Timing of Hussein's Execution Increases Terror Potential

The timing of Saddam Hussein's execution was criminally ill-timed. It is a provocation, coming just before a Muslim holiday. It will most certainly increase the likelihood of a terror attack directed at the West:

U.S. government officials said yesterday people should be vigilant about the possibility of a terror attack associated with Saddam Hussein's execution in Iraq.

There has already been a terror attack in Spain that might have been motivated, in part, by the execution. The British recently warned a terror threat:

With police and security services on heightened alert for a possible attack over Christmas and the New Year, Sir Ian Blair echoed fears in the intelligence community that the risk of an atrocity has increased substantially in recent months.

And this warning came before the Hussein execution. We have to assume al Qaeda, and their offshoots, would be doubly motivated to attack the U.S., or those who supported our invasion of Iraq:

Western intelligence and security officials say the threat of a terror attack by Islamic militants over the holiday season is extremely high, with the greatest concern focusing on a possible plot targeting Europe.