James Holmes. Anders Breivik. Simply saying their names evoke fear. We are now safe; they are incarcerated, no longer posing a risk to our children and those we love. So why then, are we still afraid?

Instinctively, we know there are many more lone wolves, thinking, planning, stalking, getting ready to strike us again. We are afraid because we know it is nearly impossible to detect a brilliant loner’s careful planning. They, by nature, seamlessly slip through our terror nets. With al-Qaeda purportedly weakened, are they a prominent terror risk?

Olympic Countermeasures

London’s anti-terror defense preparations are complex, layered, and would make Churchill proud. Quietly, in the shadows, a think tank of experts studied, fretted, worked countless and thankless hours to devise the most complex Olympic defenses in history. Naval forces are on patrol in the Thames. Outer perimeter defenses are also in place. The Army and Marine regulars and commando units are deployed in and out of the City. Anti aircraft and missile batteries are set within the City limits.

Scotland Yard, MI5, and MI6 intelligence gathering is at its height. Police and military communications and intelligence are integrated. Undercover operations are in place, plainclothes police are throughout, and despite the G4S Security shortfall, uniformed police are at reported full strength. Electronic eyes grid nearly all quadrants of the City. It is an unprecedented peacetime preparation for war; the terror war.

The Lone Wolves

Who is our enemy? They operate outside of any groups command and control structure. They are motivated to commit frighteningly effective mass attacks as a result of identifying with extreme religious or political philosophies. Some are professionals, have children and lead otherwise seemingly normal lives. Some are described as insane. They have contact with no one; they plan, prepare and execute attacks alone. They are uniquely motivated to act with violence. There is no apparent interest in social or political resolution. It can be nearly impossible to detect their activities, despite the wonders of technology and the sacrificial dedication of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It can be argued that more attacks are effectively pursued by lone wolves than organized groups in the western world. They are, in one word, effective.

Is Resolution Possible?

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

Regrettably, my Scotland Yard friends inform me there is no equivalent to the American public awareness campaign known as ‘see something, say something’ as it relates to reporting suspicious activity. We all are rooting for our favorite athletes; we should also give a cheer to the faceless, brave men and woman who immeasurably sacrifice for us, quietly and with dignity.

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Lone Wolves Stalking&mdash;Just An Olympic Risk?

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