James Holmes. Anders Breivik. Simply saying their names evokefear. We are now safe; they are incarcerated, no longer posing arisk to our children and those we love. So why then, are we stillafraid? Instinctively, we know there are many more lone wolves,thinking, planning, stalking, getting ready to strike us again. Weare afraid because we know it is nearly impossible to detect abrilliant loner’s careful planning. They, by nature, seamlesslyslip through our terror nets. With al-Qaeda purportedly weakened,are they a prominent terror risk?

Olympic Countermeasures

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London’s anti-terror defense preparations are complex, layered,and would make Churchill proud. Quietly, in the shadows, a thinktank of experts studied, fretted, worked countless and thanklesshours to devise the most complex Olympic defenses inhistory. Naval forces are on patrol in the Thames. Outerperimeter defenses are also in place. The Army and Marine regularsand commando units are deployed in and out of the City. Antiaircraft and missile batteries are set within the City limits.

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Scotland Yard, MI5, and MI6 intelligence gathering is at itsheight. Police and military communications and intelligence areintegrated. Undercover operations are in place, plainclothes policeare throughout, and despite the G4S Security shortfall, uniformedpolice are at reported full strength. Electronic eyes grid nearlyall quadrants of the City. It is an unprecedented peacetimepreparation for war; the terror war.

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The Lone Wolves

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Who is our enemy? They operate outside of any groups command andcontrol structure. They are motivated to commit frighteninglyeffective mass attacks as a result of identifying with extremereligious or political philosophies. Some areprofessionals, have children and lead otherwise seemingly normallives. Some are described as insane. They have contact with no one;they plan, prepare and execute attacks alone. They are uniquelymotivated to act with violence. There is no apparent interest insocial or political resolution. It can be nearly impossible todetect their activities, despite the wonders of technology and thesacrificial dedication of law enforcement and intelligenceagencies. It can be argued that more attacks are effectivelypursued by lone wolves than organized groups in the western world.They are, in one word, effective.

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Is Resolution Possible?

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I am afraid there is not much good news towards resolution. Thelone wolf has been with us, as a result of varying motivations, formore years than any us have lived. They will likely be with us formany more years. Traditional government defenses are marginallyeffective in preventing lone wolf attacks. Both at the Olympics’and at home, public awareness, vigilance and action in the form ofpolice notification of suspicious activity is a more powerful toolthan its simplicity suggests.

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Regrettably, my Scotland Yard friends inform me there is noequivalent to the American public awareness campaign known as‘see something, say something’ as it relates to reportingsuspicious activity. We all are rooting for our favorite athletes;we should also give a cheer to the faceless, brave men and womanwho immeasurably sacrifice for us, quietly and withdignity.