Paris explosives are a key clue to plot

By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst

Updated 1721 GMT (0121 HKT) November 17, 2015

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Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
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salah abdeslam info card
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Paris Attack Suspect Abdelhamid Abbaoud
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Paris Attack suspect Bilal Hadfi
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Paris Attack suspect Ahmad Al Mohammad
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Stade de Paris bomber, name unknown
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Paris Attack Suspect Samy Amimour
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Paris Attack Suspect Foued Mohamed-Aggad
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Paris Attack Suspect Ismael Mostefai
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Paris Attack suspect Ibrahim Abdesalam
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abrini info graphicsalah abdeslam info cardParis Attack Suspect Abdelhamid AbbaoudParis Attack suspect Bilal HadfiParis Attack suspect Ahmad Al MohammadStade de Paris bomber, name unknownParis Attack Suspect Samy AmimourParis Attack Suspect Foued Mohamed-AggadParis Attack Suspect Ismael MostefaiParis Attack suspect Ibrahim Abdesalam

Story highlights

  • Peter Bergen: Terrorists used an unstable compound made from household ingredients
  • He says authorities in the United States and other Western countries need to be on the lookout for bulk purchases

Peter Bergen is CNN's national se