U.S. intelligence fears Americans who fought in Syria could be preparing for a domestic attack
There are growing concerns over Americans who traveled to fight in Syria planning to return home to launch attacks here. The FBI and the U.S. Intelligence community are working to track these individuals. Barbara Starr has new details on why this investigation is so complicated.
Anderson discussed the dangers of fighters who carry U.S. passports with National Security Analyst Fran Townsend, CIA and FBI counterterrorism official Philip Mudd and counterterrorism veteran Robert McFadden.
Foreign fighters prove dangerous in Iraq and back home
Sunni Iraqis make up the majority of ISIS's forces, but analysts say a growing number of foreign fighters are joining their ranks. That even includes some Americans. ISIS is producing videos that urge westerners to join the fight, and thousands may be answering the call. Pamela Brown looks at the danger these fighters pose on the battlefield and in their home countries.
What could be done about all of this? Anderson spoke with National Security Analyst Fran Townsend, who's a member of the DHS and CIA external advisory committees and Maajid Nawaz, a former Islamist militant who is now an author and chairman of the Quiliam Foundation.
Flight 370's timeline adds to the mystery
Ten days after Flight 370 disappeared there are still few answers. 25 countries are searching for the plane as investigators still try to figure the flight path. Authorities are closely looking at who was on onboard and who had the know-how to disable the plane's two communications systems. Jim Clancy lays out the latest timeline of events in this mystery.
Anderson discussed this with David Gallo who helped lead the search for Air France Flight 447, former Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend and 777 Captain Les Abend.
Theories on the disappearance of Flight 370
There is still no sign of Flight 370. There is no way to know which direction the plane was flying after its transponder stopped broadcasting. No one has spotted a single piece of debris from the Boeing 777. But there are plenty of theories about what may have happened. As we learn more about the signals the plane may have been broadcasting, Anderson discussed the possible scenarios with airline pilot Ron Brown, National Security Analyst and former White House Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend and former NTSB member John Goglia.
Massive search for Flight 370 expands
So far, the massive search for any sign of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has come up empty. Officials are expanding the search area, while the airline urges families to prepare for the worst. Jim Clancy has the latest.
Anderson discussed all of this with Fran Townsend, who served as Homeland Security Adviser to President George W. Bush, and Mary Schiavo, who is a former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
U.S. military options in Ukraine
President Obama said there would be “costs” to a Russian military invasion of Ukraine. What options does the U.S. have in this situation? Anderson asked CNN Military Analyst Major General James "Spider" Marks and CNN National Security Analyst Fran Townsend.
New shoe bomb threat
The Department of Homeland Security is warning airlines to pay particular attention to passengers' shoes. It is reportedly the result of new intelligence suggesting terror groups have been working on new shoe-bomb designs. What goes into the decision to warn passengers now? Anderson spoke with Chief National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto and former White House Homeland security advisor Fran Townsend.
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.
The shutdown and national security
National Intelligence Director James Clapper told a Senate panel that the shutdown is extremely damaging to intelligence operations, and seriously harms our ability to protect the safety of the nation. National Security Analyst Fran Townsend joins the AC360 Later panel.
Attack plan on Syria
Our panel of experts discusses an ABC News report that U.S. military action in Syria could involve B-2 and B-52 bombers flying from the United States.
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