Simultaneous Attacks and Simultaneous Assessments

I'd just like to nail one canard about the Madrid bombings. That is the notion that it "must" have been Al-Qaeda because the tactic of several simultaneous explosions "bears the hallmarks" of an Al-Qaeda attack. The thing is, this is simply a tactic. Al-Qaeda have demonstrated how "useful" such a tactic is for their aim. There is no copyright on this idea. It's not like ETA have to apply for permission from Al-Qaeda to adopt that tactic. It would take only a minor modification to their MO to do so. The fact that such a tactic was used says nothing useful about the identity of the perpetrators. One tactic which would say something would be the use of suicide bombers.

It is somewhat ironic that there is a confluence of interests among fervent anti-war types and fervent pro-war types in favouring Al-Qaeda as the likely perpetrators. The likes of Mark Steyn and Charles Johnson are sure that this is the first step of an Islamofascist assault on Europe, while the anti-war left is keen to see this as some sort of payback for Aznar for supporting Bush.

Comments

[John]

I don't like to over-emphasize "political rationale" for such attacks, but for ETA's purposes, all they need is to make the front page of Spainish newspapers and be the main story on Spanish t.v. news. Killing 5-10 people will accomplish that.

For Al Qaeda, they must make the front page of newspapers throughout the world and be the main talking point on news broadcasts everywhere. That requires a much bigger attack. That was why I assumed Al Qaeda from the word go and still do.