Bergen , Cahall : U.S. issued global travel alert , 21 embassies , consulates close Aug. 4 . On Friday the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert because of an unspecified al Qaeda threat . That day is Ramadan 'Night of Power , ' also seen by al Qaeda as good night for martyrdom . They say night of power has brought earlier terror attacks ; embassies a favored target . Writers : The New York Times and Washington Post report that the FBI had warned American citizens to avoid public places in light of heightened security concerns since Sept. 11.
Bergen , Cahall : U.S. issued global travel alert , 21 embassies , consulates close Aug. 4 . That day is Ramadan 'Night of Power , ' also seen by al Qaeda as good night for martyrdom . They say night of power has brought earlier terror attacks ; embassies a favored target . Writers : The New York Times and Washington Post report that the FBI had warned American citizens to avoid public places in light of heightened security concerns since Sept. 11.