Flawed Reactions to Terrorist Threats: Prioritizing Counter-Terrorism is Key

Strategic Insights -

The attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to ignite explosives on a Northwest Airlines flight has sparked intense debate about the root causes of the incident and what can be done to prevent similar events in the future. However, according to global security expert Steve Lee, the reactions of leaders to this event have been "knee jerk" and politically motivated, rather than reflective of genuine concern for the flying public and aviation professionals.

Steve Lee, Managing Partner of Steve Lee & Associates, believes that the focus on passive procedures such as removing blankets and limiting bathroom visits during the last hour of the flight will not be effective in preventing similar incidents. He notes that checkpoint screening procedures are designed to catch non-terrorist travelers attempting to bring more than 3 ounces of hair product on board, but this approach has proven to be ineffective in detecting explosives and other threats. Lee cites examples of individuals successfully bringing weapons through security and onto airplanes, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism.

Lee attributes the breakdown in communications that led to the failed security screening of Abdulmutallab's explosive material to a failure at a policy and leadership level. He notes that despite the advent of the Department of Homeland Security, intra-agency and inter-agency communication problems are reminiscent of those that preceded the 9/11 attacks. Lee is concerned that the apparent de-prioritization of counter-terrorism efforts will have international implications, as allies and friends will follow the lead of the US in security matters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Global security expert Steve Lee believes that the reactions of leaders to the attempted airline bombing have been "knee jerk" and politically motivated.
  • Checkpoint screening procedures are designed to catch non-terrorist travelers attempting to bring prohibited items on board, but this approach has proven ineffective in detecting explosives and other threats.
  • Steve Lee attributes the breakdown in communications that led to the failed security screening of Abdulmutallab's explosive material to a failure at a policy and leadership level.
  • Despite the advent of the Department of Homeland Security, intra-agency and inter-agency communication problems remain a challenge.
  • The de-prioritization of counter-terrorism efforts will have international implications, as allies and friends will follow the lead of the US in security matters.
  • Steve Lee and his team, Steve Lee & Associates, have commercial clients across a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace and defense, financial services, and pharmaceuticals.

Statistics:

  • In the last 8 years, US security agencies have detected and interdicted threats long before they reached TSA and international security checkpoints (Source: Steve Lee & Associates).
  • There are examples of individuals successfully bringing weapons through security and onto airplanes (Source: Steve Lee & Associates).
  • The US has a history of intra-agency and inter-agency communication problems, reminiscent of those that preceded the 9/11 attacks (Source: Steve Lee & Associates).

Sources:

  • Steve Lee & Associates, a global security consulting firm.
  • CNN, CNBC, and Business Week, news organizations that have featured Steve Lee's commentary.
  • Bioterrorism Week, a publication that featured this article by the editors.
  • NewsRx.com, a news outlet that published the article on Bioterrorism Week.