Sochi Terror Threat

[peacetraveler22]

I don't know how Russians feel about the Olympics, but American television is already showing a lot of ads and promos for the event. In general, the Olympics are a big deal here. Most people enjoy them and are glued to their televisions watching the events and coverage for almost three weeks. However, this past week U.S. media has been on a mission to instill fear about possible terror threats in and around Sochi. It started at the end of December with the Volgograd bombings, but this week panic reached epic proportions with the release of a new video from Islamic terrorists and the identification of potential "black widow" bombers. Of course, it's normal to discuss terror threats before any Olympic Games but Sochi and Russia are receiving a lot more attention than other Olympic hosts, at least in the American press.

What do you think? Can Russian security forces handle the threats posed by these extremists at the Olympics? If possible, would you attend the Sochi Games?

Comments

[inamora.livejournal.com]

I'm indifferent to the Olympics, so I will not go.
And for some reason, Russian security forces have often react after something happens.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

But you're athletic. How can you not like the Olympics? :) You have faith in Russian security forces? I know they deal with these threats from the Caucasus all the time.

[vasya-spb2000.livejournal.com]

I think Putin will make every effort to prevent terrorist attacks. Otherwise it will be his biggest failure in the international arena.
There are a lot of his personal interests, I think that he not be defeated.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, it would be a huge humiliation for him on the world stage if something tragic happens. For once, his egomaniac personality will be put to good use to ensure utmost safety and protection for natives and tourists at the Games, at least I hope!

[geoscholar.livejournal.com]

I have considered security to be factor, now more than ever. However, before, hearing about the threat of terrorism, two things were of a concern to me: Money and personal safety. Money because it is rather expensive to travel(at least it is for me). Personal safety is a factor. I don't want to open up a can of worms, but here goes. I've always wanted to travel to Russia. Watching so many travel shows about Russia, and reading about Russia made me want to travel there. I still do. I have a concern because I've also heard about many attacks by Neo-Nazis against persons of Asian and African descent. I'm of African descent myself, so one major concern for me has been personal safety. Apart from that, having read some of the things I've read about Sochi, I would love to see the Sochi Olympics in Sochi for myself.

Hearing about the terror threat is relatively new to me.

Anyway, peacetraveler22, I hope you are safe while you visit Sochi.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Where are you living in America? Well, I already wrote a post about racism in Russia and many natives disagreed that the country is more racist than others. I can only go by what black people living there tell me. Yes, it's expensive to travel to Russia but worth it if you can save enough money and find the time. Truly an interesting and unique place! And Russian mentality, I always say it should be the Eighth Wonder of the World. :))

[leo-sosnine.livejournal.com]

I think that it's wise to expect worse here. No. No.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You do not have faith in Russian security forces? Honestly, I don't live in fear of such things. I work one block from the White House, one of the biggest terror targets in the world. Such tragic bombings can happen anywhere, and in most cases there's little anyone can do to prevent a rogue suicide bomber.

[moonrainbow.livejournal.com]

Terrorists are a small danger. Smaller than a plane crash and a lot smaller than a car incident. You wouldn't even notice if not for the media that like bloody pictures and love to provoke fear.

If you want to be scared of, be scared of security. They have already made Sochi into something that is more like a military base than a festivity venue. Some places look as if they want to build a concentration camp. Want to go anywhere? Take your papers, you'll need them more than once. Want to use a train? Get ready to be stripped off TSA-style.

http://pharaon01.livejournal.com/459882.html

This is the railway station by the way. A terrorist won't pass! You, too.

Are you still sure you want more security?

The locals mostly want this damned Olympics to end to bring the city back to normal life.

And no, I will not go. No fun celebrating with so much anti-terrorist hysteria. TV and Internet are my options.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The media sensationalizes everything; however, I didn't think Russian media would focus on the terrorist threats as much as American news. "Stripped off TSA-style..." I don't mind airport screenings in America. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I can't imagine the chaos created when the Olympics come to your hometown. Washington, DC placed a bid for an upcoming summer games and just the thought of it makes me panic. The mass of humanity flooding an already heavily crowded tourist city in summer would be a nightmare!!

[luin-nsk.livejournal.com]

According to common sense the probability of a bombing is higher in places with low security measures. So if there'll be a blow, it'll be anywhere but not in Sochi. Seriously I'm less afraid of a terrorist attack than of a questionable quality of service and construction.
Personally I won't attend a Games - "so little time, su much to do" (c), better to watch the results over Internet or TV :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

There's been a lot of coverage about poor and hurried construction also, but this takes a back seat to the terrorist threat. It will be interesting to see how Russia is portrayed by American commentators during the live coverage.

[modest-so-zvezd.livejournal.com]

"December with the Volgograd bombings"
I live in Volgograd((

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

How did local citizens handle these bombings? Are you scared to ride local buses and transport?

Sochi

[partizan-2012.livejournal.com]

1) I think that the Russian security services will not be able to protect their own population and guests of the Olympiad. In my city of Astrakhan, August 19, 2001 was a blast and killed 17 people. The real culprits never found.
2) I think that the Olympic games are held for Putin and his friends. Me, my environment, my relatives, they are not needed. I know that my children does not have a gym in the school. When the Olympic torch arrived to our city, car traffic in the city is blocked by the police and many citizens are not able to do his business, and sat in the house. Permission to run with the Olympic flame had been sold as the shop sells shoes. However, my oldest daughter is very happy Olympics. To the Olympics I'm not going because it's not my holiday.

Re: Sochi

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't remember any other Olympics with such a widely publicized or lengthy torch relay. Honesty I'm sick of seeing all these reports on LiveJournal from different torch cities. It's a shame Russian citizens view these games as being so corrupt, but I understand why.

Советско-Американское единство

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

I am indifferent to the Olympics. States use the Olympics as a tool to manipulate citizens. It is a pity that in this case, the US behaves like Russia or China. Victories of athletes are always their personal victories, but the media convince TV viewers that these are sports victories of TV viewers;) Politicians flatter peoples that they are great nations destined for great deeds, stuff peoples with conceit and complacency as housewives stuff christmas turkey. People who believe in their own exceptionalism, imagine themselves entitled to administer justice over others and control their destinies. Of course, politicians use this mindset of citizens to do violence to other nations. Sad picture. Our planet is in need of new ideals:)

Re: Советско-Американское единство

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Of course an athlete's victory is their own but many also stand proud on the podium for their nation. Have you ever noticed American athletes crying when the national anthem is played? I do it too when singing the national anthem at sporting events. This idea of patriotism, or true love and loyalty for one's nation is incomprehensible for some but it does exist. Personally, I like the Olympics. The dedication it takes for the athletes to get there and the wide range of emotions from victory to defeat. However, it's a shame the Games are now so commercialized and politicized - not only in Russia but in every country in which they are held.

[lara-anna.livejournal.com]

I know that our country is so corrupted that you can buy anyone in the police, so I'm afraid anything can happen.
On the other hand it can happen in any country, just remember the Boston marathon.
And no, I wouldn't go to the Olympics, even if I was paid for that))) Large amounts of people scare me...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's my mentality also. Such tragedies can happen anywhere, including right here on American soil. You can't live your life in fear of everything. I don't like large crowds either, but for the Olympics I would make an exception.

[cherez-dorogu.livejournal.com]

I love Olympics, but I wouldn't go. Begin with terrorist threats, then Russian security measures - keep in mind "politeness" and manners of Russian police, the security measures will make this visit a hell. And then I had chance to get known how the Olympic stadiums were built. There is a high probability that some stadium would just ruin if there are crowd of people in it.
So, we have two big risks (terrorists and breakdown) and one thing is bound to happen (rudeness of security). All these are not very encouraging.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I like the Olympics also! I'm surprised so many readers view them in a negative manner. In any event, it would be an interesting experience to go and observe all of this. I hope Russia shines on the world stage, and that international tourists aren't completely turned off by lack of "politeness" as you say.

[maxreiher.livejournal.com]

"Can Russian security forces handle the threats posed by these extremists at the Olympics?"

it's not only about security forces ... it's more about citizen attitude.
See some suspicious call police - it's normal for americans but not for russians.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's necessary that citizens cooperate w/police to ensure safety. So, for the Games I hope Russians take a different attitude and report suspicious activities. Such actions have prevented many terrorist attacks in America, though not the Boston bombings which were a major security fail on our national intelligence's part.

[serge39.livejournal.com]

I think they can. Besides, nothing ever happens when and where everybody awaits it.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The element of surprise is now missing because these threats have become so publicized. However, they accomplished their goal of instilling panic with the Volgograd bombings.

[mad-insomnia.livejournal.com]

I am indifferent to the Olympics too. But I think that terrorists is sly and cunning. I can't trust to the Russian security.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi! Nice to see you here. :) Usually I'm only seeing you in Julia's posts.

[popados.livejournal.com]

Unfortunnally, I can compare this games with Hitler's Olimpic Games in 1936. I'm not support them.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This is a common theme amongst readers - not supporting the Games because of rampant corruption. Pity. I'll be in Russia in mid-February. :) Will you be there, or still overseas?

[demonfrost.livejournal.com]

I contemn Sochi Olympic Games because there's nothing but Putin's vanity, the feast during the plague in dying country.

Sochi has already turned into a concentration camp for its citizens and guests. Fences and policemen everywhere, authorities even prohibit the people living near the Olympic park to fire their furnaces, although those people don't have other ways to heat their houses in winter. And there is a lot of such stories. These Olympic games are huge hypocricy and abomination.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Common sentiment among readers. I think this is just the Russian way, and it will not change for anything (even the Olympics).

[mannaz-russia.livejournal.com]

I think those attacks can happen during Olumpic games, but not in Sochi. I don't see a clear reason for them to attack foreigners.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

By attacking foreigners, they will gain more international attention. This is the only advantage.

[e-g-o-r-i-u-s.livejournal.com]

Shannon, have you found a single person who would really want to go and visit Olympics in Sochi?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, me. :) I see based on all these comments that Russians have a very negative attitude towards the Games but I can't say Americans view them in the same way.

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

No comments, ma'am.
If we'll tell you a true - you'll have to shoot yourself :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should hire you to be my bodyguard if I go? :))

[bocca-chiusa.livejournal.com]

I live really not far from Sochi, but still don't have the slightest intention of going there for the Olympics. Not because of the terrorist threat - I do believe the security is going to be very high there. The thing is I don't expect a proper level of organization there, which is, I think, along with those high security measures, going to bring lots of inconvenience and discomfort for the people.
So it's much more preferable for me to just watch the translations at home :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This will be a major fail on Russia's part if the infrastructure collapses and people can't freely move around the events. It's all really interesting for me as an outsider to see how things are handled there. As I've written many times, Russia is a unique place, not wishing to take insight or assistance from outsiders. For a global event like the Olympics, I think it's a bad thing to refuse such international cooperation.

[pasha1980.livejournal.com]

In Russia, such big events are so rigorously controlled by the FSB that there is not much room for terror attacks. So I wouldn't worry about that risk. I would not attend the Olympics in Russia because I wouldn't want to participate in Putin's attempts to popularize Russia among the international community at the expense of disenfranchized taxpayers who are having to foot the bill for this grandiose project while Russian patients are dying in rundown hospitals due to the absence of adequate funding, but this is a different story.

By the way, have you read this article by Scott Andersen about the bombings that may have propelled Putin to presidency? It's quite interesting in my opinion. http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-333298

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The link doesn't work?

[know-your-foe.livejournal.com]

islamic militant husband? Why your TV dont name him terrorist?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I have no idea? Maybe they don't have enough of the facts to view him as a terrorist and American media is cautious not to label Muslims in this manner due to stereotypes.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Russia always has much more negative attention from the West than it deserves (even if we take Western values as a point of reference).
Gays are executed in Saudi Arabia - nobody cares.
Gays are not allowed to show and tell something to children - almost "fascism" in Russia :))
OK...

But re terrorism I think the threat is real because for terrosists it is a very tempting target and because Sochi is at North Causasus itself.

Anyway, I do not normally watch TV and I think that any competitive sport is stupid.
TV companies have bought rights to broadcast these events for many millions and of course they now advertise it to ensure that people want to watch it.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Russia doesn't receive much attention in American press, but as I wrote the Games are a big deal here so there's sooo much coverage! I like competitive games and the Olympics, so I will watch.

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

There are no security forces in Russia. There are butchers colloquially known as trash.
They cannot protect anything.

The best way would be to cancel or at least to boycott the games.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Olympic Games would never be cancelled! And athletes have dedicated their entire lives training for this event so the idea of boycotting the Games is almost unimaginable to them. However, it seems most Russian readers don't care about the Olympics and in fact are directly opposed to the Games being held in Russia. Shocking for me.

[nar-row.livejournal.com]

I think they can handle the threats during the Olympics.
But generally - they are losing this war.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's hard for any nation to win the war against these extremists. When you're dealing with people willing to blow themselves up, it seems almost impossible to control and prevent.