The Summer Olympics is remaking Paris
Associated PressJUL 29 2024
France: 'Coordinated' Arson Attacks Disrupt Rail Network Ahead of Olympic Games
Above: Travelers queue as the Eurostar service experienced delays and cancelations at St Pancras International Station on July 26, 2024 in London, England. Routes between London and Paris had been disrupted by arson attacks in France. Image copyright: Dan Kitwood/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
France is presiding over one of the most dangerous Games in Olympic history. Groups seeking to avenge Israel's war in Gaza, Jihadists, Russian operatives, and climate agitators make up just some of the actors who are being initially accused of plotting against the Games in a dazzling matrix of threat vectors. These plots are increasing in frequency, and today a key vulnerability in France was exposed. Let's hope this is not a harbinger of things to come in Paris.
Narrative B
There is every indication that the Games in Paris will be safe, and France's model for dealing with multivariate threats could be the exemplar for years to come. France has deployed tens of thousands of personnel and a new surveillance system powered by artificial intelligence that will identify and predict potential dangers. While the media will accentuate the negative before any big event, France is putting into practice hard lessons regarding counterterrorism.