SOCHI LATEST – AT 11:14 A.M. ET:  The press is now taking an active interest in the security nightmare surrounding the Sochi Olympics scheduled to start two weeks from Friday.  We know there is deep concern over the possibility that so-called "black widows" – widows of suicide bombers, have entered Sochi with the goal of launching terrorist attacks.  From Reuters: 

MOSCOW — Police have killed a senior Islamist militant in a shootout in Russia’s North Caucasus ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the National Anti-terror Committee said on Tuesday.

The shooting of Eldar Magatov, a suspect in numerous attacks on Russian targets, at a house where he had taken refuge in the Dagestan region was part of an intensifying security clampdown as the Games approach.

Meanwhile, Russian security officials are hunting down three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is believed to be in Sochi.

President Vladimir Putin has staked his political reputation on organizing a successful Olympics and tightened security nationwide after insurgents who hope to create an Islamist state in the North Caucasus threatened to attack the Games.

COMMENT:  These are the most threatened games since the Munich Olympics of 1972, when Israeli athletes were attacked, some killed.  One of the problems we reportedly face is that the Russians are not very cooperative with American anti-terror forces, probably out of national pride, and will not permit any foreign troops on their soil to assist.

We watch this every day and will keep you informed.

January 21,  2014