Regardless which side of the debate you’re on, you have to concede that this latest terrorist plot is well timed in relation to the current criticism of the US & UK in blocking attempts to end the atrocities in Lebanon and Gaza. Early this morning, we get word of overnight raids in the UK that rounded up some 21 suspects in an alleged plot to blow up several aircraft en route from London’s Heathrow Airport to destinations in the US including New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. Just as the British Prime Minister was taking so much criticism for his failures of policy in Iraq and on Lebanon that he had to cancel/postpone his vacation and the US President cut his annual 30 day absence from Washington to 10, an incredible opportunity arises to distract the peoples of Great Britain and the United States from the crises  in Lebanon, Iraq, and the recent pipeline issues in Alaska spiking already record-high fuel prices in the US.

            This isn’t to say there wasn’t a real danger and there was actually a plot. That is also believable considering a recent outbreak of terrorism from India to Iraq to Sri Lanka. Certainly the US and their European allies have to maintain security and take any threats seriously. The leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al Zawahiri recently said in a videotaped message that people should rise up against the US-Israeli axis and their allies as a result of the continued “occupation” of Afghanistan as well as Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon.

            For Israel, this couldn’t have been better timed either. They’ve received near universal condemnation for their war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon in the past 45 days and are bracing for even more in the coming weeks with a planned invasion up to the Litani River. Israel is known for taking advantage of situations when the world’s attention is focused elsewhere. With most American and Europeans out of Lebanon and the world focused on this alleged terror plot, they have a unique opportunity to commit atrocious acts against Lebanon and her civilians with almost no consequences. As for London and Washington, both cities are bracing for large protests opposing Israel’s assault on Lebanon and Gaza this weekend. With this new security threat perceived, few will question the powers that be should they severely restrict, or even cancel permits for demonstrations in the capitals or any other major cities citing the heightened security alert.

            Although very possible, I doubt we’ll see or hear much of anything of this plot in six months time and will probably have no concrete information on the plot or the alleged perpetrators in that time either. It will eventually be forgotten about with few, if any, details released due to “national security” and “ongoing investigations.” Looks like the Hasbara project works better than I gave it credit for. Kudos Israel.