john Brennan, counterterrorism adviser to the Obama administration, said forensic analysis indicates the bombmaker in this plot also made the devices involved in the failed Christmas bombing.

 has banned all flights from Yemen and the UK has banned cargo flights from that nation. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has sent a team of experts to Yemen  to help improve that country's package-screening operations. The Homeland Security Department is increasing security at U.S. airports. 

"We will continue to pursue additional protective measures for as long as it takes to ensure the safety and security of our citizens," President Obama said.

"I've also directed that we spare no effort in investigating the origins of these suspicious packages and their connection to any additional terrorist plotting," Obama said. "Although we are still pursuing all the facts, we do know that the packages originated in Yemen. We also know that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist group based in Yemen, continues to plan attacks against our homeland, our citizens, and our friends and allies."