The U.S. government launched a wide and sweeping search for answers after a would-be bomber tried to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day. But every day since has brought new questions and confusion about how and why the attack was planned.
Yesterday the group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the bomb attempt, saying in an Internet posting that it came in response to U.S. strikes at its members in Yemen. And reports surfaced that the suspect's father, a prominent Nigerian banker, had warned U.S. authorities in October about his son's increasingly extremist views.
The White House has responded that it will not stop hunting al-Qaeda but it will review screening procedures, as well as its "watch list" system of known and suspected terrorists.
Quotes
"The United States will more do more than simply strengthen our defenses. We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland." Barack Obama, United States President
"I don't any think secretary of homeland security would sit before you and say she was happy that someone got aboard a U.S.-bound air carrier, as this individual did, carrying the material that this individual was carrying. So, we have a lot of work to do." Janet Napolitano, United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Warm Up Questions
1.Where is Yemen?
2.What is Homeland Security?
3.What security screens must you pass to board a plane?
Discussion Questions
1.What surprises you in this story?
2.How do you think the United States can best protect itself from terrorist attacks?
3.If you thought that your son was becoming radicalized, would you call the U.S. Embassy as Abdulmutallab's father did? Why or why not?
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