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We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. While many folks are taking time off between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it is still Monday and the news cycle keeps cranking on. The big news is the failed terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas day when a 23-year-old Nigerian man to blow up a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight. Certainly a major news story that has caused many to sit up and remember that we are always vulnerable on our homeland. The theme of today’s post is the fallout from this failed attack. So, fire up that second cup of coffee — as we always say — and read on.

Obama Orders Review of Terrorist Detection Methods
President Barack Obama has ordered the government to review detection methods to determine how a suspected terrorist ignited an explosive aboard a Northwest Airlines plane en route to Detroit on Christmas Day. “We are investigating, as always, going backwards to see what happened, and when, who knew what and when,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today on ABC’s “This Week.” “There was simply throughout the law enforcement community never information that would put this individual on a ‘no-fly’ list,” she said. Read the full Bloomberg article here.

Napolitano Says No Evidence of Wider Terrorist Plot
Janet Napolitano, the Homeland Security secretary, said on Sunday that there was so far no evidence of a wider terrorist plot in what federal authorities said was an attempt by a 23-year-old Nigerian man to blow up a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day. But speaking on CNN’S “State of the Union,” Ms. Napolitano said that the suspect’s claimed ties to Al Qaeda were “part of the criminal justice investigation that is ongoing.” Read the full NY Times article here.

More U.S. Air Marshals Flying Since Failed Terrorist Attack
The Department of Homeland Security has significantly increased the number of air marshals on flights since a failed Christmas terrorist attack on a U.S. jetliner, a department official told CNN Sunday. The official, who asked not to be identified, said the ranks of the marshals have been increased by cutting vacations and leave and by pulling in air marshals from instructional and administrative posts. Read more from CNN Travel here.

Detroit Attack: Terrorist Once Again Confounds Airport Security
The failed attempt to blow up a US airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day shows how terrorists are adapting in their attempts to evade upgraded airport security. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was charged Saturday with trying to blow up Northwest Flight 253. The way he allegedly tried to blow up the plane confounded not only airport security, but also authorities. One high-ranking law enforcement official told CBS News said it was a technique not seen in previous attempted attacks. Investigators say the Nigerian had hidden 80 grams of an explosive in a plastic bag – perhaps a condom – and had it sewn into his underwear. He then tried to ignite the powder by injecting a detonating liquid with a syringe. Read the full Christian Science Monitor article here.

TSA Bans Electronics on Flights Due To Recent Terrorist Plots
Due to the recent Christmas terror plot aboard an international flight to the United States it is being reported by passengers through blogs and twitter that some new rules have been put in place regarding ALL electronic devices. TechCrunch first reported the bans of any and all electronics during flights(and even locking of bathrooms prior to approach) yesterday. While the ban doesn’t seem to be officially set in stone yet the TSA website does state due to the recent events: “During flight, passengers will be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight.” Read the full blog post from the VG Revolution here.

Happy Monday!!

Tags: Al Qaeda, Department of Homeland Security, Detriot attack, Detriot Terrorist Attack, Janet Napolitano, Nigerian terrorist attack, Northwest Airlines, President Barack Obama, TSA, US Air Marshalls