For the second time in ten months, terror has struck Paris.
The multiple and simultaneous attacks were executed flawlessly and with military precision. They required significant communication between the actors to devise an operational strategy. First, they conducted their advance work: the study and assessment of the targeted locations and their existing security. Second, the patterns and practices of the local police were established and viable escape routes developed. Next, they surreptitiously acquired weapons, vests and vehicles and, clearly, trained extensively. Finally, they developed a precise timetable, a solid backup plan and secure safe house locations.
All this without a syllable being uttered on the chatter lines; without a digital fingerprint left behind. This ghostlike coalition did not develop such an incredibly precise and effective operational strategy overnight. It took weeks, if not months.
Eight terrorists, foaming with hate and invective. Not a syllable or whisper captured by wary and diligent intelligence officers bent on uncovering these terrorists, more so than ever since the attacks in January.
The clear lack of actionable intelligence developed by the French authorities is extremely troubling, particularly since one of the terrorists was on their radar. But the deafening silence in the intelligence monitoring rooms in France suggests a far more ominous reason for the silence: smarter and more careful terrorists.
These terrorists likely studied law enforcement's well-documented practices for intelligence gathering. The flow of social media chatter that helped law enforcement to identify and prevent numerous attacks in NYC and elsewhere has been stymied by a new and more diabolically clever terrorist: one who reads the papers and learns from his mistakes.
A terrorist with iron discipline who effectively checkmates law enforcement's efforts to identify him by not communicating online, talking carelessly on electronic devices and at locations that could be compromised; or with individuals who could be undercover agents.
No more reckless radicalizing through intermediaries, social networks and the Internet. No more careless posting on message boards and private forums -- anonymous rooms where aspiring terrorists can plan attacks and share info on weapons and targets.
Iron discipline has replaced loose lips.