any one want to trie a stab at this connection?
The Chinese connection has been largely ignored, but I think it is a critical to understanding the threat.
We do get bits and pieces. For example, it was reported in the press that the Chinese government demanded access to Chinese citizens being detained at Gitmo and other facilities.
Practically every time a weapons cash is discovered in Afghanistan and the source country is identified, it is China, everything from rifles to surface to air missiles.
Twelve months ago the U.S. National Intelligence Assessment revealed that primarily two countries had advanced technology sufficient to inflict serious damage to the U.S. infrastructure using a cyber-attack. Computers discovered in Afghanistan indicate al Qaeda now have this technology. I believe it is likely China enhanced their capability from technology transfers from the U.S and have now passed that capability to Al Qaeda.
Also consider the John Lebney connection described in the article.
If reports of bin Laden's kidney problems are true, there are a finite number of locations he could receive adequate care. All are accessable by the U.S. except the locations in China. If bin Laden is alive, I think it is likely he is in China. Otherwise, we would have heard from him. Communicating from China would risk exposing his location and the Chinese are not prepared to risk that yet, in my opinion.