NEW TERROR ALERT – AT 8:34 A.M. ET:  We have few publishable certainties on this, but it's clear from reporting in the last few days that European and U.S. intelligence agencies are deeply concerned about the possibility of a coordinated series of terror attacks.  From ABC News:

US and European officials said Tuesday they have detected a plot to carry out a major, coordinated series of commando-style terror attacks in Britain, France, Germany and possibly the United States.

A senior US official said that while there is a "credible" threat, no specific time or place is known. President Obama has been briefed about the threat, say senior US officials.

Intelligence and law enforcement authorities in the US and Europe said the threat information is based on the interrogation of a suspected German terrorist allegedly captured on his way to Europe in late summer and now being held at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

US law enforcement officials say they have been told the terrorists were planning a series of "Mumbai-style" commando raids on what were termed "economic or soft" targets in the countries. Pakistani militants killed 173 people with guns and grenades during the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India.

In testimony before Congress last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said, "We are all seeing increased activity by a more diverse set of groups and a more diverse set of threats."

COMMENT:  What strikes us is the unanimity of opinion in intelligence circles.  Also, the time right before an American election is ideal for a terror strike.   A terror attack in Spain changed the results of its presidential election.  Terrorists may reason, incorrectly, that a massive terror attack now would weaken American resolve.  They don't know us.

September 29, 2010