Counterterrorism Blog

After the recent spectacular arrests in London and Toronto, European services are on the lookout.
For instance, for the first time ever, the new 2005 Swiss Federal Police report mentions a possible attack against Switzerland: "Switzerland was not a target of Islamist terrorism in 2005. However, it must be assumed that jihadis could be residing in the country. In view of recent developments in jihadi ideology, terrorist attacks in Switzerland– an integral part of the European field of operation – are becoming an increasing possibility."
If even tiny super neutral Switzerland is getting concerned, then it is getting serious.

Also, French services are quite worried about terror attacks against some of their nuclear facilities. According to a French policeman cited by Le Figaro at the end of 2003, there was reliable intel of a potential transatlantic flight being hijacked and crashed into nuclear facilities or hydraulic dams. There was already a precedent of a terror attack against a French nuclear facility. It happened back in 1982 when a group linked to Carlos the Jackal shot rockets against a central being built.
Even though French facilities are well protected against a jetliner attack, specialists are more worried and more vulnerable to an attack originated by a flying ultra light motorized vehicle. Interestingly, European services have known about the repeated purchases of these vehicles by Palestinian terror groups in the recent past.