Former Attorney General John Ashcroft on Terror Threats and Air Travel Security

As the United States grappled with a series of suspicious cargo shipments and potential terror threats in October 2010, former Attorney General John Ashcroft shared his expertise with Neil Cavuto on "Your World" FOX News Channel. Ashcroft's comments provided valuable insights into the complexities of global terror threats and the importance of international cooperation in maintaining air travel security.

Key Takeaways:

• Ashcroft considered the global coordinated talk on terror threats a legitimate response to a series of international incidents, including the Times Square bombing attempt and the underwear bomber incident.
• He emphasized the need for international cooperation, particularly with nations in the Middle East, to address the threat of terrorism.
• Ashcroft stated that the threat of terrorism was not limited to external actors, but also had internal generation potential, necessitating a vigilant and responsible approach.
• He advocated for elevating the demand for cooperation from these nations and imposing consequences for lack of cooperation in foreign relations.
• Ashcroft highlighted the protocol for investigating suspicious cargo shipments, which included inspecting the package, assessing the threat level, and taking necessary actions to prevent potential harm.
• He cautioned against broadcasting sensitive security information, as it could provide a blueprint for terrorists to avoid or evade detection.
• Ashcroft noted that the president's involvement in addressing terror threats was crucial, emphasizing the need for direction and vigilance in carrying out investigations and determining the nature and source of threats.

Statistics:

• The United Arab Emirates flight, where the suspicious cargo was detected, was the same flight the Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad, had attempted to board in February 2010.
• The incident occurred on October 29, 2010, at JFK International Airport, with a U.S. military escort and a device found on the plane.
• Ashcroft mentioned that Philadelphia and Newark airports had previously conducted security sweeps and rendered all-clears.

Sources:

• A FOX News Channel broadcast on "Your World" featuring an interview with former Attorney General John Ashcroft on October 29, 2010.
• Federal News Service, Inc. transcript of the FOX News Channel broadcast (no publication date available).