"Readers have heard the question "why have there been no terrorist attacks in the US since 9-11-2001" bandied between counter-terrorism professionals on countless occasions. These debates are premised on the false presumption that there have not been any attacks.

In fact, there have been a number of attacks and there have been additional plots that did not come to fruition, due to excellent counter-terrorism efforts in some cases and due to the sheer incompetence of the conspirators in other cases.

The latter condition does not disparage an incredibly hard-working, bright and dedicated CT Community. However, just as British authorities have learned in the years since 9/11, effort and competence levels evolve and it is important to recognize the patterns before conditions ripen to a point where actors are able to carry out a plot successfully, as was the case on July 7, 2005.

These were the ones that suceeded. For a list of those that were thwarted, see: http://tinyurl.com/3h9n58