Terrorist threats

Netherlands: Threat Level Raised to “Substantial”

Date: March 12th, 2008 |

The government raised the terrorist threat level to “substantial” March 6 because of increasing links between foreign and European jihadist networks, terror-related arrests in Germany, Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom in the past year, and the forthcoming March 28 release of a controversial film on the Koran by a Dutch legislator. The Dutch prime [read more]

India: Security Tightened on Air India and Indian Airlines Flights, at Airports and in Other Areas

Date: February 20th, 2008 |

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Security was tightened on all Air India and Indian Airlines international flights after Indian intelligence agencies reported a hijacking threat Feb. 18. The warning specifically applied to flights heading to or departing from Persian Gulf destinations, but airport staff throughout the country are on full alert for all international flights by the two carriers. The [read more]

Northern Ireland: Security Tightened after Dissident Republican Threat

Date: February 14th, 2008 |

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned Feb. 6 of an increased threat from dissident republicans throughout the province. Violence has diminished substantially in Northern Ireland in recent years as a power sharing government has taken root and put an end to “the Troubles,” but the potential for incidents still exists. Officials warned business owners [read more]

Sri Lanka: Truce Ends, Terror Attacks Occur

Date: February 7th, 2008 |

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Two attacks on civilians in recent days and other incidents prompted the U.S. Embassy in Colombo to strongly advise visitors to avoid traveling by bus or train throughout the country. On Feb. 3, 11 civilians were killed and 100 injured when a suicide bombing occurred in Colombo’s Fort Railway Station. The day before, a bomb [read more]

Thailand: Muslim Insurgency Plagues Southern Provinces

Date: January 17th, 2008 |

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Four years after it began, a Muslim insurgency continues to plague Thailand’s southern provinces where little progress has been made to curb the violence. Suspected Islamists ambushed a military vehicle and killed eight soldiers Jan. 14, then the next day detonated a bomb hidden on a motorcycle in a busy marketplace in Yala, wounding at [read more]

United States: Amtrak to Begin Random Baggage Screening

Date: February 20th, 2008 |

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Using procedures similar to those applied on the New York City subway system, Amtrak began randomly screening passengers’ carry-on bags this week in its first significant visible increase in security in years. The new measures will be applied in the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington before being expanded to the rest of the country. [read more]

Russia: Racial Attacks Increase in Moscow

Date: February 20th, 2008 |

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Hate crimes against foreigners are increasing in Moscow, where four dark-skinned people were murdered in five days recently, prompting Moscow police to increase their street patrols throughout the city and the mayor to appeal for calm. Hate crime killings like these have increased steadily over the years, with ultranationalist “skinheads” often attacking in packs of [read more]

Colombia: Tourism Rebounds as Violence Diminishes, but Threats Remain

Date: February 7th, 2008 |

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Colombia has been experiencing a tourism renaissance in recent years as security has improved significantly, with violence down dramatically in many cities including Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin and Barranquilla. Kidnapping has diminished but not disappeared, with a recent case of six Colombian tourists being kidnapped from a Pacific coast beach in Choco Department. Narco-terrorist groups remain [read more]

Algeria: Terrorist Threat in Algiers

Date: January 24th, 2008 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Algiers reported receiving continuing indications of possible terrorist attacks in Algiers and has instructed employees to avoid non-essential travel around the city. The report states that the Embassy “may occasionally restrict movement completely” and urges U.S. citizens to limit their travels and to avoid places where Westerners c [read more]

France, Portugal, Mauritania, Senegal: Dakar Rally Canceled

Date: January 10th, 2008 |

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The Christmas Eve murders of four French tourists in Mauritania has prompted organizers of the Dakar Rally to cancel this year’s race. The rally was scheduled to start in Lisbon Jan. 5 and finish in Dakar, Senegal Jan. 20. Race officials faced pressure from the French government to call off the rally because nine of [read more]