ABOVE: Matthew Olsen, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, says the biggest threat to the winter games in Sochi are the outlying areas beyond the city (Jan 29)
WASHINGTON – A top U.S. counterterrorist official says there are “a number of specific threats” aimed at this week’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia – with the greatest danger coming from the Caucasus Emirate, which has threatened to attack the games.
Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is telling Congress Tuesday that the U.S. and Russia are tracking threats of “varying degrees” of credibility. He said potential attacks seem more likely outside the venues for the games, and instead in the area or region around Sochi.
He described intelligence sharing with Russia as “good.”
FBI Director James Comey said U.S. co-operation with the Russian Security Service has improved.
Russia has mounted a massive security operation for the Olympics, deploying more than 50,000 police and soldiers amid threats from Muslim insurgents.
WATCH: Timothy Stanley, managing director of the Global Risks Consultancy Group, says Russia is doing “everything in their power” to minimize threat to Sochi games
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