Is the CIA Warning of an Attack in Exclusive 60 Minutes Interview?

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In summary, during a 60 minutes interview, an expert discusses the potential threat of a dirty bomb being used as a terrorist weapon. He explains that dirty bombs are relatively harmless and unlikely to cause many fatalities, as the radiation can be effectively cleaned up. He also doubts that terrorist organizations like Al Qaida would use such a weapon due to its limited impact. However, the expert acknowledges that the psychological impact of a dirty bomb could still cause significant fear and disruption, highlighting the need for education and prevention measures. Additionally, he mentions that the reliability of nuclear devices may also be a factor to consider in their potential use as weapons.
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He speaks of a dirty bomb. As an expert he should have known that dirty bombs are almost harmless. At most the radiation can kill a handfull of people, although most likely no one will be killed. The radiation can also be cleaned up effectively.

I doubt Al Qaida would attack with a harmless weapon.
 
  • #3
PIT2 said:
He speaks of a dirty bomb. As an expert he should have known that dirty bombs are almost harmless. At most the radiation can kill a handfull of people, although most likely no one will be killed. The radiation can also be cleaned up effectively.

I doubt Al Qaida would attack with a harmless weapon.


A dirty bomb would make people freak out because they don't understand it, and in a financial district would cause a lot of money in downtime. It would create terror.
 
  • #4
Unfortunately, phatmonkey is right. The physical impact of attack on the WTC and the Pentagon wasn't nearly as severe as the psychological impact. 9/11 shouldn't have had nearly as severe an impact on the economy as it did.

Part of preparing and preventing terrorist attacks should be some education. Ideally, we wouldn't let the effect of a dirty bomb be amplified far beyond its physical capabilities.
 
  • #5
There is also the chance that any nuclear device may not work. For example and as I understand it, many of the concerns about X-Soviet devices are reduced when the required maintenance is taken into account. For many years we worried about the suitcase bombs but these are almost certainly beyond their useful life.
 

What is the significance of the "Ex-CIA warning of attack"?

The "Ex-CIA warning of attack" refers to a statement or report issued by a former member of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warning of a potential attack or threat to national security.

Who issues these warnings and why?

Former CIA members may issue warnings of attack based on their knowledge and expertise in intelligence gathering and analysis. These warnings are issued in order to inform and protect the public and government officials from potential threats.

How credible are these warnings?

The credibility of these warnings varies depending on the source and the evidence provided. Former CIA members may have insider knowledge and access to classified information, but it is always important to verify the information and consider the source before making any conclusions.

What should be done in response to an "Ex-CIA warning of attack"?

In response to an "Ex-CIA warning of attack", it is important for government officials to take the warning seriously and conduct their own investigations and risk assessments. The public should also remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.

How often do these warnings turn out to be true?

There is no definitive answer to this question as the credibility and accuracy of these warnings can vary. Some have turned out to be true, while others have been dismissed as false alarms. It is important to carefully evaluate each warning on a case-by-case basis.

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