Paris explosives are a key clue to plot

By Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst

Updated 1721 GMT (0121 HKT) November 17, 2015

abrini info graphic
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
1 of 10
salah abdeslam info card
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
2 of 10
Paris Attack Suspect Abdelhamid Abbaoud
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
3 of 10
Paris Attack suspect Bilal Hadfi
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
4 of 10
Paris Attack suspect Ahmad Al Mohammad
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
5 of 10
Stade de Paris bomber, name unknown
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
6 of 10
Paris Attack Suspect Samy Amimour
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
7 of 10
Paris Attack Suspect Foued Mohamed-Aggad
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
8 of 10
Paris Attack Suspect Ismael Mostefai
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
9 of 10
Paris Attack suspect Ibrahim Abdesalam
Photos: Paris attack suspects: What we know
Hide Caption
10 of 10
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 securit