seem way beyond 20-some odd convert from long island should be involved in. >> reporter: an american, so radicalized, so dangerous, he is willing to help al qaeda plot bombings that could kill his own friends and even his own family on long island. >> this a conventional war, you have companies. you have divisions. you have brigades. you have battalions. in this war every single person counts. every single individual goes over there like him is somebody we can't miss. >> reporter: but the tables could be turning on al qaeda. their one-time secret weapon could be spilling their secrets. family, friends, and intelligence officials are left wondering why and how did bryant turn into a terrorist? who convinced him to wage jihad against his neighbors?