Usually in these type of Operations there is a Recon Cell, a Logistics Cell, and the Operations Cell. They are kept separate and don't know the members or the activities of each other. Someone apparently caught someone in either the Recon or Logistics Cell that knows enough to put everyone on alert.

And of course, it could be a diversion, with the Detainee a plant meant to get captured with the "real" attack planned for somewhere "outside of Europe."

Terror Alerts Upgraded Across Europe

Britons travelling to France and Germany have been told they may face a high threat from terror attacks, following a US warning for its citizens to be vigilant while in Europe.

Americans living in or visiting Europe have been told to take more security precautions.

[b]This advice is one step below the formal warning recommending no travel at all.[/b[

Following the US move, Britain upgraded its travel advice for Europe.

The Foreign Office said there was a "high threat" of attacks in countries including France and Germany, rather than the "general threat" previously identified.

It follows intelligence indicating al Qaeda terrorists are planning to launch simultaneous Mumbai-style attacks in the UK, France and Germany.

"Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests," the US State Department said in its alert.

"US citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-N...e_Vigilant

Honest question to

Quote:Usually in these type of Operations there is a Recon Cell, a Logistics Cell, and the Operations Cell.

Are they really that smart and well funded anymore? Though certainly they've had large scale operational success in the past, it seems that other operations (underwear bomber, Times Square dude) are all loners?

(10-04-2010 08:07 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  Honest question to

Quote:Usually in these type of Operations there is a Recon Cell, a Logistics Cell, and the Operations Cell.

Are they really that smart and well funded anymore? Though certainly they've had large scale operational success in the past, it seems that other operations (underwear bomber, Times Square dude) are all loners?

Mumbai, Madrid, and London (both the subway as well as the explosive liquids in the carry on containers) were full scale operations involving multiple operatives in planning and execution.

Now the problem seems to be the more elaborate the plan, the more likely someone on the "Bad List" will be ID'ed in transit to Europe or Asia thus setting off an alarm.

The Lone Wolf attacks such as the Underwear Bomber and the Times Square bomber seem to be more of a "test" than anything else. Even if unsuccessful, they see our reaction and response. But in Times Square, had he built the Bomb according to plan (and he had the funds to do so) it would killed at least a hundred people on a crowded NYC Saturday night.

I still say the next multiple target attack in the US will involve terrorists coming across the Mexican border.

A month or so ago a guy was caught with batteries taped to soap or something out of Detroit metro??? That guy was doing a dry run for somebody.

US strike kills 5 German militants in Pakistan

An American missile strike killed five German militants Monday in the rugged Pakistan border area where a cell of Germans and Britons at the heart of the U.S. terror alert for Europe — a plot U.S. officials link to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden — were believed in hiding.

The attack, part of a recent spike in American drone strikes on Pakistan, came as Germany said it has "concrete evidence" that at least 70 Germans have undergone paramilitary training in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and about a third have returned to Germany.

The U.S. missile strike in Pakistan killed five German militants taking shelter in a house in the town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan, a known hub for foreign militants with links to al-Qaida, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

The terror cell said to be behind the Europe plot — eight Germans and a Briton — were believed to have been in hiding in the region. A second Briton was killed in a U.S. strike last month.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday that his office was checking the report of the latest killings. He declined to be named in keeping with policy.

However, the German police agency responsible for terrorism investigations, the Federal Criminal Police Office, said as many as 220 people have traveled from Germany to Pakistan and Afghanistan for paramilitary training, and at least 70 have received it. A Pakistani intelligence official last week said there are believed to be around 60 Germans in North Waziristan now.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/10/04/...rt-europe/