Pakistan is the latest in a string of countries to make the mistake of believing that outlawing protest will stop the protesting. Pakistan will very quickly learn that outlawing protest in order to prevent rioting against the government is only going to make matters worse, instead of better.
With Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Bush Administration drastically transformed the Middle East and dramatically altered the balance of power in that region. Unfortunately, instead of quickly reassessing the new dynamics on the ground and developing a new and more appropriate prism for viewing the region, the Bush Administration pursued the same old policies of the past and continued to view the region through the same old prism. As a result, the Bush Administration failed miserably in reaping the benefits of the Operation’s potential strategic gains for the United States and it suffered major regional setbacks.
The killing of two British soldiers due to deploy to Afghanistan this weekend by Dissident Republican terrorists this weekend in Northern Ireland should act as a stark reminder to the Obama Administration of the folly of allowing hope to overcome operational realities.
During Secretary Napolitano’s first appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) performed an important service. He pointed out that legalistic “one size fits all” homeland security requirements don’t make sense. Rigid compliance enforced without exception and not viewed through the lens of common sense can sap the credibility of DHS in the eyes of the American public and at the same time fail to enhance security.
Security Debrief contributor Michael Braun, former DEA Chief of Operations, spoke with Tom Temin and Jane Norris of Federal News Radio to discuss the recent push for additional tunnel detection technology.
Whether talking about 100% or 50% or 10% screening, the larger the percentage the larger the cost in equipment and staff. However, I would ask 2 questions: What are we screening for and, and is the cost a sound investment in the most effective strategy?
Senator McCain, a co-sponsor with Senator Levin of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, yesterday likened the imminent crisis in defence procurement budget overruns to “a train wreck coming”; with $300bn in over-runs last year, this is no insignificant piece of work.
The administration’s effort to “Make America Safer” and create jobs through the Economic Stimulus package is a good start. However, it still misses the bigger opportunity of leveraging the Stimulus Package to get the private sector to focus on remediating its vulnerabilities.
Cyber attacks of computer systems and telecommunication networks are highly developed and increasingly used as a way to gain an advantage in the commercial sector, as well as a viable tool for terrorists seeking to cause economic destruction and ways to fund their operations. As business trade secrets and customer information become more vulnerable, it is clear that the public can wait no longer for cyber security standards.
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