Author's Al-Qaeda nukes thriller becomes more timely after Bin Laden death

Richard North Patterson's latest book, "The Devil's Night," focuses on a subject that suddenly has become even more timely in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan -- a plot to steal a nuclear bomb from Pakistan and detonate it on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

“I use fiction to try to address national and international issues”, Patterson said at a National Press Club event on May 4.

In his book, the bomb was stolen under orders from Bin Laden. Patterson assured the audience that he did not have Bid Laden on ice for six weeks so news of his death would coincide with publication of the book.

He pointed out that al-Qaeda has long been obsessed with obtaining nuclear weapons and Pakistan is the most dangerous nuclear state because there are many terrorists there, some in security positions.

A nuclear bomb could be smuggled into the United States because only 2 percent of incoming cargo is checked, Patterson said. Detonation would threaten the essence of America.

Patterson also spoke about Pakistan, Israel, Palestine and other parts of the Middle East. He said that dealing with the Israel-Palestine problem is essential for peace and security in the region.

Too many people in Israel and Palestine are too transfixed by their narratives to see things clearly and only diplomacy by the United States can bring a settlement, Patterson asserted.

He said the United Nations will probably recognize Palestine as state later this year and, without settlement of the issues, Israel will become increasingly isolated. The question, according to Patterson, is how long the extremist tail in Israel and Palestine will continue to wag the dog.