For political and bureaucratic reasons, governments at all levels are telling far less to the public than to insiders about how to prepare for and behave in the initial chaos of a mass-casualty event. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Nearly all government advice on terrorism sacrifices practical particulars for an unalarming tone. The usual guidance is to maintain a three-day supply of food and water along with a radio, flashlight, batteries and first-aid kit. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Unsettling signs of al Qaeda’s aims and skills in cyberspace have led some government experts to conclude that terrorists are at the threshold of using the Internet as a direct instrument of bloodshed. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Counterterrorism analysts have known for years that al Qaeda prepares for attacks with elaborate ‘targeting packages’ of photographs and notes. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Experts said public companies worry about the loss of customer confidence and the legal liability to shareholders or security vendors when they report flaws. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Ordinary Geiger counters, worn on belt clips and resembling pagers, have been in use by the U.S. Customs Service for years. Barton Gellman Read Quote
Searches of al Qaeda sites in Afghanistan, undertaken since American-backed forces took control there, are not known to have turned up a significant cache of nuclear materials. Barton Gellman Read Quote
There is evidence that some of al Qaeda’s nuclear efforts over the years met with swindles and false leads. Barton Gellman Read Quote
White House officials acknowledge in broad terms that a president’s time and public rhetoric are among his most valuable policy tools. Barton Gellman Read Quote
