[eno_]

So, here's a question. Why the attack in Bali and attempted attack in the Gulf on French ship not too long ago? Why waste time on such small potatoes? Unless, small time independent cells are pulling them off. But, wouldn't it be wiser to halt small attacks and wait for the big, final attack?

Good question! The potatoes get even smaller if you believe the LAX shooter and the bus slasher were also Islamist terror. The best answer I can come up with is that it is the nature of the distributed organization: not everyone can blow up a city, or topple the WTC, or blow up a ship, or shoot a bunch of random people, etc., nor is the money source consistent, so their operatives do what is within their capabilities and their budgets.

On the one hand, you are right: Why wait to pop a nuke? On the other hand, if you can discern a pattern to why bomb here or there on a large scale or small scale, let me know - I don't see it.

[riri]

Exactly my thought. (But, maybe I am only trying to convince myself) If I were a higher up in this type of organization, I would send word down the pipe to lay low and watch for something spectacular. I can't pretend to understand all the layers to this saga.