The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

Dec. 30 -- U.S. intelligence officials are concerned that more than a dozen terrorists who have flight training experience have either infiltrated foreign flight crews or have training that could help them take over cargo planes, ABCNEWS has learned. This information comes as the U.S. government orders foreign airlines to place armed law enforcement officers on certain flights to, from and over the United States. The request has triggered fears however, most strongly expressed in Britain, that guns on planes may be used against passengers and crew members. The British government had already responded by tightening security on its trans-Atlantic flights, including placing sky marshals when necessary. The measure is being resisted by the British Airline Pilots' Association, which called for an emergency meeting of the world's airline pilots to discuss the U.S. demands and urged British pilots not to fly with armed guards on board until an agreement was reached.

Also, the FBI issued an alert against people carrying almanacs, warning police nationwide that the reference book may be used by terrorists to plan for attacks.

And today an interesting story in the Los Angeles Times about how a Syrian company smuggled weapons and military hardware to Iraq between 2000 and 2003 in violation of U.N. sanctions. Documents found in Iraq reveal that the Syrian government assisted the company in importing at least one shipment that ended up in Iraq.

THE WAR ON TERROR

INVESTIGATIONS & ALERTS

United StatesFlight FearsMore than a dozen terrorists may have infiltrated airlines. (ABCNEWS)

U.S. Orders Foreign Airlines to Use Armed Marshals The new system goes into effect immediately for an estimated 800 to 1,000 passenger flights a day. (NY Times)

FBI Issues Alert Against Almanac CarriersFBI warning police to be alert for people carrying almanacs; could be used for terrorist planning. (AP)

Some Carriers Agree to Use Sky MarshalsSome international airlines say they will cooperate with U.S. requirement for sky marshals. (AP)

U.S. Air Marshals Demand ResistedA new order by the U.S. Government for foreign airlines to use armed guards if intelligence suggests a terror threat has drawn a mixed response. (BBC)

Guidelines for Foreign Air MarshalsThe new policy announced by the Department of Homeland Security would set some guidelines for foreign air marshals. (LA Times)

Airspace Over Las Vegas Strip to Be Restricted New Year's EveThe airspace over the Las Vegas Strip will be restricted New Year's Eve as tens of thousands of people celebrate in the street below, state and federal officials said Monday. (AP)

Lawmakers Urge Terror Alert Changes Top lawmakers charged with oversight on homeland security issues pressed Sunday for changes to the nation's color-coded terror alert system, including proposed warnings based on specific regions or industries. (AP)

U.S. Officials Fault French on Terror AlertOne or more terror suspects may have escaped due to a premature disclosure in France of the security concerns behind the cancellation of Christmas flights to Los Angeles, U.S. officials said on Friday. (Reuters)

United Kingdom

Britain Tightens Security on Some FlightsBritain tightens security for trans-Atlantic flights in response to U.S. terror alert. (AP)

Air Guards Threaten Flights ChaosNew U.K. policy on armed guards threatens chaos as pilots warn of boycott over 'rushed' proposals. (The Guardian)

Philippines

Philippines to Deport Two U.S. Brothers Philippine authorities said Tuesday they were set to deport two American brothers arrested for suspected links to terrorism and for allegedly meeting charity groups believed to be al Qaeda fronts in the country. (AP)

Saudi ArabiaAl Qaeda Links Seen in Attacks on Top Saudi Security Officials Islamic militants appear to be making a new effort to destabilize the Saudi government by assassinating top security officials. (NY Times)

British Warn Anew of Saudi Bomb Peril Britain warned Sunday of new terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and said such attacks could be "in the final stages of preparation." (AP)

Saudi Official Denies Suicide Pilots Report Saudi Arabia yesterday denied a British newspaper report that security forces seized two planes packed with explosives near Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport, foiling a plot to blow up a British Airways jet. (Arab News)

Saudi Arrests 4,000, Seizes Arms Near Yemen Border Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 4,000 people and seized large quantities of weapons and drugs in the south of the country, along the border with Yemen, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Saturday. (Reuters)