[ConservativeLawyer]

it leads me to think this is international terrorism

I don't disagree with you, but if this is an international terrorist plot, why focus on only a relatively small area?

al Queda and/or Iraq could just as easily simultaneously activate several teams in various locals around the U.S. That is one of the main factors that makes me doubt my own instincts about this.

Unfortunately, this may remain unsolved, at least publicly, just like the Anthrax attacks. That means:

1. Justice won't be served; and

2. the media can insert whatever bogeyman they want to as the culprit.

[harpseal]

if this is an international terrorist plot, why focus on only a relatively small area?

It would conserve terrorist resources until the next large scale terrorist operation could be mounted. In the interim US law enforcement resouces are being devoted to at most one or two operatives who remain at large. By operating in the DC area they know they will get nationwide coverage. Further most foreign nationals really have no viscereal comprehension of how large the USA really is.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[Loyolas Mattman]

A couple reasons.

One. This particular cell was trained specifically to carry out this type of attack in this area at this time. Just because Al Qaeda carried out coordinated attacks on 9-11, doesn't mean that that will be their m.o. from here on.

Two. This cell was to be part of a bigger attack, lost contact with its "spymaster", and is carrying out its orders as a result of a "dead man's contingency."

Three. This is a training run for something bigger and more damaging.

Four. These are islamists sympathetic to Al Qaeda, et al., but not directly affiliated.