KUDOS to all involved in this...

[Guest]

"The latest al-Qaeda bomb plot targeting U.S. aircraft was unraveled from inside the terrorist group by operatives — including a double-agent — working on behalf of the CIA and its counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said U.S. and Middle Eastern officials.

The Saudi service played a particularly important role in penetrating al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen and recovering the explosive device, according to officials who described an elaborate espionage operation in which the CIA tracked the bomb’s movements for weeks and then killed suspected plotters in a drone strike after the device was seized.

Senior U.S. officials continued to withhold certain details, including the location and status of the individual — described by officials as a Saudi informant — who penetrated al-Qaeda posing as a willing suicide bomber then turned over the device to authorities after leaving Yemen."

CIA unraveled bomb plot from within - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-unraveled-bomb-plot-from-within/2012/05/08/gIQA5tKOBU_print.html)

[Guest]

it is comforting to hear that we are on point on the defense with a not so subtle offense.

It does underscore the appropriately named "war on terror" is not over as claimed. It also underscores the effort being expended by the terrorists to work around our existing focus/profile of what constitutes a threat beyond nail files, knitting needles, the elderly, little children and the handicapped.
I suppose in one respect the current focus/profile is in fact contributing to the need for the terrorists to become more creative as they are unable to penetrate the traditional methods of the past.

It will be very important that we too are updating to catch the underwear-like bombs and the more frightening surgically implanted devices.

The "war on terror" is as alive and active in a different mode, alive and active, regardless the political spinning by the administration that it is
over.

This current event confirms the dedication, patience and resilience of those who would kill as many of us as possible.

Congrats to their successful mission and that it is an indicator of the effort of the future.

btk

[Guest]

While it is good to know that we foiled another bomb attempt, it is disquieting to read about it in such detail. While the article does not specifically identify any agents involved, it does provide data that can be used to narrow the field. Example - Of dozens of AQAP fighters with Saudi backgrounds, “at least five or eight of them are undercover” working for the Saudi service at any point, said a Middle Eastern official. “The Saudis have always had a network” of sources in Yemen, the official said. “Now they are expanding its objectives.”

It should be noted that none of the information came from the CIA. Sometimes we are better off if secrets remain secret. I am satisfied simply knowing that there have been no successful terror attacks on US soil or on aircraft traveling either to or from the US since 9/11.

[Guest]

Interesting and funny article in The Daily Kos about this story that is very satirical............or is it???

Daily Kos: BREAKING: TSA Bans Underwear on All Domestic Flights (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/07/1089556/-BREAKING-TSA-Bans-Underwear-on-All-Domestic-Flights)

(omg!!; does RichieLion actually check out The Daily Kos??)