The car bomb discovered in London in the early hours of this morning appears to have a connection to "international terrorism". These are the tactics of Baghdad coming to London: a Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated in a crowded area. In Baghad they choose crowded markets -- in London they choose the West End and the City.
The car was discovered outside Tiger Tiger, a prominent restaurant and nightclub. If this establishment was targeted it might suggest an intended strike against so-called "western decadence". I have dined at this restaurant in the past, sitting at the window across from which the car was parked. I can therefore imagine full well the carnage that would have resulted were this device to have exploded.
However I also know the spirit of London. Londoners endured the relentless firestorm unleashed by the Luftwaffe, standing firm against the might of Nazi Germany and the terror of its V1 and V2 rockets, the forerunner of the ICBMs. We saw our ancient city in flames and our historic buildings crumble. We remained undaunted. The harder we were hit, the more resolute we became. If London could withstand the dark days of 1940-1941, which saw vast swathes of the imperial city engulfed in terror, it can certainly withstand the feeble attempts of terrorists to crush its spirit. The motto of this city was then and remains: London Can Take It!.
