At first thought it would seem this has something to do w/ the Whitecloaks, considering Galad's presence and the past issue between Bryar(?) and Perrin.

However, I'm beginning to wonder if the unseen foe isn't Demandred and his gathering armies. While Moridin wants Rand for himself (actually so does Demandred) there are clear orders to remove/destroy both Matt and Perrin. We have assassins on the lookout for both....actually this could be an unseen foe as well.

But back to Demandred....he has his forces placed and prepared. Imagine if you will, a sudden strike via gateway on Perrin's camp, carried out by DL's under Demandreds leadership. We're very close to the end, and I have to believe that the next book is going to start off the real fireworks of TG. Such a move against Perrin's camp is strategically advantageous to the Shadow for both removing Perrin as one leg of the tripod, and for removing a large force of light soldiers and channelers. The Shadow, or rather Moridin, seems to make it clear that removing Perrin and Mat is now a priority, and I can see a move against one or both of them happening before any moves against Rand himself.