Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #alQaida
Most recents (24)
UPDATE: @CENTCOM still working to confirm identity of suspected senior #alQaida leader targeted in airstrike in NW #Syria last week
Some in Syria claim the person killed was not a terrorist but a 60yo sheep herder
"We are aware of the allegations" per @CENTCOM spox
1/5
Some in Syria claim the person killed was not a terrorist but a 60yo sheep herder
"We are aware of the allegations" per @CENTCOM spox
1/5
"In keeping with standard operating procedure, we are in the process of confirming the identity of the individual killed" per @CENTCOM's Maj John Moore in statement to @VOANews
2/5
2/5
"Each mission is meticulously planned & executed to maximize success & minimize the risk of collateral damage & harm to civilians" per @CENTCOM's Maj Moore
3/5
3/5
🧵#PentagonLeaks: Wie erwartbar: Die extreme Rechte feiert den #Pentagon-Leaker Jack #Teixeira als Nationalhelden. #Green #Carlson #FoxNews 1/x 
2/x Angeführt von der rechtsextremen Republikanerin, der Abgeordneten Marjorie Taylor #Greene und dem Moderator von Fox News, Tucker #Carlson, feiert die extreme Rechte den 21-jährigen Air National Guardsman,
3/x der angeblich streng geheime Pentagon-Dokumente durchsickern ließ, als Nationalhelden. Jack Teixeira wurde am Donnerstagnachmittag von #FBI-Agenten „ohne Zwischenfälle“ in seinem Elternhaus in North #Dighton, #Massachusetts, festgenommen,
Happening now: US Senate's Annual Worldwide Threats with:
@ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines
@CIA Dir William Burns
@DefenseIntel Dir LtGen Scott Berrier
@CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone
@FBI Dir Christopher Wray
intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-…
@ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines
@CIA Dir William Burns
@DefenseIntel Dir LtGen Scott Berrier
@CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone
@FBI Dir Christopher Wray
intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-…
"We are increasingly seeing rising competition in the technology space with authoritarian regimes that are challenging democratic norms at home & around the world," per Senate Intel Committee chair @MarkWarner
#China's communist party "is now a near-peer competitor with the United States in its economy, technology & military capabilities" per @MarkWarner
#Russia #cyber ops in the war on #Ukraine - "We continue full spectrum operations w/a series of partners to include Ukraine to provide them assistance as they battle the Russians" @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone tells lawmakers
#Russia "a very capable [#cyber] adversary" per @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA "We continue to work very tightly w/our other partners within the US gvt -CISA, @FBI- to ensure our US critical infrastructure is protected, and @NATO in general"
Background:
“If the conflict continues to not go well for #Russia, there is some chance that Russia will be increasingly brazen in its cyberattacks” an NSA spox told @VOANews “...will increasingly look outside of Ukraine's territorial borders"
voanews.com/a/us-bracing-f…
“If the conflict continues to not go well for #Russia, there is some chance that Russia will be increasingly brazen in its cyberattacks” an NSA spox told @VOANews “...will increasingly look outside of Ukraine's territorial borders"
voanews.com/a/us-bracing-f…
Heute vor 20 Jahren, am 14. Februar 2003, hielt der 🇫🇷 Außenminister, Dominique de #Villepin, eine Rede vor dem VN-#Sicherheitsrat, in der er die US-Regierung vor der Invasion des Iraks warnte. Langer Thread zur Vorgeschichte, den Inhalten der Rede und ihren Konsequenzen: 1/29
Beginnen wir mit der Vorgeschichte: Am 22. Januar hatte der 🇫🇷 Präsident Jacques #Chirac anlässlich des 40. Jubiläums des #Élysée-Vertrags in Paris betont: "DEU und FRA sind gleicher Auffassung. Alles muss getan werden, um einen Krieg zu verhindern" spiegel.de/politik/deutsc…. 2/29
Einen Tag später unterstrich BP Johannes #Rau im Schloss Bellevue vor Gerhard #Schröder, Jacques Chirac und den beiden Kabinetten den Wert 🇩🇪/🇫🇷#Versöhnung für 🇪🇺: „Unsere Partner wissen, wie wichtig es ist, dass DEU und FRA gemeinsam vorangehen“ bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Red…. 3/29
US intelligence making a case to renew sweeping communication surveillance powers granted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - set to expire this year
"FISA Section 702 is irreplaceable" @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone told @PCLOB_GOV Thursday
"FISA Section 702 is irreplaceable" @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone told @PCLOB_GOV Thursday
#FISA establishes rules US intelligence agencies when surveilling foreign powers and agents
Section 702-added in 2008-allows for targeted surveillance of electronic communications of foreign persons outside of the US
BUT critics argue it subjects Americans to unlawful searches
Section 702-added in 2008-allows for targeted surveillance of electronic communications of foreign persons outside of the US
BUT critics argue it subjects Americans to unlawful searches
US intel officials, like @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA, call #FISA Section 702 a critical tool
Sec. 702 "plays an outsized role in protecting the nation, providing some of the US gvt's most valuable intelligence on our most challenging targets...It provides unique information w/minimal risk"
Sec. 702 "plays an outsized role in protecting the nation, providing some of the US gvt's most valuable intelligence on our most challenging targets...It provides unique information w/minimal risk"
#alQaida's #Zawahiri "was the singular leader" per NCTC's Abizaid
"He was both symbolically important but also strategically important for what was a diverse network of affiliates"
"He was both symbolically important but also strategically important for what was a diverse network of affiliates"
NEW: US facing "diverse, geographically dispersed & highly unpredictable threat environment" Nat'l Counterterrorism Center Dir. Christine Abizaid tells @WashInstitute
Attack/threat "most likely to occur in the #UnitedStates from lone actors...motivated by a range of ideologies" from #ISIS #alQaida to racism & white supremacy, sometimes a combination, per NCTC's Abizaid
"The threat is unpredictable" both in US & the Western world, she says
"The threat is unpredictable" both in US & the Western world, she says
"We face a new kind of warfare,no longer constrained by borders or military maneuvers" @SecMayorkas tells @csis_isp, using #NotPetya as a prime example
"We face a very different world than the one our then-new Department of Homeland Security entered in 2003, nearly 20 years ago"
"We face a very different world than the one our then-new Department of Homeland Security entered in 2003, nearly 20 years ago"
"Ubiquitous cutting-edge technologies, economic & political instability, and our globalized economy have erased borders & increasingly bring threats & challenges directly into our communities" per @SecMayorkas "Our homeland security has converged w/our broader nat'l security"
New US National Defense Strategy sticking with "by, with, and through" to take on terrorists/violent extremists...
"In #Africa, [@DeptofDefense] will prioritize disrupting VEO threats against the US homeland & vital US national interests, working “by, with, and through” our African partners" per the NDS
"... continuing our “by, with, and through” approach in #Iraq and #Syria"
"... continuing our “by, with, and through” approach in #Iraq and #Syria"
Today the @StateDept held a presser and there were questions about today's announcement of the "#Afghanistan Fund." I'll string those together in this THREAD. 1/n
@StateDept (The link to the full presser is here: state.gov/briefings/depa…)
And here's a link to the announcement: home.treasury.gov/news/press-rel… 2/n
And here's a link to the announcement: home.treasury.gov/news/press-rel… 2/n
@StateDept Q: When is the soonest that this money could actually get to people or to organizations that could help people in #Afghanistan?
MR PRICE: The establishment of the Afghan Fund was recently finalized; it was announced publicly today early this morning... 3/n
MR PRICE: The establishment of the Afghan Fund was recently finalized; it was announced publicly today early this morning... 3/n
NEW: US intel sensed #Russia|n President Vladimir #Putin's growing "sense of destiny & appetite for risk" in the run-up to his invasion of #Ukraine, @CIA Director William Burns tells @BillingtonCyber
Credits good intel with helping to bolster Western soli
Credits good intel with helping to bolster Western soli
NEW: "I would not underestimate the capability or capacity of the #Ukrainians" per @CIA's Burns
Putin betting he can wear down the West - which Burns says "is as wrong about that bet as he was profoundly wrong in his assumptions" prior to this past February
Putin betting he can wear down the West - which Burns says "is as wrong about that bet as he was profoundly wrong in his assumptions" prior to this past February
NEW: #China "proceeding to increase their access & influence on the continent" & seeks to establish more military bases in #Africa, outgoing @USAfricaCommand Commander Gen Stephen Townsend tells @GWUPMNS
"Some of the most lethal terrorists on the planet are now in Africa...#alQaida & #ISIS " per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Townsend
"We've prevented strategic distraction" per Gen Townsend on his time at @USAfricaCommand - says US has been able to address threats in #Africa without taking focus on primary challenges, pacing threat from #China and also #Russia
NEW: 15,000 #Russia|n soldiers killed in #Ukraine - estimate given by @CIA Dir William Burns Wednesday - "probably a conservative estimate" #Britain's @ChiefMI6 Richard Moore tells #AspenSecurity
Helping #Somalia-"We get it by, with & through" partnerships, LtGen Michael Langley, nominated to lead @USAfricaCommand, tells SASC
"It's the best thing that will thwart the great power competition that's coming w/these false value propositions" from #Russia, #China
"It's the best thing that will thwart the great power competition that's coming w/these false value propositions" from #Russia, #China
US working w/#Africa|n countries to help them establish maritime exclusion zones - "That's going to be the biggest deterrent, or assurance actions... that's going to deter #China from trying to take over the West Coast of the African continent" per LtGen Langley
"#AFRICOM needs more resources, not less" per SASC Ranking Member @JimInhofe, saying he's heard rumors support to @USAfricaCommand is going to be downgraded
#alQaida issues new audio recording of leader Ayman al-Zawahiri - episode 5 in his so-called 'Deal of the Century' lecture series
Per @siteintelgroup the audio runs 44 minutes - accompanied only by a still photo, no video
Per @siteintelgroup the audio runs 44 minutes - accompanied only by a still photo, no video
In the lecture, #alQaida's Zawahiri urges followers to adopt prominent jihadi figures as role models while urging alQaida loyalists not to follow groups like #ISIS, per @siteintelgroup
Current state of the #Taliban
Taliban has consolidated control over #Afghanistan, per @UN report released on Friday
41 UN sanctioned individuals are in the cabinet & sr level positions
Taliban has consolidated control over #Afghanistan, per @UN report released on Friday
41 UN sanctioned individuals are in the cabinet & sr level positions
ICYMI: Intelligence shows "The relationship between the #Taliban & #alQaida remains close, w/the latter [alQaida] celebrating the former’s success & renewing its pledge of allegiance" per report from @UN Sanctions Monitoring Team released Friday
Intelligence from @UN members "suggest that #alQaida has a safe haven under the #Taliban & increased freedom of action" per report "[AQ leader] Ayman al-Zawahiri has issued more frequent recorded messages since August, & there is now proof of life for him as recently as Feb 2022"
#alQaida-#Taliban relationship "underscored by the presence, both in #Afghanistan & the region, of alQaida core leadership & affiliated groups, such as alQaida in the Indian Subcontinent (#AQIS)" per @UN report
NEW: @DoD_IG report on US-#Afghanistan raises questions about Washington's "over-the-horizon" #counterterrorism strategy
Need for US planes/drones to fly long distances, loss of human intelligence "has significantly reduced the DoD’s
capacity to track terrorist targets"
Need for US planes/drones to fly long distances, loss of human intelligence "has significantly reduced the DoD’s
capacity to track terrorist targets"
"As of the end of the quarter [March 31], the DoD had not conducted any strikes on terrorist targets in #Afghanistan since its withdrawal last year" per @DoD_IG acting IG Sean O'Donnell
re: #ISIS #alQaida
re: #ISIS #alQaida
#ISIS-#Khorasan estimated to have 2,000 members operating in #Afghanistan, per @DoD_IG citing @DefenseIntel
That's about half of estimates shared by the @UN in February
That's about half of estimates shared by the @UN in February
NEW: @POTUS approves request to "reestablish a small, persistent US military presence in #Somalia" a senior administration official confirms to reporters
NEW: Senior administration official decries decision by ex President Trump to withdraw US troops from #Somalia
"Since then #AlShabaab...has unfortunately only grown stronger. It has increased the tempo of its attacks, including against US personnel"
"Since then #AlShabaab...has unfortunately only grown stronger. It has increased the tempo of its attacks, including against US personnel"
#alShabaab remains #alQaida's "largest, wealthiest & deadly affiliate" per a senior administration official
Happening now: Senate Armed Services Committee Worldwide Threats hearing...
Testimony from @ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines & @DefenseIntel Dir Lt Gen Scott Berrier
Testimony from @ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines & @DefenseIntel Dir Lt Gen Scott Berrier
SASC Chairman @SenJackReed on US intelligence sharing in #Russia-#Ukraine war:
"Intelligence officials are understandably cautious about revealing hard-won insights on adversaries, but this strategy has proven highly effective..."
"Intelligence officials are understandably cautious about revealing hard-won insights on adversaries, but this strategy has proven highly effective..."
"...This is a great example of competing effectively in the information domain, and I hope we will continue to make use of this kind of creative tradecraft" per @SenJackReed
NEW: US @DeptofDefense confirms an estimated $7.12 billion worth of military equipment provided to the Afghan security forces prior to their collapse "remains in Afghanistan in varying states of repair"
Total of $18.6 billion had been provided to Afghan forces from 2005-2021
Total of $18.6 billion had been provided to Afghan forces from 2005-2021
"It is important to remember that the $7.12 billion figure cited in the Department’s recent report to Congress corresponds to ANDSF equipment & not US military equipment used by our forces" per @DeptofDefense spox Army Major Rob Lodewick in statement
"Nearly all equipment used by US military forces in #Afghanistan was either retrograded or destroyed prior to our withdrawal" per @DeptofDefense's Maj. Lodewick in statement
HAPPENING NOW: @CENTCOM Cmdr Gen Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie & @USAfricaCommand Cmdr Gen Stephen Townsend testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee
Chairman @SenJackReed opens up talking abt #Iran missile strike in #Irbil #Iraq...
Chairman @SenJackReed opens up talking abt #Iran missile strike in #Irbil #Iraq...
Intro remarks from ranking member @JimInhofe
"#Iran is the foremost threat" in the @CENTCOM region, he says
"Our partners increasingly doubt America's resolve" he adds, blaming what he calls "Pres. Biden's misguided policies"
"#Iran is the foremost threat" in the @CENTCOM region, he says
"Our partners increasingly doubt America's resolve" he adds, blaming what he calls "Pres. Biden's misguided policies"
Breaking: House Intel Committee posts @ODNIgov's 2022 Annual Threat Assessment, aka the Worldwide Threat Assessment
"#Beijing, #Moscow, #Tehran, & #Pyongyang have demonstrated the capability & intent to advance their interests at the expense of the #UnitedStates & its allies"
"#Beijing, #Moscow, #Tehran, & #Pyongyang have demonstrated the capability & intent to advance their interests at the expense of the #UnitedStates & its allies"
"#China increasingly is a near-peer competitor, challenging the #UnitedStates in multiple arenas—especially economically, militarily & technologically—& is pushing to change global norms & potentially threatening its neighbors" per @ODNIgov report
"#Russia is pushing back against #Washington where it can—locally & globally—employing techniques up to & including the use of force" per @ODNIgov report, compiled w/info available up to January
