Terror Plot Foiled in Great Britain; Corruption Threatens Iraqi Democracy
Terror Plot Foiled in Great Britain
British authorities said Thursday they thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft heading to the U.S. using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, averting what police described as "mass murder on an unimaginable scale." Police arrested over 20 people, saying they were confident they captured the main suspects in what U.S. officials said had the earmarks of an al-Qaida plot. Officials banned carry-on luggage on all flights, and nearly every form of liquid outside of baby formula. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the terrorists planned to use liquid explosives disguised as beverages and other common products and set them off with detonators disguised as electronic devices. Larry Mantle talks with a variety of reporters and experts.
Corruption Threatens Iraqi Democracy
Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the world – this, according to a recent report by the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction. The corruption is said to be so widespread and expensive, costing approximately $4 billion a year, it is threatening to undermine democracy in Iraq. Larry Mantle talks about causes and possible solutions with Special Inspector General for Iraq Jim Mitchel, Reconstruction, former Coordinator for Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Baghdad Barbara Bodine, and former Coalition Provisional Authority political advisor Michael Rubin.