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Security Debrief

Napolitano was Right: The System Worked (Almost)

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January 11, 2010

By Edward Alden
The failed Christmas bombing plot has been called, by everyone up to President Obama, a massive failure of the intelligence and targeting systems that are supposed to identify would-be terrorists before they come so close to succeeding. But the more we have learned about what the government knew before the attacks, the more it looks like this was instead a very near miss by agencies that were doing most of the right things.

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Security Debrief Experts in CQ Homeland Security (Part II)

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January 7, 2010

In this second installment of Congressional Quarterly’s survey of homeland security experts, a number of contributors to Security Debrief consider the Obama administration’s largest error in 2009. Some of the responses are provided below.

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Security Debrief Experts in CQ Homeland Security

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January 6, 2010

Congressional Quarterly surveyed homeland security experts, a number of whom are contributors to Security Debrief, on the state and future of homeland security. Some of their views on the Obama administration’s best move in homeland security in 2009 are provided here.

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Asa Hutchinson on Aviation Security After Failed Christmas Day Bombing

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January 5, 2010

Security Debrief contributor Asa Hutchinson was quoted on an NBC story about aviation security in the aftermath of Umar Abdulmutallab’s failed attempt to detonate a bomb aboard the Detroit-bound Northwest Flight 253 on December 25. Here are some excerpts from the story recapped by First Coast News.

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TSA's Decision to Intrusively Screen Every Passenger from 'Countries of Interest' Ill-Considered

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January 4, 2010

By Edward Alden
The TSA’s decision to begin intrusive screenings of every passenger boarding a U.S.-bound flight from so-called “countries of interest” is an ill-considered response to the failed Christmas bombing attempt, and one that will do more to discourage friends of the United States than to deter its enemies.

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On the Counter-Terrorism Debate: Where is the Discussion About an Integrated Response and Wider Failures?

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January 2, 2010

While we absolutely must examine the systemic failures that missed the terrorist and enabled him to board a US-bound aircraft — including the activities in isolation at both airports — we should also be examining exactly how this type of device wasn’t predicted and counter-measures developed.

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Al Qaeda Failed. What About Us? Ten Questions.

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December 29, 2009

Early reports about the failed Christmas bombing of NW 253 raise questions that need answers. Because, frankly, if the reports are true, al Qaeda never should have gotten this close to a successful attack.

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Homeland Security is Important Everyday – Sometimes Security Debrief Slacks off

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December 24, 2009

Security Debrief is dedicated to bringing its readers the latest and most insightful expert opinions on homeland security matters everyday. During the holiday season, however – from December 24 to January 3 – Security Debrief will slow its pace in publishing original content. We’re not going completely quiet, especially with the recent attempted terrorist attack on Detroit-bound Flight 253. So check in when you can, and definitely resume your daily read come January 4, at which time we will resume full service, daily postings.

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Arctic Meltdown: The Economic and Security Implications of Global Warming

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December 19, 2009

With all of the attention on global warming coming out of Copenhagen, we thought it worth reposting Security Debrief contributor Scott Borgerson’s article in Foreign Affairs journal, arguing that, thanks to global warming, the Arctic icecap is rapidly melting, opening up access to massive natural resources and creating shipping shortcuts that could save billions of dollars a year. But there are currently no clear rules governing this economically and strategically vital region. Unless Washington leads the way toward a multilateral diplomatic solution, the Arctic could descend into armed conflict.

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