STRATFOR Assesses World Cup Security

AUSTIN, Texas, May 18 /PRNewswire/ --

• The biggest security threat to the World Cup is crime, not terrorism
• Chinese, Russian, Nigerian and Zimbabwean criminal organizations all will be looking to take advantage of visiting soccer fans
• It's unlikely that jihadist groups like al Qaeda have the capacity to carry out a major attack
• If a large-scale attack were to occur, South Africa's medical services and transportation infrastructure would be overwhelmed

STRATFOR, the world's foremost publisher of global intelligence, news and analysis, will release its World Cup Security Assessment this Tuesday. In the report, STRATFOR's security experts break down threats to the Cup posed by jihadist organizations like al Qaeda, "lone wolf" terrorists, "grassroots jihadists," South African extremist groups and organized crime. The assessment looks at how Islamist militants based outside of South Africa, such as those just arrested in Iraq, lack the capability to carry out attacks in South Africa. The report also examines threats to national teams themselves and security measures being taken by both South African and international authorities.

STRATFOR experts available for interviews include, Mark Schroeder, Director of Africa Analysis, and one of the world's leading experts on sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Schroeder has worked, lived and traveled extensively in Africa and has a vast network of informed sources across the continent.

Also available are Fred Burton, former intelligence agent with the U.S. Department of State and author of the best-selling book Ghost, Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent, and STRATFOR's VP of Tactical Intelligence, Scott Stewart, also a former intelligence agent with the State Department.

To request a copy of the report or an interview, please contact Kyle Rhodes at [email protected] or +1 512 744 4309.

About STRATFOR

STRATFOR.com is an online publisher of global intelligence, news and analysis. Its global team of intelligence professionals provides an audience of decision-makers and sophisticated news consumers in the U.S. and around the world with unique insights into political, economic, and military developments. The company uses human intelligence and other sources combined with powerful geopolitical analysis to produce penetrating explanations of world events. This independent, non-ideological content enables users not only to better understand international events, but also to reduce risks and identify opportunities in every region of the globe.

SOURCE STRATFOR.com