In addition to the Volgograd attacks, there has also been violence in recent days in the southern republic of Dagestan -- the latest unrest linked to a long-running Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus region. Putin pledges stepped up security 
 
 Putin has pledged that visitors to Sochi for the Winter Olympics will be kept safe. "We will try to make certain that the security measures are not intrusive or too conspicuous, so they are not too noticeable for the athletes, the Olympics' guests or journalists," Putin said, according to the interview transcript. King, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he wouldn't go to the games himself, "and I don't think I would send my family." "We don't seem to be getting all of the information we need to protect our athletes in the Games," said Rep. Mike Rogers (Michigan-R), who appeared on CNN's State of the Union and CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday.
– A chilling threat for visitors to next month's Sochi Olympics: Islamic militants say they have a "present" ready for those attending the Games in southern Russia. The threat was made in a video that surfaced yesterday, sparking serious security fears with the event less than three weeks away, CNN reports. "We've prepared a present for you and all tourists who'll come over," two black-clad men say in the video. "If you will hold the Olympics, you'll get a present from us for the Muslim blood that's been spilled. The two men are believed to be suicide bombers who blew themselves up in last month's Volgograd attacks, killing 34 people. Russian and American authorities are analyzing the video and while it's not clear whether it presents a credible security threat, US lawmakers have expressed concern about Russia's ability to protect athletes, USA Today reports. Some American athletes, however, say they have full confidence in Russia's security measures. "Putin is not going to compromise security. This is his baby," speedskater Patrick Meek said after the Volgograd bombings. Click for more on Russia's intense security measures.