A Jihadist website has announced that Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's deputy, is the new leader of al-Qaida, as had been expected since the killing of bin Laden in May.

A web posting Thursday said Zawahri has assumed responsibility for the group, and that there will be no shift in al-Qaida policy. The post said the decision was taken by the general leadership of the group.

Zawahri had been tipped to lead the organization after bin Laden was killed in a U.S. operation in Pakistan six weeks ago.

New research from writers and researchers Trevor Loudon and Cliff Kincaid shows that Leon Panetta, the CIA director being considered on Thursday for the position of Secretary of Defense, had a previously undisclosed personal and friendly relationship with Hugh DeLacy, a prominent member of the Communist Party USA. DeLacy visited such countries as China and Nicaragua and was himself a personal contact of identified Soviet spies Solomon Adler and Frank Coe and accused spy John Stewart Service.

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SOF AND AN ELITE ARGENTINE SWAT TEAM
SOF went to Argentina to look into reports that communism was on the march down in that region. There is more to this, as SOF also went to check out an Argentine SWAT team!
By Dr. Martin Brass

SPECIAL REPORT
AFTER THE BOMBSHELL, THE FALLOUT

In the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death, the International Security Assistance Force nations remain steadfast in their support of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its people.

“NATO and ISAF nations are committed to maintaining a long-standing, enduring partnership with Afghanistan and the Afghan people,” said Canadian Brig. Gen. Christine Whitecross, an ISAF spokesperson. “We will continue to support capacity and capability development of the Afghan national security forces and transition through 2014.”

Al-Qaida has confirmed the death of its leader, Osama bin Laden.

The U.S. monitoring group SITE Intelligence quoted on Friday a statement attributed to the terrorist network, which had appeared on militant websites.

In the statement, al-Qaida vowed to continue its attacks on Americans and U.S. allies both inside and outside the United States. It also promised to release soon an audio message that it said bin Laden recorded the week before his death.

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AIMPOINT SIGHTS IN
Swedish Entrepreneur taps the global hunting and military markets with his sights. SOF brings an exclusive look into the company’s history.
By Dr. Martin Brass

SPECIAL REPORT
DID BATFE AID MEXICAN CARTELS?
A BATFE operation has allowed hundreds, if not thousands of firearms to fall into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. However, several bloggers worked with whistleblowers to inform America of this scandalous conduct.

U.S. forces who attacked Osama bin Laden's compound were operating under rules of engagement that made it likely he would be killed, U.S. officials concede.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday after saying Navy SEALs had orders to capture the al-Qaida leader if he gave himself up, U.S. officials later acknowledged the assault force was ordered to accept a surrender only if its members could be sure he didn't have a bomb hidden under his clothing and posed no other threat.

The White House has decided against releasing photos of Usama bin Laden's corpse.

Osama bin Laden was not armed, but did resist an American military team raiding his compound in Pakistan on May 1, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said May 3.

Initial statements said bin Laden had been armed, and that he used his wife as a shield during the raid that killed him.

The team methodically cleared the one-acre, two-building compound, moving from room to room in an operation lasting nearly 40 minutes, Carney said. “They were engaged in a firefight throughout the operation, and Osama bin Laden was killed by the assaulting force,” he added.