New reports of terrorism threats are casting a shadow over the upcoming Winter Olympics that are set to start in Sochi in just a few weeks. A video has surfaced threatening attacks on the games and sightings of "black widow" terrorism suspects have security experts on edge.
Security forces have reportedly circulated fliers to hotels around the Russian city warning that several women were suspected of plotting to carry out terrorism attacks during the games. The US military is taking the threats seriously and has even put together a plan to evacuate Americans in case of an attack on the Olympics.
CNN is reporting that the Pentagon will have two warships and a number of C-17 aircraft nearby to help Russian security services respond to an attack. How serious are these reports coming out of Russia? What is the US military's plan for keeping Americans safe? Is the threat keeping American spectators at home?
Guests:
Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior adviser to the president of the RAND corporation and author of a number of books on terrorism including ‘Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?’
Erroll Southers, Security Expert & Associate Director of Research Transition at the Department of Homeland Security National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) at USC