Pakistan roots to Moscow attack?

A new source for this blog: the Asia Times. Its a bit slow to load because it carries far too many ads. But this piece is worth it, discussing al Qaeda's desire to open a Northern front within Central Asia. The goal is the creation of the Emirate of Khurastan. dont say I never try to bring you new perspectives!

The Terrorism Hydra

Comment piece, again from Moscow Times. I am assuming that you can all access the everyday articles in the western press, so the Moscow spin may provide a different angle and maybe different data.

Police nab Basayev's former driver

Bashkortostan? What did that use to be called? Bashkir ASSR? Near Chelyabinsk and Muslim. A "persistent terrorist financing channel" eliminated. Another place to research. Quite large, mineral rich and secular Muslim but with an insurgent group. I will try and find out more.

Analysis: Bombings unlikely to prompt sharp Kremlin response

Interesting piece from the Moscow Times on differences between Medvedev and Putin, but also arguing that the response to terrorism has become more sophisticated.

ACPO to be covered by Freedom of Information laws

Well, yippee! Maybe now we will be able to get some knowledge of the committee structure and see if there are any poentially corrupt linkages out there as ACPO members retire into private practice. Don't hold your breath. "ACPO to be accountable to the public and Parliament"...now that would be a headline!

U.S. Forces set sights on Taliban Bastion of Kandahar

Odd but interesting. Its really more about Karzai's brother and allegations that he protects narcotics traffickers, which is why it is appropriate for this blog. It also suggests that the US is going to take over command in Helmand....which leaves me thinking, "so where are the British going fo go?" Crime, tribalism, insurgents: the Washington Post piece provides a peek into the heady brew that is Afghanistan.

Militia Charged with Plotting to Murder officers

Ive been noticing references to this story, but thought it would be about somewhere in the Middle east of South East Asia. Nope. Its Michigan, USA. The group is called the Hutaree and have been accused of classic terrorist planning and attempting to provoke an anti-government uprising. But it's all, allegedly, really about the apocalypse.

Dutch coffee shop fined 10m euros for breaking drug laws

Convicted of keeping more than permittted amount. Shop on Belgian border.

British gang behind Europe's biggest "boiler room" fraud arrested

Scam involves persuading investors to buy shares in a non-existent company.

China "set to produce more legal highs"

This is a Sky News story, reported by the Independent. Alleges that there is a factory in China making drugs for UK consumption, under UK advice..."a worker" is quoted. I think we need a bit more evidence here!