Cheney: Obama 'Won't Admit We're at War'

'Bellicose rhetoric' about war failed before, fails now: Pfeiffer

(NEWSER) - Dick Cheney’s “bellicose rhetoric” and “clearly untrue” claims following the Christmas terror attempt aren't sitting well at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, and the new administration isn't shy about telling the ex-veep off. Echoing the sentiment—and the words, even—of a “senior Democrat” yesterday in Politico , Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer questions the former VP’s motives. “It is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the Administration than condemning the attackers.” More»

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

(NEWSER) - Rudy Giuliani has some advice about terrorism for President Obama: Follow George W. Bush's example, because “we had no domestic attacks under Bush.” Dubbing American's Mayor "Mr. 9/11," Talking Points Memo points out that Sept. 11, 2001 was well into Bush’s tenure. As was shoe bomber Richard Reid's attempt to blow up a flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001. More»

Recent terror activity, GOP outrage may complicate closure

(NEWSER) - Strong talk from GOP leaders and former Bush officials, and the emergence of al-Qaeda links in Yemen have lawyers for Yemeni detainees at Gitmo pessimistic about releases that seemed certain just recently. “I feel like my two clients who left in mid-December have gotten the last train out,” says an attorney who represents many Yemeni nationals, the largest group still at the Cuban base. The development could complicate the Obama administration's attempts to close the facility. More»

US flights will be scanned with new, modest version within 3 weeks

(AP) - The Netherlands will immediately begin using full body scanners for flights heading to the US, according to an announcement that comes with a report today on the failed Christmas airline bombing. The US opposed their use previously because of privacy concerns, but the Dutch interior minister says that the Obama administration now agrees that "all possible measures will be used." "It is not exaggerating to say the world has escaped a disaster." More»

(NEWSER) - Al Qaeda is weak militarily and “has been rejected by a great majority of Muslims,” Steve Coll writes in the New Yorker, but the terrorist organization and its affiliates can still create a “shock” like today's bombings in Jakarta. Despite the group's apparent inability to pull off a major attack like Sept. 11, “bombings like the one in Jakarta will recur for an indefinite time.” The only solution is for the US to assume “a posture of strategic patience about terrorism that is durable, vigilant, and proportional.” More»