Chertoff: Al Qaeda Adapting And Rebuilding

(CBS/AP)  The head of Homeland Security said Thursday that al Qaeda is rebuilding, but had no specific information the terror group was plotting a new attack on U.S. soil.

"They continue to adapt and rebuild," Michael Chertoff told CBS's The Early Show. "The message, again, for us is we have to continue to be vigilant."

Chertoff, however, added that security officials "don't have any specific information about an attack against the homeland in the near future."

Chertoff's comments follow the latest threat assessment from U.S. counterterrorism analysts who say al Qaeda has used its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border to restore its operating capabilities to a level unseen since the months before Sept. 11, 2001.

A counterterrorism official familiar with a five-page summary of the document — titled "Al Qaeda better positioned to strike the West" — called it a stark appraisal. The analysis will be part of a broader meeting at the White House on Thursday about an upcoming National Intelligence Estimate.

The official and others spoke to The Associated Press on condition they not be identified because the report remains classified.

The findings suggest the network that launched the most devastating terror attack on U.S. soil has been able to regroup despite nearly six years of bombings, war and other tactics aimed at dismantling it.

Meanwhile, An American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to London was
diverted to New York after the flight crew reported what they thought was a suspicious person on board. Officials have interviewed the person and sources told CBS News there is no connection to any terror plot.

The threat assessment the White House will review focuses on the terror group's safe haven in Pakistan and makes a range of observations about the threat posed to the United States and its allies, officials said.

Counterterrorism officials have been increasingly concerned about al Qaeda's recent operations. This week, Chertoff said he had a "gut feeling" that the United States faced a heightened risk of attack this summer.

Asked to clarify the phrase, Chertoff told The Early Show his comments were based on "an informed opinion."

Still, numerous government officials say they know of no specific, credible threat of a new attack on U.S. soil.

The counterterrorism official, paraphrasing the report's conclusions, said Al Qaeda is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001. They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States."

• 1
• 2
• Next Page »

[toolmangler-2009]

test

[peter776-2009]

Chertoff is just another Bush administration lightweight and incompetent. The sooner all the Bush clowns leave office, the better off we will all be. Chertoff is clearly out of his depth, and is yet another yes-man of the type Bush likes so much. Don't forget, Michael Brown reported to Chertoff, and Chertoff was therefore ultimately responsible for the Katrina debacle. Were there any consequences for Chertoff's malfeasance? Of course not. Chertoff also recently stated there was nothing the US Government could do about the 12-30 million illegal aliens in this country. It's well past the time for Mr. Chertoff to go find a job he can actually do, as it has become abundantly obvious that he is not equal to the tasks before him now.

[tejasdemo]

"They continue to adapt and rebuild," Michael Chertoff told CBS's The Early Show.

In other words, we as neocons have completely failed in our one mission we have tried to accomplish.

Time for something different chief.

[uradufuss]

Here's a real brainstorm: Let's bring all of our troops home, and let them guard our borders and airports. Forget about the rest of the world, they all hate us now anyhow (and who wouldn't?) Iraq and Iran and... Eventually they'll blow each other up.

[hotwitch]

"Chertoff: Al Qaeda Adapting And Rebuilding"

They're like the Borg, man, we're all doomed...

[generey]

"Chertoff's comments follow the latest threat assessment from U.S. counterterrorism analysts who say al Qaeda has used its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border to restore its operating capabilities to a level unseen since the months before Sept. 11, 2001."

"al Qaeda has used its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border".

This does NOT compute. Does the USA not have an extensive troop presence in Afghanistan? Were we not "concentrating" our military's mission to getting bin-laden & his follower's? VERY seldom is there a news report of much of what is going on in Afghanistan, yet if my memory serves correct, we (USA) have a lot of troop's in that country and region. Mabye I'm just dense, but this report does not compute.

[generey]

"Chertoff's comments follow the latest threat assessment from U.S. counterterrorism analysts who say al Qaeda has used its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border to restore its operating capabilities to a level unseen since the months before Sept. 11, 2001."

"al Qaeda has used its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border".

This does NOT compute. Does the USA not have an extensive troop presence in Afghanistan? Were we not "concentrating" our military's mission to getting bin-laden & his follower's? VERY seldom is there a news report of much of what is going on in Afghanistan, yet if my memory serves correct, we (USA) have a lot of troop's in that country and region. Mabye I'm just dense, but this report does not compute.

[uradufuss]

Here's a real brainstorm: Let's bring all of our troops home, and let them guard our borders and airports. Forget about the rest of the world, they all hate us now anyhow (and who wouldn't?) Iraq and Iran and... Eventually they'll blow each other up.

[mwhc1]

'restore its operating capabilities to a level unseen since the months before Sept. 11, 2001.
' there's no way this can be true - bush said this is not true - no way it can be true. bush says we're alright... so there's no way this can be true.

[bareemperor]

More administration lies, different day.

Jeeze - the 20% running this country are losers...