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I have to admit, that was one of my first thoughts as well. I mean, I don't trust those guys even as far as I could throw them in the first place... and it would be awfully convenient timing for the NSA to suddenly "uncover" some big anti-America plot by Al Qaeda just as they're taking it on the chin in the media and in Congress.

OTOH, even saying that does sound like "crazy conspiracy theory" territory, so I feel a bit torn on this. Anyway, at the end of the day, being cautious when you travel is a good idea regardless of what the NSA does or doesn't say.

Only problem for NSA is that this seems to indicate Al Qaeda, contrary to the NSA's publicised concern, doesn't seem to have gotten the word that they're being monitored. In spite of the media blitz.

I felt the same thing when I read the BBC article last night. I think the circumstances alone are suspicious regardless of the source.