Lessons Learned From Foiled Terrorist Plot

Today the British government announced that it had thwarted a terrorist plot to blow up ten commercial airplanes heading to the United States. Early indications suggest that Al Qaeda was behind the planned attacks. In the upcoming weeks, there will be a serious debate over what today's events really mean. Here are a few thoughts:

Lesson #1: Al Qaeda lacks the creativity it once possessed

The exposed plot is hardly a fresh idea. The concept of exploding multiple air planes simultaneously was proposed by Al Qaeda mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in 1994, and was well-documented in the 9/11 report. Perhaps military operations in Afghanistan, arrests in Pakistan, and "defections" to Iraq have depleted Al Qaeda's brain trust.

Lesson #2: We were right to focus so much attention on airplane security

I, like everyone else, criticized the U.S. government for concentrating so much on air travel safety improvements in the wake of 9/11. What were the chances that Al Qaeda, or any other terrorist organization, would try to replicate its earlier successes? Why not try something new, something less predictable? Today's events suggests that airplanes remain the prime target for terrorist attacks.

Lesson #3: Al Qaeda is trying to remain relevant

Al Qaeda is not the preeminent terrorist organization it once was. Hezbollah's battle against Israel has catapulted that organization to the top of the world's headlines. Its new importance is rivaled only by Hamas, which has assumed control of the Palestinian legislature. Al Qaeda likely feels a need to reassert itself more than any time in recent years.

Lesson #4: The U.S. remains hopelessly dependent on intelligence reports

Does anyone think that airport security would have thwarted this attack? Let's hope that the intelligence community's recent success will continue.

Terrorism, Qaeda, Plot, Foiled