Insider 12/22/04: Mosul Attack Analysis

Dec. 22, 2004 -- The deadly attack on the U.S. base near Mosul yesterday seems to have been based on precise intelligence and reflects the persistence and growing sophistication of the insurgency, experts tell the Washington Post. The insurgents are learning more about how the U.S. military operates and where its vulnerabilities lie, says the paper. One of experts suggested the facility may have been infiltrated as it was attacked at the exact time when the largest number of soldiers would be present.

The BBC looks at how the U.S. press reacted to the attack, noting that it's being viewed as a possible turning point in the fight with the insurgents in Iraq.

And an editorial in the New York Times argues that the increasing attacks are evidence of the difficulties the U.S. is facing in creating a representative Iraqi government. It argues that for the U.S. to save the elections it needs to pay more attention to the needs of Iraq's Sunni population and suggests postponing the elections scheduled for Jan 30th.

Saudi Exile Denies Terror Links

The US has frozen the assets of two Saudi Arabian citizens, including a top UK-based dissident, after accusing them of supporting al Qaeda financially. (BBC)

Saudis Rebuke Libya Over 'Plot'
Saudi Arabia has recalled its envoy to Libya over an alleged plot to assassinate Crown Prince Abdullah. (BBC)

New Papers Suggest Detainee Abuse Was Widespread

The Bush administration is facing a wave of new allegations that the abuse of foreign detainees in U.S. military custody was more widespread, varied and grave in the past three years than the Defense Department has long maintained. (Washington Post)

U.S. Pledges New Jail Abuse Inquiry
The White House has said fresh allegations of abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay by U.S. military personnel will be "fully investigated". (BBC)

Report Assesses Risks of Attack on Tankers
Terrorist attacks on tankers carrying liquefied natural gas into a U.S. port could trigger a fire that could burn the skin of people a mile away and cause "major injuries and significant structural damage" within about a third of a mile, according to a government study released yesterday. (Washington Post)

Ottawa Lashed Over Arar Secrets

The federal government was slammed Monday for blocking the release of new details on the role of Canada's spy service in the deportation of Maher Arar, including information that could help to clear the name of the Ottawa-based engineer. (The Globe and Mail)

Trial of "Iran's Spies" To Start In January

The trial of an Iranian diplomat and an Egyptian businessman charged with spying for Iran will start on January 29th. The Iranian will be tried in absentia. The Egyptian had confessed to having worked for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The two are accused of planning to assassinate a number of Egyptian personalities and carry out attacks in the country. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Kidnappers of Qataris May Be Members of Algerian Militant Group

The kidnappers of two Qatari men who were freed yesterday may be members of the Algerian Salafist Group for Call and Combat, al Hayat reports today. The group probably kidnapped the men to get a ransom, sources told al Hayat. (Al Hayat)