SOCHI UPDATE – AT 10:36 A.M. ET:  The U.S. is worried about attacks on soft targets on the outskirts of the Sochi Olympics, which begin in eight days.  From USA Today:

WASHINGTON — A top U.S. counterterrorism official told a Senate panel Wednesday that he's concerned that terrorists may try to strike soft targets on the outskirts of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Matthew Olsen told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he was confident that Russian officials preparing for the 2014 Olympics are "very focused" and are "devoting substantial resources" to keeping the Games safe.

"The biggest issue from my perspective is not the Games themselves, the venues themselves," Olsen said. "There is extensive security at those locations — the sites of the events. The greater threat is to softer targets in the greater Sochi area, in the outskirts beyond Sochi, where there is a substantial potential for a terrorist attack.

And...

FBI Director James Comey, who testified at the same hearing, said cooperation between the FBI and Russian officials on security issues surrounding the Olympics, which run Feb. 7-23, has been "steadily improving" as the Games approach.

That's not what we hear from other sources.

"We have a good level of cooperation there," Comey said. "It can always improve. We are looking for ways to improve it as are they."

Meanwhile, in Russia, the Games organizing committee chief, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations, the Associated Press reports.

COMMENT:  We hope all goes well.  But I've never seen such apprehension over the Olympic Games.  Sochi was a terrible choice.

January 30, 2014