U.S. on alert for `lone wolf' attacks

The nation’s terror-alert status Monday was officially raised to “orange,” meaning a high risk of attack, as Homeland Security and FBI officials geared up for efforts to disrupt extremists who might want to commit violence in retaliation for a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. “The intelligence community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S-led military campaign against Saddam Hussein,” said a Department of Homeland Security statement in explaining the change in status from “yellow,” or “elevated” risk. The announcement, expected for weeks, came moments after President Bush said in a prime-time speech Monday that Hussein must leave Iraq within 48 hours or face attack. It is the first alert issued by the new agency since it took over sole responsibility for the nation’s color-coded warning system. When the alert level was raised in February, it was done jointly by Homeland Security and the Justice Department. Full Story