Intelligence Chiefs Were Expecting Al-Qaeda Spectacular

Smoke rises from the Taj Hotel in Mumbai November 27, 2008. Gunmen killed at least 80 people in a series of attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai and troops began moving into one of two five-star hotels on Thursday where Western hostages were being held, local television said. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA)

From Times Online:

Western intelligence services have been expecting an al-Qaeda spectacular terrorist attack in this crucial period between the end of President George Bush’s administration and the succession of Barack Obama.

Signals intelligence “chatter” in recent weeks indicated that Osama bin Laden’s terrorist organisation might be plotting an attack “to grab the headlines” before Mr Obama takes over in the White House on January 20.

British security and intelligence sources said there had been increasing concern, particularly in the United States, that a “terrorist spectacular” was on the cards.

The multiple attacks on Westerners in Bombay last night showed all the signs of an al-Qaeda strategy — picking on vulnerable Western “soft targets” but not in a country where there would be maximum security. The attacks on Western targets in Bali in 2002 when al-Qaeda-linked terrorists planted bombs in tourist-favoured restaurants and clubs was another example where the group switched its resources to achieve maximum impact.

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My Comment: My gut has always been telling me that Al Qaeda is intent on doing a major terrorism strike on American soil before President Bush leaves office. Failure to do so will be used by many in the U.S. Government that the best way to combat terrorism is to bring the fight to them (i.e. the Bush doctrine).... failure to launch a terrorism strike on American soil this past seven years only gives proof and validity to this claim.

Truth be told .... America's war against Al Qaeda has been successful (to a point). Numerous leaders in Al Qaeda are either dead or in prison. The top leadership is in hiding. Support for their cause is declining throughout the Muslim world. Iraq has been lost, and the focus is now on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Another 9/11 attack done before inauguration would put into question the entire reasoning for U.S. strategy on how to defeat Al Qaeda. It would also shift the momentum back to Al Qaeda in the Muslim world. It is in this environment that our Intelligence Chiefs are concerned .... and in my opinion they should be.