US officials called for tighter security at foreign airports that have direct flights to the US, following intelligence reports that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Al Nusrah Front in Syria are cooperating on attack plans, and possibly developing currently undetectable bombs capable of downing an airliner. Pentagon chief Gen. Martin Dempsey denied there was “mission creep” in Iraq but did not foreclose the possibility of greater US involvement. He also said the US will be facing violent extremist groups such as the Islamic State for “the foreseeable future.” Ansar al Sharia operative and Benghazi Mission attack suspect Ahmed Abu Khattalah has pled not guilty but will remain in pretrial detention as he continues to show deadly intent to attack US interests.
