Re: Electronic Intercepts from Al Qaeda

From: Andrew Swallow (am.swallow_at_eatspam.btinternet.com)
Date: 01/02/04 

Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 16:34:29 +0000 (UTC)

"John Schutkeker" <jschutkeker-nospam@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:Xns946465D29974Djschutkekercscom@151.164.30.93...
>
> Does anybody have an opinion about exactly how the US government is
getting
> specific information from the recent electronic intercepts of Al Qaeda
> transmissions? Until this terror alert, all that was ever available was
> traffic analysis, and govt. spokesmen would call an alert in response to
an
> increase in "chatter," and no specifics were available.
>
> I assumed that, if only traffic analysis was available, the transmissions
> must have been encrypted with uncrackable (public key) methods. But now
> the transmissions suddenly seem to have been cracked, at least partially,
> and specifics such as names of cities (Las Vegas) and specific air flight
> paths (London to NYC) are known by our agents. I don't understand how
this
> can be.
>
> Can anyone suggest an explanation for this apparent contradiction?

It could be much simpler than that. Al Qaeda may have been using
code words. The first time a code word is used we do not know
what it means. Wait a week and watch what happens and where.
With hind sight the meaning is revealed. Consequently the third time
the code word is used we know what it means.

Andrew Swallow

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Electronic Intercepts from Al Qaeda
    ... >I assumed that, if only traffic analysis was available, the transmissions ... >must have been encrypted with uncrackable (public key) methods. ... amount as well as attempt to monitor content. ...
    (sci.crypt)
  • Re: Electronic Intercepts from Al Qaeda
    ... > specific information from the recent electronic intercepts of Al Qaeda ... Who said they were intercepting "Al Qaeda" transmissions? ... Traffic analysis and direct analysis of the intercept ...
    (sci.crypt)
  • Re: Why no PDC?
    ... transmitted on the channel in question? ... It continually broadcasts the start time. ... error couldn't have been caused by the transmissions. ... It wouldn't be the first time. ...
    (uk.tech.digital-tv)
  • Electronic Intercepts from Al Qaeda
    ... Until this terror alert, all that was ever available was ... increase in "chatter," and no specifics were available. ... I assumed that, if only traffic analysis was available, the transmissions ...
    (sci.crypt)
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