The Pakistani-born American who left an SUV packed with crude explosives in the heart of Times Square pleaded guilty in a New York courtroom for attempting to carry out the attack. Faisal Shahzad told the judge that, unless the U.S. stops attacking Muslim countries "We will be attacking U.S." When asked if he wanted to plead guilty, he said he wanted "to plead guilty and 100 times more." The indictment against Shahzad says he didn't act alone, but received support from Islamic extremists thousands of miles away in Pakistan. The U.S. has been trying to fight militants in Pakistan by supporting the Pakistani troops trying to regain control of remote tribal regions, and by attacking suspected training camps with remote-controlled drone planes. The first 2 minutes of this report have background on Shahzad and events in the courtroom.
Quotes
"Immediately after 9/11, it obviously was a question as to whether domestic radicalization would be a problem in the United States." Steve Cole, New America Foundation
"To conduct U.S. policy in that atmosphere, you have to make a basic choice: Are you going to try to persuade the Pakistanis that you're engaged with them, that you're in this fight with them as partners, or are you going to be constantly scolding and penalizing them for every nuance of their behavior?" Steve Cole, New America Foundation
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a terrorist attack?
2. How is at terrorist attack different than a criminal attack?
3. Where is Pakistan? Why has it been connected to past terrorist attacks?
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Faisal Shahzad chose to attack Times Square in New York City?
2. What can be done to protect against terrorist attacks?
3. Do you feel like a terrorist attack is possible where you live? Why or why not?
Additional Resources
Risk of Homegrown Terrorism Plots Examined
News Wrap: Mosque Attacks Kill 80 in Pakistan
