Al Qaeda Embassy Plot Among "Most Specific And Credible Threats" Since 9/11, McCaul Says

[Purveyor]

Source: CBS

(CBS News) An al Qaeda plot against American diplomatic posts in the Middle East and other Muslim countries that prompted the U.S. government to close nearly two dozen embassies and consulates over the weekend is "one of the most specific and credible threats I've seen, perhaps since 9/11," House Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, said Sunday on "Face the Nation."

"We're on a high state of alert," McCaul said. "I think the administration's call to close these embassies... was actually very, very smart call - particularly in light of what happened in Benghazi, when warnings were not heeded in that case. I'm glad to see that in this case, they're taking this very seriously."

The threat, signs of which were picked up by U.S. intelligence over the weekend, comes from Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula - also known as AQAP - a terrorist group CBS News correspondent Bob Orr said is "the most active and charged" among al Qaeda.

"The fear is that this may be a big play from a group that has been unable to muster a large-scale attack since 9/11, and they've got some expertise," he said. "They have a bomb maker in Yemen named Ibrahim al-Asiri - he's the guy who built the underwear bombs and printer cartridge bombs. He's a devious genius and we know in the past he's experimented in research trying to build body bombs, that is, implant explosives in human beings which would give a whole new meaning to suicide bombers.

[HR]

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3460_162-57596909/al-qaeda-embassy-plot-among-most-specific-and-credible-threats-since-9-11-mccaul-says/

[L0oniX]

1. Threat averted thanks to the NSA??? n/t

[Autumn]

2. Horse (cough) shit.

"Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., later on the program lauded U.S. snooping programs like the National Security Agency's as having been successful, amid raging debate over how to achieve security without sanctioning government overreach.

"I think what today shows is that security is very, very important, and that the agencies in charge are darned good," Schumer said. "They're able to listen in and hear what's going on. They all have disrupted many, many, many terrorist plots and let's hope they're disrupting this one, as well."

[msongs]

3. yet our very own "leader" tells us thanks to drone murders al queda is kaput. $ billions wasted n

[Arkana]

50. Why would you put "leader" in quotes?

Are you questioning whether Obama's still President?

[emulatorloo]

55. Link and quote?

[Iggo]

4. Mm-hmm.

[Iliyah]

5. Be it true or not

no one but the only ones with eyes and ears plus sight know whats real or not when it comes to terrorist threats. Don't put a warning out there and an terrorist attack occurres killing one or many Americans and the American public overall will get upset. Nothing happens then at least the public was warned. Who really knows but the insiders.

Soon or later what Snowden had done would be portrayed as a leak of damaging leaks resulting in dangering the USA and its people here and away. Its already being brought out by "concerned" Chief of Staffs, et al.

Is it legit, hard to say. Many people whom I've had discussions with believe that Snowden (inorder to get asylum) made some kind of deal with Russia, and for safe travels made one with China.

My opinion, I can't believe Snowden would do harm to America.

[karynnj]

32. Why can't you beieve that Snowden would do harm to America?

Harm can be done with that as the intent or as a consequence of something he thought inconsequential.

There is always this tension with any whistle blower. By definition, a whistle blower is disclosing things that bother them that the government (or company) want kept quiet. Even if the only impact is embarrassing your country and costing them huge amounts of political capital, that could be harmful to the country.

It is very possible that somethings he put out since he went to China have hurt the US diplomatically -- they certainly have not helped. In that case he has made a difficult job harder.

[Brigid]

6. Let's review here:

NSA snooping is the talk of the country right now, and all of a sudden we have "credible threats?" Riiiight.

[BlueNAlabama]

7. Bush Like Tactic

Surely we haven't forgotten the Bush years and the increased terror alerts whenever anything potentially damaging to the administration came up.

I hope this isn't more of the same??????

[Deny and Shred]

12. My thought exactly when I saw it this morning

I was hoping the color chart and Tom Ridge would make cameos. What color are we on at this point anyway?

This felt bad to me. It felt like the 2nd Obama term is turning in a Bush-esque terror propaganda direction. After so much criticism, play the card that no GOPer would critique.

This has NSA rebranding written all over it, like they took a week or two for dust to settle and to figure a plan to counter that bad publicity. A dem Senator and the head of HLS discussing "credible threats" on Face the Nation seems too scripted.

Welcome to DU. Bama Blue? That can't be easy. Hang in, there are many here who will offer support.

[cstanleytech]

35. Actually the Bush tactic was to ignore intel and we all saw on tv what happened to the towers

because of that.

[hobbit709]

8. As if McCaul could tell his ass from a hole in the ground even with a map and GPS.

[Comrade Grumpy]

9. A threat so specific they've narrowed it down to 22 different diplomatic posts.

Stretching from Morocco to Bangladesh. Okay.

[yurbud]

10. unfortunately, even if true, Washington has cried wolf with the al Qaeda boogeyman so often...

they have lost all credibility.

If it was a serious threat, they should call it something else, or better yet, just take care of it and shut up.

[cstanleytech]

36. Isnt that a catch 22 though?

If the government knows and doesnt act people want their heads on a pike for not doing anything but if they do something and warn the people and stop attacks you then claim its crying wolf??
Seems like either way the government goes it cant win and its going to get screwed and bitched at.

[yurbud]

40. that would sound reasonable if someone had no memory of the last twelve years

Obama is not as bad at crying wolf as Bush, but he did little to clear the air of the Bush eras lies and exaggerations about al Qaeda, so when they make a big hubbub like this, they can't complain if people don't wet their pants in fear.

[cstanleytech]

42. What good would have been served though?

I mean sure there is the thrill of being able to say "Ha I was right all along" (and yes I personally believe the Bush admin did do that) but otherwise???
Consider all Obama had on his plate when he assumed office, he had 2 wars, a shattered economy and a republican party weakened but still a power to be dealt with so he had to pick what to tackle first and I doubt exposing Bush screwups made even the to 20 of the long list he inherited from him.

[yurbud]

57. He did not have to make exposing their lies a primary focus---but he could have at least

not continued them and based policy on them.

And when he did do things, he could have been honest about the motives.

Go back and read the PNAC stuff on their goals and motives or Wesley Clark on the list of countries the neocons wanted to invade or at least overthrow and install compliant regimes.

Essentially they recognized the "unipolar moment" was not going to last, so in that brief window, they wanted to remake the handful of truly independent countries with resources or pipeline routes we wanted before a new global power could block us.

All wars in history have been about money, land, access to cheap labor, or natural resources. That's not disputed when we look at other countries actions or even our own when we go back more than a few decades in history.

But somehow our politicians get away with selling comic book excuses for their actions in the present, and too much of the public actually buys it--though that number is rapidly shrinking.

[cstanleytech]

60. Depends on the policy really. Gitmo is a perfect example of something

most of us here agree with Obama on in that it needs to closed but as he found out congress can and will exercise its power of the purse to prevent things they dont want done and closing gitmo and transferring the people held there to civilian authorities is one of those things they dont want done.

[yurbud]

61. that is licking around the edges. The covert actions we backed in Libya and now Syria, drone strike

and the like certainly take time and money and are continuations of Bush era priorities.

[Downwinder]

11. Why since 9/11, did they see a threat then?

[Zorro]

20. Yes they did

but Bushco chose to dismiss it.

Just as many posters likewise dismiss this reported threat.

[Downwinder]

21. Lets see if Holder cancels any reservations.

[olddad56]

43. are we still blaming 911 on Al Quida? Really?

I think that one belongs to Bush and Cheney.

[Downwinder]

44. I did not intend to attribute blame.

I was responding to the headline. "Most Specific And Credible Threats" Since 9/11, McCaul Says

[leftynyc]

52. You think Bush/Cheney

were responsible for 4 airplanes being hijacked and flown into buildings (and 1 into the ground)? This is why nobody with any power takes this site seriously.

[HERVEPA]

54. Take it to the the conspiracy page

[GoneFishin]

13. Pathetic.

[GoneFishin]

14. Seeing a pattern among the outspoken reps defending spying program. n/t

[Red Mountain]

15. Poor man's intel expedition

If I were Ally-Q I'd try and figure out ways to see how much my enemy knew and how/when they knew it.....maybe by just reading the news.

And then I'd try and turn my technological disadvantage around.

Closing down US diplomatic facilities is something of a morale and credibility booster.....even if they don't have any intention of acting.

Makes me wonder if this is a real threat or a recruiting poster.

[azurnoir]

16. ah it's the last few days of Ramadan so of course...........

Last night was Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat Al Qadr is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims, and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It is known as the "Night of Power," and commemorates the night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with the exhortation, "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)," in Surat Al-Alaq.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/laylat-al-qadr-2013_n_3678114.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

soooo of course and when nothing happens (as expected) they can take credit and say see it's all good ...............

[pscot]

38. Ramadan ends tuesday

It wouldn't be surprising if al Qaida decided to blow someone up in the name of Allah.

[azurnoir]

41. Not really it depends it could be between Wednesday and Friday Aug 7-9

Aug 9 a regular holiday to mark end of Ramadan

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has declared August 9 as a regular holiday in observance of the end of Ramadan or Eid'l Fitr.

Aquino signed on Thursday Proclamation No. 629, which declares the regular holiday throughout the country "to promote cultural understanding and integration."

The proclamation said the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/01/1039341/aug-9-regular-holiday-mark-end-ramadan-palace

Ramadan in 2013 will start on Tuesday, the 9th of July and will continue for 30 days until Wednesday, the 7th of August.

http://www.when-is.com/ramadan-2013.asp

[Bosonic]

17. U.S. extends closure of some embassies through August 10

The United States extended the closures of some embassies and consulates in the Middle East - which had been closed Sunday due to an al Qaeda threat - through August 10 due to caution but not the emergence of any new threat, the State Department said.

Other U.S. diplomatic posts, including in Kabul, Baghdad and Algiers, that had been closed on Sunday, will reopen on Monday, the State Department said.

Posts in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Riyadh, Dhahran, Jeddah, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat, Sanaa, Tripoli, Antanarivo, Bujumbura, Djibouti, Khartoum, Kigali, and Port Louis will be closed through Saturday.

U.S. diplomatic posts in Dhaka, Algiers, Nouakchott, Kabul, Herat, Mazar el Sharif, Baghdad, Basrah, and Erbil will open on Monday, the State Department said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/04/us-usa-embassies-closures-idUSBRE9730AE20130804

[PSPS]

18. The United States of Pants Wetters

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. ugh. :( (n/t)

[DCBob]

19. Despite all the sarcastic comments here I suspect there is a legitimate concern.

I do not believe this is some sort of head fake simply for political purposes.

[Purveyor]

24. Oh 'perish the thought' indeed that this is some form of 'head fake'. Our gov't has never ever

stooped to such levels.

Never, nope...can't happen here.

[DCBob]

25. foolish response.

[Purveyor]

27. Only thing foolish about it was that I initially used the wrong 'perish'.

[Arkana]

51. Just because the Bush administration did it doesn't mean the Obama administration is.

[treestar]

34. Yeah I'd like to see these people take a trip to one of those places

They seem so comfortable with risking the lives of Americans who live in those places (and are usually more concerned with the lives of the citizens of those places) but now they are certain nothing will happen.

And think they could live comfortably in a world with no CIA, no NSA, no intelligence.

[leftynyc]

53. I suspect many live in areas

that have nothing worthwhile or known across the world to blow up so they can scoff at this and not have anything to worry about.

[Lefta Dissenter]

22. As the mother of a Diplomat

who is traveling next week through the Middle East to his assignment in a Muslim country in South Asia, I appreciate the warnings. The State Department can't issue warnings to the Diplomatic community without also issuing public warnings, since their duty is to inform ALL of our citizens of threats.

So, "just take care of it and shut up," doesn't serve anyone. After all, "shutting up" is what allowed 9/11 to happen.

[DCBob]

26. I have colleagues working over there too in some of the countries mentioned.

They also take this stuff seriously. I am sure security will be beefed up in places they are going.

[Lefta Dissenter]

30. The Embassy where my son has been serving for the last two years

is closed down now. He is thinking of his friends and coworkers hunkered down, and I know he's worried. He tries not to make me concerned for his well-being, but the next few weeks will be stressful.

Big sarcastic jokes to a lot of people around here, I know, but my son is precisely the type of person I want representing our country around the world. He chose the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia as his areas of interest back when he was working for Russ Feingold in DC. He felt that this is where he can make a difference in trying to build peace. His security is vital not only because he is my son, but because the alternative to diplomacy is a complete meltdown of international relations around the world.

[cstanleytech]

37. *"shutting up" is what allowed 9/11 to happen."* Exactly.

Granted with the Bush admin it seemed every week they were issuing a new terror alert which is why I think people have become so jaded over such things but then again they were still adjusting to the events after 9/11 which they fumbled badly and they probably didnt want to get caught with their shorts down again.
Not that it helped save them from getting caught with them down when it came to the WMD intel regarding Iraq.

[soryang]

28. Credible?

You mean the four cruise missiles they sent into Yemen didn't get him? Is he a world wide threat? What are the ranges of his bombs? "Devious genius?" Credible and Homeland Security don't go together.

[ConcernedCanuk]

29. hmm - MIHOP jumped into my head

.
.
.

CC

[madville]

31. What perfect timing

With the NSA leaks, they really think everyone is stupid

[Arctic Dave]

33. Since 9/11?

Shouldn't it say, "since the last Embassy bombing"?

An Embassy is some far away land is not a 9/11 event and they probably are always on alert for these things.

I call bullshit.

[Pterodactyl]

39. Al Qaeda has not mounted a major US embassy attack since 1998. This sounds serious.

[blkmusclmachine]

45. Scared yet ???

Cuz the Feds have a solution.

[tclambert]

46. Shouldn't the President ignore the threat and go on vacation?

That's the usual procedure, isn't it? Maybe start reading children's books upside down, too.

[Puzzledtraveller]

59. He should

because this isn't real.

[Doctor_J]

47. This was right on schedule

Perfectly timed to shut up the anti spying trouble makers

[Sunlei]

48. I thought the Saudis hired Blackwater to rub out the troublemakers.

[stanshch]

49. A complete hoax. Be a good sheep and believe it.

Wayne Madsen, a former employee of the NSA, even told press TV that the US govt. is using this "terror threat" to sell the American population on PRISM. It's their attempt to justify taking away more of our rights and to ridicule Snowden.

Real eyes.
Realize.
Real Lies.

[Brother Buzz]

56. Wayne Madsen, former employee of the NSA and former DU member has oatmeal between his ears

Although I still enjoy his occasional visits on Coast to Coast. Entertaining theater.

[warrprayer]

58. what a (not) coincidence n/t

[Bosonic]

62. Al-Qaeda leaders' talks 'sparked US embassy closures'

Intercepted conversations between two senior al-Qaeda figures prompted the US to shut embassies in North Africa and the Middle East, American media report.

The talk, involving top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, represented one of the most serious plots against American and Western interests since the 9/11 attacks, the New York Times says.

The US earlier said the closures were "out of an abundance of caution".

Some 20 US embassies and consulates were closed on Sunday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23583859