International

The Metropolitan Police – Buffeted by the Winds of Political Whimsy

August 31, 2011

The London Riots prove, yet again, that one of the principal roles of the Metropolitan Police (“The Met”) in London is to be the whipping post of politicians pursuing an agenda. There are certainly commentators in the UK and the U.S. who are advocating for the much more widespread use of weapons in public order, some queries about why CS gas wasn’t used, etc. The answer is simple – if one cannot identify, incapacitate where necessary and arrest an individual for wrong-doing, as a police force, you simply become a weapon of suppression of the population, rather than a police force that is representative of the community protecting that community.

Weapons of Mass Destruction – A Dangerous and Uncertain Future

Steven Bucci |

August 25, 2011

The present, predominant view that Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) is confined to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives (CBRNE) only is now passé. Many people do not even include the “E”. This is far too narrow a view! At least two other categories must be included in the pantheon of WMD. These are cyber weapons and economic warfare.

Images That Don't Fade – Ten Years After the 9/11 Attacks

Security Debrief |

August 23, 2011

In this great country, most days begin and end just like most other days, so it is hard to distinguish what we did or where we were at any given moment. However, there are those days and moments that we remember exactly where we were and what we were doing. I remember the vivid images of planes hitting the World Trade Center ten years ago. To me, they are so vivid it feels like they were only yesterday. It is hard to believe how quickly our nation has adapted and how much we have changed in a relatively short period of time. Goes to show what America can do, even in times of adversity.

A Security, Tourism and Trade Package for U.S. Allies

Security Debrief |

August 23, 2011

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 will bring many retrospectives. But DHS should not lose sight of current programs and policies and the current political context. That means focusing on security measures that simultaneously bolster the economy. DHS has plenty of opportunities to do both. Here is a “security, tourism and trade” package that can be offered to U.S. allies to: (1) strengthen mutual security efforts; (2) bolster the economy by increasing tourism and trade; and (3) grow alliances with new and old global partners.

British Govt Considers Shutting Down Social Networks During Unrest

Media Watch |

August 12, 2011

RealClearWorld – Reuters – World – Aug 11, 2011 – UK may disrupt social networks during unrest Britain is considering disrupting online social networking such as Blackberry Messenger and Twitter during civil unrest, Prime Minister David Cameron said Thursday, a move widely condemned as repressive when used by other countries.

Extortion Through Terror – Fake Bomb in Sydney Reveals Real Threat

Security Debrief |

August 4, 2011

The elaborate extortion bomb hoax in Sydney is an active reminder that extortion and kidnap for ransom are very real threats. This threat is real, not only in Australia but globally. Extortion through terror is often dismissed as some form of Latin American phenomenon, but that simply isn’t true. If something can be imagined, it can be done.

A Retrospective Look at Chem-Bio Terrorism

Steven Bucci |

August 2, 2011

The Center for a New American Security released an excellent study – “Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biological and Chemical Weapons.” The result is a superb history of a singular event in modern terrorism history – the Sarin nerve gas attack on Tokyo in 1995. The CNAS team shows how a small group of dedicated loyalists can pull off some acts that many “experts” still persist in saying only nation states can do and highlight that sixteen years later, still facing a threat from terrorists, we need to learn more from this incident.

Obama Sending Mixed Messages in Counterterrorism Strategy

admin |

July 29, 2011

Recent developments in terror threats against the United States are at odds with the latest counterterrorism line coming out of the White House. We need some new thinking.

HEZBOLLAH: PARTY OF FRAUD

Security Debrief |

July 28, 2011

I published a piece in Foreign Affairs about the terrorist organization, Hezbollah, and their new role in the Lebanese government. With Iran’s economy weakening, and Syria in political turmoil, Hezbollah has launched a crime wave to gather funds, something Western countries should leverage to hurt the organization’s legitimacy and support.

Oslo Terrorist Attacks: Terrorism with a different face, in a different place

Rich Cooper |

July 27, 2011

I recently published a piece on the terrorist attacks in Oslo, Norway, which killed 76 people. Similar to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building bombing in Oklahoma in 1995, after the attacks in Oslo, many believed it was the work of Islamist terrorists. As we are finding out, however, that was not the case.

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