USA Today

Al-Qaeda allies are believed to be scouting U.S. targets, and the terror organization is using non-Arab recruits to avoid detection, U.S. law enforcement and intelligence officials say.

[snip]

Information about active cells came from Ridge and three intelligence and law enforcement officials. The three officials wouldn’t speak for attribution because the information they provided is classified. One of the three, a senior U.S. intelligence official, responded to criticism that the Bush administration raised the terrorism threat level based on information about surveillance al-Qaeda did years ago. The official said the cells:

• Have been in the USA off and on since the early 1990s, and some are still here.

• Are focused primarily on states on the coasts, though not exclusively. They include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Michigan and California.

• Operate under deep cover, sometimes hiding their Muslim faith by posing as Christians.

• Are isolated from each other and from al-Qaeda members who would carry out attacks.

- USA Today

Non-arab scouts? No kidding. It doesn’t take years of experience working for the Department of Homeland Security to come up with this idea. It is perfectly logical that Al Qaeda would want to change the face of their operatives. It is interesting to note that they are possibly posing as Christians. Does this mean that they simply are wearing a cross around their neck or attending church? Either way, why? This comes from the misunderstanding of the American culture by Al Qaeda, a misunderstanding relating to religious tolerance and acceptance.

Backcountry Conservative linked with Monday's Terrorism News Roundup