U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials believe the attempted terrorist attacks last weekend in England are a preview of the next terrorist assault on the United States.

According to the Washington Post, the unsophisticated, near-simultaneous attacks are designed more to provoke widespread fear and panic than to cause major losses of life, require little training, and are difficult to prevent.

CIA Director Michael Hayden told agency employees on Tuesday via an internal memo that "events in Great Britain since last Friday serve as a reminder -- if we ever needed one -- that this remains a dangerous world and that our work in defending America is as important as ever."

"Even as we deal with the current threat," Hayden's memo said, "it is hard not to notice the growing debates on both sides of the Atlantic about certain aspects of the war on terrorism: Guantanamo, habeas corpus, detentions, renditions, electronic surveillance, etc. For us, though, the choices are pretty clear: We will use all of our lawful authorities to defend America and her friends.

"Some say elements of the current debate reflect the thinking of a pre-9/11 world," the short memo concluded. "Don't worry about that. Keep your eye on our objective. For all of us at CIA, today's date is clear: It's always September 12th."