AEI Critical Threats Analyzes Times Square Attempt

Charlie Szrom and Chris Harnisch of the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project offer an analysis on the Times Square bombing attempt.

The focus of the analysis is on the group claiming credit, Pakistan's Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan:

Pakistan’s Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has linked itself to the failed May 1 attack in New York City’s Times Square through a full-fledged media campaign over the last two days. The group’s propaganda efforts reveal several important points, all of which are significant irrespective of whether the TTP had operational links to the attack:

• First, the TTP seeks credit for the attack due to its need for a high-profile success to show its strength.

• Second, the TTP may be attempting to weaken international support and Pakistani will for any incursion into North Waziristan.

• Third, the TTP clearly views itself as a member of the global violent Islamist network led by al Qaeda.

• Fourth, the TTP has again identified the U.S. homeland as a primary target, a threat that should be taken seriously regardless of the group’s role in the Times Square attempt.

Read the full report here.

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And now what do we do, AEI?