Cole Blast Inquiry to Stress Vigilance

A Pentagon inquiry into the Oct. 12 suicide bombing of the destroyer Cole will emphasize that the U.S. is engaged in a long-term conflict with international terrorists and that the military constantly must be prepared to come under attack, a Pentagon official said. The special commission has concluded that the military needs to focus on better anticipating terrorist attacks and protecting ships, aircraft and troops in transit, the official said. The inquiry will also call for the U.S. intelligence community to devote more resources to obtaining information from human sources about terrorists’ plans, he said.