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Forums - The lounge
Subject: Houston TX the home of next.......?
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Original Message 1/3 15-Jun-04 @ 04:01 AM - Houston TX the home of next.......?
will Houston TX be the home of the next "terrorist" attack?
and no influx, there's no link for this article. its an email I get.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Risk Analysis: Halliburton and Al Qaeda
By Fred Burton
Summary
Militant Islamist leaders in Saudi Arabia have linked the recent attacks in Khobar to a desire to strike at U.S.-based Halliburton Co. -- which drew specific mention in a recent statement attributed to Osama bin Laden. Although Halliburton certainly is not the only possible corporate target, several factors indicate the company is at risk for further attacks -- whether in the United States or abroad.
Analysis
In recent articles, Stratfor has assessed the likelihood that certain U.S. cities could become targets for al Qaeda strikes. Although recent events have shifted the spotlight toward Saudi Arabia, those same attacks -- including the deadly incident in Khobar -- also lend insight into militant threats against U.S. companies in general and Halliburton Co. in particular.
Stratfor previously said that Houston, Texas, is a potential target for al Qaeda. Halliburton's high profile among Islamist militants (it was mentioned by name in recent statements attributed to al Qaeda leaders) further supports the prediction that Houston, its home base, could be struck. From a protective intelligence perspective, prudence dictates that Halliburton executives, including CEO David Lesar, should take heightened precautions.
Halliburton as a Target
On April 15, Al Arabiya broadcast an audiotape attributed to Osama bin Laden, in which the speaker threatened and warned Western corporations they would be targeted for attacks. The speaker singled out Halliburton for specific mention, given the role it is playing in postwar Iraq.
Though many multinational companies fit the description laid out by al Qaeda, Halliburton -- which is closely tied to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney -- is unique in its connotation of American "imperialism."
The same vein of thought was carried in a May 29 statement attributed to Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin, al Qaeda's leader within the Arabian Peninsula, who spoke of "Halliburton and its sisters." In that statement, al-Muqrin claimed that the May 27 attacks in Western business and housing compounds in Khobar were carried out partly because of the targets' association with Halliburton. Though the timing of the statement -- a few days after the strikes were conducted -- raises some questions, it is clear Halliburton was mentioned for a specific reason.
Three Foundations
In the Islamist mind-set, there are three "foundations" of the United States and its power that al Qaeda and other militant groups seek to target, preferably all at once.
* First, there is the U.S. military establishment. Al Qaeda repeatedly has attacked American military targets: The Khobar Towers, housing U.S. Air Force personnel; the USS Cole; the Pentagon. Because Halliburton and its subsidiaries are entwined with the U.S. military -- working on government contracts in Iraq and elsewhere -- an attack against the company indirectly would mean a strike at U.S. military power.
* The second "foundation" is the U.S. government. Halliburton's unique and very public ties to Cheney render the corporation a representative of the Bush administration, and therefore a desirable target.
* Finally, there is the U.S. economy -- an obvious and symbolic target, as the 1993 and 2001 attacks against the World Trade Center showed. For many Islamist militants, Halliburton represents the U.S. economy and the economic imperialism that Islamist militants associate with that.
Though Halliburton certainly is not the only U.S. corporation that fits these descriptions, al Qaeda's top leaders apparently have singled it out for specific mention on two recent occasions -- something that will only enhance the company's high profile in the Islamic world and increase the likelihood that it will face an attack.
Multinational Corporation
Given that Halliburton is a huge multinational corporation with subsidiaries operating worldwide, it is almost impossible to predict where a strike might occur. That is why it and other multinationals distribute security assessment responsibilities to regional managers. Threats against Western companies in places such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq are well publicized, but what is of particular concern are threats to the company within the United States or other parts of the world.
As previously stated, Halliburton is an ideal target for symbolic and other reasons. If -- as both Stratfor and recent government warnings have indicated -- a terrorist attack on U.S. soil is likely within coming months, the two factors combined point to an increased threat level for Halliburton and its subsidiaries within the United States.
What shape might such an attack take? That is difficult to predict, given the company's numerous assets and the variety of tactics used by Islamist militants. However, a look at recent incidents and historical trends could lend some insight:
* Abductions of employees: Insurgents in Iraq recently have taken to abducting employees of Western corporations, and the tactic has been espoused by Islamist leaders in recent issues of Al Battaar magazine, a publication linked to al Qaeda that offers practical advice for jihadists. Though this type of kidnapping has not yet emerged within the United States, it is not beyond the realm of possibility -- particularly as Riyadh and other governments attempt to close off funding sources to suspected militant groups. Not only could employees be abducted for ransom, but the act would serve to terrorize the American public and damage corporate morale -- not to mention stock prices and profits.
* Small-scale assaults: Operations such as those in Yanbu and Khobar are well within al Qaeda's capabilities, and they carry the added benefit of showing precise targeting -- as opposed to tactics such as car bombings, which kill indiscriminately. Stratfor has learned that al Qaeda has such plans in existence: Small-scale assaults were considered prior to the 1993 truck bombing at the World Trade Center. The drawback of this tactic is that preoperational surveillance and planning are critical -- making it practically a necessity for militants to have a collaborator on the inside if assaults are to succeed. For companies such as Halliburton, increased and improved background checks on employees and countersurveillance around facilities could do much to protect against an attack.
* Massive suicide bombing: This cannot be ruled out as a possibility, but given the diffusion of assets for multinational corporations, such an attack would need to occur at the headquarters office in order to carry the desired symbolic impact. Corporate security planners can take steps to maximize physical security in and around headquarters to prevent or, at the very least, minimize the damage and casualty counts from such a strike.
The coming weeks and months will show whether, as we believe is likely, militants will continue to target Halliburton and its affiliates. Of particular interest is whether leaders like al-Muqrin continue to single out the company in their public statements. With every specific mention, the corporation gains name recognition among Islamist militants and moves up on the list of targets -- whether in the United States or abroad.
and no influx, there's no link for this article. its an email I get.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Risk Analysis: Halliburton and Al Qaeda
By Fred Burton
Summary
Militant Islamist leaders in Saudi Arabia have linked the recent attacks in Khobar to a desire to strike at U.S.-based Halliburton Co. -- which drew specific mention in a recent statement attributed to Osama bin Laden. Although Halliburton certainly is not the only possible corporate target, several factors indicate the company is at risk for further attacks -- whether in the United States or abroad.
Analysis
In recent articles, Stratfor has assessed the likelihood that certain U.S. cities could become targets for al Qaeda strikes. Although recent events have shifted the spotlight toward Saudi Arabia, those same attacks -- including the deadly incident in Khobar -- also lend insight into militant threats against U.S. companies in general and Halliburton Co. in particular.
Stratfor previously said that Houston, Texas, is a potential target for al Qaeda. Halliburton's high profile among Islamist militants (it was mentioned by name in recent statements attributed to al Qaeda leaders) further supports the prediction that Houston, its home base, could be struck. From a protective intelligence perspective, prudence dictates that Halliburton executives, including CEO David Lesar, should take heightened precautions.
Halliburton as a Target
On April 15, Al Arabiya broadcast an audiotape attributed to Osama bin Laden, in which the speaker threatened and warned Western corporations they would be targeted for attacks. The speaker singled out Halliburton for specific mention, given the role it is playing in postwar Iraq.
Though many multinational companies fit the description laid out by al Qaeda, Halliburton -- which is closely tied to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney -- is unique in its connotation of American "imperialism."
The same vein of thought was carried in a May 29 statement attributed to Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin, al Qaeda's leader within the Arabian Peninsula, who spoke of "Halliburton and its sisters." In that statement, al-Muqrin claimed that the May 27 attacks in Western business and housing compounds in Khobar were carried out partly because of the targets' association with Halliburton. Though the timing of the statement -- a few days after the strikes were conducted -- raises some questions, it is clear Halliburton was mentioned for a specific reason.
Three Foundations
In the Islamist mind-set, there are three "foundations" of the United States and its power that al Qaeda and other militant groups seek to target, preferably all at once.
* First, there is the U.S. military establishment. Al Qaeda repeatedly has attacked American military targets: The Khobar Towers, housing U.S. Air Force personnel; the USS Cole; the Pentagon. Because Halliburton and its subsidiaries are entwined with the U.S. military -- working on government contracts in Iraq and elsewhere -- an attack against the company indirectly would mean a strike at U.S. military power.
* The second "foundation" is the U.S. government. Halliburton's unique and very public ties to Cheney render the corporation a representative of the Bush administration, and therefore a desirable target.
* Finally, there is the U.S. economy -- an obvious and symbolic target, as the 1993 and 2001 attacks against the World Trade Center showed. For many Islamist militants, Halliburton represents the U.S. economy and the economic imperialism that Islamist militants associate with that.
Though Halliburton certainly is not the only U.S. corporation that fits these descriptions, al Qaeda's top leaders apparently have singled it out for specific mention on two recent occasions -- something that will only enhance the company's high profile in the Islamic world and increase the likelihood that it will face an attack.
Multinational Corporation
Given that Halliburton is a huge multinational corporation with subsidiaries operating worldwide, it is almost impossible to predict where a strike might occur. That is why it and other multinationals distribute security assessment responsibilities to regional managers. Threats against Western companies in places such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq are well publicized, but what is of particular concern are threats to the company within the United States or other parts of the world.
As previously stated, Halliburton is an ideal target for symbolic and other reasons. If -- as both Stratfor and recent government warnings have indicated -- a terrorist attack on U.S. soil is likely within coming months, the two factors combined point to an increased threat level for Halliburton and its subsidiaries within the United States.
What shape might such an attack take? That is difficult to predict, given the company's numerous assets and the variety of tactics used by Islamist militants. However, a look at recent incidents and historical trends could lend some insight:
* Abductions of employees: Insurgents in Iraq recently have taken to abducting employees of Western corporations, and the tactic has been espoused by Islamist leaders in recent issues of Al Battaar magazine, a publication linked to al Qaeda that offers practical advice for jihadists. Though this type of kidnapping has not yet emerged within the United States, it is not beyond the realm of possibility -- particularly as Riyadh and other governments attempt to close off funding sources to suspected militant groups. Not only could employees be abducted for ransom, but the act would serve to terrorize the American public and damage corporate morale -- not to mention stock prices and profits.
* Small-scale assaults: Operations such as those in Yanbu and Khobar are well within al Qaeda's capabilities, and they carry the added benefit of showing precise targeting -- as opposed to tactics such as car bombings, which kill indiscriminately. Stratfor has learned that al Qaeda has such plans in existence: Small-scale assaults were considered prior to the 1993 truck bombing at the World Trade Center. The drawback of this tactic is that preoperational surveillance and planning are critical -- making it practically a necessity for militants to have a collaborator on the inside if assaults are to succeed. For companies such as Halliburton, increased and improved background checks on employees and countersurveillance around facilities could do much to protect against an attack.
* Massive suicide bombing: This cannot be ruled out as a possibility, but given the diffusion of assets for multinational corporations, such an attack would need to occur at the headquarters office in order to carry the desired symbolic impact. Corporate security planners can take steps to maximize physical security in and around headquarters to prevent or, at the very least, minimize the damage and casualty counts from such a strike.
The coming weeks and months will show whether, as we believe is likely, militants will continue to target Halliburton and its affiliates. Of particular interest is whether leaders like al-Muqrin continue to single out the company in their public statements. With every specific mention, the corporation gains name recognition among Islamist militants and moves up on the list of targets -- whether in the United States or abroad.
Message 2/3 15-Jun-04 @ 05:10 AM - RE: Houston TX the home of next.......?
america's very largest corprorate-operation would have to be GE....ronald reagan's ex-employer and the company which bailed-out enron from sure financial demise.
GE was hit today via it's subsidiary granite services inc.
hit pretty hard too from what pictures i saw.
what's odd is we used to subcontract for granite construction inc. many years ago.
i'm not sure if they're related.
they used to send us up and down the coast building macdonalds until they found some reason to not have to pay us. ...all perfectly legal of course....like one job took 2 days longer to finish when they'd start pulling us off to go start another...etc.
thank god my boss had enough back-up to still cover our checks but it was hard to see him get took like that.
they had us working from 11pm til 7 am...from san ysidro to riverside...living in motels etc.
i always told him to not play with the big boys.
of course he wanted to be one...so when in rome.....do>
GE was hit today via it's subsidiary granite services inc.
hit pretty hard too from what pictures i saw.
what's odd is we used to subcontract for granite construction inc. many years ago.
i'm not sure if they're related.
they used to send us up and down the coast building macdonalds until they found some reason to not have to pay us. ...all perfectly legal of course....like one job took 2 days longer to finish when they'd start pulling us off to go start another...etc.
thank god my boss had enough back-up to still cover our checks but it was hard to see him get took like that.
they had us working from 11pm til 7 am...from san ysidro to riverside...living in motels etc.
i always told him to not play with the big boys.
of course he wanted to be one...so when in rome.....do>
Message 3/3 15-Jun-04 @ 05:51 AM - RE: Houston TX the home of next.......?
to put a frame-of-reference on my above-experience....this was more than 15 years ago.
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