FRANCE PREPARES FOR TERROR – AT 8:44 A.M. ET:  Terror concerns in Europe are growing.  There is a major soccer tournament about to begin.  France is preparing.  From The New York Times:

PARIS — With some 2.5 million people descending on France for the European Championship soccer tournament, which kicks off Friday, French officials have acknowledged that even as they take all possible steps to prevent and deter terrorist attacks, there is no such thing as zero risk.

In Paris, the police fear they will be so overstretched that they have asked the government to close huge and popular “fan zones” for some matches. So far, the government has demurred, even while conceding the risks.

“We must say the truth to the French people: 0 percent precautions means 100 percent risk, but 100 percent precautions does not mean 0 percent risk,” Bernard Cazeneuve, the interior minister, said in late May.

At a forum last week, Mr. Cazeneuve was categorical: “I cannot guarantee that we will not have a confrontation with terrorists.”

The American and British governments have effectively warned their citizens to stay away, calling the crowded sports events, as well as transportation hubs and other venues broadcasting the games, “potential targets for terrorist attacks.”

Security forces have staged nearly 30 drills in cities across France, preparing for bombs, chemical weapons and even drone attacks. Police reinforcements will be brought to Paris from around the country. Some 13,000 private security guards have been hired nationwide.

Euro 2016, a monthlong tournament involving 24 national teams from across Europe, begins Friday in Paris and a total of 51 matches will be played in 10 cities around the country. Arriving after a year in which France was hit by two major terrorist attacks, and after bombings in Brussels in March, the long-scheduled tournament has crystallized the seemingly permanent security fears Europeans must live with day to day in their determination to carry on with life as usual.

COMMENT:  We should have a higher alert status here as well.  It is Ramadan, and some terror groups have threatened attacks during this Muslim holiday.  We are also in the midst of a tense presidential campaign, and terrorists may want to disrupt or influence that campaign.  And we have upcoming nominating conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia.  We are targets, and yet I see no sense of urgency on the part of our government.

June 9, 2016