Aviation Security and al Qaeda in Yemen - Case Study Example

Aviation Security and al Qaeda in Yemen AQAP and lacunae in Homeland Security The new terrorist network, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) embarked upon its plan to conduct terrorist attacks on the American homeland. It achieved success in its iniquitous plans, when it sent a terrorist into the US. This terrorist was almost successful in bringing about the explosion of an aircraft, as it neared the city of Detroit[Thi11]. The Homeland Security mechanism had failed to anticipate and foil this dastardly deed. During the early days after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US, high value terrorists had been captured and interrogated. This pragmatic and preventive practice had been discontinued. An illustration of this change was the failure to interrogate the Christmas Day bomber. This individual had been provided with a lawyer and informed that he was entitled to remain silent[Thi11]. Aggressive interrogation of terrorists is essential for obtaining information about future terrorist attacks. Consequently, the Obama Administration’s reluctance to engage in such interrogation has rendered the nation vulnerable to terrorist attacks. There is a major lacuna in the strategy of the US. It relies upon Yemen to assist it in identifying and neutralizing al Qaeda terrorists. However, the Yemeni government employs, harbors and relies upon these terrorists for political support and perhaps even its very existence. There is a marked reluctance among the Yemeni authorities to wage a serious war against the al Qaeda terrorists, who reside in their country[Rol10]. It was discovered by the National Commission on Terrorists Attacks Upon the United States that the weaknesses inherent in the aviation security system had been used by the al Qaeda terrorists to conduct the September 11 attacks. Some of the weaknesses identified by this commission were first, a preliminary screening process that concentrated upon identifying likely aircraft bombers[Eli04]. However, this process had ignored potential hijackers. Second, slipshod screening at checkpoints and the prevalence of permissive rules with regard to small knives.Third, absence of in – flight security measures, such as the presence of air marshals and reinforced cockpit doors.Fourth, the adoption of a non – confrontational strategy, across the industry, while addressing hijackers.Fifth, the absence of capabilities and protocols for executing a synchronized Federal Aviation Administration and military response to suicidal hijackers and multiple hijackings[Eli04].Thus, the failure of the National Aviation Security system resulted in the unsuccessful attacks of terrorists on aircraft, in our scenario. Components of Homeland Security Responsible for Defending such Attacks The following components of Homeland Security address the attacks enumerated in our scenario. One of these is the Transportation Security Administration, which is a component agency of the Department of Homeland Security[USD13]. Moreover, the U.S. Coast Guard utilizes a three – tieredmechanism of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels, in order to easily and expeditiously communicate with the Coast Guard and the maritime industry partners of the US, scalable responses for valid threats. Moreover, a National Terrorism Advisory System, on being issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security, causes the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to change the MARSEC Level, if deemed necessary. Such adjustment is based on the proportionate risk, maritime nexus, and consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security[Uni13]. The all – embracing components of the National Strategy for Homeland Security, relating to aviation, are collectively termed the National Aviation Security Policy[Eli09]. The US authorities procured a major improvement in their powers, with the enactment of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. With this Act, Coast Guard Captains of the Port were designated as the Federal Maritime Security Coordinators. With this initiative, the Coast Guard emerged as the principal agency for coordinating maritime security planning and operations in ports and waterways. Every type of effort to prevent or respond to terrorist attacks falls under the ambit of these activities[Uni131].Failure on the part of the Coast Guard in coordinating the maritime security operations resulted in the unsuccessful attack on the ship by the terrorists in our present scenario. Measures to be adopted by US Homeland Security to prevent such Attacks One of the main problems associated with the analysis of homeland security is that there is a proclivity to adopt a selective approach to assessing risk. As a result, the concentration is chiefly with regard to contemplating hazard scenarios and thereafter analyzing the possible outcomes[Ste13]. During this exercise, a number of steps that are indispensable for assessing risk tend to be viewed less seriously. Some of these are, attempting to quantify the likelihood of an established threat, assessing risks, establishing criteria related to acceptance of risk, determining the degree of risk that could be diminished on account of adopting new security measures[Ste13]. Aircraft frame technology has undergone major upheavals. Thus, the previous aluminum aircraft bodiesare no longer in vogue, and the present day preference is for composite materials. These newer materials necessitate different procedures with regard to inspection and maintenance[Ost13]. Moreover, contemporary aircraft are much larger and admit of longer duration flights, which in turn raise new demands with regard to performance and trustworthiness. Regional jets are being commonly used, and this trend, which commenced in the 1990s, poses novel challenges, as these aircraft age. These issues are crucial for the overall safety record of aircraft[Ost13]. An enhancement of the role of Safety Management Systems (SMS) is necessary for improving safety. The SMS has been constituted as a systematic mechanism for ensuring safety, and it includes the essential organizational structures, responsibilities, policies, and procedures. This initiative has been promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As such, it has emerged as an essential component of the international norms related to airline operations[Ost13]. The fundamental structure consists of identifying safety hazards; managing safety risk, via remedial actions; relentless evaluation and monitoring of the safety level desired and achieved; and programs for ensuring continuous improvement in the overall safety level[Ost13]. References Thi11: , (Thiessen, 2011, p. 133), Rol10: , (Rollins, 2010, p. 12), Eli04: , (Elias, 2004), USD13: , (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013), Uni13: , (United States Coast Guard, 2013), Eli09: , (Elias, 2009), Uni131: , (United States Coast Guard, 2013), Ste13: , (Stewart & Mueller, 2013, p. 631), Ost13: , (Oster, Strong, & Zorn, 2013, p. 161), Read More