STRATFOR Assesses World Cup Security

Risk of Crime in Africa's Biggest Football Tournament

AUSTIN, Texas, May 18, 2010 -

    - The biggest security threat to the World Cup is crime, not terrorism
    - Chinese, Russian, Nigerian and Zimbabwean criminal organizations all
      will be looking to take advantage of visiting soccer fans
    - It's unlikely that jihadist groups like al Qaeda have the capacity to
      carry out a major attack
    - If a large-scale attack were to occur, South Africa's medical services
      and transportation infrastructure would be overwhelmed

STRATFOR, the world's foremost publisher of global intelligence, news and
analysis, will release its World Cup Security Assessment this Tuesday. In the
report, STRATFOR's security experts break down threats to the Cup posed by
jihadist organizations like al Qaeda, "lone wolf" terrorists, "grassroots
jihadists," South African extremist groups and organized crime. The
assessment looks at how Islamist militants based outside of South Africa,
such as those just arrested in Iraq, lack the capability to carry out attacks
in South Africa. The report also examines threats to national teams
themselves and security measures being taken by both South African and
international authorities.

STRATFOR experts available for interviews include, Mark Schroeder,
Director of Africa Analysis, and one of the world's leading experts on
sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Schroeder has worked, lived and traveled extensively
in Africa and has a vast network of informed sources across the continent.

Also available are Fred Burton, former intelligence agent with the U.S.
Department of State and author of the best-selling book Ghost, Confessions of
a Counterterrorism Agent, and STRATFOR's VP of Tactical Intelligence, Scott
Stewart, also a former intelligence agent with the State Department.

To request a copy of the report or an interview, please contact Kyle
Rhodes at kyle.rhodes@stratfor.com or +1-512-744-4309.

About STRATFOR

STRATFOR.com is an online publisher of global intelligence, news and
analysis. Its global team of intelligence professionals provides an audience
of decision-makers and sophisticated news consumers in the U.S. and around
the world with unique insights into political, economic, and military
developments. The company uses human intelligence and other sources combined
with powerful geopolitical analysis to produce penetrating explanations of
world events. This independent, non-ideological content enables users not
only to better understand international events, but also to reduce risks and
identify opportunities in every region of the globe.

Kyle Rhodes of STRATFOR.com, +1-512-744-4309, kyle.rhodes at stratfor.com