Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced Wednesday at a general assembly of his Democratic Party of Japan that he would step down as premier.
Mr. Hatoyama also asked Ichiro Ozawa, the powerful secretary general of the party, to resign over his funding scandals. Mr. Hatoyama said Mr. Ozawa accepted his request.
Mr. Hatoyama’s resignation comes amid a steady decline in approval ratings for his cabinet and mounting calls for him to step down within the Democratic Party of Japan, especially those members who are to contest an upcoming upper house election in July.
Mr. Hatoyama’s flip-flop on the issue of the U.S. military presence on Okinawa, a Japanese southern island, helped erode his popularity, analysts said.
Before last year’s election, Mr. Hatoyama told Okinawans repeatedly that he would not let another US military base be built on the island, but last week his government agreed to a U.S. request to relocate a base on Okinawa to a less-populated area of the island despite local opposition.
The Social Democratic Party, a small leftist party, decided to bolt from the three-party governing coalition Sunday after Mr. Hatoyama was unable to deliver on his campaign promise.
The premier on Friday dismissed Mizuho Fukushima, the SDP leader, as minister of consumer affairs and gender equality after she refused to approve an agreement over the relocation of the U.S. base.
Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
China, U.S. sign eight green technology deals
China and the U.S. have signed eight green energy deals to enhance cooperation in the sector, which experts believe will open doors for imports of high-end technology so far blocked by Washington.
The eight deals include aviation bio fuel, distributed energy systems using natural gas as fuel, smart meters and cellulosic ethanol.
Neither side disclosed the financial details of the deals.
The agreements followed conclusion of high-level strategic and economic dialogue between the two countries attended by among others U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
As the world’s two largest energy consumers, China and the US will also join hands for renewable energy development, said Zhang Guobao, head of National Energy Administration (NEA), adding that China will keep an open mind to develop the renewable energy sector.
The two countries have big potential for collaboration in the area, said Zhang.
“The US has advanced technology, and China has a huge market.”
The US and China will “take every angle” to ensure their cooperation in energy and environment, said US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman.
The deals could set examples for global collaboration in increasing energy efficiency and protecting environment, state run China Daily quoted analysts as saying.
Development of renewable energy is a must for China one world’s emitter of green house gases to increase the use of non-fossil energy to 15 per cent of primary energy consumption by 2020, and to reduce carbon intensity by 40 to 45 per cent in 2020 from the 2005 levels.
In the renewable energy sector, China will continue to focus on the development of hydro, wind, solar, and biomass energy, Zhang said.
A series of Chinese and U.S. companies are involved in the eight deals.
“With China’s growing energy needs, our relationship with the CECEP represents a great opportunity to promote sustainable energy development through the optimal use of renewable energy generation with solar power,” said Mark Pinto, executive vice-president and corporate technology officer at Applied Materials.
The deals could also open up doors for high technology to emerging economies like India as U.S. was keen to step up exports in the sector to increase its earnings from exports which in turn could also help create more jobs for Americans.
Analysts said Sino-US cooperation on green energy would set a good example for other countries.
The eight deals include aviation bio fuel, distributed energy systems using natural gas as fuel, smart meters and cellulosic ethanol.
Neither side disclosed the financial details of the deals.
The agreements followed conclusion of high-level strategic and economic dialogue between the two countries attended by among others U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
As the world’s two largest energy consumers, China and the US will also join hands for renewable energy development, said Zhang Guobao, head of National Energy Administration (NEA), adding that China will keep an open mind to develop the renewable energy sector.
The two countries have big potential for collaboration in the area, said Zhang.
“The US has advanced technology, and China has a huge market.”
The US and China will “take every angle” to ensure their cooperation in energy and environment, said US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman.
The deals could set examples for global collaboration in increasing energy efficiency and protecting environment, state run China Daily quoted analysts as saying.
Development of renewable energy is a must for China one world’s emitter of green house gases to increase the use of non-fossil energy to 15 per cent of primary energy consumption by 2020, and to reduce carbon intensity by 40 to 45 per cent in 2020 from the 2005 levels.
In the renewable energy sector, China will continue to focus on the development of hydro, wind, solar, and biomass energy, Zhang said.
A series of Chinese and U.S. companies are involved in the eight deals.
“With China’s growing energy needs, our relationship with the CECEP represents a great opportunity to promote sustainable energy development through the optimal use of renewable energy generation with solar power,” said Mark Pinto, executive vice-president and corporate technology officer at Applied Materials.
The deals could also open up doors for high technology to emerging economies like India as U.S. was keen to step up exports in the sector to increase its earnings from exports which in turn could also help create more jobs for Americans.
Analysts said Sino-US cooperation on green energy would set a good example for other countries.
Threat posed by home-grown terror to be included into strategy
With Al-Qaeda and its affiliates recruiting American citizens to carry out attacks in the country, the U.S. will for the first time include the threat posed by radicalised, home-grown terrorism into its national security strategy.
John Brennan, deputy national security adviser for counter-terrorism and homeland security, said the Obama administration would add combating home-grown terrorism to its new strategy, which will be unveiled tomorrow.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of individuals here in the United States become captivated by extremist activities or causes,” Mr. Brennan said at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
“The president’s national security strategy explicitly recognises the threat to the United States posed by individuals radicalised here at home,” he said.
His comments assume significance in the wake of the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American, for plotting the failed Times Square bombing. He has admitted to attending a terrorist training camp in Pakistan’s Waziristan tribal region.
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. has seen a number of people who were inspired by the extremist ideologies or causes.
“(The examples are) Somali Americans from Minnesota travelling to fight in Somalia, the five Virginia men who went to Pakistan seeking terrorist training, David Headley, the Chicago man charged with helping to plan the Mumbai attacks, the Pennsylvania woman, JihadJane, charged with conspiring to murder a Danish cartoonist,” he said.
He also noted that more than 20 individuals in the U.S. have been arrested and charged with terrorism crimes, their plans and plots disrupted since the Obama Administration assumed office in January 2009.
This includes Najibullah Zazi, who planned to attack the New York subway system in what could have been the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11.
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. is at war with Al-Qaeda and its terrorist’s allies, who continue to plot against America and its allies along the border regions and inside of Pakistan.
“The United States of America is at war. We are at war against Al-Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates...That is why he has refocused our efforts on Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda continues to plot from the tribal regions along the border with Pakistan and inside of Pakistan,” he said.
“We will deny Al-Qaeda and its affiliate’s safe haven. We will secure the world’s most dangerous weapons, especially the nuclear materials that Al-Qaeda seeks and would surely use against us.”
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. was not only delivering severe blows against the leadership of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, but is helping the countries where these organisations have safe havens to build their capacity to provide for their own security and to help them root out the “Al-Qaeda cancer” that has manifested itself within their borders.
He said since the U.S. has made it harder for the terror outfits to recruit they are increasingly relying on recruits with little training.
“We have strengthened our defences against massive, sophisticated attacks on our homeland, so they are attempting attacks with little sophistication, but with very lethal intent,” he argued.
“Knowing that it is harder to penetrate America’s defences, they use the Internet and extremist websites to exhort people already living in the United States to take up arms and launch terrorist attacks from within,” Mr. Brennan said.
“We have seen individuals, including U.S. citizens, armed with their U.S. passports, travel easily to extremist safe havens and return to America, their deadly plans disrupted by coordinated intelligence and law enforcement,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to thwart Faisal Shahzad, accused of attempting to set off the car bomb in Times Square,” Mr. Brennan said.
He said the U.S. has also seen individuals, including American citizens, apparently inspired by Al-Qaeda’s ideology and take matters into their own hands.
“Again, we have disrupted a number of these plots, including individuals in Texas and Illinois charged with planning to blow up buildings,” he said.
John Brennan, deputy national security adviser for counter-terrorism and homeland security, said the Obama administration would add combating home-grown terrorism to its new strategy, which will be unveiled tomorrow.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of individuals here in the United States become captivated by extremist activities or causes,” Mr. Brennan said at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
“The president’s national security strategy explicitly recognises the threat to the United States posed by individuals radicalised here at home,” he said.
His comments assume significance in the wake of the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American, for plotting the failed Times Square bombing. He has admitted to attending a terrorist training camp in Pakistan’s Waziristan tribal region.
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. has seen a number of people who were inspired by the extremist ideologies or causes.
“(The examples are) Somali Americans from Minnesota travelling to fight in Somalia, the five Virginia men who went to Pakistan seeking terrorist training, David Headley, the Chicago man charged with helping to plan the Mumbai attacks, the Pennsylvania woman, JihadJane, charged with conspiring to murder a Danish cartoonist,” he said.
He also noted that more than 20 individuals in the U.S. have been arrested and charged with terrorism crimes, their plans and plots disrupted since the Obama Administration assumed office in January 2009.
This includes Najibullah Zazi, who planned to attack the New York subway system in what could have been the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11.
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. is at war with Al-Qaeda and its terrorist’s allies, who continue to plot against America and its allies along the border regions and inside of Pakistan.
“The United States of America is at war. We are at war against Al-Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates...That is why he has refocused our efforts on Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda continues to plot from the tribal regions along the border with Pakistan and inside of Pakistan,” he said.
“We will deny Al-Qaeda and its affiliate’s safe haven. We will secure the world’s most dangerous weapons, especially the nuclear materials that Al-Qaeda seeks and would surely use against us.”
Mr. Brennan said the U.S. was not only delivering severe blows against the leadership of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, but is helping the countries where these organisations have safe havens to build their capacity to provide for their own security and to help them root out the “Al-Qaeda cancer” that has manifested itself within their borders.
He said since the U.S. has made it harder for the terror outfits to recruit they are increasingly relying on recruits with little training.
“We have strengthened our defences against massive, sophisticated attacks on our homeland, so they are attempting attacks with little sophistication, but with very lethal intent,” he argued.
“Knowing that it is harder to penetrate America’s defences, they use the Internet and extremist websites to exhort people already living in the United States to take up arms and launch terrorist attacks from within,” Mr. Brennan said.
“We have seen individuals, including U.S. citizens, armed with their U.S. passports, travel easily to extremist safe havens and return to America, their deadly plans disrupted by coordinated intelligence and law enforcement,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to thwart Faisal Shahzad, accused of attempting to set off the car bomb in Times Square,” Mr. Brennan said.
He said the U.S. has also seen individuals, including American citizens, apparently inspired by Al-Qaeda’s ideology and take matters into their own hands.
“Again, we have disrupted a number of these plots, including individuals in Texas and Illinois charged with planning to blow up buildings,” he said.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Death sentence to Kasab a result of fair legal process: U.S.
The death sentence awarded to Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman of the Mumbai terrorist attack, is a result of a fair and transparent judicial process of India, the US has said.
“This (trial of Kasab) was part of an Indian legal proceeding. Obviously, we have encouraged India and at times, in the aftermath, we have assisted India with the investigation, but this was the result of an Indian fair and transparent legal process,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley.
“We have extensive cooperation with India on counterterrorism and that will certainly continue,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question at his daily press briefing yesterday.
Kasab, a Pakistani national, was awarded capital punishment on May 6 by a Mumbai special court. The court held him guilty of mass murder and waging war against India, by carrying out the terror strikes in November 2008.
Kasab’s death sentence has to be confirmed by the Mumbai High Court, where the matter would come up automatically. However, this is not the end of road of Kasab as he still has the option to appeal against the judgement before the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. He can also file a mercy petition before the President of India.
“This (trial of Kasab) was part of an Indian legal proceeding. Obviously, we have encouraged India and at times, in the aftermath, we have assisted India with the investigation, but this was the result of an Indian fair and transparent legal process,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley.
“We have extensive cooperation with India on counterterrorism and that will certainly continue,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question at his daily press briefing yesterday.
Kasab, a Pakistani national, was awarded capital punishment on May 6 by a Mumbai special court. The court held him guilty of mass murder and waging war against India, by carrying out the terror strikes in November 2008.
Kasab’s death sentence has to be confirmed by the Mumbai High Court, where the matter would come up automatically. However, this is not the end of road of Kasab as he still has the option to appeal against the judgement before the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. He can also file a mercy petition before the President of India.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Manmohan, Gilani meeting is good for region: U.S .
On the eve of a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, the US said that it encourages such development which is good for the region.
Dr. Singh and Mr. Gilani are scheduled to meet today on the sidelines of the on going 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan.
“We have encouraged the leaders of Pakistan and India, to restore, direct dialogue that has been characteristic of the relation between those two countries within the last few years. We’re encouraged that they are taking steps to do that,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley told reporters.
“I think we always think that when leaders of countries, you know, particularly countries with the history of -- the unique history of India and Pakistan -- any time they can get together for high-level, constructive dialogue, that is good for the region, and we support it,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question.
Noting that the US is having its own strategic dialogue with both India and Pakistan and is planning for the next round of discussions with India in the next few weeks, Mr. Crowley said the United States has always encouraged the two South Asian countries that they need to restore a high-level dialogue that they have had in the not-too-distant past.
“You know, there have been significant steps by both countries, restore dialogue, both at the leader level and lower levels, and we certainly encourage that,” Mr. Crowley said.
When asked about the SAARC Summit, where Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake is attending the meet as an observer, Mr. Crowley said this is one of a number of important structures that is there, across the broader Asia region.
“We think they’re important. We encourage them. And, as you see, both with, Secretary Blake’s appearance at the SAARC, you know, the secretary is committed to strengthen the United States’ ties to other structures, like ASEAN, this is an indication of our ongoing and deepening commitment to the region,” Mr. Crowley said.
Dr. Singh and Mr. Gilani are scheduled to meet today on the sidelines of the on going 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan.
“We have encouraged the leaders of Pakistan and India, to restore, direct dialogue that has been characteristic of the relation between those two countries within the last few years. We’re encouraged that they are taking steps to do that,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley told reporters.
“I think we always think that when leaders of countries, you know, particularly countries with the history of -- the unique history of India and Pakistan -- any time they can get together for high-level, constructive dialogue, that is good for the region, and we support it,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question.
Noting that the US is having its own strategic dialogue with both India and Pakistan and is planning for the next round of discussions with India in the next few weeks, Mr. Crowley said the United States has always encouraged the two South Asian countries that they need to restore a high-level dialogue that they have had in the not-too-distant past.
“You know, there have been significant steps by both countries, restore dialogue, both at the leader level and lower levels, and we certainly encourage that,” Mr. Crowley said.
When asked about the SAARC Summit, where Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake is attending the meet as an observer, Mr. Crowley said this is one of a number of important structures that is there, across the broader Asia region.
“We think they’re important. We encourage them. And, as you see, both with, Secretary Blake’s appearance at the SAARC, you know, the secretary is committed to strengthen the United States’ ties to other structures, like ASEAN, this is an indication of our ongoing and deepening commitment to the region,” Mr. Crowley said.
Monday, April 5, 2010
India won't hand over Kasab, Ansari to Pakistan: Nirupama
India on Sunday ruled out handing over Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught during the 26/11 strikes or his associate Fahim Ansari to Pakistan, saying “justice” was taking its course in the case.
“We are trying Kasab and others here in India following the Mumbai attacks,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, when asked about Pakistan approaching Interpol for arresting Kasab and Ansari for trial there.
“The case against Kasab has proceeded over the past few months. The verdict is expected by May 3,” she said.
“We are trying Kasab and others here in India following the Mumbai attacks,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, when asked about Pakistan approaching Interpol for arresting Kasab and Ansari for trial there.
“The case against Kasab has proceeded over the past few months. The verdict is expected by May 3,” she said.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
U.S. rules out mediating between India and Pak on key issues
Ahead of the key strategic dialogue with Pakistan, the Obama administration on Wednesday shot down Islamabad’s plea to help it resume peace talks with India and mediate on key disputes with New Delhi on issues including Kashmir.
It is for India and Pakistan to resolve all their disputes bilaterally and the Obama Administration does not sees a role for itself in it unless both the countries want it, Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told journalists at a joint press conference with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir here.
Responding to questions from the Pakistani media on this issue, Holbrooke, however, said that the U.S. encourages both India and Pakistan to talk to each other on all the issues.
He said talking on Kashmir is not in his mandate.
Holbrooke said the first ever Cabinet level Strategic Dialogue between the two countries would be an important milestone in building relationship U.S.-Pak between.
At another reception at the Pakistani Embassy on the occasion of Pakistan National Day, visiting Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he is here to build a partnership with the US based on mutual trust, confidence and shared objectives.
“We have made progress in Pakistan and the world is acknowledging our sacrifices. We are ready to deliver, we are ready to move, let’s build a partnership which is lasting,” Mr. Qureshi said.
The reception was attended by top officials of the Obama Administration including National Security Adviser General (rtd) James Jones, lawmakers and US ambassador in Islamabad Anne Paterson.
Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Finance Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also attended the reception.
Earlier, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said the Obama Administration has spent a lot of time trying to convince all countries in the region that ultimately improved relations with the United States and with others in the region is in everyone’s interest.
“We continue to make that clear. Assistant Secretary (Robert) Blake has been in the region and I think is trying to help various countries understand the context within which these expanded dialogues with all of the countries continue and are in everyone’s interest,” Crowley said.
It is for India and Pakistan to resolve all their disputes bilaterally and the Obama Administration does not sees a role for itself in it unless both the countries want it, Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told journalists at a joint press conference with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir here.
Responding to questions from the Pakistani media on this issue, Holbrooke, however, said that the U.S. encourages both India and Pakistan to talk to each other on all the issues.
He said talking on Kashmir is not in his mandate.
Holbrooke said the first ever Cabinet level Strategic Dialogue between the two countries would be an important milestone in building relationship U.S.-Pak between.
At another reception at the Pakistani Embassy on the occasion of Pakistan National Day, visiting Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he is here to build a partnership with the US based on mutual trust, confidence and shared objectives.
“We have made progress in Pakistan and the world is acknowledging our sacrifices. We are ready to deliver, we are ready to move, let’s build a partnership which is lasting,” Mr. Qureshi said.
The reception was attended by top officials of the Obama Administration including National Security Adviser General (rtd) James Jones, lawmakers and US ambassador in Islamabad Anne Paterson.
Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Finance Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also attended the reception.
Earlier, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said the Obama Administration has spent a lot of time trying to convince all countries in the region that ultimately improved relations with the United States and with others in the region is in everyone’s interest.
“We continue to make that clear. Assistant Secretary (Robert) Blake has been in the region and I think is trying to help various countries understand the context within which these expanded dialogues with all of the countries continue and are in everyone’s interest,” Crowley said.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Another LeT strike on India to undermine US efforts in Pak
Amidst reports that terror outfit LeT might be planning a major attack in India, the CIA chief on Wednesday told US lawmakers that another such strike would undermine US efforts in Pakistan by raising tensions between the two neighbours.
CIA Director Leon Panetta said at a Congressional hearing that besides al Qaeda the US now faces a series of threats from terror groups like al-Shabaab, Hezbollah and Hamas.
“A particular concern is Lashkar-e-Taiba which, if they should conduct an attack against India, could very well undermine our efforts in Pakistan,” Mr. Panetta said expressing his apprehension of the impact that attack could have on relationship between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Panetta said this in his appearance before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence which held a hearing on ’Current Projected Threats to the United States’
A US-based security think tank in its yearly forecast had recently said that Pakistan-based terror groups have a .
“strategic intent” to launch major new attacks on the Indian soil to trigger a conflict between the two countries.
Mr. Panetta said one of the greatest concerns was of an al Qaeda attack on the United States, and the threat was a prime reason why the US has undertaken the task of dismantling terror infrastructure.
He said the greatest threat comes from the fact that al Qaeda, which had launched the 9/11 attacks, had adapted its methods making them difficult to detect.
“We have done a very effective job at disrupting their operations in FATA,” forcing them to move to other regional nodes like Yemen and Somalia, the Maghreb and others, Mr. Panetta said.
“I think intelligence confirms that they are finding it difficult to be able to engage in planning and command --and -- control operations to put together a large attack,” he said.
He said the terrorists were now pursuing an effort to try to strike at the US in three ways, including deploying individuals like Zazi and Headley in the country and by using terrorists who have hitherto had “clean credentials” like Abdulmutallab.
“And the third is the loner, an individual like Hasan (Texas military base shooter) who, out of self-radicalisation, decides that the moment has come to engage in an attack by himself,” Mr. Panetta said.
The bottom line here, he said, is that the war on terrorism is against a series of groups confronting the US.
Appearing before the same committee, FBI Director Robert Mueller said al-Qaeda trainers see Pakistan’s tribal areas as less secure and this had led al Qaeda to franchise into regional components in places such as North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
“This evolution has been most rapid with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula which has changed from a regional group with links to al-Qaeda to a global threat with reach into American cities such as Detroit,” he said.
CIA Director Leon Panetta said at a Congressional hearing that besides al Qaeda the US now faces a series of threats from terror groups like al-Shabaab, Hezbollah and Hamas.
“A particular concern is Lashkar-e-Taiba which, if they should conduct an attack against India, could very well undermine our efforts in Pakistan,” Mr. Panetta said expressing his apprehension of the impact that attack could have on relationship between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Panetta said this in his appearance before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence which held a hearing on ’Current Projected Threats to the United States’
A US-based security think tank in its yearly forecast had recently said that Pakistan-based terror groups have a .
“strategic intent” to launch major new attacks on the Indian soil to trigger a conflict between the two countries.
Mr. Panetta said one of the greatest concerns was of an al Qaeda attack on the United States, and the threat was a prime reason why the US has undertaken the task of dismantling terror infrastructure.
He said the greatest threat comes from the fact that al Qaeda, which had launched the 9/11 attacks, had adapted its methods making them difficult to detect.
“We have done a very effective job at disrupting their operations in FATA,” forcing them to move to other regional nodes like Yemen and Somalia, the Maghreb and others, Mr. Panetta said.
“I think intelligence confirms that they are finding it difficult to be able to engage in planning and command --and -- control operations to put together a large attack,” he said.
He said the terrorists were now pursuing an effort to try to strike at the US in three ways, including deploying individuals like Zazi and Headley in the country and by using terrorists who have hitherto had “clean credentials” like Abdulmutallab.
“And the third is the loner, an individual like Hasan (Texas military base shooter) who, out of self-radicalisation, decides that the moment has come to engage in an attack by himself,” Mr. Panetta said.
The bottom line here, he said, is that the war on terrorism is against a series of groups confronting the US.
Appearing before the same committee, FBI Director Robert Mueller said al-Qaeda trainers see Pakistan’s tribal areas as less secure and this had led al Qaeda to franchise into regional components in places such as North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
“This evolution has been most rapid with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula which has changed from a regional group with links to al-Qaeda to a global threat with reach into American cities such as Detroit,” he said.
