Yesterday, the Middle East Contrarian took a detour from discussing Middle East policy to vent about airport screening procedures. In a letter-to-the-editor of the Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, I suggested that questioning of passengers at airports would enhance security while sparing most travelers new, intrusive screening techniques such as full-body patdowns.
It is pretty ridiculous that passengers stand idle unapproached in security lines and then security officials stare at a photo ID but do not ask a single question of travelers that might expose malintent. A wasted opportunity to protect the air-traveling public.
Showing posts with label Counterterrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Counterterrorism. Show all posts
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
International Double-Standard on House Demolitions
International opinion towards Israeli counterterrorism is biased and reflects a double-standard.
Israeli policy is to demolish the houses of Palestinian suicide bombers to exact a significant enough cost so that others choose not to emulate them. The policy is divisive, even within Israel. Critics argue that, if a bomber's family had no idea of his plans, why should it be punished. Israel examines each situation individually, but with bombers taking the lives of dozens of innocent Israelis with them, Israel is left with little choice but to try to deter more attacks.
The United Nations has condemned the practice and called upon Israel to "respect its obligations under international humanitarian law...not to undertake demolition of homes."
The U.S. State Department has said the "demolition of civilian structures deprives Palestinians of shelter and the ability to peacefully earn a livelihood" and "make[s] more difficult bringing an end to violence." However, with bombings now halted, it seems demolitions expedited, not prevented, an end to violence.
For several years, Nigeria has suffered from a pandemic of kidnaps-for-ransom, mostly of foreign-company workers in the oil-rich Niger Delta. More recently, however, as foreign workers have taken security precautions, kidnappers have begun to target more often local political leaders, the wealthy, and others.
Recently, the government of Nigeria's Enugu State announced that "any house used to harbor [kidnapped] hostages or found to be a hideout for kidnappers...will be demolished while the certificate of occupancy...will be revoked and the property seized by the government." The State's Governor said the government "would not accept any excuse from anybody.... No one is above the law. We will tackle the problem of kidnappers and violent crime in the state [one] hundred percent, not with kid gloves."
The announcement has prompted not one word of criticism or condemnation from the U.S. State Department, United Nations, or others. Nor should it. As long as Israelis are not doing the demolition, house demolition appears to be an internationally-acceptable strategy of helping to ensure public safety.
Israeli policy is to demolish the houses of Palestinian suicide bombers to exact a significant enough cost so that others choose not to emulate them. The policy is divisive, even within Israel. Critics argue that, if a bomber's family had no idea of his plans, why should it be punished. Israel examines each situation individually, but with bombers taking the lives of dozens of innocent Israelis with them, Israel is left with little choice but to try to deter more attacks.
The United Nations has condemned the practice and called upon Israel to "respect its obligations under international humanitarian law...not to undertake demolition of homes."
The U.S. State Department has said the "demolition of civilian structures deprives Palestinians of shelter and the ability to peacefully earn a livelihood" and "make[s] more difficult bringing an end to violence." However, with bombings now halted, it seems demolitions expedited, not prevented, an end to violence.
For several years, Nigeria has suffered from a pandemic of kidnaps-for-ransom, mostly of foreign-company workers in the oil-rich Niger Delta. More recently, however, as foreign workers have taken security precautions, kidnappers have begun to target more often local political leaders, the wealthy, and others.
Recently, the government of Nigeria's Enugu State announced that "any house used to harbor [kidnapped] hostages or found to be a hideout for kidnappers...will be demolished while the certificate of occupancy...will be revoked and the property seized by the government." The State's Governor said the government "would not accept any excuse from anybody.... No one is above the law. We will tackle the problem of kidnappers and violent crime in the state [one] hundred percent, not with kid gloves."
The announcement has prompted not one word of criticism or condemnation from the U.S. State Department, United Nations, or others. Nor should it. As long as Israelis are not doing the demolition, house demolition appears to be an internationally-acceptable strategy of helping to ensure public safety.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mossad Made Me Proud
It seems like everyone's been on the Mossad's case in recent days. The world's press is after Israel's secret intelligence service for a successful hit on a leading Hamas terrorist in Dubai in which assassins reportedly used fake British passports to enter the country. The Washington Post has led the campaign to expose any Mossad role and vilify the organization. Amid the criticism, it seems lost that killed was a man responsible for the murder of two Israelis in the 1980s and, more recently, smuggling advanced rockets into Gaza to fire at Israel.
Meanwhile, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports on the many successes achieved by Mossad under the leadership of Meir Dagan, a confidant of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who appointed him to the post in 2002. I had the pleasure of meeting Dagan in Tel Aviv in 2001, months before his appointment. U.S. officials at Embassy Tel Aviv had no appreciation for why I sought the meeting and only reluctantly scheduled it. I knew, however, that Dagan was destined to return to an influential role in the Israeli government. The JTA piece makes clear just how much Israelis -- and the world, for that matter -- ought to be grateful for his leadership of Mossad and how deserving he is of reappointment when his term ends later this year.
Meanwhile, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports on the many successes achieved by Mossad under the leadership of Meir Dagan, a confidant of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who appointed him to the post in 2002. I had the pleasure of meeting Dagan in Tel Aviv in 2001, months before his appointment. U.S. officials at Embassy Tel Aviv had no appreciation for why I sought the meeting and only reluctantly scheduled it. I knew, however, that Dagan was destined to return to an influential role in the Israeli government. The JTA piece makes clear just how much Israelis -- and the world, for that matter -- ought to be grateful for his leadership of Mossad and how deserving he is of reappointment when his term ends later this year.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Giving Terrorists a Head-Start Again
In the wake of the botched Christmas Day bombing of a Detroit-bound jet from Amsterdam, it would make sense were the United States government to impose heightened screening of passengers arriving from certain high-risk countries where terrorists are known to operate.
Thankfully, that's exactly what the U.S. Government apparently has decided to do.
But would it make sense for the U.S. Government to publicly announce exactly which countries will be subject to the enhanced screening? Of course not, because then the terrorists will launch airline attacks from other countries where security is less stringent.
But that is exactly what the U.S. has done. In announcing the new measures, it also revealed the names of at least 14 countries from where passengers will be double and triple-checked.
Shooting ourselves in the feet again.
Thankfully, that's exactly what the U.S. Government apparently has decided to do.
But would it make sense for the U.S. Government to publicly announce exactly which countries will be subject to the enhanced screening? Of course not, because then the terrorists will launch airline attacks from other countries where security is less stringent.
But that is exactly what the U.S. has done. In announcing the new measures, it also revealed the names of at least 14 countries from where passengers will be double and triple-checked.
Shooting ourselves in the feet again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
