If you where a 2nd or 3rd world dictator, especially one less reliant on tech (perhaps named Kim?) wouldn't a fairly major solar storm be the perfect cover? If satellites are down even for a few weeks, and global communications are damaged/destroyed or just down, it could allow the dictator to act. That's the kind of thing that moves a once every century event, into something potentially worse. It also could force a regime to do things they really don't want to do. Case in point; WW2, ****** didn't want a war with allies (at least until more like 1942-1944) when he invaded Poland in September of 39. Wars can be used to avoid internal problems, (Saudi Arabia in Afganistan, Iraq, Yemen, ect).
What would have happened if during Sandy, a terrorist decided to blow up a bridge or two, or three.
There have been several attacks on power sub stations in California, but not much news. There was a deliberate major fiber cut out there as well. Don't get me started on how easy it would be to damage huge amounts of telecom infrastructure. All you need is map and post hole diggers.
