An Arabic manual for Egyptian protesters circulated via email and in hard copy prior to the protests on Friday January 28, 2010.
Author Archive for Public Intelligence
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation
(U//FOUO) DHS-FBI 2010 Holiday Terrorism Warning
(U//FOUO) THIS JOINT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR SAFETY OFFICIALS WITH AN EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL TERRORIST THREATS DURING THE 2010 U.S. HOLIDAY SEASON, EXTENDING FROM THE PRE-CHRISTMAS PERIOD THROUGH NEW YEAR’S DAY. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF DHS AND FBI AND TO HELP FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNTERTERRORISM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DETER, PREVENT, PREEMPT, OR RESPOND TO TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.
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Superclass Circle Jerk 2011
Belarus, Department of State
(U//FOUO) U.S. State Department Social Media Landscape: Belarus
The Internet and social media are in early stages of development in Belarus. The lack of infrastructure and the cost of access mean that the online community is characterized by affluent, educated middle classes from the metropolitan areas of the country (especially Minsk). Internet in Belarus has not yet achieved the penetration necessary to be socially representative. Despite the accessibility challenges, social media are still proving popular, particularly amongst younger demographics. Online information sources and especially social media, promise an impartiality that is often lacking in Belarusian mass media channels, which many consider to be overly influenced by the national government. From a political point of view, this has meant that opposition parties have been swifter to experiment with online engagement to gain public support, although their use of social media as strategic tool for campaigning is still relatively experimental.
Department of State, Spain
(U//FOUO) U.S. State Department Social Media Landscape: Spain
The social media landscape in Spain is relatively mature since reading blogs and engaging on social networks is now a regular part of daily life for many people, particularly teenagers and young professional people. As in most other European countries, social media participation is higher in large cities, especially Madrid which is seen as the center of the technology and Web 2.0 industry in Spain (64.3% of households have Internet access). Social networking is the most popular social activity in Spain. Until recently the local platform Tuenti had the highest membership although the global platform Facebook has now usurped that with 100,000 more members (5.7 million total) and levels of traffic to rival Google.
Latvia
(U//FOUO) U.S. State Department Social Media Landscape: Latvia
Latvia, one of the three Baltic states, has a diverse population totaling 2.3 million – 59% Latvians, 29% Russian nationals and 3.8% Belo Russians amongst other ethnic groups. The media industry reflects this and is divided into Latvian or Russian language outlets and broadcasters. Internet penetration in the country currently stands at 59% which is just below the EU average (60%). However, significant growth centered particularly around the capital Riga and amongst Latvia’s youth demographic shows the signs of increasingly widespread digital inclusion and Internet literacy. Social media is still in the early stages of development, focused primarily on local social networks such as Draugiem, although globally popular platforms including Twitter and Facebook are growing in Latvian members. Commercial engagement with social media reflects this growing trend and is led primarily by telecommunication companies such as IZZI and Lattlecom. The Latvian government is also beginning to embrace social media as part of its communications strategy although its current presence is largely passive with an emphasis on broadcast rather than engagement.
Department of State, France
(U//FOUO) U.S. State Department Social Media Landscape: France
The Internet and social media are in a relatively advanced stage of development in France. Penetration rates are higher than the European average, although France is still trailing behind the European leaders in terms of social media sophistication. Social media is very popular amongst French Internet users, with six social media sites in the top 20 most visited websites in France. Social networking and video-sharing are the most popular social media activities in France. Blogging, on the other hand, is comparatively less engaged with indicating the behavior of the French online is more fast-paced with less emphasis on long form communication. French Internet users tend to use the French language in online communication and social media. As a result, micro-blogging platform Twitter has grown in popularity since a French version was introduced.
Department of State, Hungary
(U//FOUO) U.S. State Department Social Media Landscape: Hungary
Improvements in infrastructure and access in Hungary over the last decade have encouraged considerable increases in Internet access and with that, an exploration of social media. Currently, Internet access is just below the EU average but is heavily focused around Budapest and other large cities, while the rural population remains largely digitally excluded. That said, government-backed initiatives to improve access in rural areas are ongoing. Internet access is also greater amongst those with a higher education and / or employed in the service industries. In turn, a gender divide is also apparent in Hungary’s Internet access as a result of lower levels of employment amongst women. The 15-24 age group and students are leading the digital movement in Hungary, aided by government initiatives which have focused on providing IT education and equipment to schools. It is this demographic that is largely responsible for the popularity of social networking, primarily conducted on local platforms in the Hungarian language, although membership of the global platform Facebook is growing and highlights a desire to be part of the global social media conversation.
Illinois, Intelligence Fusion Centers
Illinois Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center Overview Brief
Illinois Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center Summary Brief from June 2007.
Intelligence Fusion Centers, North Carolina
(U//FOUO/LES) North Carolina Fusion Center Jared Lee Loughner Not Connected to White Supremacists Report
On January 8, 2011 shortly after 10:00 AM in Tucson, Arizona, a gunman opened fire during U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords’ constituent meeting outside a Safeway Grocery store. Rep. Giffords was shot in the head. While Giffords has reportedly survived the attack, twelve people were injured and six were killed. The gunman was later identified as Jared Lee Loughner, 22 years of age. Subsequent media reports have described Loughner as espousing anti-government rhetoric and possibly affiliated with groups such as New Century Foundation/American Renaissance (although Law Enforcement have not located any information to indicate this affiliation). New Century Foundation (NCF), started by Virginia resident Jared Taylor, is a 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 1994 to “study immigration and race relations so as to better understand the consequences of America’s increasing diversity.” (www.nc-f.org) NCF is primarily known for American Renaissance (AmRen), a journal and companion website that broadcasts racist and anti-illegal immigration ideologies.
Australia
(U//FOUO) Australian Federal Police Radiation and National Security in Australia Brief
Australian Federal Police Radiation and National Security in Australia Brief from October 2010.
Department of Homeland Security
(U//FOUO) Federal Protective Service Safe Mail Handling Procedures Training Sheet
Safe Mail Handling Procedures. It is important that every employee handling or receiving mail can identify a suspicious letter or parcel. Although occurrences are extremely rare, it is essential to know what to do when suspicious mail is received. All staff must remain alert for the tell-tale signs of potentially dangerous mail and packages.
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation
(U//FOUO/LES) FBI/ATF Indicators and Warnings for Homemade Explosives
This booklet is a quick reference guide describing indicators and warnings related to homemade explosives. It is intended to aid military, federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel to visually recognize the materials, chemicals, and equipment associated with the manufacture of homemade explosives. The examples in this guide were selected based on historical incidents, intelligence on emerging threats, and the commercial availability of the components. Given the variety of substitute materials available for the manufacture of homemade explosives, this guide should not be considered all inclusive. Instead, it should be used to establish a basic understanding of typical materials, chemicals, and equipment associated with the manufacture of homemade explosives and to enable on-scene personnel to determine if they are dealing with a potentially dangerous situation.
U.S. Army
U.S. Army “Complex Environments” Insurgency Assessment and Social Terrain Analysis Reports
Two unclassified reports from the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center that are part of a series titled “Complex Environments – An Alternative Approach to the Assessment of Insurgencies and their Social Terrain”, from November 2009-March 2010.
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US AID Afghanistan Bamyan Province Photos
The following photos were taken January 1, 2011. USAID Afghanistan – http://www.flickr.com/photos/usaidafghanistan/
Department of Homeland Security
(U//FOUO) DHS Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine (HMTD) Warning
Terrorists could use the explosive Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine (HMTD) in an attack against the United States. Terrorist training manuals have included information regarding the production and use of HMTD as components of an explosive device. HMTD can be made from hydrogen peroxide, hexamine, and citric acid or diluted nitric acid. These ingredients are widely available in drug stores, hardware stores, and camping supply stores. HMTD is extremely sensitive to impact, friction, static/sparks, and heat, and may react violently to drug field testing if large amounts are tested at once.
U.S. Marine Corps
(U//FOUO) USMC Enterprise Network Accreditation Process Directive
The Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) Designated Accrediting Authority (DAA) issues Marine Corps Enterprise Information Assurance Directives (EIAD). The EIAD series provides modules that guide the implementation of policy direction established in Marine Corps Order (MCO) 5239.2. The modules provide procedural. technical, administrative, and supplemental guidance for all information systems, used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or receipt of data within the MCEN as well as other Marine Corps information systems. Each module focuses on a distinct subject and describes a standard methodology for planning, implementing and executing an element of the Marine Corps Information Assurance Program (MCIAP). The Marine Corps EIAD series will be the authoritative source for implementation of IA policy direction.
Intelligence Fusion Centers, United States
Federal Highway Administration Fusion Center Information Sharing Guidebook
This guidebook provides an overview of the mission and functions of transportation management centers, emergency operations centers, and fusion centers. The guidebook focuses on the types of information these centers produce and manage and how the sharing of such information among the centers can be beneficial to both the day-to-day and emergency operations of all the centers. Challenges exist to the ability to share information, and the guidebook addresses these challenges and options for handling them. The guidebook also provides some lessons learned and best practices identified from a literature search and interviews/site visits with center operators.
U.S. Army
U.S. Military Police Internment/Resettlement Operations Manual
Field Manual (FM) 3-19.40 depicts the doctrinal foundation, principles, and processes that MP will employ when dealing with enemy prisoners of war (EPWs), civilian internees (CIs), US military prisoner operations, and MP support to civil-military operations (populace and resource control [PRC], humanitarian assistance [HA], and emergency services [ES]). FM 3-19.40 is not a standalone manual, and it must be used in combination with other publications. These publications are pointed out throughout the manual, and a consolidated list is provided in the bibliography.
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Australian Flood Photos January 2011
The following photos were all taken in Rockhampton and Brisbane within the past week. Photo credits are at the bottom of the page. Salvation Army of Australia – http://www.flickr.com/photos/aus_salvos/ Martin Howard – http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinhoward/ Tyler Wright – http://www.flickr.com/photos/twyze/ Erik Veland –…
U.S. Marine Corps
USMC Marine Air-Ground Task Force Information Operations
Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-40.4, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Information Operations, operationalizes the concept of information operations (IO). This publication introduces doctrine for employment of IO in support of Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) operations. IO language and organizations continue to evolve and to be debated. This publication gives Marines a warfighter’s orientation to IO, providing a basis to understand the relevance of IO and a framework to implement IO. This publication is intended for MAGTF planners responsible for both operational and IO planning.
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy NATOPS Instrument Flight Manual
This manual presents an overview of information required for flying U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and conditions in various operating environments. It has been prepared for use as a reference for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircrew preparing for their annual instrument flight evaluations, especially those unable to attend instrument ground training. It also provides guidance and standardization for instrument flight evaluators and aircrews on criteria for evaluating the instrument flying abilities and proficiency of aircrew members and conducting NATOPS Instrument Flight Evaluations.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York
(U//LES) FBI WMD Operations Unit White Powder Letter Bulletin
Since 10/08/2010, 18 mailings related to an FBI Dallas investigation have been received at schools in Houston, TX and Washington, DC; bringing the total number of letters to well over 200. Envelopes received since 10/08/2010 contain a powder and a letter stating, “Al Qaeda FBI in U.S.A.” All of the envelopes are postmarked out of Texas.
Intelligence Fusion Centers, Maryland
(U//FOUO/LES) Maryland Fusion Center Incendiary Device Warning
The Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC) reports two potential incendiary devices have activated at state government buildings in Annapolis and Hanover, MD. The first device activated in the Jeffery Building’s mailroom at 16 Francis St, Annapolis; which hosts the offices of the Maryland Secretary of State and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. The second device activated at Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) headquarters in Hanover, MD.