[alancarp]

One possibility to answer your (darn fine) questions:

Maybe the 'sleeper cell' members number many fewer than previously thought. While this particular n'er-do-well may have indeed been operating in the U.S., finding him in Spain would suggest to me that either (a) he was needed to help out since they had nobody else; or (b) he was a supervisor and was providing approval, expertise, and oversight on the operation.

In either case, the FBI seems to be all over this one -- and I really like your point about phone calls and contacts. This could really be hugh.

[DugwayDuke]

"Maybe the 'sleeper cell' members number many fewer than previously thought. While this particular n'er-do-well may have indeed been operating in the U.S., finding him in Spain would suggest to me that either (a) he was needed to help out since they had nobody else; or (b) he was a supervisor and was providing approval, expertise, and oversight on the operation."

Or, (c), he was receiving some on the job training.

[pepsionice]

To bring out a "source" from the US, for a European operation, sounds awful strange. These Moroccoan dudes could easily acquire and hook up the explosives...there is almost no reason for this guy to be on the scene. What I could see, is that he was there to get explosives training from these guys and prepare a simliar event in Oregon. Amtrak runs a line up there, and it could be a easy event to run a similar scenario.

If I were the Spanish cops...I'd put him in the holding cell with a bunch of long-term detainees. Let him get use to rough treatment from the prison population, and then give him a chance to talk, for a private cell. My guess is that he will point out several US contacts and we bring down a cell in Oregon/Washington. The real question here....how many cells are there? Thats what I would start to worry about.