One wonders how much is based on intercepts and how much is based on scenarios of "what would we do to make as large an impact as possible"
The last "al Quada" transmission linked a spectacular event with a holiday. Feb.1 is Super Bowl and Feb.2 is Eids. 6 PM EST on 2/1 is 2/2 in the Middle East.
Gamers I know, have pointed to this date as the last chance for awhile for al Quada to show it has a hair on its ass. If nothing happens, we can be pretty sure that BL is bat meat in some Afgan cave.
The reverse scenario is for the US to nail aQs all over this AM and be back to base for the game and pre-empt their PR.
Today could be the end of worldwide Islamic terror and the start of the clean up on those in the "Flypaper" of Iraq.
Best pre-game show in years possible and it won;t be at the stadium.