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Terrorist attacks across the globe, including September 11 and most recently the disrupted plot to smuggle explosives onto transatlantic flights, has shattered forever the myth that with the ending of the Cold War, the era of major threats to our national security was over. Rather than the end of major national security threats, we learned, the 21st century meant a new set of threats, chief among them the threat of terrorism.
Initial details of the recent terrorist plot that was disrupted in the United Kingdom show that the intended attack was well planned and international in scope. As the plot is unraveled, we are reminded that the War on Terror continues around the world every day and on almost every continent. We have been very fortunate not to have had another major terrorist attack on our homeland since the awful events of September 11, 2001. We have been successful in preventing terrorist attacks before they occur – most notably the plot against New York’s subways, the West Coast airliner plot, and the Jose Padilla dirty bomb plot. We have worked to cut off terrorists’ sources of financing and have succeeded in blocking nearly $140 million in terrorist assets in over 1,400 accounts worldwide.
In large measure, this success is due to good intelligence work, vigilant law enforcement, and the bravery of American and allied soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and many other places around the world that don't always make the headlines. The British intelligence and law enforcement services have done our two nations and the world a great favor by disrupting the terrorist plot last week. I also am proud of the fine work our American intelligence and law enforcement agencies have done in support of that operations and arrests. Our friends in Pakistan also deserve our thanks. Without their help the plot may well have succeeded. The help we received from security and intelligence forces in Pakistan is a reminder that most Muslims reject terrorism and are working hard to prevent attacks wherever they occur.
Though our enemies are no less dangerous or determined, our nation is safer today than we were on September 11th, thanks to the national security legislation we have passed, the hard work of our intelligence community, and the courage and dedication of our men and women in uniform. Our national security depends on many separate efforts that work together to keep us safe. By keeping our military strong, improving our intelligence capabilities, and strengthening our border security, we can continue to ensure that the United States stays on offense in the War on Terror and that our homeland remains safe. Congress has worked hard to enact needed reforms and keep our nation secure, and will continue to do so in the months and years ahead.
We have won a battle, but not the war. Last week's arrests was another victory in the War on Terror. There is still work to do to protect our country and secure freedom and security across the globe. I am confident in the brave men women who defend us and I am confident we will prevail in the end.
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