Should I go?

[Hypocolius]

In light of the recent attacks in Istanbul and Riyadh, would you go to a rugby tournament (visited mostly by westerners) in Dubai next week? I loooove rugby, and I don't want to let the buggers know they're getting to me by altering my behaviour too much, but is this a risk too far? IMO Dubai is overdue a visit from the w*nkers with explosive waistcoats.... Opinions please.

[Jon_in_london]

I honestly have no idea. I think it really depends on what the local situation is.....

Sorry mate, cant help ya.

[DanishDynamite]

In light of the recent attacks, are the security arrangements substantially increased? If so, I would certainly go.

Well, uh, just to clarify, I would go if the event in question was of interest to me. :)

[arcticpenguin]

"If you don't attend that rugby tournament in Dubai, then the terrorists have already won."

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by DanishDynamite
In light of the recent attacks, are the security arrangements substantially increased? If so, I would certainly go.

Well, uh, just to clarify, I would go if the event in question was of interest to me. :)

I would too. I was in India recently (not nearly as dangerous but certainly the site of recent terrorist activity). There are always risks, even if you hide under your bed. Objectively speaking, the total killed from terrorism in the world averages perhaps one in a million per capita annually. Not too many really, even with all the news coverage reminding us daily. Personally, I would stay away from war zones, and repressive governments with poor relations with the US (Dubai having no problem with any of those).

BTW: If you go, please post something here if you get killed. :)

[Hypocolius]

Jon - all seems normal, no-one else is worried

DD - I think they're taking it very seriously, but what can you do at an event that attracts 15 - 20,000 people?

Arctic - I agree, but I have a kid, and ....

Dr Chinese - Wilco, and could I claim the $1Million at the same time?

[Nikk]

There are so many tempting targets. Why is your get together, where there will be heavy security a better bet than the England v Australia match in Oz this weekend? Or the public i.e. groundside of any airport terminal anywhere? And so on and so on.

Go, or you'll be really p#ssed with yourself when you miss it and nothing happens.

If I'm wrong and you're killed - sue me :D .

[DanishDynamite]

Hypocolius:DD - I think they're taking it very seriously, but what can you do at an event that attracts 15 - 20,000 people?A lot. The demonstrations against Bush in the UK were estimated to reach 100,000. All of them anti-Bush. And yet, Bush flew to the UK.

Seriously, I wouldn't let the threat of terrorists stop me from any event. Unless, I suppose, there was clear intel suggesting that the event would be a target.

As arcticpenguin said:

"If you don't attend that ***** (Ed.) tournament in Dubai, then the terrorists have already won."

[Thanz]

Originally posted by Hypocolius
I don't want to let the buggers know they're getting to me by altering my behaviour too much, but is this a risk too far? IMO Dubai is overdue a visit from the w*nkers with explosive waistcoats.... Opinions please.
Well, if you decide not to go, I promise not to tell any buggers or w*nkers that you stayed home due to concerns of being blown into tiny pieces. In fact, if I do meet any buggers or w*nkers, I'll be sure to inform them that you were just too busy, and feeling a bit under the weather, besides.

[Mr Manifesto]

Hope this helps (http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/United_Arab_Emirates)

[Badger]

I'd go.

At the very least, there's worse ways to die than drunk, and on vacation, doing/seeing something you have passion about. And if you do post that you were killed, the $1 million can go to your kid.

Really, the risk to you yourself is minimal, and the good time to be had is of high probability.