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Africa North
Intel on 'two-hour timer' uncovered in Russian jet crash
2015-11-13
Investigators analyzing the deadly crash of a Russian jet in Egypt uncovered intelligence about a “a two-hour timer,” though it is not clear whether the reference came from intercepted communications between known terrorist operatives, or physical evidence, a source familiar with the investigation told Fox News.
I suggest that we not release the particulars of "how we know" right now, until we've either rolled up the network that did this, or killed them all.
A separate source said that based on the facts so far, one of the working theories is that a bomb was planted at or near the fuel line or where it attaches to the engine, with the fuel burning off the explosive. This theory would explain the apparent lack of residue immediately found, the source says.

Fox News was told both scenarios point to an "airport insider."

"If proven accurate, if ISIS did put a bomb on this aircraft which I believe to be true, it's a new chapter with respect to ISIS," Texas Republican Rep. Mike McCaul told Fox News. McCaul -- who receives regular briefings -- cannot discuss classified information, but said the Obama administration has consistently underestimated ISIS by emphasizing its focus on gaining territory, rather than expanding its reach to global plots.

"We always assumed Al Qaeda had this capability but now if ISIS has this capability, the threat to American airlines as well and our homeland, I think is very significant."

[The] Metrojet 9268 disintegrated approximately 23 minutes into the flight, and investigators are now focused on a “90-minute window” before the flight took off and who had access. These new data points explain why investigators are interviewing ground crews and those with access to the departure lounge, as well as reviewing surveillance camera video.

The Defense Department was asked Tuesday whether C-4, an explosive provided to the Iraqi military by the U.S., had been obtained by ISIS.
Polite way of phrasing the question: what they've been asked is whether we gave any C-4 to the Iraqi military. Or the Jordanians. Or the Saudis. Or the Turks. Or the Iranians...
"We don't have any reason to believe that any U.S. munitions were involved in whatever transpired with the crash itself," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said. "We're still waiting for the investigation to run its course."

A third data point that goes to the airport insider theory is that ISIS has claimed responsibility, though it has been reluctant to explain how it brought down the jet, leaving the airport mole in place.
If they really wanted to keep the mole safe they would have either a) kept their mouths shut and foregone the propaganda value of the bombing or b) set up a clever scheme to throw us off the tracks of the mole. The Russians call it "wolf meat".
Posted by:Steve White

#1  The Defense Department was asked Tuesday whether C-4, an explosive provided to the Iraqi military by the U.S., had been obtained by ISIS from Hilarity.
Posted by: Skidmark   2015-11-13 09:00  

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