Bangladesh, Sept. 30 -- The events surrounding RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have raised an uncomfortable question for British authorities, the media and the public: what exactly happened near one of Britains most strategically important airbases?

Five British men in their twenties were arrested after police were alerted to suspicious activity involving three vans near the village of Whelford, close to RAF Fairford. The base is used by the United States Air Force and has assumed particular significance during the current conflict involving Iran. A major security operation followed, including armed police, bomb-disposal specialists, road closures and the evacuation of nearby residents.

Yet within roughly 48 hours, an important part of ...