The Athens Olympics, terrorism and more

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Unfortunately they don't allow direct access to their lead articles for free anymore, but the Stratfor elves have this interesting teaser up on the site as their current lead article:

Olympics: The IAEA's Quiet Fight to Thwart a Dirty Bomb
May 19, 2004

The International Atomic Energy Agency is coordinating quietly with Athens to prepare for the real possibility of a radiological attack, or dirty bomb, at the Summer Olympics. Should al Qaeda carry out such an attack, it would jeopardize U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election bid -- and have the added result of getting more U.S. allies to pull out of the Middle East.

A bold claim and one that would require access to the article to consider more thoroughly (so if someone wants to do the honors?). Still, it's something to consider -- various sources been noising about the possibility of some sort of disruption (at the least) since the Games were awarded some years back. Any thoughts on the general subject?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:33 (twenty-two years ago)

If there isn't an awful terrorist attack at this Olympics I will be shocked. Who it will actually hurt/benefit is anyone's guess, but my understanding is that Athen's is completely impossible to defend/protect/safeguard completely.

I think it will be a games that everyone watches all the while waiting for the other shoe to drop.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:41 (twenty-two years ago)

it would jeopardize U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election bid

Isn't this theoretically true of any horrific terrorist attack that may occur between now and the election?

― martin m. (mushrush), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I know the motives of terrorists are generally inscrutabe and shouldn't be assigned too much logic, but I can't see how Al Quaeda in particular, would see themselves benefiting from an attack. They offered Europe a truce and praised Spain for pulling out of Iraq, and have watched as US (and UK to an extent) continue to alienate international opinion and balls up Iraq, plus the run-up to election brings fresh news and condemnation every day. Why do they want to jeopardise a position of strength?
Or am I reading this wrong. Do they then prove current anti-terrorist policy is ineffective, thus prompting a voter swing to Dems. But Al Quadea want Dubya reelected don't they?
I just can't see how they would feel their 'case' helped by attacking the international stage, where every nation could be affected, rather than just their major declared enemies, US UK, Israel.
It's very badly worded, but you get me.

― de, Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't say I thought Al Qaeda was going to committ the terrorist attack.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:52 (twenty-two years ago)

No it was an x-post to Ned's original post Alex. I've been composing for about ten minutes!

― de, Wednesday, 19 May 2004 21:53 (twenty-two years ago)

it would jeopardize U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election bid -- and have the added result of getting more U.S. allies to pull out of the Middle East.

What's the catch

― I Wish You Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 22:45 (twenty-two years ago)

...?

― I Wish You Almanac (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 22:45 (twenty-two years ago)

A lot of innocent people dying.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 22:48 (twenty-two years ago)

there have been whispers that the US might boycott this olympics over security issues.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:01 (twenty-two years ago)

a boycott might not be so effective if American atheletes can't qualify due to drugs.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:05 (twenty-two years ago)

I would think that a major terrorist attack would be more likely to help Bush.

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:07 (twenty-two years ago)

get re-elected, I mean

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Athens would be a rather symbolic target, it being the birthplace of all that Western philosophical and political gubbins, wot?

― So-crates, Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:37 (twenty-two years ago)

my parents laughed at me when I pronounced it So-Crates

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Ask them to pronounce Uranus.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:48 (twenty-two years ago)

:((((

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 19 May 2004 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

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