“This appears to be a conspiracy of at least seven terrorists. A thorough review of our vetting procedures is needed immediately.”
This cannot be done with any assurance. Growing up educated by the Wahabi clerics, living in a land where blasphemy can get you a death sentence, where religious conversion is illegal, and with a society that blames others, primarily the U.S., for all that is wrong in their part of the world, there is no way to know what is lurking in the heart of a young Saudi. No way at all. If they were asked anything that might reveal terrorist intentions, their own religious conviction would tell them to just lie. To lie to infidels about plans against them is not a sin.
Well, you’re right. My thought, American centric, was that something must have been openly expressed here in the US. Filming a terror attack, what were they thinking? You are correct if you meant to suggest there was an religious motivation, motivated by a belief system those in the know wouldn’t betray. I’m sure you’re right. Then there’s tribal/family affiliation. Religion, even a radical version, tribal/cultural/family affiliation. The US is far from considering factors like that.