stopped an ambitious al qaeda plot to blow up a passenger jet bound for the united states. a u.s. counter terrorism official tells cnn the explosive device is similar to the one used by the would-be underwear bomber. just like that bomb, there one did not contain metal, which raises real questions about whether it could have gotten passed airport security. as of yet, the person who had developed that bomb had not yet bought a ticket. here s defense secretary, leon panetta. what this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to remain vigilant against those that would seek to attack this country and we will do everything necessary to keep america safe. fran townsend is cnn s national security contributor, a member of both the dhs and cia external advisory boards. chad sweet is a former dhs and cia official, also the cofounder of the chertoff group, a global security firm. good to see both of you. fran, i know you ve been reporting on this throughout the day
al qaeda plot to blow up a passenger jet bound for the united states. a u.s. counterterrorism official tells cnn the explosive device is similar to the one used by the would-be underwear bomber. you may recall that on christmas day 2009. just like that bomb, this one did not contain metal, which raises real questions about whether it could have gotten past airport security. as of yet, the person who had developed that bomb had not yet bought a ticket. here s defense secretary, leon panetta. what this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to remain vigilant against those that would seek to attack this country and we will do everything necessary to keep america safe. fran townsend is cnn s national security contributor, a member of both the dhs and cia external advisory boards. chad sweet is a former dhs and cia official, also the cofounder of the chertoff group, a global security firm. good to see both of you. fran, i know you ve been reporting on this
coming in at this moment about how the cia stopped an ambitious al qaeda plot to blow up a passenger jet bound for the united states. a u.s. counterterrorism official tells cnn the explosive device is similar to the one used by the would-be underwear bomber. you may recall that on christmas day 2009. just like that bomb, this one did not contain metal, which raises real questions about whether it could have gotten past airport security. as of yet, the person who had developed that bomb had not yet bought a ticket. here s defense secretary, leon panetta. what this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to remain vigilant against those that would seek to attack this country and we will do everything necessary to keep america safe. fran townsend is cnn s national security contributor, a member of both the dhs and cia external advisory boards. chad sweet is a former dhs and cia official, also the cofounder of the chertoff group, a global security firm. good
the chinese activist at the center of the firestorm interrupted a hearing, cried out for help. chen guangcheng the blind chinese dissident who sought refuge in the american embassy in beijing called into the emergency hearing about his case and pleaded through a translator you can see the call happening, asking specifically to speak with secretary of state hillary clinton. translator: i really fear for my other family member s life and we have installed radio cameras and even with electric fence. now, all of this comes after a whirl wind day of developments that forced the u.s. to explain why chen said he wanted to leave. he said he needs to leave for his safety. and that put ambassador gary locke on the defensive. this was his decision and he indicated of what he wanted. he had the option of staying in the embassy for years if necessary. congressman chris smith spoke to chen today. he was overseeing that committee hearing on human rights. he is outfront tonight.
well, good evening. i m erin burnett. we have breaking news tonight. extraordinary scene on capitol hill today. the chinese activist at the center of the firestorm interrupted a hearing, cried out for help. chen guangcheng the blind chinese dissident who sought refuge in the american embassy in beijing called into the emergency hearing about his case and pleaded through a translator you can see the call happening, asking specifically to speak with secretary of state hillary clinton. translator: i really fear for my other family member s life and we have installed radio cameras and even with electric fence. now, all of this comes after a whirl wind day of developments that forced the u.s. to explain why chen said he wanted to leave. he said he needs to leave for his safety. and that put ambassador gary locke on the defensive. this was his decision and he indicated of what he wanted. he had the option of staying in the embassy for years if necessary. congressman chris