Flash Points: The Times Square Attack

CBS News National Security Correspondent Juan Zarate joined Bill Plante on "Washington Unplugged" Friday as part of the "Flash Points" series on national security news at home and abroad.

He said it is looking more and more like Shahzad may have connections to groups in his native Pakistan, as evidenced by his admission to investigators that he underwent some sort of training in the Pakistani wilderness.

"We are seeing the spotlight on Pakistan as the kind of epicenter of terrorism," said Zarate. "A kind of witches' brew of terrorist groups, not just Al-Qaeda but the Pakistani Taliban, Kashmir groups, who are training operatives not just locally but operatives to send westward, perhaps to hit the United States."

Zarate says the next step for the U.S. government will be to pressure the Pakistani government to send military forces into Northern Waziristan, a hotbed of terrorist activity where Shahzad is suspected to have received his training.

Zarate also spoke about the sinking of a South Korean ship last month, which South Korean officials are suggesting was the result of a North Korean torpedo, something North Korean officials have denied. Zarate said the situation comes at a critical time, not only for North-South Korean relations but also for North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

"I think North Korea is feeling a little bit disabled, a little bit in need of Chinese support," said Zarate. "And you've got the tension with the South Koreans coming out and saying this attack was no accident."

Also on Unplugged Friday: Washington Post writer Paul Fahri looks at President Obama's biting remarks at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, CBS News Investigative Producer Laura Strickler offers news about a Senate investigation into Shahzad's citizenship, and CBS News' John Dickerson offers a piece on campaign advertising. Watch Unplugged above.

Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.