The Department of Homeland Security is declaring a “Period of Heightened Alert” beginning in August and lasting until July 2009, according to ABC News. A series of high-profile events like the Olympics, Democratic and Republican Party conventions, and November 2008 presidential election may be seen by terrorists as an opportunity to strike, counter-terrorism officials fear. Officials see the threat lasting into 2009 as terrorists may try to strike as a new administration takes over in the United States.

A videotaped threat by a terrorist organization in China called the Turkestan Islamic Party, which claimed responsibility for several recent bombings in China, is increasing the concerns of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Our aim is to target the most critical points related to the Olympics. We will try to attack Chinese central cities severely using the tactics that have never been employed,” a member of the terrorist organization said in the video tape.

During this “Period of Heightened Alert,” government agencies will be reviewing their contingency plans to deal with potential terrorist attacks and “will be asked to redouble efforts to study terrorism leads,” the report said.

There are currently no plans to raise the nationwide threat level above “yellow,” which means elevated.

Ryan Mauro