Strategic Operational Plan Proposal (SOPP) Draft
Click here to download the Strategic Operational Plan Proposal (SOPP) template that is needed to complete this deliverable.
You are an operations officer for the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and you were instructed by the special agent in charge (SAC) of the task force to develop a Strategic Operational Plan Proposal (SOPP) and to have the first draft as detailed as possible for the SAC's review. He gave you this assignment because you already conducted research on numerous sections of the proposal, and you are expected to incorporate your previous work into this outline. For this first draft, the information needs to be clear and concise, with general substantive work.
The following scenario gives you the necessary information to complete the SOPP:
The al-Qaeda terrorist organization is attempting to infiltrate two cells composed of 12 individuals each into a major metropolitan city in the United States. The al-Qaeda cells are funded by a Russian organized crime faction that is trying to penetrate Chicago, IL and displace Chicago's local syndicate known as The Outfit. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, through external and internal U.S. sources, identified the Russian organized crime (OC) faction and its methodology of money laundering in 2012 but delayed a response because signal intelligence (SIGINT) identified the OC's relationship with al-Qaeda. The city of Chicago was identified as the terrorist organization's main target, but it is not known how the group will gain access to the United States at this time. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) identified that the Russian OC faction is attempting penetration into Chicago's drug, gambling, and prostitution operations for which The Outfit is currently the dominant leader. Chicago police reported three separate assassination-style murders of Russian OC local leaders and attributed the murders to The Outfit.
The National Security Agency (NSA) reported SIGINT between the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Miami-based Russian OC syndicate identifying the transfer of two low-yield nuclear devices to Iranian Ministry of Intelligence operatives at the port of Donetsk, Ukraine during the chaos caused by the separatist move from the Ukrainian government, who in turn where identified by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as having delivered the two nuclear devices to known al-Qaeda operatives with an unknown destination. The Department of Homeland Security (HLS) has increased the U.S. threat level to elevated.
The CIA identified, through SIGINT (cell phones, texting, and e-mails), that al-Qaeda obtained numerous canisters of sarin gas (also known as GB) and is intent on using it against the United States in retaliation for its role in the Afghan war. The CIA and Department of Defense, U.S. Northern Command Intelligence identified the possible infiltration points for the al-Qaeda operatives to be along the Mexico/U.S. border.
The identification of the leader for terrorist cell number 1 was made by the CIA. The cell is possibly composed of 12 men, of whom 2 are of Arab descent, 7 Philippine, and 1 American. The leader's name is Alwani abu Rayan, but he goes by the alias of Roberto Martinez (his father was Iranian, and his mother was Columbian). The American's name is John Q. Citizen, and he was a resident of Chicago. Chicago FBI conducted a threat analysis based on all source intelligence and identified the O'Hare and Midway International Airports, the McCormick Place Convention Center, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as possible targets for the potential low-yield nuclear weapons. Through the DEA, the FBI received intelligence that the GB gas is most likely to be used by the second terrorist cell against the leadership of The Outfit. It is believed that the Russian gang may not be aware that their cooperation with the al-Qaeda organization may also include nuclear devices, which may have catastrophic implications to their vision of controlling the territory belonging to The Outfit.
All information has been provided to the FBI, and the FBI has assigned you as their lead planner. You are provided with the additional guidance that the mission parameter dates are from 1 June through 6 July 201X. You were also provided guidance as to the mission: conduct counterterrorist operations in the vicinity of Tucson, AZ to apprehend and destroy terrorist cells infiltrating the United States. Also, conduct counterterrorist operations in the area of Chicago, IL to apprehend and destroy terrorist cells that may have already infiltrated into that area.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Teams Delta 1 and 2 are assigned to the missions, respectively. Both teams are composed of FBI, HLS, Department of Defense, NSA, DEA, and local law enforcement with a total body count of 45 each.
Assignment Details
Prepare the outline of your Strategic Operational Plan Proposal (SOPP) based on the scenario given and the SOPP template provided. Click here for guidance in using the correct APA sequence for this assignment. There are segments of the SOPP that the scenario does not have information for, and it is your responsibility to research what the best assumptions are and identify them as such. Complete Sections I–III using research previously conducted in the first 3 phases as well as the scenario information. You must also provide the strategies that you recommend for countering the identified threats (entry points in Mexico as well as possible targets in Chicago).
Reference
Purdue University. (2013, March 1). Four main components for effective outlines. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/
I. Analysis of the current situation:
A. Organized crime encompasses a group of individuals who function around a set structure in order to commit acts of violence or otherwise circumvent the law for financial gain (Paoli, 2014). Terrorism, on the other hand, is essentially the organized perpetration of violence that is intended to persuade or threaten a group into political, religious or otherwise social submission (Hoffman, 2017).
B. Al-Qaeda threats to Chicago
1. Al-Qaeda
2. Mission: To expel westerners from all predominately Muslim countries and establish and expand a global Caliphate (Anti-Defamation League, 2019)
3. Cell structure composition: Around 12 men in each cell who are independent but pledge allegiance to centralized command (Anti-Defamation League, 2019).
1. Current disposition: Mostly middle east, with some groups in Africa pledging allegiance (Anti-Defamation League, 2019)
4. Reporting structure (names of leaders and team/cell members):
1. 12 men, 2 of Arab descent, 7 Philippine, and 1 American.
2. The leader's name is Alwani abu Rayan, but he goes by the alias of Roberto Martinez (his father was Iranian, and his mother was Columbian).
3. The American's name is John Q. Citizen, and he was a resident of Chicago.
4. Second cell is unknown at this time, though likely made up of similar demographics.
5. Communications strategy and methodology: After loss of leadership base, internet plays a vital role in communications (Anti-Defamation League, 2019). Attacks are planned and information spread via the web (Anti-Defamation League, 2019).
6. Types of threat capabilities available to the organization: suicide bomb, biological weapons, chemical weapons, lone wolf attack, (Anti-Defamation League, 2019)
7. Terrorist organization’s center of gravity: middle managers (Neumann, Evans, & Pantucci, 2011) and radicalized westerners such as John Q. Citizen (Silber, 2011)
C. Discussion of Nexus between terrorist organization(s) identified as a threat and organized crime (OC)/transnational organized crime (TOC) organization(s).
1. OC organization name: Solntsevskaya Bratva
2. Mission: Vory V Zakone, or to live life and gain economic power as professional criminals (Sebogodi, 2014)
3. Organization’s composition (structure): Clustered Hierarchy; numerous semi-independent groups that operate under the umbrella of Sontsevskaya Bratva (Sebogodi, 2014)
1. Disposition (geographical locations): Mostly Russia, but also internationally based (Sebogodi, 2014)
4. Reporting structure (Leaders and organization members):
1. Each group has a Vor V Zakone, or Boss (Sebogodi, 2014).
2. The Boss is then supported by deputies of various specialties; bankers, strategists etc. (Sebogodi, 2014).
3. Soldiers are usually bodyguards made up of ex-athletes and the like (Sebogodi, 2014).
4. A council of 12 individuals convenes yearly to control of the entire organization (Sebogodi, 2014).
5. Communications strategy and methodology:
1. Russian Federal Security Service (Sebogodi, 2014).
2. burner phones (Sebogodi, 2014).
6. Identified nexus between the OC/TOC organization and the terrorist organization: Quid pro quo – their current short-term goals have temporarily aligned, but they are not necessarily permanently tied together, or loyal to each other’s cause. The Russian mafia is essentially paying the terrorist organization for their services (Hysong, 2018).
7. Impact of risk related to the nexus: OC and Terrorist strengthen each other; OC gives terrorism more capital and resources, and terrorist give OC more firepower and manpower (Hysong, 2018).
8. Illegal activities of the OC/TOC: Extortion, money laundering, retail, drugs, oil, gas, prostitution (Sebogodi, 2014).
1. Level of participation throughout Moscow is high; leaders even go on to become “legitimate” businessmen as investment bankers etc. (Sebogodi, 2014).
9. Center of gravity: Profit. Without income, the syndicate is nothing (Hysong, 2018).
D. Threat assessment and identification of potential targets to include type(s) of threat medium and corresponding deliverable(s).
1. Type of threat(s): Two low-yield nuclear devices and numerous canisters of Sarin gas.
2. Delivery means: nuclear devices by car or by truck. Sarin gas through individual detonation.
3. DTG: 1 June through 6 July 2020
4. Location(s) of possible attack(s):
1. Nuclear devices will likely target the O'Hare and Midway International Airports, the McCormick Place Convention Center, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
2. Sarin gas target is leadership of The Outfit, located across the city of Chicago.
5. Potential after effects of attack(s): complete breakdown of transportation system, interruption of communications in and out of the city, widespread panic, civilian casualties of up to 2,000, disruption of global stock exchange, unknown total exposure to Sarin gas.
II. MISSION of the Operation
• Who: The mission of the operation involves two teams of 45 each,
• What: Highly trained agents
• Where: one team deployed in Tucson, Arizona and the other in Chicago, IL.
• When: For the months of January – August 2020
• End State: halting the terrorist cells in their tracks, and infiltrating and arresting the Russian mob.
III. Strategies for countering the identified organizations.
Counterterrorism strategy against Al Qaeda
• Arrest, detain and prosecute mid-level members of the cell operating in Chicago under the PATRIOT act. Make an example of them. Without these leaders, the cell will likely collapse spontaneously.
• Prevent new cells from erupting or entering the country through strict border control in Tucson, AZ.
o Find and utilize intelligence shared with Mexican authorities to find out where the second cell is planning on entering from to stop them in their tracks
• Track down and seize the illegal weapons of mass destruction
• Offer a reward for any information leading to the terrorist’s capture
• Use PATRIOT act to disrupt and track communications by careful monitoring of e-mail and social media accounts
Counter-Organized Crime strategy against Solntsevskaya Bratva
• Disrupt and dismantle underground activities throughout Chicago.
o Prosecute any pending money laundering schemes immediately
o Decrease the lucrative allure of prostitution, gambling etc. as much as possible
o Take them out economically
• Develop informants
o Arrest and flip as many soldiers and mid-level experts as possible to develop enough evidence to prosecute the higher ups
• Plant undercover operatives
• Use RICO law to bug as many cell phones as possible to track both communications and location
Strategic Operational Plan Proposal Reviewed by:________________________________
(Instructor’s Name)
APPROVED/DISSAPROVED
Date/Time:____________________/___________hours.
References
Anti-Defamation League. (2019). Al Qaeda Terrorism Profiles. Retrieved October 24, 2019, from Anti-Defamation League website: https://www.adl.org/resources/profiles/al-qaeda
Hoffman, B. (2017). Inside Terrorism (3rd ed.). New York: Columbia University Press.
Hysong, J. (2018, August 31). The New Mafia. Daily Kos. Retrieved from https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/8/31/1792415/-The-New-Mafia
Neumann, P., Evans, R., & Pantucci, R. (2011). Locating Al Qaeda’s Center of Gravity: The Role of Middle Managers. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 34(11). Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1057610X.2011.611936
Paoli, L. (Ed.). (2014). Oxford Handbook Of Organized Crime. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Sebogodi, K. (2014). Solntsevskaya Bratva. In Academia.edu. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/10354477/Solntsevskaya_Bratva
Silber, M. D. (2011). Al-Qa`ida’s Center of Gravity in a Post-Bin Ladin World. CTC Sentinel, 4(11). Retrieved from https://ctc.usma.edu/al-qaidas-center-of-gravity-in-a-post-bin-ladin-world/
