Al Qaeda fighters in the Arab Peninsula have made what U.S. officials have deemed 'active and credible' threats, and as a result, 21 U.S. consulates from Algeria to Bangladesh will close their doors tomorrow, the largest action of its kind since 9/11.
http://abcnews.go.com/International...oors-al-qaeda-threat-deemed/story?id=19860835
While discussing attacks aimed towards the Middle East and Northern Africa, U.S. officials intercepted transmissions and electronic communications between Senior Al Qaeda members. Because the threats were deemed both specific and imminent, the U.S. has decided to take immediate action. Along with closing the 21 consulates, the U.S. has barracaded Cairo, Egypt with approximately 500 Marines in anticipation of an attack. Said U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsy, regarding the U.S. response:
While I'm not a fan of the U.S. reacting out of 'fear', it's obviously a necessary evil until the U.S. can declare with certainty that a threat no longer remains. Unfortunately, a resolution doesn't appear to be coming any time soon. Said an unidentified U.S. official for the State Department stationed in the region to ABC News:
If this is indeed an 'overreaction', it's completely understandable. U.S. officials are said to be shaken anew, remembering in horror the attack in Libya in September of 2012 that killed the U.S. ambassador. Wanting to take no chances, especially with threats directly aimed at U.S. government officials and tourists, the State Department is closing not only the 21 Embassies and Consulates, but local hotels in Yemen where American tourists would be staying. Said the same official from the State Department:
Is immediate conflict unavoidable at this point?
Do you agree with the U.S. response to the threats, based on the information available above? Living in fear, or taking no chances?
Any other thoughts or discussion on this story are welcome.
http://abcnews.go.com/International...oors-al-qaeda-threat-deemed/story?id=19860835
While discussing attacks aimed towards the Middle East and Northern Africa, U.S. officials intercepted transmissions and electronic communications between Senior Al Qaeda members. Because the threats were deemed both specific and imminent, the U.S. has decided to take immediate action. Along with closing the 21 consulates, the U.S. has barracaded Cairo, Egypt with approximately 500 Marines in anticipation of an attack. Said U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsy, regarding the U.S. response:
One can only hope and pray that at worst, this is a precautionary and preventative measure, and the plans made by Al Qaeda will be headed off by word of U.S. actions. On top of the closings and the heavy Marine presence in Cairo, the U.S. has issued a global travel warning to citizens around the world out of fear of the attacks, urging them not to travel to certain regions. Chief among them is Yemen, where the potential terrorist attacks are rumored to be the chief location for them."It is more specific and we are taking it seriously, which I think you'd expect us to do. There is a significant threat stream and we're reacting to it."
While I'm not a fan of the U.S. reacting out of 'fear', it's obviously a necessary evil until the U.S. can declare with certainty that a threat no longer remains. Unfortunately, a resolution doesn't appear to be coming any time soon. Said an unidentified U.S. official for the State Department stationed in the region to ABC News:
One has to wonder if the consulates and embassies will be closed for only a day, or if there is longer-term, contingency planning. In the past in this area, Al Qaeda has both targeted and subsequently attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. The threats intercepted seem to indicate that Al Qaeda has plans for not only the U.S. consulates, but for American tourists in the area as well."Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August."
If this is indeed an 'overreaction', it's completely understandable. U.S. officials are said to be shaken anew, remembering in horror the attack in Libya in September of 2012 that killed the U.S. ambassador. Wanting to take no chances, especially with threats directly aimed at U.S. government officials and tourists, the State Department is closing not only the 21 Embassies and Consulates, but local hotels in Yemen where American tourists would be staying. Said the same official from the State Department:
"We continue to work closely with other nations on the threat from international terrorism, including from al Qaeda. Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats."
Is immediate conflict unavoidable at this point?
Do you agree with the U.S. response to the threats, based on the information available above? Living in fear, or taking no chances?
Any other thoughts or discussion on this story are welcome.