Terror Expert: Terrorist Moves Worrisome

Former National Counterterrorism Center Head Speaks With Katie Couric On Terror Threat

(CBS)  Al Qaeda may be planning attacks on Europe's transportation systems during the peak holiday travel season, CBS News has learned exclusively . Senior Arab officials say the plans were revealed by recently arrested al Qaeda suspects.

In separate interviews with Arab and other intelligence sources, CBS News learned that the warnings come from interrogations of al Qaeda suspects who recently left Afghanistan and Pakistan. CBS News anchor Katie Couric spoke with John Brennan, a former head of the National Counterterrorism Center. The following is a transcript of their discussion.

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Katie Couric: Mr. Brennan, Sheila MacVicar mentioned that al Qaeda has moved some terrorists from Pakistan and Afghanistan to different parts of the world. What does that indicate, in your view?

John Brennan: Well, I think this is something that intelligence and security officials are very concerned about — the movement of people both into Pakistan and Afghanistan for training and then back out, particularly those who have citizenship of the United Kingdom or the United States.

Couric: I think some people might be confused, Mr. Brennan, because the Bush administration claims that real damage was done to al Qaeda in Afghanistan and yet it seems to me that there are other reports that al Qaeda and other similar organizations have been empowered and are stronger than ever. So what's the truth?

Brennan: I think al Qaeda central, the core, which is in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, Al-Zawahiri, that group has been bloodied badly. But I think the whole purpose of bin Laden was that al Qaeda means the foundation. He wanted it to give birth to other groups, to other individuals, to carry out attacks. What we're seeing is the proliferation of those individuals. They start being activists, then they become extremists and then they're brought into that terrorism environment. The ongoing situation in Iraq is continuing to fuel those sentiments of Muslims who feel as though they are being persecuted by the West — and specifically the United States.

Couric: So I guess both sides could be true. It just depends on your perspective, right?

Brennan: Yes. For example, there is an al Qaeda tape that was released today about the situation in Iraq. They're claiming a lot of credit for things that are being done in the name of Islam. That doesn't mean al Qaeda is behind any of those or, you know, some of them, even.

[kailumego1]

It's an embarrassment how some nameless individuals are arguing over the U.S.'s strategic methods in Iraq, when, in reality, we have no business there in the first place.

The supporters of this "illegal" war have to be mindless idiots, with absolutely no intellectual reason.

None bothered to do their homework; I mean do a detailed research of the cultural and religious ideology and how it impacted the political structure. For example, how religion and politics intertwined in Iraq, and had a strong variance in Iraqi life, this should have been carefully researched and scrutinized.

[kailumego1]

Most Americans are so caught up in their malignant narcissism or pseudo-superiority to be objective.

Our country has created a REAL political MESS, with which we have absolutely no recourse but to become interlocked in a painstaking battle that could take decades or even centuries to end.

This is another Vietnam, but much, much worst, and this moron of a president has locked America into what has become the bloodiest war in U.S. history.

And what%u2019s worst, the individuals who continue to support this moron are no better than those who supported Hitler and carried out his mass annihilations.

Americans argue how long do we have to stay in this war?

Well, prepare yourself for the long haul, this president has committed America to a no win situation, by which we have been locked into a limitless time frame.

I can%u2019t understand the reasoning of some individuals, and this goes across the board, especially those whom are educated.

[kailumego1]

How in the world can supposed intelligent people not see the road ahead, considering the historical events which clearly demonstrated this possibility, i.e. Yugoslavia, Rwanda, etc.

Here are two groups, the Kurds and Shiites, who were systematically oppressed by Sunnis for years, to have that veil of oppression lifted in a most unorthodox method, what did you think would happen.

When the Belgium government pulled out of Rwanda and turned the power over to the Hutus, it wasn%u2019t unconceivable to imagine this type of mass murder would occur.

After the Belgium government had oppressed the Hutus, while the Tutsis were given political/economical access to upward mobility.

And now Iraq, the ruler for decades was a Sunni, he had oppressed the Kurds and Shiites, and then the unconceivable occurs, the U.S. with its military hegemony invades this country to create democracy.

This sovereign country that never opted for the U.S.%u2019s help in the first place, encroached and took into custody its ruler, by force, all in the name of democracy.

And what%u2019s frightening the mindset of some of the American people to buy into this %u201Cpropaganda%u201D.


After this disaster we are going to label a %u201Cjoke%u201D, a useless negotiator for peace, we will lose our credibility internationally, because so-called intellectuals were MIA%u2019S when pivotal decisions were being made.

[titocordero]

Grazinggoat

At it again ha?? Trying to police the internet offering your very one sided insight on the problems of the world.
Tell me which God is telling these different Islamic Sects to kill each other they way they're doing it in Iraq? Was it the God of Abraham, or Moses, or Jesus?? It seems to me that not even when the Children of Ishmael believe in the same God can they be content. If they don't worship their God in the same way they have to kill each other. What do you expect the rest of the world to think about you.

[grazinggoat]

kattz1, you are the drummer of the hateful RonnieHM on this site.

Those whom you don't dare call are worshiping God the Creator of the worlds, they believe in what Abraham, Moses, and Jesus have been sent to and said, and atop of that they believe in what the last prophet Muhammad has been revealed... from God via the Angel Gabriel...

Very, very similar religions indeed, not to say the logical suite, version... SO those bullets keep them in your gun for a more dangerous ennemy to be declared soon coming from the far east, and settling its basis now in Africa and around it.

[katwomansrevenge]

All these people understand is bullets , they don't even care about there own people . We need to get out of there country and secure our homeland . They do not worship a Peaceful God , they are devils !

[son54c]

Terrorists are spread out throughout the globe. We never know from where our attackers will come from. For now, it seems the U.K. is the target. But, we have too many enemies to go without a "Hit" somewhere here in the U.S.
I don't believe we're safe, nor do I believe we'll be safe for a long long time. Our ports, water supplies, rail systems, power plants, and our borders are easy targets. It's surprising that we haven't been hit since 9/11.
The past three years have cost us plenty as a result of the war in Iraq. We've made many enemies, some of which were once friends and allies. We were respected to a degree, and were admired by many around the world. Now, our friends are few, our enemies many.
It'll take years to rebuild the trust and admiration we once enjoyed from those once considered friends. Terrorists will be a threat to us for many years to come. Terrorism is real, and we'll deal with it here on our own soil before everything is said and done.