The Rest Is Classified 63. Terror Strikes London: What did MI5 know? (Ep 2)
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Jul 8, 2025 Dive into the shadowy world of intelligence failures leading up to the London bombings. Discover how MI5 had names and faces of the attackers long before the tragedy. The insights reveal a tangled web of missed opportunities, outdated practices, and critical tip-offs that could have altered the course of events. Hear about the complex ties to Pakistan and the crucial intelligence gaps that left authorities in the dark. This gripping narrative unravels both the motivations behind the attacks and the systemic flaws in counter-terrorism surveillance.
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Fragmented Intelligence Hindered MI5
- MI5 had photographs and addresses of two 7/7 bombers but did not connect the dots due to fragmented intelligence.
- Limited resources and lack of integrated databases hindered effective surveillance and investigation.
Catch-22 of Counter-Terrorism Priorities
- Counter-terrorism efforts face a tradeoff between arresting early and collecting intelligence for stronger cases.
- Prioritizing clear threats often pushes emerging threats like MSK further down the investigation list.
Resource Constraints Created Backlogs
- MI5’s investigations kept expanding with new arrests leading to more contacts, causing a constant backlog.
- Limited resources meant many suspects, including future attackers, were monitored only lightly or not prioritized.