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But I'm also trying to think about the big strategic picture. Where will they hit next and how soon?

This was 2 1/2 years after 9/11. If the want to accomplish anything, they certainly can't wait another 2 1/2 years, eh?

If so, this attack did nothing for them, except turn public sentiment against them.

This was only days before elections in Spain, any other countries on their hit list with elections coming up?

Russia's is soon? or did it already happen? How long ago were the attacks on the Russian commuter train? It seems like eons ago...

Dunno. We're still their 'Great Satan', their Azrael (islamic Angel of Death). They have much to fear from us. Good.

We probably need to go back through what we've come up with so far. It seems as though the most important clue are the audio messages sent by Zawahiri. This article is from November but is pertinent now based on the attack in Spain. I don't know if they could hit us with 10 bombs like that without being detected by someone. But, never say never.

HOMELAND INSECURITY
Al-Qaida terrorists
to gas U.S. subways?
DHS memo warns of device that uses cyanide to asphyxiate its victims

Posted: November 25, 2003
9:00 p.m. Eastern

By Paul Sperry
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida terrorists have developed a crude device designed to spread deadly cyanide gas through the ventilation systems of crowded indoor facilities such as subways, according to a closely held security directive issued to law enforcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and obtained exclusively by WorldNetDaily.

"Al-Qaida remains intent on using chemical or biological agents in attacks on the homeland," says the internal warning. "Terrorists have designed a crude chemical dispersal device fabricated from commonly available materials, which is designed to asphyxiate its victims."

Marked "For Official Use Only," the five-page memo issued Friday says the device produces cyanogen chloride gas and hydrogen cyanide gas, and can be placed near air intakes or ventilation systems in crowded open spaces or enclosed spaces.

"These gases are most effective when released in confined spaces such as subways, buildings or other crowded indoor facilities," adds the Homeland Security memo, which was distributed to federal agencies in anticipation of possible al-Qaida attacks around the end of the Muslim holiday Ramadan, which happens to coincide with Thanksgiving and the start of the regular holiday season.

Citing "recent information" from al-Qaida sources, the directive also warns of possible car-bombings in America, as first reported yesterday by WorldNetDaily, and advises security officials to take code-red protective measures to guard government buildings and gas and other chemical plants.

"Al-Qaida continues to plan attacks against U.S. targets," the memo asserts.

Despite the high-threat measures, the administration has decided to keep the public terror-threat alert at yellow, or elevated. Phone calls to Homeland Security were not returned.

Experts in chemical weapons say al-Qaida is known to have sought a weapon to pump cyanide gas into ventilation systems.

"Al-Qaida has shown an interest in cyanide as a weapon," said Amy Sands, former deputy director of nonproliferation studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California.

She cites Ahmed Ressam, the terrorist convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport during the millennium celebrations. He claims to have been trained to kill people with cyanide at an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan.

"His terrorist masters also taught him how to introduce cyanide gas into public ventilation systems in order to affect the maximum number of victims, while minimizing the risk to the perpetrator," Sands said.

She also points to the nine al-Qaida-tied Moroccans arrested last year in Rome. They allegedly were planning to poison the water supply of the U.S. embassy with potassium ferrocyanide.

"Al-Qaida has shown a continued interest in targeting subways, rail systems, dams and water facilities" in America, the Homeland Security memo warns.

Noting the recent "sophisticated" car-bombings in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, it adds that the terror group may use "novel methods" to pull off such attacks in America, including disguising suicide bombers as women.

"Male bombers may dress as females in order to discourage scrutiny," the federal memo warns.

Russian officials fear low turnout
Saturday, March 13, 2004 Posted: 9:22 AM EST (1422 GMT)

Opponents say Putin has failed to combat poverty and corruption.

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Russia's top electoral official is trying to instill enthusiasm into apathetic voters amid concern a low turnout will hinder President Vladimir Putin's otherwise certain re-election this weekend.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/03/13/russia.election.reut/index.html