US Travelers to Terror Havens a Growing Worry

Washington (AP) - The failed Times Square bombing exposed the unsolved threat hidden among the massive flow of Americans going abroad: Homegrown jihadists who travel undetected to terrorist havens, link up with insurgents and carry back plots aimed at the homeland. As the U.S. and other countries put more pressure on militants overseas, terror groups are now more actively wooing Americans, who don't face as much scrutiny when they travel, U.S. authorities say.

"I think there is a calculated decision being made by some in the al-Qaida (web | news) leadership to look for people who might have more access" to the U.S., said Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, former head of U.S. Northern Command, in an interview with The Associated Press.

"Al-Qaida is having difficulty growing jihadists in some of the areas where they have safe haven because of the pressure that has been put on them, so they seem to be looking for people who have no previous connections and trying to radicalize them," said Renuart, who retired this week after 39 years of military service.

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