First on CNN: New U.S. intel bulletin provides details of Paris attack plans

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

The Paris terrorist attackers conducted prior surveillance of at least some of the locations they attacked and showed signs of tactical planning and military-style training, a new U.S. intelligence bulletin says.

The bulletin issued by the FBI, Homeland Security department and the National Counterterrorism Center warns U.S. law enforcement to review training to deal with active shooters, according to U.S. officials.

The bulletin, which was described to CNN and confirmed by other U.S. officials, advises local law enforcement to go over active shooter scenarios and asks for them to be on the lookout for any suspicious people doing surveillance at soft targets and similar locations.

The bulletin also said plots like Paris are more likely to happen in Europe and other locations overseas because of geography and 'societal factors.'

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/23/politics/paris-attacks-us-intel-bulletin/index.html

[lark]

1. So much of Europe is very centralized.

Towns are built up, not out. They are centralized around plazas or squares, much more urban vs. a more suburban US. You have way better public transportation so cars also aren't nearly as common as they are here. When you bomb a central place there, you get a lot more casualties than you would here, in general.

I'm more concerned re infrastructure damage. That's where we are very vulnerable. Of course, we should stop killing so many Muslims and we'd slow the flow of suicide bombers. We should make it clear we're not at war with Islam, but with the terrorists who are also terrorizing other Muslims even more than they do Westerners. Boots on the ground is counter-productive and we should stop that too.

Of course, the MIC wants war and that's what they get as a gift from their rabid congress critters..

[brooklynite]

2. Yes and no...

...While much of the US is decentralized, there are enough dense urban settings (NYC, Boston, Chicago, SF, Washington) that appear to be the preferred targets for terrorists.