Al-Qaeda Masters Terrorism On the Cheap

London Transit Bombings The cell responsible for the July 7, 2005, bombings of a bus and three subway trains in London financed the entire conspiracy for less than 8,000 pounds, including the cost of airfares to Pakistan to consult with al-Qaeda supervisors, according to government probes. (World Picture News)

World Trade Center Attack The plot to hijack airliners and fly them into New York's twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001, proved expensive to carry out. Since then, a global financial dragnet has forced al-Qaeda to operate much more cheaply, although not necessarily less effectively. (By Jim Collins -- Associated Press)