'Unholy Alliance' Between Al Qaeda in Yemen and Somalia
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Brooke, thanks very much. Happening now: A terrorist merger, we are learning about dangerous new moves by al Qaeda forces looking to expand and protect their turf and their deadly war against the West. Stand by for our exclusive report. Plus, the international financer charged with sexual assault, he is now freed from house arrest in New York City. The case against the former IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn may be falling apart right now because of very serious questions about his accuser's credibility. And how the idea of FOX News may have been hatched in the Republican White House. The secret blueprint dug up now from the Nixon Library archives. I'm Wolf Blitzer you are in THE SITUATION ROOM. Exactly two months after Osama bin Laden was killed, elements of his al Qaeda network are now joining forces to keep his campaign of terror alive. We're learning about a merger of sorts between al Qaeda militants in Yemen and those in neighboring Somalia. Our Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr has some exclusive details. Barbara, tell us what you know.</s>BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we've been digging for the last several days and now several U.S. officials tell us that indeed they have intelligence that convinces them that al Qaeda in Yemen and the al Qaeda-related group in next-door Somalia are joining forces to try and plan attacks against Europe and the United States And you need to look front and center here in the Pentagon, the new Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and David Petraeus, when he gets to the CIA in a few weeks, they will make this top on the agenda. We are told there will be counterattacks. There already have been, in fact, continuing secret wars, if you will, in both countries Drone attacks, special operations, covert missions, look for all of it to continue. I want to show everyone the map so we get a clear picture here of what we are talking about. These two countries, Somalia and Yemen, next door to each other, two of the most unstable countries in the world. The al Qaeda in Yemen group expanding its efforts along with al Qaeda in Somalia. We are told what they're looking at is expanding their ability for training camps, resourcing, planning, financing, all of it, aiming at attacking the West. Moving beyond just, Wolf, having the ideas and aspirations, but trying to do it. We already see a lot of unrest in both of these countries. Now Leon Panetta, his first day on the job here at the Pentagon. But he has already talked to Congress about both these countries and his concerns. Regarding Somalia, just a few weeks ago, he told Congress the al Qaeda movement in Somalia, quote, "is significant and on the rise in the threat -- their threat being posed to the United States." And next door in Yemen, he talked about that al Qaeda group as well. Saying, quote, "that group has made tactical gains in tribal areas, in several cases, seizing and holding territory outside the Republic of Yemen government control. So again, Wolf, we're talking about two countries, al Qaeda on the rise, no government ability to really control it, looking for the United States to continue its secret wars in these countries to try and contain al Qaeda, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: A whole new chapter unfolding now. Barbara, thank you. The outgoing national director of counterterrorism is warning that al Qaeda terrorists in Yemen and Somalia are active and they are plotting right now against the United States. In an exclusive interview Michael Leiter says, overall the bin Laden network is weaker than it has ever been before-but-and it is an important but. He tells our own CNN correspondent Jeanne Meserve, the enemy is still out there and America is not yet safe.</s>MICHAEL LEITER, FORMER DIRECTOR, NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER: The most active, direct affiliate of al Qaeda today is in Yemen.</s>JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (On camera): And with the collapse of the government there, what does that mean?</s>LEITER: Any area where there is not a strong level of government authority absolutely does make it more susceptible to terrorist plotting. In that respect, although the government of Yemen is still a good partner in many ways, they are obviously focused on many issues right now. And we have been more concerned about al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula because of that.</s>MESERVE: Do you see the safe haven there expanding?</s>LEITER: I think al Qaeda has taken advantage of some of the disruption. Especially in the south of the country and that is a real concern for us.</s>BLITZER: Let's talk about the state of al Qaeda right now and America's war on terror with our national security contributor, Fran Townsend. She's is the former Bush Homeland Security advisor. She is also on the external advisory boards at both the CIA and Department of Homeland Security. Fran, this alliance between al Qaeda in Yemen and Somalia, how much of a security threat to the United States is it?</s>FRANCES FRAGOS TOWNSEND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTOR: Well, Wolf, remember we heard a good deal from the FBI about their concerns about Somalia being a sort of a magnet, attracting Americans to Somalia to the fight. Now the FBI is also quick to say they haven't seen them come back. But they are fighting in Somalia, and because of the proximity, that Barbara Starr points out, between Yemen and Somalia, it's easy for them to transit in boats called dows (ph), little local boats that can crossover that short water distance, to Yemen. Where they can collaborate, they can plan, they can train. And they can exchange fighters to assist each other and back each other up. No question that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen group, is the greatest threat to the United States. Those are the bomb makers that were responsible for the Christmas Day attempted bombing and the computer cartridges attempt. So this is a very active group with great capability.</s>BLITZER: We're going into a July Fourth holiday weekend. How concerned should Americans be? How alert should they be as a possible, in this post-bin laden world, a possible attempt at terror against Americans?</s>TOWNSEND: Look, Wolf, nobody in the U.S. government has been talking about any specific threat tied to the Fourth of the July. But of course, large public gathering are always an attractive target for terrorists. So what I should say to Americans is you've always got to be alert. It's the old, as you say in New York, "if you see it, say it." If you see something suspicious, tell someone, tell a policeman or someone in authority so they can investigate it.</s>BLITZER: Is there a throwing trend now in this post-bin Laden world of cooperation among these various groups, these al Qaeda groups, whether in Yemen, Somalia or elsewhere? I suspect there are a lot more al Qaeda operatives in Yemen and Somalia, right now, than there are in all of Afghanistan.</s>TOWNSEND: You they very well be right about the numbers. You know, we have seen affiliations, al Qaeda and the Islamic Magrab (ph), that is North Africa, had formal affiliation with the al Qaeda core in the tribal areas. These groups have always seen some strength in the alliances. But instability is the key here, Wolf. Where you see instability in places like Libya and Yemen and Syria, you worry about al Qaeda and its affiliates. Because in chaos they can take advantage of that situation, those ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan. So all of these governments in chaos represent a threat for us.</s>BLITZER: There's a new head of the National Counterterrorism Center. The president today nominated Matthew Olsen. What do you know about him?</s>TOWNSEND: Matt Olsen is a career guy, Wolf. He's worked across multiple administrations. I, of course, had the opportunity to work with him during the Bush administration. He served both at the FBI then, and also later at the Justice Department and the National Security Division. Well respected by law enforcement, gained some national security and intelligence experience over at the Justice Department. Don't know about his relationship with the president. But that's less important in the Counterterrorism Center. What is important is that he has credibility in the inter-agency and I think he has spent enough time in government, as a career official, so he'll have that. So he's probably a pretty good choice. I expect he won't have a problem getting confirmed.</s>BLITZER: We'll have more with Michael Leiter, his interview with Jeanne Meserve coming up later, here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Thanks very much, Fran. A follow-up now on a shocking breach of airline security. A man who managed to board a cross country flight without a valid boarding pass or even a valid ID, he appeared in federal court today. CNN's Sandra Endo is joining us from the courthouse in Los Angeles. So, what happened there, Sandra?</s>SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I can tell you, federal prosecutors say that alleged stowaway Olajide Noibi, rather, should not be posted or granted bail because he is a flight risk. They say he has no ties to LA. He has family in Georgia and Michigan and also in his home country of Nigeria. They also argued that he's a possible risk to society and to the community, alleging that he stole people's boarding passes, their identities to try to get onboard airplanes. The defense argues that he comes from a respectable family, that essentially he just stole a $500 flight and he is very embarrassed by all this. But the prosecution wasn't buying any of that. Despite not finding any terrorist threat, they say when it comes to security, it's a very serious matter.</s>THOM MROZEK, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE: We have a very significant system set up to try to ensure security at our airports, to try to secure security on planes that travel both here in the United States and internationally. Anytime there may be a breach, a perceived breach, something that may indicate that there is a problem, that makes it a serious matter.</s>ENDO: Now the Magistrate Judge Michael Wilner (ph) said that there is just not enough information about Noibi, saying they don't know enough about him. Where he's from? What he's about? What he's doing. And essentially did not set bail. There will be another hearing as early as next week, Wolf. And, of course, the judge making it very clear in the courtroom today that any conditions down the road would not allow him to board any planes, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: All right, Sandra, thanks very much. Sandra Endo in LA for us. A high profile sexual assault case against the powerful global figure, now appears to be in shambles. So what happens? Now that prosecutors say Dominique Strauss-Kahn's accuser told lies. Also ahead --</s>BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You'll still be able to ride on your corporate jet. You're just going to have to pay a little more.</s>BLITZER: It's the president's new line of attack against Republicans. He said it over and over again this week. We're having a fact check, a "Reality Check" on what he said. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM