Matthew Levitt

Iran Diplomats Cased NYC Landmarks, Police Official Says

Iranian diplomats may have carried out “hostile reconnaissance” of sites in New York as many as six times, a warning sign that the city might be targeted for terrorist attack, according to a police official.

Attacks Raise Specter of Israel-Iran War

U.S. officials and defense analysts are concerned that a covert war of assassinations between Israel and Iran could escalate out of control.

Attacks on Diplomats Raise Specter of Escalation of Israel-Iran Covert War

U.S. officials and defense analysts are concerned that a covert war of assassinations between Israel and Iran could escalate out of control.

Ex-Qaddafi Spy Chief Koussa May Spill Libyan Terror Secrets

Moussa Koussa , the Libyan foreign minister and former intelligence chief who flew to London on March 30, may spill secrets of Libya’s trail of terror, including the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, as he tries to gain favorable treatment from the U.K., former intelligence officials said.

Al-Qaeda Members Gripe Over Cash Crunch as U.S. Targets Funding

Few people noticed Saudi Arabia’s three-day conference in September on disrupting terrorism financing. For a team at the U.S. Treasury Department, though, it was a long-sought victory in the fight against al-Qaeda.

Geithner Will Press China on Yuan While Seeking Support on Iran Sanctions

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner will urge Asia’s two biggest economies to cut Iranian oil imports and seek to narrow differences with China on trade and currency disputes on a visit to Beijing and Tokyo this week.

Iran Clings to Oil Lifeline as U.S. Pushes for Tighter Financial Sanctions

Just after 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, about 200 demonstrators ransacked the British Embassy in Tehran, chanting “Death to England,” setting fire to the Union Jack, carting off a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, and detaining staff as Iranian security officers stood by. It bore all the marks of a state-orchestrated provocation.

King’s Muslim Probe Needs ‘Semantic’ Adjustment to Avoid Maligning Islam

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King ’s investigation into Muslim radicalization in the U.S. may backfire by antagonizing people who could help fight terrorism, former government officials said.

Oil Trades Near a One-Week High as Iran Tension Counters European Economy

Oil traded near the highest settlement in almost a week as concern that supplies from Iran will be disrupted countered speculation Europe may enter a recession as it struggles to tame its debt crisis.

Oil Falls From Near a One-Week High as German Economy Approaches Recession

Oil fell from near the highest settlement in almost a week amid concern that a shrinking German economy may drag Europe into a recession, reducing demand.

"It gives the administration some time to reach out to key entities and say, look, this is coming down the pike, now is the time to change behavior."

- Matthew Levitt on Jun 21, 2010

Iran

Washington

Japan

Europe

Japan Stocks Fall as Nikkei 225 Enters Bear Market on Yen

Yen Surges Past 94 Per Dollar on Japan Flow Data, Growth Concern

China Stocks Fall to 6-Month Low After Holiday on Economy

Global Stocks Slide as World Bank Pares Outlook; Yen Up

Danger Maps Backed by Alibaba Pinpoint Chinese Pollution