"The strategic exercises are clearly intended to send a message to Washington, but
also to the voters at home as President Vladimir Putin comes up for re-election." ===
I agree, in fact that may be the more important reason.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1075496/posts Al Qaeda Under Pressure for New Strike - Spy Chief (Germany)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Al Qaeda is under pressure to strike another "high-value" Western target and may be looking at attacking chemical plants or shooting down planes with surface-to-air missiles, a top German intelligence official said Tuesday.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1075475/posts Report: Italy is al-Qaida departure point
ROME - Italy has become a departure point for suicide attackers linked to al-Qaida and active against U.S.-led forces in Iraq, according to an Italian intelligence report released Tuesday.
The document also warned that forces staging anti-coalition attacks in Iraq might expand their scope and targets.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1075415/posts NEW '9/11' FOILED (Saudi AF Pilot Arrested)
February 10, 2004 -- Saudi authorities have arrested a fighter pilot under suspicion of planning to crash a jet in Israel in a Sept. 11-style terror attack, it was reported yesterday.
The pilot had allegedly been recruited by al Qaeda to carry out the homicide mission against an undisclosed target, Israeli TV reported. Saudi investigators are rounding up other people who may have been involved in the plot, and the investigation is continuing, the report said.
But Putin has no competition. He has like 80% of the votes locked.