It’s one of the last mysteries of 9/11.

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It’s one of the last mysteries of 9/11.

September 9, 2021

Stephen Collinson and Caitlin Hu

'I think they should take it very seriously'

It's one of the last mysteries of 9/11.

Was Al-Qaeda acting alone when its suicide pilots steered four hijacked airliners at the icons of US economic, political and military power in 2001? Or did its intricate plot receive help from individuals or organizations with ties to the government of Saudi Arabia – as some victims' families suspect?

Saudi Arabia has rejected allegations of involvement in the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, and a US government report found "no evidence" of funding from a foreign government or foreign official.

But these findings have not satisfied the relatives of many 9/11 victims, who may finally be about to get fresh answers: President Joe Biden has ordered the Justice Department to review and possibly release remaining secret government documents about 9/11 that have been withheld for 20 years on the grounds that they could endanger sensitive US national security goals.

The move came after victims' families told the President he would not be welcome at ceremonies this weekend marking the 20th anniversary of the attacks if he didn't act. They also called on Saudi Arabia to acknowledge a role in past terror attacks, including 9/11.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington said Wednesday that it "welcomes the release of" classified documents about the attack. "As the administrations of the past four US presidents have attested, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has unwaveringly condemned and denounced the deplorable crimes that took place against the United States, its close ally and partner," its statement said.

Lawyers for the families also offered a qualified welcome for Biden's decision. But they're not counting their chickens yet — the intelligence community still has time to push back, and it would not be the first time a president announced a review of a sensitive issue to buy some political time.

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The Taliban suppressed another protest for women's rights with whips and sticks.

Russia's emergencies minister died during a training accident in the Arctic.

And the main suspect in the 2015 Paris terror attacks declared himself an "Islamic State soldier."

Meanwhile in America, the Biden administration told 11 Trump-era officials to "resign or be dismissed."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged "a fair amount of confusion" over grounded evacuation flights in Afghanistan.

And shipping containers are becoming the hottest item on the planet.

'I think they should take it very seriously'

If you're in the US on Saturday next week, try to avoid Washington, DC, where there are fears of possible violence during a right-wing rally called to support jailed insurrectionists who invaded the US Capitol on January 6.

Authorities report an uptick in violent rhetoric on social media and message boards similar to the drumbeat of fury that preceded the worst attack on US democracy in modern times -- inspired by ex-President Donald Trump's lies about a stolen election -- eight months ago. There's even talk of putting back up the huge iron fence that for weeks ringed the white-domed Capitol building.

"I think they should take it very seriously," former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe told CNN. "In fact, they should take it even more seriously than they took the same sort of intelligence that they likely saw on January 5."

Chances are the security forces will not be caught on the hop twice. And the promise of a massive police presence might dampen turnout on September 18. But the fact that the members of Trump's mob are being treated as heroes by far-right groups is a worrying window into the extremism still simmering below the surface of US politics.

This statue of tennis legend Arthur Ashe is now the only monument left standing on Richmond, Virginia's historic Monument Avenue, after the likeness of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was removed on Wednesday -- the latest in a growing list of Confederate symbols that have been taken down across the country.

Thanks for reading.

On Thursday, a House Homeland Security Committee discussion about 9/11's first responders will be held in New York City The Biden administration hosts a high-level economic summit with Mexico. Toronto's 2021 International Film Festival kicks off. And two Russian cosmonauts will venture outside the International Space Station to prepare a new laboratory module.