Mullen – 9/11 Plotters Still Alive And Planning More Attacks
August 27, 2009 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
Those who plotted the deadly attacks on World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, are still alive and planning to carry out more terror strikes, a top US military general has said. “The people behind that deadly day are still at it. They live and plan and train in safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border,” Navy admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said.
“They would like nothing better than to see either country or both fall prey to the grip of an extremist ideology. To the degree we let them succeed, we let ourselves become vulnerable,” Mullen said in his address to the 91st annual American Legion Convention, Louisville, Kentucky.
“My mission, the one currently given to me by the President, is to prevent that from happening. And that’s what we’re going to do,” Mullen said.
While Pakistanis are themselves waging their war against extremists, Mullen said, in Afghanistan, the war being waged to defeat al-Qaida and its extremist allies is led by an international security force with Afghans.
via 9/11 plotters still alive and planning more attacks: Mullen – US – World – NEWS – The Times of India.
Military Chief Mullen Says Clock Ticking On Iran Nuke
The top U.S. military officer warned on Tuesday that time is running out for dialogue with Tehran to avoid either a nuclear-armed Iran or a possible military strike against the Islamic Republic.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it is critical for diplomatic efforts to reach a solution before Iran develops a nuclear weapon or faces an Israeli or U.S. strike to turn back its nuclear program.
“That window is a very narrow window,” Mullen told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.
“There’s a great deal that certainly depends on the dialogue and the engagement,” he said. “I’m hopeful that that dialogue is productive. I worry about it a great deal if it’s not.”
Mullen noted that some forecasters believe Iran could be as little as a year away from developing a nuclear bomb, adding: “The clock has continued to tick.”
U.S. Adm. Mike Mullen Outlines Top U.S. Threats
June 29, 2009 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
At any given moment, U.S. Adm. Mike Mullen is juggling at least a half dozen critical situations around the world.
The final hours before taking off for Moscow to iron out details of a military cooperation agreement with Russia were no different for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fight against the Taliban inside Pakistan, al-Qaida’s intent to attack the U.S. and Iran are the issues Mullen says he is grappling with right now.
“The biggest concern I have right now is in the broader Middle East,” says Mullen. “We are in a position in Iraq where we’re decreasing our footprint over the next year and a half, considerably to meet the president’s direction to have all troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011.”
At the same time Mullen says, “We’re increasing the number of forces we’ve got in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is in that region — in Afghanistan and Pakistan — I think the No. 1 threat that we have right now, is al -Qaida.”
Mullen says al-Qaida’s main goal “is to attack Western interests.”
But another threat, North Korea, is most pressing.
“What is most important in my view is that somehow this leader gets the message that he’s just continuing to isolate himself and his people,” says Mullen.
He pulled no punches when discussing Kim Jong il’s behavior.
“He is somewhat unpredictable. Clearly that’s the case,” says Mullen.
When asked about U.S. military preparation to deal with a possible missile launch in the direction of Hawaii, Mullen responded confidently.
“I think we’re very well postured and in a position to be able to address the threat. I have great confidence in our forces and our ability to do that.”
When pressed on just what would be done, Mullen says the U.S. would “take all necessary measures to defend our people.”
While clear on the threats, he’s keenly aware of the advantage he has.
