help …
Zee News-Apr 22, 2017
‘Pak sheltering Qaida’s al-Zawahari whose last wish is big attack on …
In-Depth-Times of India-Apr 22, 2017
DXer said
No information about al-Zawahiri: Afghan envoy
http://www.ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/No_information_about_al_Zawahiri_Afghan_envoy-549110/INTERNATIONAL/13
Newsweek magazine reported that al-Zawahiri is living under the protection of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence in the port city of Karachi after surviving a drone strike at a remote area near the border with Afghanistan.
Al-Zawahiri, an Egypt-born and trained surgeon, has been protected by the ISI since US forces evicted Al Qaeda from Afghanistan in late 2001, the report quoted sources as saying.
DXer said
Jack Quinn:
Putting aside Saudi Arabia and its funding of charities, does any other country have liability under the new statute, JASTA, relating to the anthrax attacks?
Lawsuits Going After Saudi Arabia’s Role In 9/11 Increase
By Amanda Griffin
Posted on March 20, 2017
http://www.jdjournal.com/2017/03/20/lawsuits-going-after-saudi-arabias-role-in-911-increase/
“With the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) enacted, at least seven lawsuits have popped up in federal courts under the law. The suits blame the Saudi government for supporting and funding the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Just six months after former President Barack Obama fiercely opposed allowing the law to be enacted and Congress went against his wishes, the lawsuits have been rolling in.
***
One lawsuit has consolidated most of the actions of the Saudi government was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court of Manhattan. The suit represents the families and estates of roughly 800 of the 2,996 people killed in the attacks, alleging that Saudi Arabia supported the attacks through their funding of al-Qaeda terrorist camps and transport of weapons, money and people around the world.”
DXer said
It is unfortunate that after the Washington Post correspondent once had obtained permission from ISI to interview Rauf Ahmad, the ISI reneged and withdrew their permission. Perhaps the ISI felt that Rauf Ahmad was not going to be able to succeed in the massive lies that he told the FBI and CIA interrogators at the safehouse, especially that first day. (I obtained and uploaded some documents from DIA and other sources that would not have left him much wiggle room).
It’s better, sometimes, to ask forgiveness than ask permission. Journalists should interview Rauf Ahmad.
DXer said
New CIA Deputy Oversaw Controversial Interrogation Operations
Wall Street Journal-Feb 2, 2017
Gina Haspel, who joined the CIA in 1985, is a career intelligence officer who has held many top assignments in its clandestine operations …
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-cia-deputy-oversaw-controversial-interrogation-operations-1486098767
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
DXer said
Police foil terror plot, arrest key suspect in Wote
https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2016/05/police-foil-terror-plot-arrest-key-suspect-wote/
The network also included medical experts with whom they planned to unleash a biological attack in Kenya using anthrax.
***
The police take this opportunity to caution those giving refuge to these criminals and urge them to surrender them to the nearest police station failure to which they will be held culpable as accomplices,” the statement added
DXer said
UK terror threat: Nato and EU say ‘justified concerns’ Isis planning chemical and nuclear attacks
By William Watkinson
April 19, 2016
Military defence bloc Nato and the EU both agree that there are ‘justified concerns’ that Islamic State (Isis) is attempting to obtain chemical, biological and nuclear weapons to attack Western nations. The warnings come as reports suggest intelligence agencies in Italy and Germany believe that the extremists are planning a Tunisia-style attack on European beach resorts this summer.
Speaking at the Security and Counter Terror Expo in London, The Telegraph quoted Jorge Berto Silva, deputy head of counter terrorism for the European Commission as saying:”With CBRN [chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear materials], there is a justified concern.” Dr Jamie Shea, deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security threats at Nato, also told the Expo: “We know terrorists are trying to acquire these (CBRN) substances
***
On 19 April, German media reported that Isis is sending jihadists, dressed as ice-cream salesmen, to beaches where they plan to detonate suicide vests and use high-powered assault rifles to kill indiscriminately. According to BILD the BND, the German MI6, has learned from its Italian intelligence that resorts in southern France, the Costa del Sol in Spain and both coasts in Italy are most under threat.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uk-terror-threat-nato-eu-say-justified-concerns-isis-planning-chemical-nuclear-attacks-1555688
DXer said
http://sendvid.com/zu3aob5h
DXer said
Nation ‘dangerously vulnerable’ to biological attack, says report, November 3, 2015
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/258973-nation-dangerously-vulnerable-to-bioterror-lawmakers-warned
“Concern about biological vulnerabilities spiked a week after 9/11, when envelopes containing anthrax spores were sent to multiple news outlets and congressional offices, ultimately killing five people. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s (D-S.D.) was one of the offices targeted by the attacks, and Daschle sits on the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense.” …
In his remarks, McCaul referenced an FBI sting operation to interrupt arms traffickers looking to sell weapons of mass destruction to Islamic extremists in the Middle East. He characterized the operation — revealed in an Associated Press report last month — as proof that groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are eyeing weapons that could be used against Americans. …
“It’s a threat that already exists,” [Ridge] added. The question is, “Are we prepared to respond to the threat?”
Comment:
No. The question is why Mr. Ridge didn’t respond to it by calling for hearings on the 9/11 anthrax mailings.
These panel members bear part of the responsibility for the unconvincing resolution of the Fall 2001 anthrax mailings. They failed to call for hearings on the Fall 2001 incidents. They had a critical role to play but so far they have dropped the ball.
So if and when Dr. Ayman Zawahiri attacks, they needn’t rush to blame others. Instead, members like Kenneth Wainstein should ask why they didn’t call for such hearings.
Dr. Zawahiri is going to be writing the history whether these quasi-pharma and biodefense industry lobbyists like it or not.
Folks can determine for themselves the role they are going to play in the history books.
DXer said
U.S. path to better biodefense
Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 1:08 AM
By Tom Ridge
and Joseph Lieberman
Our elected leaders have no greater responsibility than to protect and safeguard the American people. That imperative guided us when we served in public office after September 2001. Although the government has successfully addressed many homeland security challenges since then, the United States is unfortunately still underprepared to confront the biological threat.
Each day, we face the possibility of an infectious disease outbreak, an intentional bioterror attack, or an accidental release of a pathogen from a research facility. Naturally occurring biothreats such as Ebola are bypassing borders to emerge on our shores. Terrorist groups like the Islamic State are devastating the Middle East while endorsing biological warfare and threatening to attack our homeland. Man-made threats are also occurring here at home in the form of safety and security lapses in our nation’s laboratories involving agents like anthrax.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20151028_U_S__path_to_better_biodefense.html#BiOA4pddE7uCAKG5.99
To read the report:
http://www.biodefensestudy.org/
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
DXer said
Rauf Ahmad in email exchanges with me over the years would never cooperate with me unless I paid him money I didn’t have — sort of like FBI FOIA.
DXer said
Mark Twain once said that history doesn’t repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
The UK Lab That Let Al Qaeda Scientist Rauf Ahmad Leave With Virulent Anthrax in 1999 Made A Mistake; To Keep The Lab’s Identity A Secret Prevents Us From Learning From History
Posted on December 5, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/the-uk-lab-that-let-al-qaeda-scientist-rauf-ahmad-leave-with-virulent-anthrax-in-1999-made-a-mistake-to-keep-the-labs-identity-a-secret-prevents-us-from-learning-from-history/
The Chair of the Dangerous Pathogens 2000 conference at which the Al Qaeda scientist’s Rauf Ahmad’s research on killing mice with anthrax was presented, worked at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Center while advising the FBI’s Amerithrax Investigation ; the paper Dr. Baillie presented was co-authored with sequencer of the Ames strain
Posted on November 16, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-chair-of-the-dangerous-pathogens-2000-conference-at-which-the-al-qaeda-scientists-rauf-ahmads-research-on-killing-mice-with-anthrax-was-presented-worked-at-the-university-of-maryland-biotec/
The FBI has known since 2001 that a paper at the 2000 UK conference chaired by the lone non-US Amerithrax advisor Les Baillie, explained how Al Qaeda’s anthrax lab scientist Rauf Ahmad had killed mice with 100 injected spores.
Posted on November 16, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-fbi-has-known-since-2001-that-a-paper-at-the-2000-uk-conference-chaired-by-the-lone-non-us-amerithrax-advisor-les-baillie-explained-how-al-qaedas-anthrax-lab-scientist-rauf-ahmad-had-killed-m/
In his recent slideshare on the “Misuse of Biology,” the sole non-US Amerithrax adviser Les Baillie discussed Amerithrax, stealing pathogens from lab, and the consquences of a small-scale and large scale anthrax attack
Posted on November 16, 2014
https://caseclosedbylewweinstein.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/in-his-recent-slideshare-on-the-misuse-of-biology-the-sole-non-us-amerithrax-adviser-les-baillie-discussed-amerithrax-stealing-pathogens-from-lab-and-the-consquences-of-a-small-scale-and-larg/
DXer said
The learned forensic scientist, Dr. Michael Garvey, PhD (former FBI, former CIA, current head of forensic science for the City of Philadelphia) has explained:
“In the Amerithrax investigation, the FBI report discusses OCONUS samples that had inconsistent results for the presence of B. anthracis and possibly even indications of the presence of the Ames strain. However, these results were ultimately discarded by the FBI due to the inconsistencies in the various testing results, sampling procedures, and methodology used by the FBI and IC. As this case never reached trial and the details of this intelligence based collection is mostly classified, it cannot be fully addressed.”
Separately he noted:
“The reporting suggests that B. anthracis consistent with Ames strain was identified from this location. However, without full disclosure of the scientific data, one cannot ascertain whether these results are reliable. If reliable, did these results indicate the presence of Ames strain in an Al Qaeda lab from a laboratory transfer or is there an isolate of B. anthracis that is located in the undisclosed region of the world that developed similar markers to the Ames strain through parallel evolution. More importantly, these results show the importance of fully understanding the limitations of an assay in order to better explain its results.”
Microbial Forensics and U.S. National Security: Science and Strategy
Garvey, Michael
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1920/8957
Date: 2014-08
http://digilib.gmu.edu/dspace/handle/1920/8957
If the CIA concluded from the molecular evidence that there was Ames at the Afghanistan lab — and the FBI discarded those results — and Ames anthrax genetics expert Les Baillie was working for the FBI on Amerithrax at the NMRC in Maryland (where the FBI repository was kept), wasn’t that a conflict of interest beyond pale?
Dr. Garvey notes:
“While the FBI would perform extensive investigations on each consultant in order to verify his/her suitability to assist the investigation and rule them out as a subject of the investigation, this unique aspect of the investigation could be correlated to a forensic examiner, who is suspected of a sexual assault, being consulted on and examining the sexual assault evidence in the same case.” (p. 79)
DXer said
Sometimes when you dig into a mystery or treasure hunt, you have to dig deep. But in Amerithrax, it may just require that a reporter pick up the phone or dash off the right FOIA request. The Washington Post had obtained permission from ISI to have its correspondent there interview Rauf Ahmad. But then ISI backpedaled on the request.
The ISI (and FBI and CIA) is afraid of any digging that it is too deep.
(Off-topic:)
Dutch Schultz
For example, When I talk about where Dutch Schultz hid his loot, it helps to study the other things he hid underground — to include an entire distillery. What could be more fun if they throw in free wine tasting?
Dutch’s Spirits in New York’s Hudson Valley offers full access to the original underground Prohibition Era bunkers at the 400-acre Harvest Homestead Farm distillery built by Dutch Schultz. Includes a guided tour of historic bunker museum.
Ross and Grace Getman, “Dutch Schultz in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 1935 : his horses, his hiding places, and his missing millions”
http://www.blurb.com/b/1475537-dutch-schultz-in-fairfield-county-connecticut-in-1
Isabella Gardner
Similarly, when I urge the FBI to employ more liberal use of its backhoe and penetrating radar in the Isabella Gardner heist matter — viewing it more as a classic treasure hunt, I am merely adopting the FBI’s oft-quote mantra of leaving no stone or concrete slab unturned.
At Bobby Guarente’s old place in Madison, Maine, which the FBI thinks of itself as having thoroughly searched in 2009, they in fact did not have ground penetrating radar or a backhoe. I have uploaded the pictures where “X” may mark the spot.
Outside of Hartford, Bobby Gentile used to own a used car lot in 1991 at the same time he was in the concrete laying business. My source (the woman at the large business across from the interchange) tells me a small building on the property was razed a couple years before the FBI took an interest in Mr. Gentile.
Reputed Mobster May Be Last Link to Gardner Museum Art Heist
By SERGE F. KOVALESKI and TOM MASHBERGAPRIL 24, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/25/arts/design/reputed-mobster-may-be-last-link-to-gardner-museum-art-heist.html?_r=0
Oak Island
I love the HISTORY series and think the Michigan brothers and colleagues are great. But I wish they would reconceive of the “money pit” as a drain and consider that a treasure cache awaits them under Smith’s Cove. Absent permission to rebuild a coffer dam at Smith’s Cove, perhaps there is more sophisticated ground penetrating radar that can be used underwater in Smith’s Cove.
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US BIodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
DXer said
DXer said
When the US is attacked someday in the next 911, I’ll look back at David P. Sobonya’s denial of a fee request on the subject relating to Al Qaeda’s anthrax program — actually, just limited to traditional forensic reports that were done and were exculpatory of Dr. Bruce Ivins — and think to myself: Mr. Sobonya, that was really misguided in light of the public interest involved. You and your colleagues should have informed yourself.
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Flynn previously addressed the threat of an attack using anthrax:
An ominous post-9/11 warning
Americans are less safe now than they were prior to Sept. 1
Think, too, about the fact that those who postpone blowing themselves up are developing new and improved martial skills. “They write about and share ‘Lessons Learned’ all the time,” Gen. Flynn said. He recalled that not long after Sept. 11, 2001, anthrax was used in an act of terrorism that killed five people. “If that anthrax had been dispersed more efficiently,” he said, “it could have killed a quarter-million people.” Also worth bearing in mind: Just eight years separates the first attack on New York’s World Trade Center in 1993, in which six people were killed, from the 2001 mass murders.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/19/may-an-ominous-warning/#ixzz3YVOmebXT
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com
DXer said
Donald Trump,
I think choosing Michael Flynn as your Vice Presidential running mate would be a brilliant idea — shoring your campaign up in an area that gives many critics the most concern. (I know a lot of Republicans who are going to sit out the election due to concerns they have regarding national security. Picking Michael Flynn would do a lot to resolve those concerns).
Background on Michael Flynn:
“An ominous post-9/11 warning
Americans are less safe now than they were prior to Sept. 1
Think, too, about the fact that those who postpone blowing themselves up are developing new and improved martial skills. “They write about and share ‘Lessons Learned’ all the time,” Gen. Flynn said. He recalled that not long after Sept. 11, 2001, anthrax was used in an act of terrorism that killed five people. “If that anthrax had been dispersed more efficiently,” he said, “it could have killed a quarter-million people.” Also worth bearing in mind: Just eight years separates the first attack on New York’s World Trade Center in 1993, in which six people were killed, from the 2001 mass murders.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/19/may-an-ominous-warning/#ixzz3YVOmebXT
Anthrax, Al Qaeda and Ayman Zawahiri: The Infiltration of US Biodefense
http://www.amerithrax.wordpress.com