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Military

FBI Tracking Alleged Muslim Extremists In The U.S. Military

Alleged Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan
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Alleged Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Hasan

NPR has learned that the FBI is investigating at least 100 members of the United States military believed to be Muslim extremists. The FBI and Department of Defense believe these so-called "insider threats" are targeting the military for attack.

Senator Joseph Lieberman, chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, wouldn't confirm the exact number of alleged extremists in the military, but did tell NPR that the number was bigger than he'd expected. Lieberman also said:

"I know one can say that as a percentage of the millions of people in active military service or working with contractors, the numbers you talk about are a small percentage of the total, but the reality is it only took one man, Nidal Hasan, to kill 13 people at Fort Hood and injure a lot more."

Maj. Nidal Hisan, a U.S. Army psychiatrist, is alleged to have killed 13 people during a 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas.

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To listen to the entire NPR story, click here.

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