American Al -Qaeda

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Anderson Cooper to Present Week of Specials - American Al-Qaeda

Last Updated on Sunday, 09 May 2010 14:59 Sunday, 09 May 2010 14:59

A CNN special titled American Al -Qaeda will air the week of May 10th on Anderson Cooper 360°, and will bring viewers the chilling story of how a young American from Long Island, New York, became an al-Qaeda terrorist. The special is filled with exclusives details about the life of Bryant Neal Vinas, including interviews with his family, best friend, neighbor, and confidants. Before he was caught, Bryant Neal Vinas traveled to Pakistan, connected with Al-Qaeda leaders, participated in three Al-Qaeda training sessions, fired at U.S. troops and helped plot a terrorist plan aimed at the Long Island Rail Road system with the intention of killing American civilians.

CNN’s senior international correspondent Nic Robertson, along with CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank and CNN senior producer Ken Shiffman, spent almost a year uncovering how and why Bryant Neal Vinas went from a quiet teenager who grew up in suburbia to a jihadist. Our team has tracked Vinas’ story across three continents and will provide a definitive account of his transformation with the help of family, close friends and top counter-terrorism officials.

AC360° will also provide an exclusive interview with the man in Pakistan who counter terrorism officials suspect helped Vinas connect with jihadists. The Series will also include exclusive access to a letter Bryant wrote in prison and sent to his best friend. The series will also air on CNN International.

The American Al-Qaeda special investigation follows other in-depth reports featured on Anderson Cooper 360º including a look into the church of Scientology, the Secrets of the High Costs of Medicine, Childhood Obesity, and Homicide in Hollenbeck.