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I know a lot of you don't subscribe to the NY Times. But there's a blockbuster article just posted on their website which I assume will lead their front page tomorrow.

It's about a hugely successful intelligence effort and how we tracked al Queda operatives through some tiny Swiss cell phone chips. It involved many countries cooperating in surveillance operations. The operation is winding down now because the terrorists have changed their methods. This doesn't sound like a leak. It's very well sourced.

It gave me goosebumps reading it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/international/europe/04PHON.html?hp

Cellphones have played a major role in the constant jousting between terrorists and intelligence agencies. In their requests for more investigative powers, Attorney General John Ashcroft and other officials have repeatedly cited the importance of monitoring portable phones.

But, but... that violates their privacy rights! That evil John Ascroft just wants to suppress people's rights! /sarcasm

Btw, Karen Hughs is back on the job! :-)

Finally got around to reading the NY Times story on the Swiss phone chips and Al Qaeda. Wow! It was nice to see the international cooperation on this:

The officials called the operation one of the most successful investigations since Sept. 11, 2001, and an example of unusual cooperation between agencies in different countries. Led by the Swiss, the investigation involved agents from more than a dozen countries, including the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Britain and Italy.

The Germans are making up a little for the stupid choice to stick with France over Iraq. Indonesia also played an important role in the investigation.

When Swiss and other European officials heard that American agents had captured Mr. Mohammed last March, "we opened a big bottle of Champagne," a senior intelligence official said. Among Mr. Mohammed's belongings, the authorities seized computers, cellphones and a personal phone book that contained hundreds of numbers. Tracing those numbers led investigators to as many as 6,000 phone numbers, which amounted to a virtual road map of Al Qaeda's operations, officials said.

I'm sure Mr. Kerry will be commending the administration for its efforts against terrorism any minute now.