Washington, D.C.
The recent Code Orange terrorism alert was triggered by the most specific warnings of imminent attacks ever uncovered, federal officials said this week. Beginning Dec. 5, an intelligence source revealed that al Qaida might try to blow up two Air France flights from Paris to Los Angeles on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. The source also suggested an attack was planned for Las Vegas on “12/31,” possibly with a “dirty bomb,” and that as many as three other international flights might be blown up or hijacked and crashed into buildings. The information sparked an unprecedented security crackdown, but no suspected terrorists were spotted. “Did we dissuade somebody?” one counterterrorism expert said. “Maybe.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 19, 2024Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - 2024 votes, AI woes, and more
-
5 high rating cartoons about Biden's low poll numbersCartoons Artists take on checklists, ice creams, and more
-
A gastronomic tour of the Costa de la LuzThe Week Recommends This Spanish spot has fantastic restaurants "rooted in the region's distinctive produce"
