In late May , several days before President Barack Obama traveled to Cairo , Egypt , to give a major speech , several Belgian citizens were arrested in Egypt and accused of being members of a terrorist cell affiliated with al Qaeda . Return of alleged Belgian militants to West sparked Western antiterror operation . Documents indicate U.S.-born militant passed details of New York transit to al Qaeda 's . Recruits allegedly chatted about potential targets while in New York . Such conversations illustrate al Qaeda 's continued desire to inflict mass casualties .
Return of alleged Belgian militants to West sparked Western antiterror operation . Documents indicate U.S.-born militant passed details of New York transit to al Qaeda 's . Recruits allegedly chatted about potential targets while in New York . Such conversations illustrate al Qaeda 's continued desire to inflict mass casualties .