American intelligence agencies have intercepted a vague yet troubling series of communications among Al Qaeda operatives over the last few months indicating that the terrorist organization is trying to carry out an operation as big as the September 11 attacks or bigger.

CYA. No one wants to appear caught off-guard, so they leak "news" like this even though it enables little in the way of an actionable response.

Much like "Intel cuts prices, increases clock rates", this is not news precisely because it is happening all the time.

Why don't we stories like this: "The FBI has intercepted a vague yet troubling series of communications among mobsters indicating that the organization is trying to pull off a financial scam as big as Enron or bigger."

What might be news? If we were listening and watching closely, but heard nothing at all.

U.S. Intercepting Messages Hinting at a New Attack

The recommendations will be presented Friday to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. They include setting up elections, guaranteeing the rights of Palestinian citizens and reforming the way the authority handles money and security. "

CNN.com - Palestinian panel backs sweeping overhaul - May 16, 2002

"FLORENCE, Italy, May 11 (UPI) -- A majority of the European Union's 15 nations are now expected to support President George Bush's plans for "regime change" in Iraq, and many of them are prepared to offer military support, a conference of American and European scholars on transatlantic relations concluded Saturday."

United Press International: Conference: Europeans 'ready for Iraq'

"The end game is now clear," Erekat told CNN. "This war is not against terror but...to continue ruling 3.3 million Palestinians. It is very dangerous and I hope it will be an eye opener to the world to show them who we are dealing with."

The Israeli government shows it's stripes.

Yahoo! News - Israeli Ruling Party Says No to Palestinian State

"Marijuana was placed here for a reason people."

More Manifestos from the Smiley-bomber... Mostly random mish mash of Hindu and New Age stuff; arguing about the afterlife. I think he predicts the end of the earth in 2011, but "the word" is open to interpretation.

Lucas Helder Mailbox Manifestos

In reality the documents portray Mr Arafat's military impotence. The papers the Israeli intelligence service have so far produced – assuming that most of them are genuine – paint a vivid, pathetic picture of his loss of power within the Palestinian community over the past 12 months, the suborning of his lieutenants and the gradual recruitment of his men by Hamas and Islamic Jihad opponents.

I wish this guy offered sources. I find his conclusions a little unclear and I'd like to read the source material and come to my own conclusions.

Israel's evidence questioned

"Accused mailbox bomber Lucas Helder admitted he planted 18 pipe bombs in five states during a weekend cross-country spree, knowing that people would be injured when they exploded, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday. "

CNN.com - Feds: Suspect admitted pipe bomb spree - May 8, 2002

"Double Robbery Suspect Shoots Two Brentwood Officers; Suspect Dead; A man who robbed two banks, one in Nashville the other in Brentwood, is dead following a shootout with police. "

Shootout in Brentwood, TN

"At least nine national cable networks have turned down a potentially lucrative -- though controversial -- ad schedule from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. No national cable networks are known to have accepted the ads."

Electronic Media Online -- Television and Media News

"The Bush administration, in developing a potential approach for toppling President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, is concentrating its attention on a major air campaign and ground invasion, with initial estimates contemplating the use of 70,000 to 250,000 troops."

While this is no big secret, one wonders at the purpose of such specific and frank talk. Hoping for a concession?

U.S. Blueprint to Topple Hussein Envisions Big Invasion Next Year