Intelligence chiefs: Al Qaeda attack imminentFebruary 2, 2010 Adm. Dennis C. Blair, the top U.S. intelligence official, and CIA Director Leon Panetta described growing terrorism threats from Al Qaeda in testimony today before Congress. Panetta warned that an attack is likely over the next three-to-six months, according to reports, and Blair and other officials addressed concerns outlined by the December 25, 2009 bombing attempt in Detroit.
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The Wall Street Journal reported that Blair said Al Qaeda will "remain intent on attacking in the U.S. at least until Osama bin Laden and his second in command, Ayman al Zawahiri, are killed or captured."
Blair answered questions from lawmakers, including Republican Senators who pressed him on the FBI's handling of the underwear bomber suspect. Republicans have said the Obama administration's decision to give terror suspects Miranda rights undermines efforts to gain intelligence.
Blair said the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, has started talking to interrogators and has provided "actionable intelligence," according to the Journal.
Blair also said cyberattacks such as those carried out last year against Google and other companies by hackers in China should be a "wake-up call" and demonstrate a growing threat of cyber-terrorism.
Blair said the Chinese military's "aggressive cyber activities" could pose a threat to neighbors, according to Reuters.
U.S.government and corporate computer networks are assaulted daily, Blair testified.
"Sensitive information is stolen daily from both government and private sector networks, undermining confidence in our information systems, and in the very information these systems were intended to convey,” he said, according to the New York Times.
Financial instability remains a threat as well - Blair testified that last year's financial crisis was the most dangerous threat to global stability at the time, while many countries remain weakened by the global banking meltdown.
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