I think it most unlikely. If they were really thinking about timing, they would be aware that an attack like this as the time of the convention is only likely to stiffen resolve and therefore would play into the hands of Bush.
While many things in the world revolve around America, not quite everything does...
I disagree. This is related to Russia and the US. They are still operating in the mode odf Spain. They believe that if the can do something that will just indicate to us of what they may do to us that support for Bush will decrease.
I think this is an attempt to affect the polls coming out concerning the convention. Look at when the standoff ended. Al Q has a global strategy.
It is similar to what the Dems are doing now, trying to affect the polls between now and Monday.