Speaking at a session on the role of the NCTC at the Aspen Security Forum and accompanied by current director Matthew Olsen, Leiter said that the US has been doing very well in terms of gains against al Qaeda in Pakistan. "Its not impossible, but very difficult for al Qaeda in Pakistan to launch an attack outside its borders," said Leiter.
Matthew Olsen, the current NCTC director, said that the issues with Pakistan are much broader than just counterterrorism. He added that the country faced political, military and security challenges.
David Sanger, author of Conceal and Confront and a moderator of the session, asked the two about the threat of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons falling into the hands of militants. Leiter opined that that possibility did remain a concern, however both countries in the past had worked on the issue. Worryingly, he added that in a country that had militants who had launched sophisticated attacks on military installations, the US had reason to be concerned.
The Aspen Security Forum will feature speakers from current and former US administrations. Ambassadors from Pakistan and Afghanistan are also scheduled to address the forum.
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With so many drone attacks directed at alleged militants in the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, it comes as no surprise that they look for shelter somewhere else, in Iraq, Syria or Yemen!
9/11 was planned in pentagon happened in New york!
@Asad:
What!! Pakistanis aren't Arabs?
Actually UNCT chief wants to say that 9/11 attacks were planned in Pakistan...........
9/11 was planned in sudan/afghanistan by arabs. Yet pakistan is being blamed in a long list of blames, US doesn't say a word against the saudis where most of the funding for al qaeda comes from. This kind of news is only meant for dim wits like caution who like to jump up and down on hearing any negative news about pakistan.
@kanwal: @Latif:
According to security experts, the base of Al Qaeda is now Pakistan. Anywhere else in the World they can be easily targeted, but the Pakistani nukes and the popular support given to Jihadis provide them cover.
Considering Khalid Shiekh Mohammed was found in Rawalpindi, handed over to the US by Pakistan, a case can be made that there was Pakistani involvement in 9/11.
But, no one would go as far as to suggest that Pakistan alone is responsible. Al Qaeda was responsible and its base is now in Pakistan.
OBL was found in Pak, next to a Military Academy. His wives and children being found in Pakistan in the same compound that was raided is proof of him living in Pakistan, despite what the Right Wingers say about the OBL operation.
Is it me or does this sound like he is saying 9/11 originated in pakistan? I thought they attacked Afghanistan for this. What a short term memory loss. And such people are directors. Imagine the team...
@Cautious Moving is different. We are talking about the originating of terrorism. The fact that OBL moved to Pakistan AFTER 911 does not mean that Pakistan was directly/indirectly responsible for 911.
@Cautious. As i recall Alqaeda and OBL moved into Pakistani tribal areas after the bombing of Tora Bora. This was after 9-11. OBL being killed outside Pakistan Military Academy is fake, this lie propogated by western powers just does not cut im affraid.
@cautious In 1980s CIA hired planes brought these freedom fighters and drops them in pakistan now tell me who is resposible for that???
@Lafit. As I recall OBL and Al Qaeda were responsible for 911 - most believe that the Al Qaeda leadership moved from Afghanistan into Pakistan which seems reasonable since OBL was killed outside the Pakistan Military Academy. In short I think that a speech talking about Al Qaeda's ability/inability to launch a 911 type attack from Pakistan is appropriate.
It Did not originate in Pakistan in the first place.
US dragged us in their so called 'War on terror'.