Terror in waiting: Sochi Olympic Games are sign that terrorism still a threat

It is more of an internal battle, but the terrorists who are threatening the calm at the Sochi Games are a warning sign for anyone who thinks that Muslim extremists are a thing of the past.

This radical Islamic group has promised that there will be incidents at the Olympic Games in early February. Intelligence officers are saying that "black widows" -- women who function as suicide bombers -- are likely to be already among those gathering for the event.

What should we learn from this news?

First, no matter how much preparation there is, these radical elements are able to come up with new ways of sending people who wish to do innocents harm.

Second, that there are still plenty of people intent on carrying out the mission of the Islamic extremists.

And if the Boston Marathon bombings prove one thing, it is that these radicals can come from anywhere.

So what does this mean for the United States? Simple. This nation needs to realize that all these developments -- including the recent attacks in Fallujah -- are signs that terrorism is alive and well, and that we need a revamp of U.S. policy that doesn't include a "play nice" strategy.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure -- and it is irresponsible to do anything else.

Now is the time to make a new plan.

Published in Editorials on January 21, 2014 10:34 AM