CIA Chief Says Al-Qaida is Plotting Attack on U.S.

By Mary Louise Kelly,

Melissa Block

Published September 7, 2007 at 4:00 PM EDT

A new Osama bin Laden videotape surfaced Friday, and Michael Hayden gave a rare speech in New York, saying al-Qaida has regained strength and its leadership continues to plot a "high-impact" attack on the United States.

The CIA director also defended the government's program of detaining and interrogating prisoners, saying most of the information in a July intelligence report on the terrorist threat to the United States came from that program.

Tags

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.

See stories by Mary Louise Kelly

Melissa Block

As special correspondent and guest host of NPR's news programs, Melissa Block brings her signature combination of warmth and incisive reporting. Her work over the decades has earned her journalism's highest honors, and has made her one of NPR's most familiar and beloved voices.

See stories by Melissa Block

National & International News

Missing American Travis Timmerman found wandering barefoot outside Damascus

Hadeel Al-Shalchi

The 29-year-old had last been seen in Budapest, Hungary. He said he was detained earlier this year after crossing into Syria on foot from Lebanon and held in prison until the fall of the Assad regime.
Biden commutes the sentences for 1,500 people, the largest act of clemency in a day

Tamara Keith

The 1,500 people had been serving long prison sentences that would have been shorter under today's laws and practices. They had been on home confinement since the COVID pandemic.
FBI Director to resign. And, UHC CEO killing brings attention to U.S. life expectancy

Brittney Melton

Why FBI Director Christopher Wray will step down from the role at the end of Biden's term. And, the UHC CEO killing turns public attention to the U.S. life expectancy and health care.