Britain Underrated Threat Before July Attacks

British counterterrorism agencies failed to understand the "development of the homegrown threat and the radicalization of British citizens" before the four bombings in London last July, the New York Times reports: Publication of the reports failed to silence calls among Muslim groups and among survivors and some relatives of the dead for a public inquiry. John Reid, the newly appointed home secretary, rejected calls for public hearings, saying they would distract counterterrorism agencies from their work. If Reid, shown here leaving the Houses of Parliament, had spent even a few minutes wandering around Brick Lane in London's East End with his eyes open prior to last July 7, he might have learned a thing or two about homegrown insurgents. On the other hand, the only reason he is Home Secretary today is due to the present regime's gross ineptitude.