The British government is considering setting up a "big brother" database of all phone and e-mail traffic in the country, its senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. The database, just one of several ideas being considered would form part of a high-tech strategy to fight terrorism and crime. The suggestion comes after the police and security services warned that criminals were becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of technology.Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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The toD verdict: British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith argued yesterday that technological change has created a complex, fragmented online world: "The communications revolution has been rapid..." she told a conference at the Institute of Public Policy Research, "and the way in which we intercept and collect communications data needs to change too."
But the question of which measures the police and security services require to prevent future terrorist attacks raises a central theme in the domestic war on terror: how can the expansion of state power be balanced against the civil liberties people are accustomed to? It is a question facing all democratic societies and, according to the British parliament, one that the government is not always answering correctly. Earlier this week the House of Lords defeated plans to increase from 28 to 42 days the length of time terrorist suspects may be held without charge.
The government should expect stiff opposition from the proposals. Emboldened by their recent 42-day success, politicians, civil liberties groups, and Labour MPs have already condemned the new idea. Chris Huhne, the domestic affairs spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, accused the government of devising "Orwellian plans for a vast database of our private communications."
British soldier dies in Helmand
A British soldier from D Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment has been killed in an explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The soldier's death which occurred on Wednesday during a routine patrol brings the number of British soldiers killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 121.
In separate news, the German parliament is expected to extend the Bundeswehr's mandate in Afghanistan on Thursday. Roughly 4,500 German troops, concentrated in the former safe area of northern Afghanistan, face a deteriorating security situation. Germany's parliament is likely to extend the mandate for the German mission by 14 months instead of the usual 12, bridging a gap caused by German and Afghanistan elections in autumn 2009.
Senior Al Qaeda in Iraq commander killed
Al Qaeda in Iraq's second in command has been killed in Mosul, according to the US military. Moroccan-born Abu Qaswarah or Abu Sara was known to have ties to senior Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan. US forces have launched many attacks against suspects in Mosul this year. The city remains an island of Al Qaeda strength. Abu Qaswarah's death, if confirmed, would provide a further boost for the US military this week. Two days ago another senior Al Qaeda in Iraq commander was killed. Mahir al-Zubaydi was said to have played a key role in planning some of the worst atrocities in Iraq over the past few years.
Meanwhile, Iraqi leaders are examining a new draft security pact. The latest draft requires foreign troops to pull out by June 2011 unless invited to stay by Iraqi leaders. It would also allow Iraqi courts to try US soldiers accused of serious crimes committed while off-duty in Iraq. The draft, which must be ratified by the Iraqi parliament to take effect, could succeed or fail at the hands of Iran. The commander of US military forces in Iraq has accused Iraq's neighbour of trying to influence the vote, bribing Iraqi legislators into rejecting the security deal. Gen. Ray Odierno told the Washington Post that although he lacked definitive proof, many intelligence reports suggested "pay offs" were being made.
Terrorist Youtube offline
Aqsatube, a youtube clone focusing on Palestinian militant videos, has been taken offline by French hosting firm OVH. The website mimicked the mainstream video site in almost every way, allowing users to watch clips, upload their own videos, and see what others were watching. Content included masked men firing rockets to the sounds of martial Arabic music, and videos recorded by suicide bombers before they carried out their attacks. Aqsatube is just one of many similar sites, some of which appear to be produced by Hamas, a claim the Palestinian political group denies. The proliferation of these websites underlines the growing importance of the internet to jihadist militant groups; recruiting, training and propaganda are all handled online. According to Naval Postgraduate School professor John Arquilla, "They don't exist without the web".
Pakistani Taliban wants to talk
Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal areas say they are willing to hold unconditional talks with the government. "We are also willing to lay down our arms, once the military ceases operations against us" said Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban. The army recently launched major military offensives against insurgents in the Federally Administered Tribal Regions. On Wednesday, Pakistani forces reportedly pounded hideouts in a tribal region near the Afghan border, killing 16 Taliban linked rebels.
Previous FATA operations have been prematurely halted by truces, allowing militants to regroup. Although the army has orders to fight until they control the entire area, Pakistan's government has said that it is willing to talk to the militants once they lay down their arms.
Bomb blast in Nepal's south
A woman and two infants, all members of the same family, have been killed by a bomb explosion in Nepal. The blast occurred in the south-east of the country, a region which has witnessed constant ethnic unrest despite the end of Nepal's civil war nearly two years ago. Two separate militant groups claimed responsibility. Both say they are fighting for the rights of the traditionally marginalised Madhesi ethnic group. Many extreme Madhesi factions have emerged in recent years. The new Maoist government has invited the groups for talks, however the bomb blast shattered a ceasefire which most of the groups had declared throughout a recent two week feast.
