issuing a "red alert" HELPS the terrorists [View All]

[arcane1]

if they had something planned, they now know that security is increased and they'd be more likely to be caught

when the alert level drops back down to yello, they know they can now go forward with their plans

*announcing an alert status is BENEFICIAL to them* It's a heck of a lot more beneficial to them than announcing that we're tracking their money


(this is, of course, assuming it's not all bullshit in the first place. I'm just trying to add some logic to the "official" story)