Terrorism Still a Threat Despite Saddam Ouster – U.S.

Terrorism remains a real threat to the United States even though there were no attacks on the country during the U.S.-led war to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said on Tuesday. “Though we’ve disarmed a dictator and his supporters, terrorism, in all its forms, and all its followers is still a real and daily threat to this country and countries around the world,” Ridge said in a speech to discuss the first 100 days of Homeland Security — the newest U.S. Cabinet department. Nearly one-third of that time was spent at a heightened state of alert due to the war in Iraq. Ridge raised the nation’s terror warning alert system to its second-highest level on the eve of the war in March, warning of possible retaliation or terror attacks at home when the U.S. military invaded Iraq to oust Saddam. After one month of heightened alert, during which Homeland Security implemented Operation Liberty Shield — a series of tougher measures at the borders and around key infrastructure — officials decided the threat had diminished and the measures could be reduced. Full Story