Hey Alan,
Your analysis is top-shelf. Using your logic we should also be suspicious of the Tanzanian and Hungarian acrobats that were performing at the City of London Festival on July 7, 2005. Because they wear tights and were in London during the time of the 7/7 bombings means that they must somehow be connected to the slaughter of British citizens. I say that all acrobats, especially ones with British or American training, be placed under house arrest until you, Alan, personally interrogate each one of them. Meanwhile, I would like to extend an invitation to all Al-Qaeda operators to meet at your home in Glasgow to dine on pork sausage and watch Erasure videos. After interrogating the acrobats and dining with AQ terrorists, maybe you can get back to us on who the real culprits are.

Chris, Arlington, Virginia USA

what makes me sick is that the tax payer will be keeping these terrorists in the lap of luxury,or until blair decides to let them out with compensation,because of their human rights.
take them out and hang them from the nearest lampost.
send back the remainder.the government know who they are.
or give the sas a free rein.

kevin, liverpool.,

Martin, Berlin, Germany - You're right, we've all seen when America does something. Lucky for you, you wrote that in English. How quickly you forget.

Andy, Houston, Texas

To Martin, yes we have seen what happens what America does something. I see you are writing your messages in English, not German, Italian or Japanese.

Mark, Hawthorne, California

NOT CYNICAL KAREN, CLOSE TO THE TRUTH... There are 7000 military personnel operating off the west coast of Scotland for the next 2 weeks, USA included, the last time there was a terrorist attack in the UK Terrorist drills where going on in London 7/7 the same day.... And before that on 9/11 in the USA, Norad had drills same day.... anyone see a patern here????

Not to seem a bit selfish Karen, but hope it's Edinburgh cos I'm in Glasgow......

we are possibly being ethnicly cleansed by our own governments.... WATCH THIS SPACE.

Alan, Glasgow,

Lame Cherry...please check your facts an normal bomb with plutonium in it will not cause murder on a disastrous scale...it will cause panic because people it is the same as a nuclear explosion when in fact it is a bomb that will spray plutonium over a limited area.

And speaking as an Englishman the last thing I am going to do is demand that American does something. We have all seen what happens when America does something...things take a turn for the worse.

M

Martin, Berlin, Germany

The biggest threat to any people is the cabal of corrupt psychopaths who govern them.

Bill Jones, Stroudsburg, US

The report seems credible given 9/11, 7/7, Bali, ...

Yes, in my view, we are making errors but that does not mean that we are not dealing with a resurgent Islam that offers us infidels three posibilites; conversion to Islam, dhimminitude or death.

Until we are certain, the West and Christendom should take the line that defence is the best form of attack.

Osborne, Hastings, England

The solution to radical Islam has got to come from within the religion. When the cost of this radical behaviour is high enough, the counter-balance to radical Islam, namely dictator-style Islamic governments, has traditionally stopped the rot. This was the case with Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Mahatir Mohammad in Malaysia (a democratic type dictatorship) and Suharto in Indonesia. Their response to separists and radicals was to be ruthless.

Could the West learn something from this iron-fisted approach, after all, that is how Islam has managed its own extremests? Of course, we know better don't we? Our Western legal systems, together with their socialist tendencies and high hurdle "onus of proof" requirements, can only lead to soft responses. Further, jails are now breeding grounds for extremests who convert hard-core criminals.

Are democracies really the best way to tackle radical Islam? Seems as if radical Islam has flourished in these above countries since they became democratic.

Craig, Sydney, Australia

Some day, when the hornets nest has been burned, peace will come again to the world. Unfortunately, some people actually believe it.

bruce, san diego, US

The logic of blaming the victims for being attacked simply baffles me. Thinking that the US, the UK or the "west" is at fault for being targeted by al-qaeda is the same warped line of thought that blames rape victims for being sexually assaulted.

Yes, aspects of US policy make many Europeans and Middle Easterners angry. European and Middle Eastern policies also anger Americans. However, the difference is that Americans don't hijack planes or blow up buildings to express their frustrations. We're all entitled to our own world view but we're all equally charged with expressing it sensibly.

It is my sincere hope that the UK is not subjected to an al-qaeda attack, but if it is, I hope with eqaul conviction that Britons blame neither themselves, their elected leaders nor the Americans. The blame for any al-qaeda attack lies squarely with al-qaeda and its followers.

Richard, Wilmington, NC, USA

"Spy chiefs warn that one operative had said he was planning an attack on “a par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in an attempt to “shake the Roman throne”, a reference to the West."

Thus starts the artice. So this is planted by the CIA.
I hope they are not planning another 9/11 or worse, making it look like "Iran did it" to get the masses to approve of an attack on that country.

L.Langeweg, Amsterdam,

Militancy is a by-product of the Wests' policies in the 'Islamic" world. After the demise of the Ottoman Empire/Caliphate (NOTE: the West does not have a monopoly on Imperial baggage!), for the sake of a steady supply of oil, the US and the West has supported completely undemocratic regimes in Saudi Arabia, Eygpt and other countries. We talk loudly to the frustrated masses how we wish to see democracy flourish, while at the same time prop up their greedy leaders. The gross contradiction of this corrupt situation and no even-handedness in Palestine, has provided militants an opportunity to present themselves as the "peoples' " alternative. Despite our "democratic" intentions but we have reaped this reward by pushing the boundaries of how long this contradiction could persist. We fed a new and growing Islamism, which could have been avoided with greater foresight and less greed. Democracy will now bring the reality of Islamic governments.It will take time for a secular balance again.

David, Manila, Philippines

Crazy as it seems, these people have the committment and belief to plan full scale attacks to that of the amotic bomb in 1945. The scary thing is when,where and who will it affect. The implimentation of the Iraq war has created a new agenda on terrorism compared with 9/11. Maybe Western Power should leave the Middle East to show how backwards these people are with there religions.

Those who claim to know the truth are those that are the most dangerous.
Religion causes everything i.e. a false sense of mind and commmittment.
In my opinion, if there was no religion we would have evolved mentally overtime.

Gianluca, Liverpool, UK

Prophet of Doom by Craig Winn...........good read to understand whats happening.

Joe Wray, Bayfield , CO / US

The long and the short of it is that individuals who support this route against the 'West' are thrilled to see the coverage and comments contained herein. In honesty if the Israel issue is ever solved these individuals will still wish to conduct a jihad. Indiiduals who assume that this situation is new forget that during the Era that America was isolationist ( The 30's) that the Islamic brotherhood were seeking change in Egypt. This had nothing to do with The UK or USA.

The wahabis the cult islamic group based in Saudi Arabia (The Cradle of islam) love this media attention and are happy to spread this via media and University campus based Islamic societies. They have endless funds. They fund Terrorism and media coverage to aid their cause. Their agents generally try to appear moderate and approacable the truth is different.

Lets be frank the death of muslims may create bleeding hearts but the this religion ignores it's own on disastourous scale in Africa. Nice 'Brother's'

Steve Neil, London, UK

Any indiscriminate violence against innocent civilians whether Christian,Muslim etc is totally unjustified.People cannot help where they are born,political and religious leaders must take any or all of the blame as they are the ones who decide who goes to war and against whom.If these people were doing there jobs properly they would be working together to find solutions to the causes of war and not fuelling the fire.We all breath the same air and live under the same roof.It,s about time those people in charge started to help us and the planet instead of slowly destroying things.

John, Glasgow,

all this has only left us trading rights for alleged security ... when will we learn ...? if this happens and marshall law is declared take heed ... 911 free fall of 3 bldgs is not believable ... period ... read the polls ... wake up !!!

jack, canada,

We hear statements of muslim radicals representing only a tiny proportion of the muslim world at large and of the damage they are doing to non-radical muslims' western existences. Further, we hear commentary on both sides as to whether muslim and non-muslim societies can actually co-exist. One simple question : surely the non-radical muslim world should be turning on the radicals to not only protect the religion as they actually see it but also to protect their own western existences ? oh, and it might also help the non-muslim world with this one as well.........

Alasdair, london,

ID card schemes, gun registration, and even survaillence by video cameras cannot prevent terrorists. These planned measures are mostly a gross waste of money which will only benefit the businesses which get the job to impliment them. In Canada, our gun-registration program has cost many millions of dollars and has been a total failure. The use of video survaillance did not prevent the terrorist attack in London. The heavily funded US intelligence gathering agencies did not not prevent 9/11. And what good has come out of the defeat of Saddam Hussein's Iraq? Have any of these activities helped anyone, except the various corporations that profit from war and conflict? I doubt that the proposed solutions will do any good - instead, they will only give more power to those who already have it - at the expense of our liberties - a return to feudalism.

Peter Riedel, Thorold, Canada

I estimate it will happen on May 1st, possibly in Edinburgh or glasgow - just in time for the Scottish elections to try to frighten Scots into voting for the unionist parties. Cynical?

karen, Aberdeen,

As for the woman who said "tell them Mecca woud be destroyed if any attack was launched on NY or London", would she have bombed Rome during the time of the IRA attacks? Just as the IRA had to use SOMETHING to get their message across and draw attention to the bigotry and hatred they experienced, how do they expect the downtrodden of Chechnya, Palestine, Afghanistan etc. to change their circumstances when many continue to crush them. Moorish culture gave free schools, hospitals and sanitation to Spain and other parts of Southern Europe cneturies before England and Northern Europe. It was the Crusades that began this process of demonisation and mass slaughter. HAVE AN HONEST DEBATE. I am British, born in the East Midlands, and don't believe in any organised religion, but am I wholeheartedly sick of this persecution and racism masquerading as defense against a terrible enemy. How many billions of dollars, how many lives, how many lies???

Zak
, London, England

Peace is not written in the so called radical minds who use any narrow minded religion for atrocities. Its a well known fact what the moslim invaders did in South East Asia and Europe between 10 and 15th century AD. The problem with moslims is that their ability to think is nipped off the bud through radical islamisation in madrassas and that is the root cause of the problem. A radical cleric can inject venom much easily to the poor minds. You cant nip the terrorism just by waging a war.. rather understanding the basic facts that constitue it.

Jay, London, UK

Some of the people writing on this forum need to get their heads checked. All of these conspiracy theories about the UK and the US committing terrorist acts against themselves. I do not believe that our governments, no matter how much I may disagree with them at times, are so morally repugnant as to attack their own people.
There are people out there who hate the West enough to kill us for their own beliefs. And those people are not even so far away. I have spoken to many muslims in the UK who refuse to condemn the attacks and some who even try to justify al qaeda's actions. And these are the moderates!
As for the 'coincidence' of having emergency drills on the days of the attacks isn't sinister. It just reflects that our secret services are doing their jobs and had information that something like what did happen would happen. These were not the only drills and drills happen in other countries too.

Louise, London,

A big threat ! Am I supposed to be scared ? As someone famous once said "Bring it on !".

The British public don't run ! We leave that to our Sailors :o)

RA, Lincoln, England, UK.

I think we should all lower our sights a little, it doesn't need to be
nuclear , to hit the core of England.
Think about the easy way protestors have burst into the house of
commons in recent years.
A suicide bomber [ a cleaner for instance] could rock our
establishment easily by getting in there.
If I were planning something similar, this is where I would go, to a iconic
building of our establishment.
What better, than the place & the very people who made war on Iraq.
I sincerely hope the authorities have every possibility covered on this one ?

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

I don't think we're talking a nuclear attack here. I think they are planning lots of smaller attacks, in cities all over the country. Something like that would be much more devastating than one large attack.

starling, Lancaster,

April has been the second worst month for the British Armed forces since the start of the Iraq war. Why hasn't anyone in the press said anything about it?

Brad, Austin, TX

Apparently no one was adept enough to READ that al Qaeda has been stopped from USING NUCLEAR BOMBS IN WESTERN CITIES.
For all the global warming and liberal nonsense the real fact is a dirty bomb with plutonium is going to pollute and murder to a disasterous scale. One can not just pack up London and move nor wash off their children from 10 year later cancerous tumors.
This public admission by the Times is astounding as this has been kept under wraps like all the nuclear information.
Europe will not figure it out nor will liberal Americans until bombs go off AND THEN they will somehow blame Bush when they let it happen and then DEMAND AMERICA DO SOMETHING.

Lame Cherry, Watertown, USA

One Jermaine Holder, Kingston/ Jamaica, writes below "this is a load of garbage...[a]phony war on terror is just like the proverbial three dollar bill."

Apparently he is unaware of the Islamist terror-war againstmostly Buddhist Thailand, killing several thousand people in the past few years; or the bloodier and longer terror- war against the mostly Catholic of The Philipines.

In fact, most wars in the world are because Muslims can't get along with Infidels, whether in Russia (Chechnya) or Nigeria or Somalia and elsewhere.

Wy does he imagine that the English speaking world is immune? Perhaps ill-informed?

T j Olson, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Terrorist Threat: The billions needed to set up and run Tony Blair's planned national ID card scheme would surely be better spent on funding extra police officers to fight terrorism. The Madrid train bombings showed that ID card schemes do NOT stop terrorist attacks!!

jonathan hurt, leeds,

Noble Resolve 07: Four days of “simulated” nuclear terrorist scenarios in the US & Europe
April 23-27
It is important to note the “Nobel Resolve” drills are dominated by NORTHCOM, the branch of “homeland defense” based in Colorado and responsible for shutting down the United States under martial law, as well as ushering in the merger of the US, Canada, and Mexico via the SPP.
Global Research says, spread the news to avoid what they call 'red teams' inside the drill be activated.

Just like 7/7 and 9/11 the drills will leave UK defenseless to deal with the real attack

Jack, ontario, CA

Those people who believe that "WE"
created this need to read the difinitive
history of Radical Islam and al-Queda,
"Looming Towers". We did not create
radical Islam. But we have made mistakes.

We need to find a way to get totally out of
the Middle East, including troops in Saudi
Arabia. But it is very important to do it in a way
that does not seem like a defeat for us.
To do that, will embolden al-Quaeda and all
radical Muslims. This will take some time.

In the meantime, we need to close our borders,
and remove all Muslims that portray radicalism.
Then secure our ports. Otherwise we will experience
a big hit. This is the first duty of any government.

But most important; we need to strengthen our
intelligence gathering acencies with quality assests
on the ground. We can never fight effectively until
we do this.

Finally, we must resign ourselves to hitting these
Radical Islamist effectively, and hurtfully, with
whenever they hit us. They are not going away!

Jeff McGuyer, Rockwall, Texas

Quite simply the easiest way to end Al-Queda's ambitions would be to counter an assault for each assault done in the name of Al-Queda. The collective target should be any nation where Clerics, Critics and condoners of such attacks are sourced from. That includes Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Palestine etc.
I believe that it would be quite reasonable to trade an eye-for-an-eye.

Again, I re-iterate - For each attack, the targets should be publicly announced to pressure these fanatics. If states are attacked that sponsor and support Terrorism, they should be accountable for the attacks. A few retaliatory strikes will certainly have a detrimental affect on the states that support these groups. With no state sponsored hiding grounds, the groups like Al-Queda, will have nowhere left to hide.

Mike, Stilwell, KS, USA

We will see how the liberals will handle this situation with terrorism very soon. I praise President Bush for his courage and determination to stand up to these cowards who target and kill innocent people. Democrats will be in charge of our country and they will find out that you cannot negotiate with terrorists. Its a joke that people suggest we should sit down and Talk with IRAN and Syria. LOL. Wake up, they hate our guts and will not quit until they kill all of us because thats what their religion tell them to do. So liberals, we will have to fight this war at some point and while we have our best trained soldiers over their we MUST keep fighting. And Yes, I already served my country in the First gulf war. God Bless the USA. Just remember, if it wasn't for the USA, Europe would be called Germany.

R. Smith, Atlanta, GA

I like this report, how it builds up the link between Iran and Al'Qaeda - "There is no evidence of a formal relationship between Al-Qaeda, a Sunni group, and the Shi’ite regime of President Mah-moud Ahmadinejad, but experts suggest that Iran’s leaders may be turning a blind eye to the terrorist organisation’s activities. "

Of course, it then completely forgets to mention how the extremists of the Shi'ites and Sunnis are doing their best to start a civil war in Iraq. To be honest - this sort of statement makes the liks between Saddam and Al'Qaeda look plausible, at least he wasn't in a group trying to start a civil war with Sunnis.

You will have to excuse my cynicism, and the fact that I take this report even less seriously than the evidence for going to war in Iraq.

Vincent, London, UK

First of all, the threat from Radical Islam is REAL. Hence the several 10s of thousands of dead Iraqis over the last 4 years. It is convenient to simply blame Bush for those deaths, but the vast majority of killed muslims were murdered by other muslims. In fact, world wide, the vast majority of terror's victims are muslim - killed while saying prayers in their mosques, shopping, or going to school. Under the Taliban in Afghanistan, a UN-built soccer stadium was converted to a gallows, where women were hung for not wearing their burqas, and men were hung for shaving their beard. The wackos of Al Queada would like for EVERYONE to live under that system of rules. And everywhere they have been able to overwhelm the "tolerant" population, they have instituted that form or law (whether officially, or simply through local intimidation).

There are plenty of "moderate" or "peaceful" muslims who would like to resist, but are often abandoned by westerners who say they are for "peace".

Mike Magner, Richmond, VA

The truth of this report aside (and who are we to second guess the complex secret world of the security services?) any cursory examination of the "noble" Qur'an, Hadith will show you that such an attack is entirely plausible; the motivation and determination to carry out such an attack is there. Violent, military jihad is the ONLY form of jihad, and any Muslim who tells you otherwise is a liar. In his time, the Prophet went on no less than 75 military campaigns, and do you think he just went door to door politely asking people to convert? When is the West going to realise that we are fighting ISLAM and nothing else? The moderate Muslims whom we so rely on are actually the BAD Muslims; Allah, and the Prophet have absolute contempt for Muslims who do not fight physically in their cause, and the only place for them is Hellfire. You see? To be a good Muslim you have to be a wicked human being!!!! For crying out loud when are we going to wake up! Read the Hadith!

Tim, Nottingham, England

I read these comments with total amazement. Many of you actually believe that there is no Al Quada, and Iran only wants peace. Ok, So, by saying there is no Al Quada, you are calling Bin Lauden a liar. (Not that Islam prohibits lying, in fact it encourages it)

So, All those Terrorist acts in OTHER countries are by United States, British, and Israeli intelligence services. . .

How is it, that (ALLEGED) Muslim groups such as Hamas make such brazen comments as Israel needs to be attacked, without those innocent, peace loving Muslims coming forward to disabuse the rest of the world?

And Iran is really wanting only peace? Ted Turner seems to believe that they should be allowed to have 10 nukes. I am guessing most of you believe the same.

What do you think is going to happen when an atomic device goes off in Israel? There will be a MASSIVE retaliation by the Israeli's . . . Those of you worried that the biggest problem the world faces is global warming take note here. . .

Raoul Kpecknie, Bugtussel, Oklahoma

The use of false-flag attacks to legitimate wars and direct political developments has a long history.

An attempt to invade Finland took place after the Russian artillery had fired the famous Mainila shots into their own territory.

BBC has produced fine documentaries about the Cold-War Operation Gladio, in which Western intelligence services participated in terrorist attacks on civilians, attacks that were then blamed on the Left. Hundreds of civilians were killed in the bombings.

It is a fact that terror drills and the real attacks often coincide. On the morning of 9/11, a number of plane hijacking scenarious were being played out in massive drills. And on 7/7 an antiterrorism exercise was being conducted in which three simultaneous bombs were to explode in the London underground at the same time as three simultaneous real bombs exploded at the same stations, as acknowledged by Peter Power. I don't think one needs to be a statistician to see that this cannot be a coincidence.

Nordic, Helsinki, Finland

It may be that people seem to forget history. These IslamoFacists have been at it for over a thousand years. For you conspiracy loons out there, that's a few years before Bush, Blair, the CIA, etc. The bottom line is - These people want to kill us. Always have, always will. What part about that don't some of you understand?

As far as it being 'Bush's War', well you're just totally wrong and have forgotten history once again. I won't go into long, boring quotes from the previous U.S. CIC or all of the U.S. Democrats who, pre and post 9/11, stated the danger of Iraq. The quotes are there for all to see.

As far as the U.S. and it's standing with 'the world'; The hell with you folks. We finally have a CIC that realizes the biggest threat to the Western world (and - sorry to burst your new religious bubble - it is NOT Gorebal Warming) and he is attempting to actually DO something about it. And who will the world call for help when they need it?

And, guess what - we'll be there.

Doktor, DeKalb County, IL, USA

Sebastion:
>>I find it interesting how the majority of commentators on timesonline seem to come from the US... Is is maybe because they do not have decent media over there?

Sebastion, you hit the nail on the head. In America, our major media is a branch of the liberal democrat party (but claim they are criticized for being to far to the right; and I'm Elvis at a convenience store), but we have the Internet to find out what's REALLY happening.

We CAN quit the War in Iraq...but Al Qaeda basically has nothing else to do but commit terrorist acts as Arab nations with oil tend to have high unemployement rates, while the brutal, hysterical dictators skim most oil income off the top, leaving table scraps for their citizens.

Iranians are marching in the streets for a completely different reason than they did in the late 70s! Once anti-American, they are now anti-corrupt dictators.

Jeff, Locust, USA/NC

Should the west make it plain to all of Islam that if a nuclear or biological attack takes place in the London, or New York, for that matter, Mecca would be gone. Not that we should do that pre-emptively, but if we made it obvious that should we suffer a devastating attack, Mecca would disappear for eternity.

Marilyn Able, Las Vegas, USA

Yes Marilyn, but one should also understand that such a course of action would lead to the complete annihilation of the State of Israel as well as American interests in the muslim world. Unfortunately the 'sword of Damocles' is double-edged.

Adrian Rowse, London,

The key is Pakistan, because that is where the nukes are. If I were running Al Queda, I would be cultivating Islamists in the Pakistani military and nuclear program. Pakistan will deny involvement and send blankets and perhaps a field hospital for the wounded. At the same time, liberals in Europe and
America will demand that nothing be done in response "to give diplomacy time to work." Anything to avoid a self-fulfilling prophesy: that we are at war with Islam, as we have been in the past, whether we recognize it or not. Islam is rising and will overwhelm us unless stopped as it has been in the past. By shock and blood and fighting. We have the military means to stop it. The question is whether we have the will. Based on recent facts, we are no longer "the kind of people" who do what is necessary to resist. One hundred years of idealogical wafare against the West -- too much of it by our own fifth column -- has left us confused and, ultimately defenceless

Joseph McNulty, Greensboro, NC, USA

Michael, the only way the Middle East will accept an agreement is when we all agree to be radical islamic converts. No, thank you - I like having freedom of speech, I like fair treatment of women, I like working hard to make my life better. The type of Islam they preach doesn't offer any of that, so their Sharia law can stuff itself. We live in a much more culturally advanced world and if extremist muslims want to drag us back into their Middle Ages, it's time you say 'No' and actually stand for what you believe in.

What we do need to do is make sure our democracy has a government for the people, not people for the government. Decent politicians simply wouldn't let themselves be bribed by multinational companies to sponsor their race to the crown.

Alex P., Norfolk,

John USA. Yes we have heard of Lend Lease. That was where the USA got a lot more out of us than we gave. Last year we finally paid off the last of the loans we got from the USA during WW2. Something most other countries didin't do by the way but we honour our debts.

Dave Proctor, Leeds, UK

>I'm so glad to know that I will be going home to be
>with my Lord along with all of my siblings in Christ
>pretty soon. It is so kind of our God to tell us what
>is going to be hqppening so that we can be looking
>forward to this instead of fearing it.


Funny, this is exactly the thinking behind Radical
Islam. As an Atheist, I have to say that religious
fanatics (no matter if they be Christian, Islamist,
or if they pray to the Cookie Monster) really scare
me. The world would be a better place if we could
just get past the Dark Ages of superstition once
and for all.

qo, San Jost, USA

.... As the brother of a Army colonel at Cent Com in Quatar, there is NO doubt that the Iraq war has been mismanaged fom the start.. he has witnessed it..Too many male egos ignoring good advice...As for the threat from terrorists..there will Always be distorted minds who believe violence is justified..It is human nature...If they obtain nuclear weapons, they Will use them. I have seen enough incompetence in governments and enough self serving behavior in ALL people to assume that it is just a matter of time... Most Americans, like people everywhere, simply want to live in peace. They are too busy earning a living to obsess over politics, and Nobody trusts those in power anyway. My prayers go to reasonable people all over this planet, and I hope the challenges facing the next 30 years-whether political or environmental- do not spell the end.. This discussion sounds like people throwing jabs with their opinions..No wonder no countries do the same.

W. Jake, Pennsylvania, USA

Many tens if not hundreds of thousands of people have realised that False-Flag terrorism is the order of the day. The objective of which is the manufacture of consent for actions and decisions by our governments that would otherwise have appalled the population. That being the case then if 'al-Qaeda' are currently 'planning [a] big British attack’ how can they possibly get away with it with our intelligence agencies hot on the case? Maybe they (the terrorists) will hijack or piggyback a legitimate counter-terrorism exercise as seems to have occurred on British soil in London on July7th 2005. Should we all be on alert everytime our own intelligence agencies take part in simulated/mock(/and arguably real) terrorist activities? If this occurs again will more people realise 'okay, so factions of our own intelligence agencies are the more likely culprits than our demonised muslim population'?

Anthony, West Yorkshire Truth Campaign, UK

An intelligence report may or may not have substance to it. Intelligence agencies are responsible to gather all the information they can from every source. Whether this particular report has substance, there is a jihad going on; there is no doubt that attack will come somewhere in Britain at some time.

Someone said that the UK should abandon its alliance with the US and make its own agreements with the Middle Eastern countries. If it weren't for Churchill, the word "Heil" would most likely be common in the UK today. Bow to the Islamists if you want.

The Iranians are setting themselves up as the power brokers in the Middle East. They have much to gain from terrorism. They are not afraid of British reaction. They committed an act of war against the UK with no negative conseqences for them .

Americans not have decent media? This from a country with the BBC? Hee Hee. What a hoot!

George Bush a threat to liberties? He leaves office in less than 2 years.

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, S,C, / USA

Some have claimed the Western rich/leaders are trying to work up the masses against Islam preparation for some great war. My question is, who's working up the Eastern masses? They are far ahead in the hate rhetoric. You who give sympathy to the Muslim countries should know the real secret.....if they'd just stop attacking Israel, the U.S., U.K. and other non-Islamic countries, we'd all leave them alone. Israel has already proved they'd give majority of the land back (just ask Egypt) It really is incumbent upon them to prove they are peaceful.....ever read Martin Luther King.....non-violence eventually works.

Read The Case for Democracy the Natan Sharansky and you'll get a true summary of how governments like Iran operate.

Culture_Skiptic, Charlotte, U.S.A.

Well said Arizona Mike,I agree completely, our problem in the UK is we dont have a leadership that has the backbone to say 'NO MORE!'

Our voting polls are coming up soon and all i see are jelly boned , out of touch politicians who don't really believe that UKpeople are fed up with being taken for a ride by people who want to blow us to pieces , I see it very simply, anyone with any connection to a terrorist group should be shown the door and if they bleat about their human rights and the need to have their family around them, then they should go and live in a country where they and their family are welcome, and not stay in the UK and be given housing and money and healthcare.

Teresa Nolan, Manchester, England

The best way to deal with rogue states is to keep offering the hand of diplomacy, and keep interference to a minimum! If Iran wants to develop nuclear power and weapons we don't really have the right to stop them! We have them and the Americans have them, but we wouldn't ever use them would we? (Or would we!) It would appear from the captured sailors incident that Mr Ahmadindejad doesn't have the wholesale support of his country.

When I was younger, it was communism, now it's AQ and radical Islam - there are plenty of religious extremists in America who want to see war in the Middle East to bring about the end of the world a la Revelation! Strangely, the words are always the same and there is always the inflated risk of being attacked.

MAD has always been an excellent deterrent to all out war and will remain so right up until someone uses them. Would you want nuclear weapons in the hands of religious extremists who want to bring about the end of the world? But enough of Mr Bush!

Simon Evans, Derbyshire, England

I read through all the comments and clearly there is a great divide among the peoples in the UK and America. I think the only way to clear this up, one way or the other, is for both countries to declassify a lot, if not all, of the reports showing the public the proof of ties between AQ and Iran, AQ and Iraq, etc etc etc.. Let the people see the proof, allow the media to investigate these reports, give people all the information. Then, and only then, will both sides (those thinking this is all made-up and those that believe every word the governments publish) see for themselves what is true and what is not. If we need to go on the attack with Iran than so be it, but only after the truth is published for ALL to see.

If we do not all get on the same side here then one day, and sooner rather than later, citizens will be fighting in the streets. Personally, if we need to nuke some countries to kill off this global war, then so be it. But show us proof, we can handle it.

John, Bow, NH

To Sebastian, Perth, AUS: No, Americans don't comment here because of the substandard nature of our own sources. I read the Times Online because it is part of four varied sources I read each day. Those include CNN (liberal), The Jerusalem Post (completely slanted), English version of Le Monde AND this paper. The New York Times is Reuters for the most part.

Perhaps some of us Americans like to be informed from more than just the 6:00 p.m. news on the tele.

The bulk of America is not as narrow or shortsighted as you might think, Sebastian. Don't stereotype too much, lest you paint your own mind into a corner.

James P, Sacramento, California

It's only a matter of time before a suitcase nuke destroys London and NY. Why are we building a missile shield? Who knows, many high ranking generals and others know that modern warfare will not be fought with traditional tanks and ammo.

Mordecai, Chicago, , IL USA

Nick it surely is. We don't have news in the US - we have Infotainment. I think Katie Couric being made a major News Anchor highlighted that wonderfully. Not there because she was a diligent and determined journalist, not there due to her award-winning news reporting. There because she's "Perky."

Christopher, Boston, Massachuetts

Speaking as someone who's experienced what it's like to walk past a terrorist bomb minutes before it was detonated, I feel saddened to say that some of the comments here frighten me more than any terrorist ever will.

To suggest that the threat posed by Al Qaeda means that all muslims are dangerous, as many here seem to believe and/or infer, is as silly as it gets. Timothy McVeigh and his friends were Christian, as are the IRA: does that then make all Christians murdering terrorists, too? Of course not.

You can't claim to be championing freedom by trampling on the rights and beliefs of others. I find it especially shocking that the US, a country built on the principle of freedom (especially freedom of religion), has become a breeding ground of mistrust, fear, hatred and ignorance of people whose only crime is to believe in a different faith.

If you want a land of the free then you have to believe in the rights and freedoms of those you disagree with, not just your own ones.

Harry, London, UK

Heather, Norwalk - why would someone "strap bombs to their own children to die"? Why assume that they do not care as deeply for their folks as you do for yours? And what - considering Afghanistan and Iraq - would you consider to be a "large scale attack"? The mind boggles.

d'argent, Clapham, UK

You know, somewhere, OBL is settleing down for the night but he can't sleep. He keeps bursting into laughing fits as his mind reviews all the things written here and elswhere by the general public. He has read the posts blaming Bush and Blair, the posts claiming it is our fault, the conspiracy theories, the counter theories and he has read every post where we in the "western world" hysterically point the finger at each other. He see's the weak blaming their government leaders. He see's the irrational calling for the total destruction of the middle east. He see's the paranoid believing a former KGB member. He has read where Briton's blame American's, American's blame the French and the French blame everyone-- but themselves.
And he say's to himself; "You fools, you blame everyone--- BUT ME AND MY BROTHERS!" He try's to stifle another laughing fit but fails.

Bob, Dayton, Ohio/USA

It amazes me that despite their own sordid history Europeans maintain an inflated view of their own moral superiority. I will suffer no morality lectures from a culture that brought us communism, fascism, socialism and Naziism. The collective result of which was nearly a century of incessant warfare that killed hundreds of millions of innocent people. Despite this, Europeans presume to lecture Americans on the morality of their actions? Spare me the lectures and the collective wisdom of a culture that is engaged in its own suicide pact. I opt out of that course of action. I would prefer, if necessary, to go down fighting.

Bob, Washington, DC

Britain and other European countries are easier to attack than the USA at the moment. A truly deadly, mass-massacre attack with unprecedented destruction and carnage in London or another British city might finally wake the cavalier British up and show other Europeans that this is a matter of survival. Islam is not compatible with Western Civilization and it wouldn't surprise if mass expulsions reminiscent of the Spain ejecting the Moors and Jews, etc. follow.
Britain has allowed itself to become a hotbed of Islamic radicalism, a fifth column, that doesn't want to live with it, but change it to an Islamic state. You...and we... are going to have to seriously consider expelling all Muslims at some point, particularly after attacks the size spoken of.
Iran itself is will invite retaliation if it can be tied to it as well.

M.Paul, Springfield, USA

Please.....a little compassion. Paranoia is a terrible affliction. We should all feel a bit sad for the conspiracy theorists among us. It's just not nice at all to keep poking at their soft little malformed brains with the sharp stick of logic.
If a belief in things like UFOs, ghosts, numerology, or the vast black ops of the military industrial complex keeps them busy, the rest of us should be happy.
It's the ones that aren't satisfied with simple internet venting we have to worry about.

M. L., Santa Barbara, USA

The mainstream media in the US are a pretty sorry lot, no question there, but Don is right as well... many people here follow the Brit press for a different perspective.
They are flawed as well but in some ways hold themselves to a higher standard of accuracy and fairness than their American counterparts.
As for this story, I hope Al Qaeda is caught red-handed before any harm can occur in Great Britain. But I fear the same responses will be forthcoming even so; some will see it as vindication of eternal vigilance, others will shrug and say, so what?

gb, Austin, US

All lies and fear; right, Bill? 9/11 never happened--Bush did that, right? London's tubes weren't really blown up, were they? Blair did that too, right? There's no AQ threat; it's all a vast right-wing conspiracy; right, Bill? Right.

F. Smith, Sonoma County, CA USA

What will it take for americans to wake up and see that the threat is real and it will come again to our country. When you have been targeted by these groups, They will not stop until they have accomplished their mission. Since we have taken the fight to the middle east, we have not hade a attack on our country, but I believe if the liberals have it their way, we will be attacked sooner than later. The British people are on the list and unless they open their eyes, we will be reading about another attack on our neighbors across the ocean.

Eddie, atoka, USA, Tn.

'Further I think that the muslim infiltration of western societies must be stopped. '??? Nice Effert!
What about the Project for a New American Century (PNAC) which advocates small global but localised wars ('theaters' as they describe (and mis-spell) it) and skirmishes in order to secure the resources that are required for use by the USA in order to maintain their status as the 'world's only superpower' - their description not mine. If that's not infiltration designed to overtake the running of any particular country on the basis that it has what America needs regardless of whether the country has negotiated to sell to another country or required it for its own use then I don't know what is. America is running scared, no-one wants to do business with them when it comes to natural resources as the markets that are emerging lie in the East. The dollar is dying, partly due to this and largely due to overspending in all aspects of American beauracracy and society. Britain is the same.

Mark Ardern, Cork, Ireland

To answer your question on why we(Americans) read and post on this site; if it is happening in the UK then it is on its' way here.
On a side note as an American I found myself deeply concerned on how your government handled the kidnapping crisis with Iran. Your soldiers seemed willing to capitulate to the enemy's demands rather quickly, and why were the Iranians not engaged while they were still in the water? I am not trying to point the finger at the UK on the contrary, I see some of the same reactions in the US, but rather I am trying to point out a general lack of will to confront an idea that seeks to bring war to the west. Why are we so afraid to fight? Just 2 day ago a twelve year old boy sawed of the head of a suspected Taliban traitor!!! Twelve!!! Our enemy seeks our destruction or subjugation, nothing less. I hope that when the day comes and our enemy is able to brings the war to our homelands we will have the strength to fight back.

William, Prescott, U.S.A.

The timing is very interesting. Note that 9/11 was initially planned by Bin Laden to occur much earlier in 2001 - but got pushed by troubles with the operatives in the US.

So the 1st bombing (of course it would have killed over 200,000 had it been successful as planned) of the WTC happenned a month after Clinton was sworn in. The second attack on the WTC, occured during Bush's 1st year (was supposed to be earlier).

Now this. A change of adminisration here in the US, and I suspect in the UK as well, is a very vulnerable time. Few are focused on the ball, during these tranisistions.

gh, LA CA, USA

Dear USA: When Europe falls apart, please don't forget your staunchest allies from the 'New Europe'. We are not all bad and many of us do our utmost to support the coalition and the war against terror. So considered sending military aid to Poland and Denmark, at least.

Your friend in liberty and freedom.

AB, copenhagen, denmark

Human BEINGS need to become more aware of what is happening in the NOW. The current media outlets along with thousands of years of mind conditioning has left 99% of humans on ths planet in a state that is ruled completely by the MIND. The media (contolled by governments) feed the fear in our minds to keep us consumed by our 'self' and by doing so limit our ability to see the truth about our existance. The truth is that be all have incredible powers that exist in the NOW. When we start to live in the moment in whcih we exist, an incredible creative intelligence gives us the power to respond in a way which can only bring peace and joy to this planet. Stop watching the news, it will only bring you misery. Are there any terrorists attacking you right NOW as you sit there and read this? Or is anything else bad happening? Come into the now, feel the peace of the moment, banish fear, worry, depression, stress and anger - these are MIND MADE - they are not you. You have a great power - use it.

Maria, Preston,

It is jaw-dropping to read all the British posts about how the US and the West in general has created the terrorist threat either by their decades long meddling in the Middle-East and/or their direct involvement in terrorist acts themselves ranging from 9/11to the recent abduction of OUR servicemen/woman. It is no wonder why the Britain has been relegated to the backwaters on the world stage with so many mindless, not to mention gutless, defeatists. It should also go without saying that the beheading videos were created by these right-wing tyrannical war-mongers as well. In that case, would it not be high time for us to reach-out and embrace these "peace-loving" Al-Queda types in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we can finally bring about global peace and harmony. Don't forget to share and celebrate in their rich culture and traditions. I wonder how many of you anti-US/UK /Western "we are always wrong" multi-cultural surrender specialists will rush to volunteer for such a noble cause. Bye!

Harry Lee, London, UK

The clock is ticking....the differences between islam and the western idealogies cannot be reconciled, i believe it is due to the contrasts in culture and the heavy indoctranation of young muslims. People should be able to choose their own beliefs. The british have fought many battles and many brave men have fallen to promote FREEDOM, i am left unsure as to what these extremists hope to gain except an early death?

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject

Alex, Lancaster,

Yes they will attack, after all we have done nothing to show we would react with anything they have to fear. The Iran kidnapping, constant arguments over how everything we say and do is an insult to Islam, Moslem members of Parliament who attend hate sessions in their mosques, change our school systems bvut ony one way - we give - they take - we submit - i'm sick of it.
The more e respect them and they're rights, the weaker we are seen to be and the harder they push - govt sponsored islamic only schols - ridiculous. I pity poor Brit soldiers who daernt fire their weapons in case they get sued back in the UK by an Iraqi family looking for money. Get real England, or it will be Londonistan

Bailey, Redcar, UK

A nuclear attack by terrorists on a western city would perhaps not be totally catastrophic, but it would forever change the psyche and political persuasion of that country - and perhaps all other countries at the possible receiving end. It goes without saying that - if the government was unable to effectively respond - western terror groups would rapidly form to plot revenge against the aggressor, or whoever they believed the aggressor to be. At least these scares prepare us psychologically for such an event. If 9/11 had been a nuclear attack, the spirit of the USA would have been devestated in a quite different way. The nature of the murder and mayhem in Iraq does provide pointers to the ambitions of Islamist terror; those who put all the blame at the feet of Blair and Bush would be wise to investigate those ambitions, otherwise they could be caught looking the other way.

Donald Smith, London, England

Is the current situation in the UK not somewhat foretold in the River of Blood Speech? I truly wish no further attacks would take place, but as long as there are Muslim people living in daily horror, us non-Muslim will need to pay for US oil greed

A Saavedra, Seattle, WA

"Better them than us."

And that comment just brought you down to the level of the terrorists. Well done!

Now look at your wife, girlfriend, children, family, whoever. How would you feel if somebody said something like that about them? Please engage brain.

starling, Lancaster,

"The UK is a fine place for it to happen. Better them than us."

What have I ever done to you? Good grief.

Don't you get it? They would LOVE a war! That's why they do what they do! They want Armageddon! So they go to heaven, and you (allegedly) go to hell! That's why all these things happen with suicide bombs! They don't CARE if they die! Attacking them isn't going to stop them, geddit? Not starting a war is not cowardice, it's using your brain, not blindly following your testosterone-driven urges.

Andrew Munn: indeed, three letters: I.R.A.!

starling, Lancaster,

The oponents of the regime and its partner can choose what and when to make a 'hit" thus the appearence of driving insurgents out and security is just that an appearence. The reality that another 200,000 to 300,000 troops may stops this ALONG with the exercise of the political will of the gov't . to hammer a true reconcilation agenda is lost! Meanwhile the American Gov't is held hostage to exiting Iraq with the Lebanon experience for Israel being waved in its face by Al Qaeda.

German Alvarado, Roseville, USA

Ali,

first learn better english if your going to post on this site. Because if we read your post correctly it seems as if your trying to blame Israel again for all your woes and your governments issues. Start to question your government, we do it here everyday.

Marc, Hollywood, USA

Ditto, Debra B; election year political posturing by the democrats is sending horrifically bad messages to our enemies. Blood is on the hands of the congressional leadership on this.

Bob, Moline, US, IL

It makes me crazy how well the 'left' of the world dismantles the threat that radical islam presents to us.

The parallels to the run up to WWII are astounding. What exactly do Europeans put in their water? Or is it mostly beer? How can everyone not see that something should be done about these problems before they become nuclear / biological / other in nature?

Why all the self blame? The west has done wonders for the world - despite the ranting of a few dictators that would like to see the west fail so they can survive. Get a clue, lefties.

Jon, Albuquerque, USA

More than a little worrying when you consider that within the last 7 days a small quantity of radioactive material has been stolen from North Carolina, USA and 10 x 300g jars of yellowcake uranium stolen from the Olympic Dam Mine in Australia.

Kev, Surrey, UK

Gotta love that religion of peace.

Recently I've heard a lot of chatter by the British media over we dangerous Americans who own guns. If Islam, the religion of peace, succeeds in starting a holy war in the UK, you'll all wish you had guns - because believe me - they will have them.

i-live-2-ride, Erie, PA, USA

How convenient - the A Q bogeyman! Just in time when Iraq and Afganistan are such major failures for the US and UK. I guess we should believe what MI5 say to us - they operate totally independently from the government and have no interest in propaganda whatsoever.

Sir John JK Peters, Somerset,

How could this be?

Don't we all know it is impossible for Sunni Al-Qaeda to be allied with Shi’ite Iran? Do we not remember the ridiculous suggestions that Islamist Al-Qaeda worked with secular Iraq? Before long, someone will say that Communist Russia cooperated with Nazi Germany.

Pavel, Boulder, CO

to all you yanks out there we don't hate you but then again
we don't love you either ,we like you love our country and
wish to protect its customs and culture you have exported to us hundred's off American brands which many Brits don't like spoiling our towns and cities you call it progress we
call it greed so it is simple to see why other cultures hate
you you take but give nothing in return,perhaps your people
need to rethink your strategy as we enter the 21st century.

george william taylor, hull, uk

AS a right-wing-reactionary-nutcase, I say great!!! The only thing that is going to convince the cowards on the left that we really are facing a threat from these islamic swine is for many more thousands of our people to die. The UK is a fine place for it to happen. Better them than us.

DVS, Chicago,

On terrorism.

Let's remember that most people slaughtered in Britain by terrorists were done so by US backed "Christian" terrorists (gangsters).

Andrew Munn, Bangkok, Thailand

"Western countries should make it clear to Iran, that any terrorist attack made possible by such politics will be considered as an act of war and will result in massive retalliation. "

But don't you see? They don't care! They are convinced they will go to heaven, they don't care how many of their own people get killed, since -they- will go to heaven too!

You can threaten to flatten every single Islam country, but the extremist terrorists will only see it as encouragement and proof of the terribleness of the Western countries.

starling, Lancaster,

Dipesh
I have here another story from your mail.
Health alert as vast tide of sewage spills into the sea
David Lister, Scotland Correspondent

Why not take a leave and rest then come back from Ganges anf Ymuna. You look tired
Al-Qaeda ‘planning big British attack’Dipesh Gadher

Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD, DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

just to see compare the killing during Sadam and Know

Patel, Dammam, KSA

world peace thru unconditional surrender, i say

Winston Churchhill, London, England / UK

Last free man out of Europe, turn out the lights!

Brendan, Huntington Beach, USA

If the U.S. and the U.K. are not fiercely serious about watching where every once of nuclear material goes in every country that has the capacity to create weapons grade material, then it is only a matter of time until New York, Washington or London dissappear and become permanently uninhabitable. We know the will is there for Al Qaeda and others to do it. It is solely a matter of getting their hands on the material.

Knave Dave, Honolulu, HI

Yes, Mr. Debham. If you just stop fighting and come to an "agreement" with them, you will be safe. Appeasement, part duex?

That didn't work with Hitler. He flattenned your cities right after signing your "agreements." This time the enemy is far more ruthless and for some ridiculous reason, they do not fear death. In fact they honor it and would be happy to take as many "infidels" with them as they could. Strike now, while you still have a technological and milataristic advantage and you will prevent future mass casualties.

Andrew, New York, U.S.A.

Well this is one Brit who takes this seriously, and there are many, many more like me in this country.

The anti-war mob have had their day, their voices, opinions and pleas for appeasement no longer count.

Put bluntly, the defence of our country will never be allowed to fall into the hands of liberal and socialist apologists; our forefathers stood firm against the Nazis and today we will do the same to the scourge of radical, militant Islam.

Andrew Murray, London, UK

After our saving European butts twice, and listening to the never-ending and increasing ingratitude in return, this Yank would just as soon let the idiot Euros deal with their own problems. The more I see of the "New Europe", the more I understand why our ancestors left the old one. I praise and thank God every day that I'm an American!

Mad Dog, Riverside, CA

Another "leaked memo" and just before an election in the UK........that's my boy, keep the electorate in a state of fear with leaked nots, threats and over elaborate security at airports and every event only equalled as an excuse by that old chestnut "Health and Safety". I agree that this Government is worse than anythng that could have been envisaged in 1984 in its controlling and exploiting the mental state of its people of its own advantage. You know that nswer....get rid of them and vote anyone but Labour!

George Thompson, Biarritz, France

A leaked intelegence report! Right!
Mr Gadher. Your credibility has just gone right out of the window.
A leaked intelegence report is an oxymoron. Think about it!
Whats your motive? Who told you to write this? Who are you trying to scare? and Why?

Douglas , Crawley, W Sussex UK

Any 'Britons' who conspire with the country's enemies are guilty of treason. At the very least they should be stripped of their citizenship and sent into exile. Perhaps Iran would like them.

Adrian Gilbert, Tonbridge, England

As for Sebastian in Perth who said, "I find it interesting how the majority of commentators on timesonline seem to come from the US... Is is maybe because they do not have decent media over there?"
To answer your question: we take an interest, in spite of having plentiful media coverage here *ignoring the sarcasm*. Personally, I would not scoff at the subject of this article because it is something that hits close to home and brings about many sensitivities. You can blame the US if it is easier, but I don't think those mental-defective jihadists would just go away if we didn't exist. They obviously want the whole Western world to live in fear of them.

J. Cotton, Cincinnati, US

Dan from Orlando,
Don't worry about the Euros, soon the Mexicans will take back the land your Euro ancestors stole from them. Europeans can't complain about immigrants when they colonised and ruled the lands of said immigrants for centuries.
By the way, Most Mexicans have enough Amerindian ancestory to rightfully call themselves Native Americans.

Geronimo, Milwaukee, USA

I think it should be made clear to the government of Iran that any terrorist attack on a western country will be viewed as state sponsored by them and we will respond in like, 10 fold.

Harry Callahan, Las Vegas, Nevada

All Muslims expelled?

U. Effert, Dresden, Germany where have we heard this before?

denchanter, london,

The best way to deal with the Middle East is to make ourselves as energy independent as possible and stop buying their oil and gas.

Then we just needn't bother to talk to them again..

Dick, Aberdeenshire,

I am Right Wing and am ashamed to say that I find myself afraid of a possible attack. We should not be afraid of these terrorists who are nothing more than those with a 'desperado' attitude to the fact that they are not born in, or citizens of the glorious, worthy nations of the West.

A.F, London, London

I find it quite scary to read these posts, mostly by americans, which are all about "fighting evil" . I must say that I am as scared of the islamists as of the USA, a paranoid nation which is convinced of its superiority over the world. Before accusing the French of being "surrender monkeys" and the Middle East of being a barbaric region, learn a little bit of history!
Moreover, since the US invaded Iraq (sending to war 18 years old boys without any proper tactical and psychological training) they have actually made the world a more dangerous place.

Sarah, London,

I think the West needs to go through this pain. It is sad, but a cost of the apathy that comes with comfortable democracies. My sense is that the more comfortable life becomes in the West, the more socialist it becomes. Given the pro-human rights legal systems that ensue, radicals can thrive and hide behind the laws when they get caught. When it is important for the sleeping giant West to wake up, it will. Hope it doesn't cost too many innocent lives in the meantime.

Craig, Sydney, Australia

We must embark on a long period of training in Arabic, but with no indoctrination. The geographical spread of Arabic by conquest (Fatah) however does mean that the religion and its language are entwined.

We must try to cultivate a communality with moderate secular Muslims in what they see as the undying truth of religious belief in compassion, tolerance and the undying truth of Love - which all religious faiths, throughtout all cultures, have aimed towards. We must embrace that, but be prepared to remilitarise as the jihadis continue to press the West.

We cannot alienate moderate Islam which does want to change. We need to acknowledge our own arrogance in the colonial era and Islam has to acknowledge their's in their sense of the primacy of Islam above all other religions. The codes of Religious orthodoxy only divide. Liberal atheism, a la Dawkins, will not work as a motivator - however reasonable. It is goodness, perceived by all faiths and none, that will prevail.

John Farthing, Coventry,

How odd that everybody has a go at left wingers. I have found from experience it's usually the right-wingers who do the ostrich impressions. And having a go at "liberals" is a typically US thing to do, so maybe the UK is turning into an extension of the US after all. I find it really weird that people feel compelled to have a go at people who care about others, not just about themselves.

As for me, people have stuck the left wing label on me (although the party I vote for is centre-right), but yes, I'm scared, and I agree with Candido's assessment of the situation.

I just don't feel the need to have a go at any country in particular. Let's face it, we all agree with the fact that we don't want it to happen.

starling, Lancaster,

How can any country turn a blind eye on Al Qaeda?

Western countries should make it clear to Iran, that any terrorist attack made possible by such politics will be considered as an act of war and will result in massive retalliation.

Western countries should generate so much diplomatic, economic and military pressure, that all islamic countries are anxious to weed out any terrorist activity whatsoever in their territory.

Further I think that the muslim infiltration of western societies must be stopped. As for Germany I would like to see all muslims expelled whose attitude indicates that they are not supporting the civil rights as assured by the german constitution.

U. Effert, Dresden, Germany

Every one of these articles elicits comments from Americans suggesting Britain should be grateful for Lend Lease. Really? How about next time you want to invade somewhere, we let you hire our troops? Who knows? Maybe if you're paying for them, you'll be a bit more careful not to shoot them.

As regards the threat from Al-Qaeda, the best defence against any fanciful ideology (including ridiculous Christians looking forward to the end of the world) is to ensure that we educate and discipline our children. If we were seen to be generous, caring, tolerant and just, it would be hard to raise a rabble against us.

That tolerance should not extend to allowing criminal preachers to incite violence from within our own shores. And the international community should make it quite clear that it won't tolerate threats from abroad either (not to mention acting in Darfur, Zimbabwe, etc, where dictators oppress their own peoples). Ignorance and poverty make people suggestible.

Jem, London, UK

De ja vu........there was no link between Iraq and Al Qaeda, despite what those self-interested and self-absorbed oil hungary Yanks might have wanted us to believe and it is beyond belief that Iran is in cahoots with Al Qaeda - they hate each other more than they hate anyone else. Ideologically they are poles apart. Alas, who cares about the truth when there is oil at stake?

Dr Anderson-Smith Jones, LONDON,

John - we have heard of Lend Lease. It is the war debt that Britain was repaying until 2006, so nothing was for nothing. And WWII started in 1939; if it took two years (and an attack) for the US to work out what was right and what was wrong, then we are in trouble...

d'argent, Clapham, UK

Wake up liberals in UK and U.S. - just because Bush has done a horrible job doesn't mean his enemy isn't real. By your illogical way of thinking, if we had lost to the Nazi's, the war would have been uncalled for. Don't criticize Bush, get people who will do a better job and save Western civilization. There is only one thing better about Bush than all his critics - he has a plan. Not a very good one, but none of his critics ever come up with anything except the French plan of surrendering before being attacked.

David, Plano, TX, USA

The interdiction task is humongous and daunting. Like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack.

The bad guys need only to succeed once.

We the defenders have to be covering every possible angle.

The odds are not in our favor, but hopefully the Lord is.
.

Candido, New Hyde Park, USA, New York

I think you will find that most "mainstream" news sources are heavily censored now. At least the russians openly ADMIT this, here in the west we suffer without openly aditting it. From an Australian perspective, we can from a distance see whats going on and the UK and US are fed so many "Rumours of War" and "leaked memos" to keep the punters scared its laughable. Hint - propaganda always says "unknown soucres" or "dissident groups" or a deliberately vague/general threat. If you track these news stories you will see them recycled to keep people scared.
In the same vein, we alwsys see "threats" when a PM is in trouble, then the people arrested are quietly released - tanks around Heathrow....what a laugh!!!!!!!!!
So predictable. Oh, and global warming is a HUGE scam by the way. Thats another huge lie. The lunatics are running the asylum now.

steve williams, Geraldton,

I'm a US Citizen and I do not think that our foriegn policies cause any reason for anyone around the world to chop peoples heads off on camera or to strap bombs to their own children to die! Get off your high horse's and open your eyes, even if you dont like the Good O'le USA, you still have to agree that all FREEDOM loving people and countries around the world really need to wake up and see the real threat to our way of life. We love our children and our freedoms and these Islamists are doing their damndest to change all of that. I'm so scared that it will take a large scale attack for us to finally do something on a large scale together to stop them. Please people No matter how much you hate America, you cannot still want our destruction and when I say our I mean, the US and all of Europe!

Heather , Norwalk, CT/USA

Dear American Friends,

I share your disgust with the left wing liberal idiots living in the UK. The attitude of these people really beggars belief. Their main source of rancor for so long has been their own political leaders and they really can't conceive of anyone nastier than Tony Blair and George Bush who they are happy to demonise. The idea that AQ would like to cause chaos and untold destruction seems much too far-fetched for them. It's much more plausible that their own horrible leaders have made it all up so that they can impose draconian laws upon us. After all, Blair and Bush are really evil and they don't care about protecting freedom at all, do they?

'The Left' - utterly hopeless wimps.

Mike Wood, Bradford, UK

In case it's been lost on those outside of America, the LEFT controls the majority of the media here. And Fox News is one of the very few that doesn't follow a strict left agenda.

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, US/IL

It is very unlikely that an attack of that magnitude, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, will happen. Al-Qaeda has yet to acquire nuclear weapons; which I attribute to the current US occupation of Iraq. Most likely the attack will be --
a big explosion. "They [Al-Qaeda] have got to do something soon that is radical otherwise they start losing credibility." Al-Qaeda feels the need to attack because the U.S. has progressively put pressure on them and kept them on the run. I think an attack at this point, although the war on terror is far from over, will most likely be foiled.
At least in the U.S. we don't have to worry about any of the bombs entering the Country through the Caribbean because the liberal democrats, on a homeland security trip, just secured the Caribbean with their wives in a five star hotel. They have no problem funding their "homeland security trip," through the Caribbean, but they can't fund their own soldiers in Iraq.

C.S. Smith, Baltimore, MD

It MIGHT be that Bush / Blair want a one world order. There is exculpatory evidence to SUGGEST such a thing. But if you have ever used to the term ‘Bush lied’, then the only way you can come to the conclusion that this is all propaganda, is by admitting YOU ARE A HIPOCRITE. Because after all, there STILL IS more exculpatory evidences that Iraq has WMD’s than Bush / Blair want a one world order.

HOWEVER, to really hammer the nail into the terrorist sympathizer’s coffin, the terrorists have PUBLISHED their intent in black and white. And it DOES talk about a one world order. You dismiss your own government for being fallible and making mistakes, then turn around and grant supernatural perfection to YOUR enemies despite the STATED GOAL OF KILLING YOU HORIFFICALLY.

That is the VERY DEFINITION of DUMB.

Jon, Austin, TX, USA

I think we have to ask, why have these 'top secret' documents been 'leaked'? The documents implicate Iran in harbouring and aiding al-Qaeda terrorists, and we all know what has happened to every country that has had similar accusations made against it in the past....

Harry Watson, Nottingham,

Mike, St. louis: "Right-wing reactionary drivel aside...
Seems like they've been successful with this approach to date."

So you do feel comfortable after NY 911, Madrid 311 and London 77 if this is a fraud? Then youn don't want to fight nuckear in the hands of militant islamists, which of course is the option if nuclear became a product of the islamistic ruled arabic states (Iran feed the insurgents of Al Qaida i Iraq with arms right now).

I say. It might be right, it might be partly or a lot fraud -- doesn't matter to what we have to do. Learn from 911, 311, 77 an hundreds of other not often mentioned terror attacks i the west. It's not wrong to look at the ambitions of the islamists too. Whos our enemy? Those who fight the islamists? If so: Sorry moonbat. I can't help you more than this...

/Magnus Andersson, Sweden.

Magnus Andersson, Goteborg, Sweden

Well what do you expect? We bend over backwards to to help "liberalise" a society that does not know the meaning of the word! Shortly after the 7/7 bombings, James Naughty was interviewing an islamic religlous leader and he asked him "ok, what are your demands? the IRA had demands, the Bader Mienhoff group had demands, the Red Army faction had demands" the religous leader thought about this and said " there are no demands, we want to islamicise the UK and we will do it by terrorism, we will win"

Think about it, we have already started! We cannot show our religous beliefs in the form of crosses as it offends Muslims, the government has sterted issueing bonds which will be compliant with Sharia law! Wake up Britain.

Chris Coughlan, Hanover, Germany

Wake up America!!!!!! Call on God to protect us!!!
God loves America, but we need to repent and ask forgiveness for walking away from Godliness. We need to walk away from Hollywood and the rest of the Godless people.

/clare, Denver, USA, Colorado

Sounds like Atomic detonation.
Maybe Blair should sidestep down & avoid PR for his resigning & get to those Churchill Bunkers & get 007 on the job Mates.
Time to Unify..
Combine forces.
Expand Intelligence.
Attack can be Dirty Nuke, Nuke or Biochem.
Expand UK Security.
Get MI6 involved.
Moneypenny call 007.

Tap Iran communications.
Trace communications.
Share info with US & pvt Security units.

stephen russell, La Canada, CA USA

I have worked in Iraq for 2 years, why on earth in England do we put up with it? i know many local nationals here in Baghdad of many sectarian divides would swap places with these So called British Citizens waging war, some of these people have never even been to Iraq ! a local recently said to me " why are the people who claim to be Muslim, in England blowing you up?, let me come to England and take there place" in other words these so called radical extremeists in UK have nothing to complian about you have benefits you have health care you have your own mosques you talk your own language, sorry i am not racist i am factual , i am a culturist, and i have not come across Christian Suicide bombers on mass as yet! Name will be supplied if you dare publish it.. Genuine Citizens of UK have had enough of slack immigration, fine come to my country if you have something to give if not go somewhere else it doesn't matter if your pink white blue black white, Its not about Race its murder!

Lee Harrison, London, uk- Baghdad

Imperialism has been deeply entrenched in the western psyche since time immemorial. It is high time western society takes united responsibility for a large number of the conflicts that afflict the today's world. I think if one were to look back in history, many such conflicts can be attributed to the machinations of the erstwhile British empire and later on to American imperialist designs. I think one of the reasons Islamic countries feel alienated is because of the attitude of the West towards these countries. Hatred will always breed more hatred. Maybe it is time we look back into our past and develop a deep understanding of our actions and their repercussions and take appropriate steps to reconcile the deep rift between the western and the islamic states. Unless we take such radical measures, all we will have left is an increasingly more polarized world. Our inherent intolerance for other cultures will only breed hatred and perpetuate death and destruction.

Siddhartha Ghosh, Canterbury, UK

Michael Debham - Our interests were attacked long before Afghanistan and Iraq. Remember the Bali bombings?
Before afghanistan/iraq Al-Queda had different stated aims (removal of USA from Saudi Arabia etc).
The point is that no matter where we stand, or who we stand with we are a target. Closely aligning ourselves with the USA we no doubt draw more fire - but we would be a target whatever.
Also involved in this point of view is the desire to blame ourselves. No doubt Afghanistan and Iraq have stirred things up, but Al-Queda would still be planning and plotting. It is the fault of an interprertation of a religion and a hatred of the West. Jealousy that we use the resources of middle-eastern countries (oil) etc - yet Iran/Iraq are still poor - riddled with corruption, hatred and strife.
I have no solution to the problem, but blaming ourselves and accusing our governments will do no good (even though trust Blair as far as I can throw him, I'd have him over an Al-Queda operative)

David Thomas, Reading, England

"If we were not in Iraq, Afghanistan, and behind the US we would not be a target.

It's time we pulled out of the alliance with Bush and came to an agreement with the Middle East. The radical Jihadis are not going away that easy. They have designs to spread their version of Islam across the broader Middle East first. They intend to regain Afghanistan, then control Iraq, then Jordan & Lebanon. Israel is next on the list. English, French & German Muslims will be instigated to demand more Sharia compliant laws until submission is achieved. How do we know this? The jihadis tell us. Often.

esteemed effendi, anytown ,

I don't think its a lie at all, with all due respect to Bill from Atlanta. The possibility of this has been growing exponentially over the past few years.

I don't think its Britain. I think the target is the U.S. The question is where and when? This event was in the cards, never a matter of "if."

I hope that large, pink elephant we spend scads of money on, called Homeland Security, is doing its job and living up to the expectations we've invested in it.

No matter where it strikes, though, there will be a horrible retaliation. And, you can believe me, a nuclear strike against Britain will invoke the same outrage and response from America as one against our own soil, too. Let us all hope this insane plan is interdicted before it can happen.

The world will change irreparably if it does.

James P, Sacramento, California

Bush gets blamed when he goes by aquired intellgence and he gets reamed when doesn't go by aquirted intelligence. The fact is, no matter what decision the man makes, you all blame him.

If everybody would just stand together and show these crazy extemist long enough to show them "HEY! We ain't takin' this anymore", maybe we'd get somewhere.

No, instead we stand on our internet soapbox preaching how everythign is wrong in the world. We blame our soldiers risking their lives. We make horrid accusations against our leaders. We cower down and cater to terrorists' demands. It's sickening.

Stand up for what you believe in, people. Quit blaming Bush.

Let's not be bullied around anymore, let's support our troops, and lets not make this war another Vietnam

Thomas, Sullivan, Missouri

Everyone wants to negotiate with these fanatic's. There was a reason that the allies in WWII adopted a policy of UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. Because their enemy used negotiation as a means of delay and greed. When in the end what they wanted was to take everything and kill all who were different.
The leaders and followers of this line of thinking had to be destroyed, utterly, before those of more mature thinking could come into power. It took decades and commitment to achieve this.
We can expect no less in the ongoing battle. More will die on both sides before resolution is accepted or achieved. History is speaking to us if only people would listen.

Leroy Dupuy, New Iberia, LA

Why don't we like all chill out man and relax and be cool and not worry about any of it.

Paul, London,

It is truly amazing how scared Americans are of "the terrorists." Sorry to tell you guys, a bunch of radical muslims aren't going to bring down all of Western civilization. Seriously, get a grip. The only threat the middle east has is on our energy supply. There is a really easy solution to that: Produce our own energy! Wind, hydro, and nuclear can eliminate our dependency on mid-eastern oil, and thus any interest we have in that region. Once we get our noses out of that barbaric region of the world, we can let them do whatever they want. But I hate to tell you guys, your SUV's are paying for the bombs killing our servicemen and women. Please stop giving these people more credit they deserve!!!! It took them years to plan 9/11, and in historical comparison, that was a minor attack. These are a people who torture and hold people without charges or a trial - oh wait... maybe they already did bring down the U.S.

Michael, Brooklyn, NY

I rather suspect these comments have been cherry-picked to avoid a deluge by us so-called "nuts" who realize that the New World Order politicians will cynically do anything to bring about world dictatorship. We don't dismiss this threat as unreal, we merely understand that, like 9-11, secret agencies can coordinate outrageous attacks and blame them on Moslems (an easy target given that certain fanatics do indeed engage in true terrorism, ussually small suicide bombs). A secret agency will locate unballanced Moslem individuals and set them up as believable patsies. Along with Cheney's "lost nukes" and other unsubtantiated stories, let's refuse to accept everything we are told. Critical inquiry seems lacking on the part of many reflexively "patriotic" commentors.

William B., Huntington Beach, California

Wow - I think some of us have WAAY too much time on our hands. (Including me, perhaps).

Many of the comments are just too far fetched to be believable:
1 - 9/11, 7/7 et a; were "Flase Flag" operations: I ask you, could the same administration that can't get away with f