U.S. Senate Hearing on National Security Threats

In addition to providing the illusion of civilian oversight, the Senate Intelligence Committee provides our senior staff with a platform for announcing fears. On Wednesday January 29, 2014 the committee invited us to discuss worldwide security threats.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein: terrorism development "ominous"

In February, Sen. Feinstein warned us of the danger of trying KSM in New York City.   This week, the senator from California provided Americans with a new reason to be afraid.  SF Gate reports:

... Feinstein, a California Democrat who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the development ominous. 

"It's clear we're facing a new kind of attacker who is already here, who can hide in plain sight," she said. "We need to think about new defenses"

... She drew a link between Shahzad and Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab ...

"I think there's every reason to believe that Abdulmutallab and this man are prototypes of people that we may see more of," she said.

We can't spot them, but they're coming.

Sen. Feinstein talks of danger, spreads fear

Senator Dianne Feinstein's letter to President Obama hits all the right notes:

... the terrorist threat to the United States remains high. Without getting into classified details, I believe we should view the attempted Christmas Day plot as a continuation, not an end, of plots to strike the United States by al-Qa’ida and its affiliates. Moreover, New York City has been a high-priority target since at least the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993. The trial of the most significant terrorist in custody would add to the threat.

....Our adversaries are capable and adaptive, however, and I believe holding this trial in Manhattan makes their interest in a terrorist attack even stronger. . . . 

. . . .In my view, trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City presents an avoidable danger, very large costs, and undue burdens on the city. . . .

It's a dangerous world.  Why bring any more of that danger into New York City?   We commend Feinstein for having the courage to share her fears with the American people.