PIPELINE TO JIHAD • MCDONALD’S GANG • IMIRAT KAVKAZ • WEAPONIZED TULEREMIA Journal for Law Enforcement, Intelligence & Special Operations Professionals AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 4 IRANIAN ECONOMIC WARFARE INTERNATIONAL EDITION An SSI ® Publication AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 www.thecounterterroristmag.com USA/CANADA $5.99 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 1 6.8 SPC 5.56 NATO The REC7 GEN II continues Barrett’s philosophy of designing the most rugged, reliable and powerful firearms. Created with passion and skill by the family that’s been building a legacy in forward-thinking firearms design for decades. When you offer the world’s strongest gas piston system in both 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC calibers, there really isn’t much more you need to say. Visit Barrett.net for a closer look. Circle 121 on Reader Service Card 2 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 LMTDEFENSE.COM ® ® Circle 259 on Reader Service Card 100% US MADE3 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September100% US 2014 MADE 4 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 Circle 13 on Reader Service Card The Journal for Law Enforcement, Intelligence & Special Operations Professionals AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 Counter VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 4 COVER STORY: IRANIAN ECONOMIC WARFARE 29 By Kevin D. Freeman FEATURES: 29 Firsthand: 0 8 THE LAST DAYS OF THE MCDONALD’S GANG By Larry Winston and Brian Davis Case Study: 16 JOHN WALKER LINDH AND THE PIPELINE TO JIHAD By Walter Purdy TULAREMIA AS A WEAPON 8 46 By Jeffrey D Shuman UMAROV’S LEGACY AND THE FUTURE 56 OF THE IMIRAT KAVKAZ By Michael S. Toney DEPARTMENTS: 06 From the Editor We Don’t Negotiate 16 44 Book Review Comrade J 69 Innovative Products Strategic Rifleman, LMT DMR Stock, Broco Jimmy 72 Training Review Vehicle Engagement Tactics 46 Cover Photo: After the Iranian hostage crisis (1979-1981), the walls of the former US embassy were covered in anti-US-murals. Photo by: Phillip Maiwald CONTENTS The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 5 FROM THE EDITOR: CounterThe We Don’t Negotiate By Chris Graham Journal for Law Enforcement, Intelligence & Special Operations Professionals VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 Editor Chris Graham n June 30, 2009, U.S. Army Private First Class Robert Bergdahl deserted Director of Operations and fell into the hands of the Taliban near the town of Yahya Kheyl in Sol Bradman OPaktika Province, Afghanistan. Director of Advertizing On May 31, 2014, The U.S. government traded five senior Taliban commanders Carmen Arnaes in custody at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Bergdahl. This appears to have been a trade Production Assistants Giselle Manassa that the Taliban has proposed for years. Based on what we have seen in the past, we can Melissa Berne expect these five to receive a hero’s welcome, be promoted and resume killing Americans Contributing Editors Kevin Freeman and our allies. Jennifer Hesterman Does the timing of this trade have anything to do with the latest domestic scandal? As Richard Marquise Tom Nypaver systemic corruption and incompetence at the Veteran’s Administration began to bubble Dean Olson to the surface, members of the public observed that Islamist terrorists in Guantanamo Steve Young receive superior medical care to American combat veterans. Resistance to the unpopular Graphic Design Morrison Creative Company “Affordable Care Act” stiffened as Americans gained their first glimpse of what Copy Editor government run healthcare looks like. Laura Town As coincidental as the timing of this trade may be, the opportunity now exists to Advertising Sales Chris Bell determine the full details of Bergdahl’s time with the Taliban. Of course, there is plenty [email protected] of downside to the terrorist trade. The U.S. government’s claim not to negotiate with 305-632-2309 terrorists is now dead, just like so many other standards eliminated in the last few years. Publisher: Security Solutions International All adversaries in the world now have proof that if they can bring some leverage to bear 13155 SW 134th St. • STE 103 against the U.S. government, they can get what they want. How many Americans do Miami, Florida 33186 you think will be kidnapped in the coming year? ISSN 1941-8639 The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Journal for Law Enforcement, Intelligence & Special Operations Semper Fidelis, Professionals is published by Security Solutions International LLC, as a service to the nation’s First Responders and Homeland Security Professionals with the aim of deepening understanding of issues related Chris Graham to Terrorism. No part of the publication can be reproduced without permission Editor, The Counter Terrorist from the publisher. The opinions expressed www.30-10pistol.com herein are the opinions of the authors represented and not necessarily the opinions of the publisher. Please direct all Editorial correspondence related to the magazine to: Security Solutions International SSI, 13155 SW 134th Street, Suite 103, Miami, Florida. 33186 or [email protected] The subscription price for 6 issues is $34.99 and the price of the magazine is $5.99. (1-866-573-3999) Fax: 1-786-573-2090. For article reprints, e-prints, posters and plaques please contact: PARS International Corp. Web: www.magreprints.com/quickquote.asp Email: [email protected] Phone: 212-221-9595 • Fax: 212-221-9195 Please visit the magazine web site where you can also contact the editorial staff: www.thecounterterrroristmag.com © 2014 Security Solutions International 6 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 Circle 110 on Reader Service Card The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 7 Firsthand: THE LAST DAYS OF THE MCDONALD’S GANG Photo by: iboy daniel 8 The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 By Larry Winston and Brian Davis In August 1989, a series of McDonald’s fast food robberies took place in the city of Los Angeles. The suspects—three to four male Hispanics, wearing various types of facial covering and armed with blue steel revolvers and blue steel automatics—would force all employees into the rear portion of the store. he suspects would then cover the Most of the robberies occurred in the robbery. The suspects would also take victims’ eyes with duct tape and early morning hours, usually on a Monday keys from the employees and shut off Twrap duct tape around the victims’ wrists. with most of the weekend receipts in alarms, open locked doors, and open safe On several occasions, plastic ties were used the safe. As the robberies continued doors. On several occasions, the suspects to bind the victims’ hands. The suspects into September and October of 1989, it would follow the last employee leaving would have one of the victims open the became apparent that the suspects were the business at closing (presumably the safe. If the safe had an inner door and no familiar with McDonald’s operations manager) to their home, kidnap them at key was available, the suspects would force due to some of the questions that they gunpoint, return the victim to the business, the door open with a hammer and chisel. asked employees present during the and force the victim to open the store. The Counter Terrorist ~ August/September 2014 9 McDonald’s corporate security personnel contacted the L.A.P.D. Robbery/Homicide Division in late September 1989. McDonald’s security reported that two former employees were thought to be involved in as many as 25 robberies. Both had been former assistant managers at various stores before leaving the company in 1988. Many of the stores where these two men had worked had A short time later, four suspects theft, burglary and robbery problems. exited the residence, entered the black One of the men was administered a Thunderbird, drove for approximately polygraph. The polygraph examiner 40 minutes, and entered a McDonald’s determined the man to be deceptive, parking lot located in the Sunland/ giving conflicting statements. Tujunga area of Los Angeles. The suspects In mid-January 1990, Robbery/ drove around to the rear of the restaurant SIS trains to react to the actions of the Homicide contacted the Special and exited the property. They continued suspects it follows, whether in a vehicle Investigation Section, (SIS), with the to drive slowly through the residential or on foot. In this case, it was apparent above information. They provided photos area located just north of the McDonald’s that the suspect’s actions were indicative of the two former employees along with for 15 minutes, finally parking on a side of “casing” the location. The unit could a residence address for one of the men. street facing south, approximately 200 not be sure that a robbery would occur, Surveillance was conducted by SIS on yards north of the business with a view however. It has been our experience six separate occasions with no unusual of the front of the restaurant. The vehicle that many suspects perform a “dry run” activity noted until February. remained there for approximately 1-½ and may not be prepared to commit On February 11, 1990, at hours. During that period, SIS detectives the crime; therefore foot surveillance approximately 2200 hours, SIS on foot observed three suspects go to the becomes an essential part of a successful surveillance observed three male trunk of the T-bird, put on additional observation in order to determine if a Hispanics (two formerly identified and clothing, and re-enter their vehicle. crime is occurring or if an arrest needs to a third unknown), exit a home, walk to Additionally, Detective Larry Winston be made. a white Ford Granada parked in front of reported seeing the driver using binoculars At approximately 0030 hours, 12 the location, and remove two large black to observe the front of the restaurant. February 1990, the suspect vehicle duffle bags from the trunk.