Sounds like a classic Problem-Reaction-Solution scenario. First, there is another 'failed' attempt to blow up a plane. Then, there is immense pressure on joe public via the media to accept the new controversial X-ray scanners. Then suddently, a new and inexplicable 'threat' is unearthed that will probably lead to another form of scanner that can detect objects within the human body! This appears to have been the intention all along. Instead of one leap in the loss of human liberties, 'they' decide to attempt it in two steps to get to the same result.
If another form of scanner doesn't arrive in the next few months, then this assumption is wrong. But, 'they' are up to something, and something big ... 'their' agenda has been speeded up in recent weeks. This hints at absolute urgency to attain a stepping stone at an allotted time. The main 'gripe' here is the blaming of Al Qaeda ... when Al Qeada is nothing more than 'the big threat' that is used as scare tactics, to get joe public to jump up and down screaming 'something must be done'! These 'security leaks' about imminent attacks are part and parcel of the same thing. Its a mind control.
Its the ways and means to force joe public into accepting technology and loss of freedom they wouldn't normally accept if there wasn't a 'threat' to their lives. Sinister agencies have created so called 'invisible threats' which have been sold to joe public ... joe public is then bombarded on a daily basis with reinforcement of these threats. Classic brainwashing. Classic deception ...