Obama's Terror Alert Pure Politics: Pakistani Diplomat

A senior Pakistani diplomat launched a broadside at the Obama administration today, accusing it of issuing its European terror alert for political purposes. The vague warning of potential plots in Britain, France, and elsewhere was issued to justify escalating US drone and helicopter attacks in Pakistan, high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan told the Guardian, adding that “there may be internal political dynamics, including the forthcoming midterm American elections.”

“If the Americans have definite information about terrorists and al-Qaeda people, we should be provided [with] that and we could go after them ourselves,” Hasan said. “Such reports are a mixture of frustrations, ineptitude and lack of appreciation of ground realities.” European intelligence officials complained about the alert as well. “To stitch together [various terror plot claims] in a seamless narrative is nonsensical,” said one. He said the plots probably were in the works, but weren't even close to fruition. (More terror alert system stories.)