Global Security Studies Practicum

16 November 2011 After 9/11 and the anthrax bioterrorism attacks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering to implement new strategies to handle terrorism attacks. Hospital emergency preparedness is not entirely ready to take on such disasters. Therefore, new provisions that include the handling of terrorism events will be added to hospital operations. Emergency management officials want for hospitals to be prepared in case of any terrorist attacks so that the citizens can have the adequate help without the chaotic mismanagement of the hospital. Researchers believe that in order to implement such program it is imperious for hospital leaders to build their new plan based on previous experiences where they have helped in disaster events. Source: http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/better-hospital-responses-terrorist-attacks Reliability: 8.5

26 October 2011 China proposed a new legislation with the goal to define terrorism in better terms. The new definition is broad and will include explicit legal terms such as: violence, sabotage, threats, coercing, incitement, funding, and any other kind of support for terrorist acts. It will also enforce the present rules regarding seizing domestic assets for terrorism purposes. China’s current terrorism threat comes from radical Muslim groups that reside in the northwestern region of Xinjiang . The new law will help prosecute those that decide to violate any given term in the new definition. Jiang Yu , the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, declared that China is learning from other countries that have dealt with terrorism, and will now help cooperate with regional and international organizations to prevent terrorist acts. Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-considers-defining-terrorism-14807269 Reliability: 9

19 October 2011 The first woman tied to al-Qaeda requests the court more time to prove her innocence. The Saudi woman nicknamed “Lady al-Qaeda” holds 18 terrorism related charges against her. The charges include being a member of al-Qaeda, recruitment of new members, providing shelter, acquisition of firearms, forging identity cards, financial support, etc. She proclaims her innocence and views herself as a victim of her two previous husbands who both had connections to al-Qaeda. Her arrest happened last year on Feb. 20 and hearings are scheduled on October 29 of this year. Source: http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/behind-every-terrorist-woman-%E2%80%98lady-al-qaeda-did-more-hr-work-darning-socks-397603 Reliability: 8

19 October 2011 Early Wednesday morning, 24 soldiers were killed and 18 injured in southeastern Turkey. Rockets were launched at security forces and military sites in the town of Cukurca . Official with the provincial governor's office and Turkish President Abdullah Gul blames this incident as an act of terrorism. Gal states; "Our determination is certain. Those who think that democratic improvements in Turkey are achieved as a result of terrorism are making a big mistake. It is our decision to continue the struggle against terrorism without giving any concessions." The government has yet to confirm who they believe is responsible for the attack, presently there is tension amongst the government and elements of the country's minorities. Two weeks prior to the incident, lawmakers voted on extending authorization for the Turkish military to carry out cross border attacks against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. The Kurdish Peace and Democracy party are in dire need t...

(Yemen)- Exactly two weeks after US drone strikes killed Anwar Al-Awlaki , another drone strike has claimed the life of his 21-year-old son, Abdul Rahman Anwar Awlaki. The attack in the Shabwa district claimed nine militants, including Ibrahim al-Banna, head media officer for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) . Reports indicate the younger Awlaki had been hiding in the mountains for more than eight months. Washington continues to stamp out the threat from AQAP, the most active and dangerous branch of al-Qaida and the perpetrators of the failed attack of the underwear bomber . The strike was one of five overnight drone attacks aimed at al-Qaida positions in Shawba and Abyan . Anwar al-Awlaki was formerly the senior leader of the AQAP before his death September 30th. There has been no comment from the al-Awlaki family. Source: www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-10-15/yemen-militants-drone-strikes/50784330/1?csp=34news Reliability: 9