Online Terror Magazine Linked to U.S. Citizen
HOLMES: Well, it may be a surprise to you out there to learn that even terrorists have their own magazine. It's called, perhaps oddly enough, "Inspire."</s>BOLDUAN: And the man believed to be behind the magazine is an American living in Yemen. "Inspire" is al Qaeda's latest effort aimed at encouraging terrorism against Americans.</s>BOLDUAN (voice-over): Colorful, creative imagery promoting a deadly message. Chilling terror tips on how to wage violent jihad. The 74-page second edition of the al Qaeda online magazine called "Inspire" aims to recruit Americans to kill Americans. "The Ultimate Mowing Machine," reads the title of one article, suggesting how to carry out individual attacks. Quote: "The idea is to use a pickup truck as a mowing machine, not to mow grass, but to mow down the enemies of Allah."</s>TOM KEAN, FMR. CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: What al Qaeda is looking for right now is not their additional recruits that they used to do in places like Pakistan and other places in the Middle East. And that's a very dangerous figure for us and a very hard figure - figure for us to intercept, particularly if they have an American passport.</s>BOLDUAN: Another article takes direct aim at the nation's capital. Quote: "A random hit at a crowded restaurant in Washington, D.C., at lunch hour, for example, might end up knocking out a few government employees." Intelligence officials believe Samir Khan, an American citizen now living in Yemen, is a driving force behind the publication and pens his own essay in the new edition, "I am Proud to Be a Traitor to America." Fran Townsend, former homeland- security adviser to President Bush, says while the magazine's message isn't new, the way they're getting it across is. (on camera): So what is different here with this magazine?</s>FRAN TOWNSEND, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: These are guys who have either been born here or lived in the United States, who speak idiomatic colloquial English, who can appeal to Americans to join their cause. They know how to persuade them, they know how to speak to them and -- and they know how to really inspire them to become a part of it.</s>BOLDUAN (voice-over): And top U.S. officials like FBI Director Robert Mueller say the Internet acts as an accelerant for terrorist activity.</s>ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Consider the impact of someone like Anwar Awlaki, the American-born, Yemeni-based extremist. Ten years ago, Awlaki would have operated in relative obscurity. Today, on the Internet, he has unlimited reach to individuals around the world, including those here at home.</s>BOLDUAN: A U.S. counterterrorism official tells CNN they're aware of the publication, saying it aims to provoke the murder of innocents, and hardly lives up to its name, "Inspire."</s>HOLMES: Well, you travelers out there, get on a plane. You know you've got the first class; you've got business class; you've got coach class. How would you like flying in the "cuddle class"? It sounds good, right? You're not going to want to miss this one. Stick around. It's after the break. But first, before we got to the break, this morning's news quiz. A recent poll ranks the popularity of all the first ladies of the past three decades. Which first lady would you say is at the top of the popularity list? Would it be A, Michelle Obama; B, Hillary Clinton; or C, Nancy Reagan? That answer for you after the break. It's 24 minutes past the hour.