A short-lived story appeared in the mainstream media two weeks ago describing how the United States government is working hard to keep everyone safe. The Associated Press (AP) original coverage was headlined "Smugglers busted trying to sell nuclear material to ISIS." The Boston Herald's version of the AP story reported it as "Nuclear Material Sellers Target U.S.: Nuclear Material Shopped to ISIS." The article was also picked up worldwide including by the CNN and the BBC and was replayed in Israel as "ISIS Looking to Build Nuclear Weapons, Turning to Moldovan Gangs for Materials."

The story is focused on Moldova, a relatively impoverished former Soviet republic, where the mainstream western media is unlikely to have a regular correspondent. The original AP version includes interviews with some of the participants in the police operation while also reviewing the documents and photos relating to the case.