9/11 -- 8 Years Later: Safe but Not Safe Enough

Sept. 11, 2009 — -- Today marks eight years since the horrific attacks of 9/11. Most law enforcement officials will tell you the country's security has improved after the attacks. Al Qaeda has been degraded and many of its leaders have been killed.

But on matters of terrorism, there is always a caveat. U.S. pressure has forced al Qaeda into a more decentralized organization in which its major leaders, such as Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, probably are not directing specific attacks.

Still, the group retains enough people and infrastructure to remain "lethal," officials said. And U.S. intelligence officials also worry about groups and individuals around the world who are inspired by al Qaeda, even if they don't report directly to its leadership.

There are indications this worry may be very well-founded.

The FBI reports that a number of recent investigations have uncovered evidence that shows young Americans been traveling overseas and being indoctrinated by Islamic radicals.

In a July interview with ABC News, Attorney General Eric Holder said he was troubled by the emerging threat.

"The whole notion of radicalization is something that didn't loom as large a few months ago ... as it does now," Holder said. "And that's the shifting nature of threats that ... keeps you up at night."

What was Holder talking about? Here are some specifics:

FBI officials said it proves that there still are radicalized recruits out there who might be convinced to attack the United States at home. If such people cannot be found and neutralized before they attack, there are a host of "soft targets" in a democratic, free society that remain vulnerable, such as hotels or malls.