The Next Wave: On the Hunt for al-Qaeda's American Recruits

In this scattershot expos%C3%A9, Fox News reporter Herridge surveys a grab bag of terrorist incidents involving American citizens, including accused Fort Hood mass murderer Nidal Hasan, Times Square attempted bomber Faisal Shahzad, "Jihad Janes" Colleen LaRose and Jamie Paulin-Ramirez. Connecting these individuals is now-exiled Yemeni-American imam Anwar al-Awlaki, who allegedly led an al-Qaeda "support cell" for the September 11 attackers, coached the "Underwear Bomber," made lecture tapes that inspired other jihadists, and consorted with prostitutes. Though disorganized and repetitive, Herridge's investigation raises serious questions about the failure of the FBI and others to capture al-Awlaki and his associates. Unfortunately, she frequently veers off to mount inconsistent attacks on Obama's policies, insinuating that the president is both coddling terrorism detainees and persecuting them like a "communist" tyrant. Herridge's findings are fascinating and important, but she loses the thread in moments of melodrama or irrelevance%E2%80%94including seven breathless pages on her struggle to download an al-Awlaki tape from the Web. Photos. (June)