Terrorism has reentered the public consciousness in the United States in the last few weeks, leaving many with a growing sense of fear.

Beginning with the bombing of a U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia, continuing with the suspected terrorist involvement in the downing of TWA Flight 800 and culminating in the bombing of the Atlanta Olympics, the rash of recent acts of terror has made many American citizens question just how safe they really are.

Experts on terrorism say it is often very difficult to predict where and when terrorists will strike without some kind of advance intelligence largely because the terrorist's greatest weapons are fear and surprise.

Generally, however, prime targets are high-profile places with relatively open access, such as the World Trade Center or the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, that will have a great deal of shock value to the general public by making them wonder if they, too, could be in danger.

Harvard is certainly high-profile. The nation's oldest, richest and most prominent university, Harvard boasts nine faculties full of presidential advisers and prestigious prize-winning scientists and an alum base that includes CEOs, lawyers and the vice president of the United States.

Harvard is also, as even the president of the University admits, somewhat open-access, at least as compared to many other high-profile institutions.

This combination, in the wake of all the recent terrorism involving Americans, has led some to wonder:

Could it happen here?

High-Risk Areas

According to FBI spokesperson Peter S. Ginieres, the FBI does recognize that some areas are at a greater risk than others to receive a terrorist attack, but he said he could not comment specifically on what they are.

"We don't alarm any segment of our society unless it is absolutely necessary," he says.

For example, after the attack on a federal building in Oklahoma City, the FBI cautioned other such buildings to raise their security. And since the downing of TWA Flight 800, security has been increased in airports, he says.

"As a result of what occurred in Atlanta, or if in fact the TWA crash proves to be a result of terrorist activity, everyone has to be mindful that there are a number of potential targets out there. Caution is necessary," Geneiris says.

When asked if universities are a likely target, Geneiris says the FBI can not speculate on possible future targets and "could not confirm or deny" if the bureau expects universities to be targeted in the future.

But one expert points out that attacks on academics are fairly common in countries where terrorism is more common than the United States.

"Particularly when academics take a prominent part in politics, they become victims and are attacked on or off campus," says Paul Wilkinson, professor of international relations and head of the School of History and International Relations at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.