Security Debrief

The Yemen Air Cargo Attack Means Increased Security Measures Are Imminent

November 4, 2010

As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its allies in the intelligence community assess the serious attack on international aviation that originated in Yemen, these key considerations should be foremost in their minds: defeating the terrorist threat relies on multi-national information sharing; increasing economic globalization requires a dynamic and secure air cargo supply chain; and attacking international commercial aviation remains a terrorist priority.

Resisting the Threat from Radicalized Immigrants and Citizens

Security Debrief |

November 1, 2010

As investigations continue into the bombs shipped from Yemen to the United States, the news last week about a plot to bomb Washington, DC Metro stations should not be forgotten. Indeed, the arrest of Farooque Ahmed, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, is evidence of another kind of ongoing terrorist threat to the United States, one that stems from citizens and immigrants. Ahmed’s arrest shows the threat of smaller-scale terrorist attacks carried out by U.S. citizens is growing. U.S. citizens are particularly attractive to al Qaeda and other terrorists because they can more easily plot and prepare for attacks without drawing the attention of law enforcement, the intelligence community or the Department of Homeland Security.

Erroll Southers Provides Analysis on Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's Bomb Plot

Security Debrief |

November 1, 2010

Here is an interesting video of Erroll Southers analyzing Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the recent bomb plot against the United States. Southers is the Associate Director of the National Homeland Security Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) and Managing Director of Counter Terrorism for TAL Global, an international security firm. He was President Obama’s first nominee for TSA administrator and previously served as Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department.

Spotlight Now On Inbound Air Cargo Screening

Security Debrief |

November 1, 2010

I’ve been writing about inbound air cargo screening on this blog and elsewhere for some time. The recent detection of explosives in air cargo bound for the United States is now putting this issue in the spotlight. Here are some key points to note. Most importantly, the U.S. Government lacks a process to obtain data and analyze risks with respect to air cargo.

Breaking News: Suspicious Packages Found on UPS Planes inside U.S.

Security Debrief |

October 29, 2010

Suspicious packages, some containing improvised bomb-like devices, are being investigated in Newark, Philadelphia and other locations in the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets. All of the packages either originated from or have some connection to Yemen, where violence between al Qaeda and the Yemeni government has been escalating over the last month.

Former Secretary Tom Ridge to Speak at GW Homeland Security Policy Institute

Security Debrief |

October 28, 2010

Secretary Ridge will discuss the security environment facing the United States. He will offer his unique insights into existing and emerging threats, recent overseas terror alerts and U.S. engagement with the rest of the world.

Cops Using Social Media Can't Forget Good Investigation Techniques

Security Debrief |

October 25, 2010

When we talk about social media’s relevance to law enforcement, there are two different applications – using social media to facilitate communication between cops and mining clues about suspects from social media sites. Social media tools like this allow faster progress on analyzing trends, patterns and regional issues without needing to make dozens of phone calls hoping that one of your colleagues has relevant answers to your query. However, there is a distinction between “talking” via social media, and using tried and true tools and processes for investigation and analysis.

Juan Williams, fired over Muslim remarks, responds

Security Debrief |

October 21, 2010

NPR news analyst Juan Williams was recently fired after making controversial remarks on The O’Reilly Factor. Here is a brief video of Williams talking about why he was fired and elaborating on his initial comments. What say you, reader? Was Williams out of line or does he offer sound insight?

The Not So Secret World of State Defense Forces

Security Debrief |

October 21, 2010

By Jena Baker McNeill
Last week, Time Magazine led with the story, “Locked and Loaded: The Secret World of Extreme Militias.” Page after page, the article describes renegade, anti-government militia groups. The article, in its coverage of militia groups, however, makes one glaring omission: State Defense Forces (SDF). If you haven’t heard of them, don’t worry. Most Americans have not. These forces receive little press and little public attention and largely operate under the radar. But SDFs are actually a low-cost means for states to enhance homeland security efforts without relying on the bureaucratic federal apparatus.

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