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Does this push back the alert condition that we've been under? How does the August 17 target date fit in?

Well, the subways have already been brought down from ORANGE. I am still digesting the current information, but suspect that Aug 17 is the potential opening of the primary window through Sept 19. Other sources extend this into October. I think that AQ is trying to accelerate things because

1. The London cells did poorly and have been broken up significantly

2. The administration is doing poorly in the polls and public perception on the WOT is down, so a quick, showy strike would further that along with a view towards the mid-term elections

3. Iran has gone ultra radical with their leadership and tack on their nuclear program. An attack could potentially divert US attention internally and delay action against Iran. However, this would be a very dangerous gambit by AQ as under W it would likely backfire into justification to strike Iran.