Special Operations Admiral Cites Progress, Challenges In Afghanistan

Donna Miles at the American Forces Press Service offers the below piece:

TAMPA, Fla., May 15, 2013 – Outlining his top priorities as he shapes U.S. Special Operations Command for the future, Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, the Socom commander, told a forum of special operators and defense contractors yesterday that it all starts with winning the current fight in Afghanistan.

“Every commander that is in my position realizes that you have to take care of the 25-meter target first. For us, that is Afghanistan,” McRaven told several hundred participants in the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference here.

“And I think we are making great strides in Afghanistan,” he said, citing the success of a new command structure that aligns various NATO and U.S. special operations forces under a two-star headquarters.

“We have pulled together the three components of the special operations forces that were in Afghanistan … under a single command,” McRaven explained. This includes the NATO component, Green Berets from Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs focused on building Afghan partnerships, and “the kinetic piece” that involves “capturing or killing bad guys,” McRaven said.

“And let me tell you, we are achieving in the [special operations forces] world probably the best result we have seen in many, many years in terms of synchronizing the effect on the ground on the battlefield by pulling together all three of the SOF components,” he said.

Asked by a reporter about Afghan allegations about misconduct by special operators -- which International Security Assistance Force officials have denied -- McRaven said it’s “easy and shortsighted” to view conditions on the ground through snapshots in time rather than over the long term.

“My perspective is 10 years of watching the development of Afghanistan,” he said. “And what I see is we now have incredible Afghan national security forces. We have a very credible Afghan [special operations force].”

McRaven noted the Afghans’ increasing role in military operations and their country’s security. “We don’t do anything today that the Afghan’s aren’t on the lead on,” he said. As a result, he reported better relations with the Afghan government, which he said had “concerns based on an American footprint forward.”

“Now that we have put the Afghans in the lead, we are getting less pushback from the government of Afghanistan. So we understand that,” McRaven said.

“We understand that Afghanistan is difficult,” he acknowledged. “It is complex, as they say. There are still problems with corruption. There are a lot of problems out there.”

But recalling 2003, when the Afghan capital of Kabul was “a war zone,” the admiral noted progress seen today. The roads are paved and street vendors are out in force, he said. Meanwhile, outside Kabul, an “incredible economic boom” is underway with new buildings rising from the ground.

“They have come a long way,” he said.

As Socom focuses on winning the current fight, McRaven said, he is leading the command on other lines of operation in support of his Special Operations 2020 vision. They include strengthening the global special operations forces network, preserving the force and families, and resourcing responsively in support of special operations forces.

Jay Leno On The Obama Scandals

Below are some of the jokes Jay Leno told on The Tonight Show about the current Obama administration scandals:

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Watergate hearings. For those of you too young to remember, back then the administration had an enemies list. They were spying on reporters, and they used the IRS to harass groups they didn’t like. Thank God those days are gone forever.

A lot of critics are comparing President Obama to President Richard Nixon, which is unfair. Nixon's unemployment rate was only 5 percent.

This whole IRS thing has become a huge story. They apparently were targeting conservative groups like the tea party. You know it's bad when President Obama says, "Hey, why don’t we talk about Benghazi?"

The National Aquarium in Washington is going to close. But don't worry. If you're in D.C. and you still want to smell something fishy, stop by the White House. They've gone from "Change you can believe in" to "Changing the story until you believe it." 

Boise Man Arrested: Terrorism Charges Filed In Idaho And Utah

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information today:

Fazliddin Kurbanov, 30, was arrested Thursday morning in Boise, Idaho, as part of a federal terrorism investigation.  Federal terrorism charges were filed Thursday afternoon in Boise and Salt Lake City, Utah.  Kurbanov, an Uzbekistan national, legally present in the United States, was living in Boise at the time of his arrest.

 A federal grand jury in Boise returned a three-count indictment charging Kurbanov with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and one count of possessing an unregistered destructive device.

A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging Kurbanov with one count of distribution of information relating to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.

 The charges were announced by David B. Barlow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah; Wendy J. Olson, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho; John Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the U.S. Department of Justice; and Mary Rook, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division.

 The arrest was the culmination of an investigation by the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division, which covers Idaho and Utah; and Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) in Idaho and Utah, which include a number of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Kurbanov’s activities were closely monitored by federal agents during the investigation and any potential threat posed by Kurbanov has been contained.  Kurbanov is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Boise tomorrow.  He will be transferred to Utah at the conclusion of the prosecution in Idaho.  

 “Today’s arrest and these indictments underscore our commitment to aggressively and thoroughly investigate those who conspire to engage in unlawful terrorist activities,” said U.S. Attorney Olson.  “The thorough and exhaustive work of our JTTF, in partnership with our investigating and prosecuting partners in Utah, Colorado and at the National Security Division, put a stop to this criminal activity and ensured the public’s safety. I commend the men and women at every level of law enforcement, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Ada County and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices and the Boise City Police Department, who assisted in this effort.”

 “One of our highest priorities is disrupting potential acts of terrorism.  The coordinated investigation, arrest, and indictments in this case demonstrate the commitment of all involved to do just that. The tireless work of agents, analysts and law enforcement officers to detect and guard against acts of terrorism has helped ensure the safety of the communities they serve,” U.S. Attorney Barlow said today. “The judicial part of the process will now begin in Idaho and Utah.”

 “Today’s arrest underscores the need for continued vigilance against terrorist threats both at home and abroad.  I thank the many agents, analysts and prosecutors responsible for this important investigation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Carlin.

 “As always, the FBI’s top priority is the safety and security of our nation and its citizens.  The indictments and arrest are the result of months of exhaustive investigation on the part of agents, analysts, and officers who worked indefatigably to achieve that end,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Rook.
 
Idaho Charges

 The Idaho indictment alleges in count one that between August 2012 and May 2013, Kurbanov knowingly conspired with unnamed co-conspirators to provide material support and resources to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, a designated foreign terrorist organization.  The indictment alleges that the material support and resources included himself, computer software and money.
In count two, the indictment further alleges that the defendant conspired to provide material support and resources, including himself, to terrorists knowing that the material support was to be used in preparation for and in carrying out an offense involving the use of a weapon of mass destruction. 
The indictment also alleges in count three that on or about Nov.15, 2012, Kurbanov possessed a destructive device consisting of a combination of parts intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device and from which a destructive device could be readily assembled.  According to the indictment, the parts were a hollow hand grenade, hobby fuse, aluminum powder, potassium nitrate and sulfur.

 If convicted on the Idaho charges, Kurbanov faces a maximum of 15 years in prison on each of the conspiracy counts and 10 years in prison on the possession of an unregistered destructive device count.  The Idaho charges are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Lucoff and Heather Patricco and National Security Division Trial Attorney Larry Schneider.

Utah Charges

 The one-count indictment filed in Utah alleges that from about Jan. 14, 2013, continuing through Jan. 24, 2013, Kurbanov taught and demonstrated how to make explosive devices and distributed information relating to the manufacture and use of an explosive or weapon of mass destruction with the intent that the teaching, demonstration and information be used for, and in furtherance of, an activity that would constitute a federal crime of violence.

 The indictment alleges the defendant showed internet videos, conducted instructional shopping trips, provided written recipes and gave verbal instructions on where to obtain the necessary components to construct and use improvised explosive devices.  The indictment also alleges that Kurbanov intended that the videos, written recipes, verbal instructions and shopping trips be used for training in the construction and use of explosive devices to commit a crime of violence, such as the use of weapons of mass destruction; bombings of a place of public use, a public transportation system or infrastructure facility; or destroying a building in interstate commerce.

 If convicted on the Utah charge, Kurbanov faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

 The Utah charges are being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Barlow, Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Huber and National Security Division Trial Attorney Larry Schneider.
 
 An indictment is not a finding of guilt and is not evidence.  Individuals charged in an indictment are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
(If you have questions regarding the Idaho case, please call Pam Bearg, PIO in the Idaho U.S. Attorney’s Office, at 208-334-1211. For questions on the Utah case, please call Melodie Rydalch, PIO in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office at 801-325-3206. Questions for the FBI Salt Lake City Division can be directed to Public Affairs Specialist Deb Bertram at 801-579-1400 or by e-mail at deborah.bertram@ic.fbi.gov.)  

Rincon-Rincon, Mexican Gulf Cartel Plaza Boss, Heads To Prison For Life

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information on May 15th:

BROWNSVILLE, TX—Juan Roberto Rincon-Rincon, one of the highest ranking members of the Gulf Cartel, has been ordered to federal prison for life following his convictions related to a large drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Vincent Iglio, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Javier Peña, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A jury convicted Rincon following seven days of trial and less than two hours of deliberation on Friday, September 28, 2012.

Today, U.S. District Judge Hilda G. Tagle, who presided over the trial, ordered Rincon to serve a life sentence in federal prison. At the hearing, the court found that Rincon-Rincon was accountable for the equivalent of 10,697,100 kilograms of marijuana as his offense conduct.

His sentence was enhanced because Rincon-Rincon used dangerous weapons such as grenades, rocket launchers, homemade cannons, and automatic weapons during the conspiracy. The court also enhanced his sentence because Rincon-Rincon was a leader/organizer of the criminal activity, used violence, used body armor, bribed law enforcement officials, imported methamphetamine, and because his primary employment consisted of being a lieutenant and/or plaza boss for the Gulf Cartel. Rincon-Rincon was further ordered to pay a $1 million fine as to each of the two counts of conviction.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Tagle noted that Rincon-Rincon had made the conscious choice to participate in the conspiracy and further commented to him that “you enjoyed the fruits of that lifestyle. Now, it is time for you to deal with the consequences.”

“HSI agents have made it a top priority to bring stability and security to this border region and today’s sentencing of Rincon-Rincon is a prime example of that,” said Iglio. “HSI will continue its efforts in partnership with our federal, state, and local partners to combat cartel related crimes in an effort to achieve these significant results.”

Rincon, 42, from Matamoros, Mexico, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute as well as conspiracy to import into the United States more than five kilograms of cocaine and 1000 kilograms of marijuana from January 2002 until his capture on October 26, 2011.

“Juan Roberto Rincon-Rincon, one of the highest ranking members of the Gulf Cartel, posed a threat to the citizens of both the United States and Mexico,” said Peña. “This case highlights the work of law enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley in keeping our border communities safe and ensuring Mexican drug traffickers do not find refuge in the United States.”

Evidence at trial proved that more than 9,000 kilograms of marijuana was seized by Border Patrol during the months of September and October 2011 when Rincon-Rincon was proven to be the Plaza Boss of Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. During his time in that leadership role, the money derived from the Gulf Cartel was more than $20 million. As the plaza boss, which is the lead representative for the Gulf Cartel in a particular region or town, Rincon-Rincon, aka Primo or X-5, was in charge of maintaining control of the region to ensure safe passage of the Gulf Cartel’s narcotics and ensuring no narcotics passed through his area of responsibility without his approval or knowledge.

Testimony at trial indicated that control of the plaza was accomplished by bribing Mexican law enforcement, some elements of the Mexican military, the news media, and elected public officials. Additionally, testimony indicated that control of the plaza was also accomplished by secretly and illegally wiretapping the phones at law enforcement offices, public offices and phones, hotels, and news media outlets. License plate readers and cameras were also used in order to detect infiltration of rival cartels or the movements of the Mexican military, according to testimony. Rincon-Rincon also had at least 100 individuals at his disposal armed with semi-automatic rifles, body armor, grenades, and .50 Caliber automatic rifles, and some had rocket launchers.

Testimony at trial further revealed that beginning in approximately 2000, Rincon-Rincon began working his way up the ranks of the Gulf Cartel through his associations with other known Cartel members. Testimony indicated that in 2000, Rincon-Rincon was a police officer in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, patrolling its streets with Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, the eventual leader of the Cartel Del Golfo. During this time, Rincon-Rincon and Costilla were in charge of drug houses in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, according to testimony. Rincon-Rincon was eventually one of Costilla’s most trusted associates.

In 2003, Osiel Cardenas-Guillen was arrested and Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez then took over the leadership of the Gulf Cartel. The jury heard testimony that many individuals involved in the drug transactions would have to often go through Rincon-Rincon to relay information to Costilla in order to receive authorization to transport drugs, to make bribe payments, and to negotiate drug terms. Rincon-Rincon would also receive large amounts of bulk cash currency that were proceeds from the sale of large amounts of Gulf Cartel narcotics.

During his association with the Cartel, Rincon-Rincon was also in charge of a “Polla,” which involves the collection of money for the purchase of cocaine and its distribution to those who contributed to it. Several co-defendants testified that Rincon-Rincon would collect between $500 and $700 thousand from Gulf Cartel conspirators and then return with 100 to 120 kilograms of cocaine which would then be imported into the U.S. by Gulf Cartel associates. According to testimony, Rincon-Rincon conducted the “Polla” at least once per month from approximately 2003 to 2010.
An internal power struggle later developed that eventually led to a fire fight on October 25, 2011, at which time another plaza boss was killed. As a result, Rincon-Rincon and others fled into the United States and were captured by law enforcement on October 26, 2011.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Brownsville and Progresso. Assistant United States Attorneys Angel Castro and Jody L. Young prosecuted the case.

John Miller: Boston Marathon Bomber Left Note On Hull Of Boat

 

John Miller at CBS News reports that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber, wrote a note on the hull of the boat he was hidding in prior to his capture by the police.

 

According to Miller, the note stated the bombing was in retellation for what the U.S. did to Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

You can watch John Miller explain on CBS News via the below link:

   

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57584771/boston-bombings-suspect-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-left-note-in-boat-he-hid-in-sources-say/ 

 

Note: The above FBI photo is of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.   

'Fleming': Le Pacte To Co-Produce James Bond Creator Ian Fleming Biopic

 

Variety.com reported that Le Pacte has signed on to co-produce the upcoming film biography of the late great thriller writer Ian Fleming.

Le Pacte, the French distributor of Nicolas Winding Refn’s competition-preeming “Only God Forgives,” has boarded director Duncan Jones’ “Fleming,” turning on James Bond creator Ian Fleming. 

Jones has teamed with Roger Avary to write the script, based on author Andrew Lycett’s “Ian Fleming, the Man Behind James Bond.”

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/ian-fleming-movie-le-pacte-1200481541/

Andrew Lycett's Ian Fleming, the Man Behind James Bond is a fine biography and I hope the film makers stick to it and don't try to turn Fleming into a James Bond character, like a previous Fleming biopic. 

Fleming was an interesting man and writer. He was a British naval intelligence officer during World War II and a journalist prior to and after the war. He was a world traveler, a womanizer like Bond and he wrote about crime, espionage other interesting subjects.

You can read my Counerterrorism magazine piece on Ian Fleming's wartime expierences via the below link:

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/IanFlemingsCommandos.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/IanFlemingsCommandos2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/IanFlemingsCommandos3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~pauldavisoncrime/pwpimages/IanFlemingsCommandos4.jpg      

60 Minutes Looks Back At The Rescue of Jessica Buchanan In Somalia By Navy SEAL Team 6

CBS's 60 Minutes interviewed Jessica Buchanan, an aid worker who was kidnapped by criminals in Somalia and subsequently rescuded by Navy SEAL Team 6.

You can watch the video via the below link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50146677n