Topic: National Counterterrorism Center

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Osama bin Laden raid documents available online today

Documents recovered from Osama bin Laden's Pakistan compound will show bin Laden's strategy for overthrowing Afghanistan.
Army sergeant suspected in Afghan massacre did 'multiple tours' in Iraq

The Army sergeant alleged to have killed 16 Afghanistan civilians on Sunday acted alone, Pentagon officials continue to say. They are treating it as an isolated incident, not as a sign of mounting frustration within US ranks about the Afghanistan war.
US must engage Yemen's real power-brokers

Yemen’s rural tribes will play a pivotal role in its future. With President Ali Abdullah Saleh's power eroded, US diplomats are going to have to leave the comfort of the capital and engage these tribes, whether in resolving the government crisis or countering Al Qaeda.
White House counterterrorism adviser Brennan "concerned" about Libyan weapon stockpiles

John Brennan, the White House's chief counterterrorism adviser told reporters at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor that he was "concerned" about Libyan weapons getting "into the hands of terrorists." Brennan also said he had not seen any evidence that Pakistan had helped hide Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad compound.
Backchannels
Anwar al-Awlaki dead: what it means for US, Yemen

The assassination of Anwar al-Awlaki, a US citizen and Al Qaeda recruiter in Yemen, will be heralded as a major triumph in the US today. But it has very little to do with Yemen's own problems.
Osama bin Laden dead: How the US found him

Years of 'persistent hard work' led US intelligence to a complex about 50 miles northeast of Islamabad, Pakistan, where a 40-minute US special forces strike left Osama bin Laden dead.
No. 1 priority for US security: domestic terrorism, threat report says

America's intelligence-agency chiefs unveil the annual National Threat Assessment, saying that success against Al Qaeda means that domestic terrorism is now 'priority No. 1.' They also say they knew Egypt unrest was 'close,' but couldn't foresee when it would ignite.
Fort Hood shooting: Al Qaeda now portrays Nidal Hasan as terrorism star

Al Qaeda now hails Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, suspect in the Fort Hood shooting, as a 'trailblazer' for how to attack the US. Some analysts say that praise points up the group's organizational weakness.
Intelligence director Dennis Blair knew his days were numbered

Dennis Blair knew for months that his tenure would be coming to a close.
Intelligence director Dennis Blair takes fall for Christmas bomber

Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence, will resign effective May 28. The Senate Intelligence Committee this week heavily criticized his agency's handling of recent terror incidents, including the Christmas bomber.
Why is Anwar Al-Awlaki terrorist 'No. 1?'

Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki is thought to be connected to at least three alleged terrorist attacks, including the Fort Hood shootings, the Christmas Day bombing attempt on an airliner, and the May 2 Times Square bomb.
GOP is wait-and-see on Obama’s terrorist intelligence plan

Republicans generally approve of Obama’s plan to improve terrorist intelligence after the Christmas Day airliner bombing attempt. But they suggest more should be done, and hearings will give them a chance to say so.
John Brennan: We failed on Christmas Day terrorist intelligence

In a review of the Christmas Day terrorist attempt, White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan says that what should have been clear intelligence warnings fell through the cracks.
How the US terrorist watchlists do (and don't) work

The Christmas Day attack suspect was on a terrorist watchlist but still managed to board a US-bound flight. The reason lies in the three-tier system of US watchlists.
Realistically, can intelligence analysts stop a terror attack?

Intelligence analysts must go through a sea of data in efforts to prevent another terror attack.
A US pipeline for jihad in Somalia?

Somali-American men are returning to their homeland to fight alongside Al Shabab, an insurgent group with ties to Al Qaeda. Some experts think an organized recruiting effort is responsible for luring them back to Somalia.
Christmas Day attack triggers spat over confirmation of TSA chief

Senate confirmation of President Obama's nominee for head of the Transportation Security Administration was delayed by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint over unionization concerns. Experts say confirmation is urgent, but any blame for the attack on the agency is misplaced.
Why more airport security doesn't stop terrorist attacks

Airport security measures change in response to every plot, and the Christmas Day terrorist attack is no different. But use of screening technologies hasn't kept up with new terrorist methods.
Have 9/11 security reforms failed?

Congress is gearing up to look into why the security changes made after 9/11 didn't prevent the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on an airline landing in Detroit.
Detroit terrorist attack on Flight 253: How Obama must respond

The suspected jet bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, says he was trained in Yemen, the lawless land of Al Qaeda affliates. Obama might be able to prevent more suicide bombers with preemptive action in that growing terrorist haven.
How we're tying up terrorists' cash

Almost all illegal activity relies on access to the financial system. By blocking that, we block them.
Mumbai attacks pose test for India

A top minister resigned Sunday as officials vowed to improve antiterror forces.