What's on the 'laptop of doom'?
It looks like your typical Dell laptop. But this one was left behind by an ISIS fighter who fled an attack by a group of Syrian rebels. When the rebels powered it on, it looked like it's hard drive was wiped clean. But then they found the 'hidden files' section. There were 35,347 hidden files, with training information, propaganda, even tips for avoiding authorities while traveling between jihadi hot spots. What was most troubling was a plan for a biological weapons attack using the bubonic plague. Foreign Policy reporter Harald Doornbos was able to look through the contents of the laptop. He said it contained instructions to 'basically destroy the world.'
Former CIA officer Bob Baer says terrorists are more likely to launch an attack using Ebola rather than Bubonic plague. He explains why in a conversation with Jake Tapper and former U.S. Ambassador-At-Large Daniel Benjamin.
When was the Obama administration warned about Russia's Ukraine invasion?
It initially appeared that President Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine with little warning. But now the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency says there was evidence more than a week in advance and the Obama Administration was warned. Anderson discussed this with former CIA officer Bob Baer, The New Republic's Julia Ioffe and World Policy Journal Editor-in-Chief David Andelman.
When did Putin decide to invade Ukraine?
CNN chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto reports there are now indications the invasion of Crimea was "not a vastly premeditated decision by Putin." But there are serious questions about why the U.S. did not have more warning the crisis was coming. Anderson discussed how well America's intelligence agencies can keep tabs on Russia with Sciutto and former CIA officer Bob Baer.
Attacks in Russia ahead of Olympic Games
A pair of deadly bomb attacks in the Russian city of Volgograd killed at least 31 people, injured dozens more and sent a violent message just six weeks before the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. So far there are no claims of responsibility for the attacks. There are serious questions about whether this is the work of a known Chechen separatist group that vowed to unleash maximum force to disrupt the Sochi Games. Diana Magnay has the latest from Moscow.
What does this mean for security at the Sochi Games? Anderson discussed all of this with former CIA officer Robert Baer and National Security Analyst Fran Townsend.
Was American hostage Bob Levinson captured while on a secret mission?
Missing radioactive material found in Mexico
Authorities in Mexico have located a stolen truck that was carrying a cargo of radioactive cobalt 60. What is not known at this point is if all of the material has been recovered. If terrorists get their hands on cobalt 60 they can use it to make a dirty bomb. Brian Todd has late developments.
Anderson discussed this situation with National Security Analyst and former CIA officer Bob Baer.
Who is behind the Kenya mall massacre?
There are reports Americans are among the gunmen who attacked Nairobi's Westgate Mall. The group al-Shabaab is claiming responsibility for the massacre. What does this mean for the safety of soft targets like malls here in the U.S.? Anderson discussed all of this with former extemist and author Maajid Nawaz and former CIA officer Bob Baer.
Were bombing suspects trained overseas?
Peter Bergen and Bob Baer discuss how the brothers accused of the Boston marathon bombing could have learned about the explosives they allegedly used to kill and maim innocent people.
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Post by: Filed under: Bob Baer • Boston Marathon Attack • Peter Bergen |
Were chemical weapons used in Syria?
Fran Townsend and Bob Baer analyze video that purportedly shows patients sickened by chemical weapons in Syria.
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Post by: Filed under: Bob Baer • Fran Townsend • Syria |
Chemical weapons attack alleged in Syria
Bashar al-Assad's regime and the opposition fighters accuse each other of using chemical weapons in Syria. Fran Townsend and Bob Baer react to the news and discuss what the situation means for the United States.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said "we're going into some very dark times" when asked about the Syrian government possibly unleashing chemical warfare. If they did indeed use chemical weapons, that would be crossing the red line set by Pres. Obama to mark when the U.S. would take action.
Feinstein and Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, are still trying to verify what's happening on the ground in Syria.
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Post by: Filed under: Bob Baer • Fran Townsend • Syria |
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