1.  a) Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri? 
b) What did he say in his latest video message, translated by SITE Institute?  (Visit the website at siteinstitute.org.)

2.  What do you think of al-Zawahiri's message to President Bush and America?

3.  a) How was a new Al Qaeda plot to launch multiple attacks on American cities uncovered?
b) What was Al Qaeda planning to do, according to an American intelligence official?
c) Should this affect the ability of young Middle Eastern men to acquire student visas for the U.S.?  Why or why not?

4.  a) Who is General Michael Maples?  (Visit the DIA website at dia.mil.)
b) What did Gen. Maples tell the House and Senate intelligence committees this month?
c) Why is this significant?

5.  How did a spokesman for the Directorate of National Intelligence react to Gen. Maples' statements?

6.  Why do you think the FBI reacted differently to Gen. Maples' statements?

7.  Consider al-Zawahiri's message, and the Al Qaeda plot to launch multiple attacks on American cities.  Do you think that the U.S. should attempt to negotiate with this and other terrorist organizations?  Explain your answer.