AL QAEDA’S BIO WEAPONS:

Al Qaeda had progressed much further toward developing a particular biological weapon before the Sept. 11 attacks than the United States realized, the presidential commission investigating intelligence on weapons of mass destruction found.

The intelligence community was surprised by al Qaeda’s advances in a virulent strain in the disease, identified by the commission only as “Agent X” to prevent al Qaeda from knowing what the U.S. government has learned.

The discovery of al Qaeda’s work came only after the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan removed the Taliban from power, the report says.

“Al Qaeda’s biological program was further along, particularly with regard to Agent X, than pre-war intelligence indicated,” the report says. “The program was extensive, well-organized, and operated for two years before September 11, but intelligence insights into the program were limited.”

Another dropped ball from the intelligence community.