Aviation Security and Al Qaeda in Yemen - Assignment Example

Aviation security and Al Qaeda in Yemen Aviation security and Al Qaeda in Yemen Q1. Analysis of the occurrence of terrorist plots and weaknesses of homeland security In 2009, a suicide bomber attempted a terrorist attack on the Christmas day in Detroit. An assailant had worn underwear rigged with explosive device. He was to designate the device while on board (Philip, 2011). Fortunately, the attempt failed and the assailant put in custody. The almost successful terror attack caused panic over America. In 2010, there was another terror attempt. Terrorist had a plot to put explosives onto a cargo plane. The device remained disguised into printers. The attempt also failed. Thwarting the two attempts before explosion was successful. However, the two attempts show that there are critical areas that need addressing with regard to the level of mitigation (Shan & Zhuang, 2013). Understanding and investigating the contributing factors to the identification and stopping of the two terror attempts play a vital role in the implementation and planning of subsequent mitigation methods. The underwear bomber was on-board Northwest flight 253 (Philip, 2011). The plane was to land in Detroit following departure from Amsterdam. Abdulmutallab Umar Farouk, the suicide bomber failed to designate the explosive he was wearing cautiously. When the flight arrived over Michigan, Abdulmutallab began fidgeting and was unable to trigger the device successfully. The passengers on board subdued him safely until the arrival in Detroit airport. If the device could have exploded, all the passengers on-board could die. Investigations confirm an alleged meeting between Abdulmutallab and Fahad Al-Quso. Fahad Al-Quso is under FBI watch list for bomb-making and known terrorism. Fahad Al-Quso was responsible for making of the underwear bomb and planning of the attack. Interestingly, Detroit was the target city since the flight was the cheapest. Abdulmutallab confirmed to investigators his previous purchase of flights to Chicago and Houston before acquiring the one to Detroit. The Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) had just raised the first of numerous red flags through the failed attack. The attack raised so many questions particularly concerning the reliability and efficiency of homeland security (Philip, 2011). The dissemination of information on recognised terrorist such as Fahad al-Quso was of particular interest. Investigators sought to know how two terrorist managed to book flight and surprisingly had towards the US airspace. AQAP exploited several weaknesses in the Homeland security. AQAP conduction of research on the lack of passenger consistency that led one to travel on international flight destined to United States. Getting a terrorist on board, it could be very easy to evade identification and mitigation before reaching the US airspace. AQAP was relying on the inability of vital security measures, protocols and funding to measure up to stringent policies set forth by homeland security department DHS. At the same time, there was laxity in the enforcement of such security details by Transportation Security Administration. AQAP devised a plan to construct an explosive device composed of materials not detected by standard metal detectors. There was also a plot to keep low profile to avoid raising suspicion. The security personnel could never check underwear during a body search. Amsterdam also had no full body scanner technology. AQAP were aware of DHS protocols and deployed a device that could circumvent protocols of screening passengers (Alimahomed, 2014). In the 2010 case, DHS failed to raise screening standards for cargo despite rampant terror attempts. Q2. Components of homeland security The 2009 and 2010 were almost successful. Three components of the DHS should take the blame for the terror attempts. The US Customs and Border Protection CPB has a primary mandate of preventing terrorist weapons and terrorist from entering the United states. CPB ensures tight security in the nation’s ports of entry and borders. CPB equally ensures that American trade is safe , enforce trade laws and collects import duties. The 2010 terror attack resulted from the failure of CPB to prevent terrorist from hijacking security systems and planting explosive devices on printers for cargo transport. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE, enforces customs and immigration laws. In protecting the national security, the department ensures that all immigrants are certified. The ICE could have been on the watch out for any terror activities in ports and international airlines that enter USA. AQAP could have never found it easy to place Abdulmutallab on an international plane to US airspace if the ICE department was keen on monitoring any migration of assailants into USA. The Transportation Security Administration TSA has a responsibility to secure all the airports in the country. It deploys a federal taskforce that screens all commercial airline baggage and passengers. TSA principally uses a risk-based strategy to increase security of transportation systems in USA (Alimahomed, 2014). It works closely with aviation stakeholders and transit sectors. Proper coordination of TSA and federal agents in Amsterdam and Chicago airports could have led to an early identification and capture of Abdulmutallab. At the same time, though scrutiny of cargo led by TSA could have thwarted any attempts by AQAP. Q3. Preventing future attacks The united states DHS has a mandate to prevent any future occurrence of terror attacks whether via aviation or on the nations land. The anti-terror strategies entail prevention of terrorist travel and improvement of passenger screening. For instance, an advance system scrutinizes passenger information or name and record data. DHS policies stipulate that all airlines to United States must have identification systems for high-risk travellers and enhance legitimate travel. Prior to departure PNR data facilitates the identification of individuals with any ties to terrorism. DHS also has a visa security program VSP. VSP works concurrently with the State Department through ICE deployment of special agents to investigate risky visa activities. The deployment posts identify potential terror. Pre-departure vetting is an inbound operation that targets high-risk travellers and are inadmissible in the country. Vetting gives recommendations to commercial carriers not to permit suspicious individuals to board aircrafts through DHS’s Pre-departure program. Additionally, DHS have enhanced security of flights and availed equipment that will enhance screening for explosives. In addition to the aforementioned changes, DHS and other security agencies should adopt stringent policies that will eliminate any terror attempts (Alimahomed, 2014). There is a need to protect critical physical infrastructure and cyber networks. A policy that ensures the registration of all networks should be in place to facilitate monitoring of terrorist activities. Cyber-crime is increasing and terrorist are changing tactics of terror. Such inventions including hijacking of planes and hacking into communication systems thus causing Security breach (Shan & Zhuang, 2013). Monitoring of networks will allow DHS to identify any suspicious activity in time. The country should have a policy that integrates all security agencies within the country to strengthen protection and war against terror. Involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of State and Homeland in curbing terrorism is of great significance (Shan & Zhuang, 2013). Such a policy would stipulate terms of service of every department and facilitate free exchange of information on any terror threats. Elimination of terrorist attacks or attempts requires coordination of all the county’s security departments. USA homeland security should also work hand in hand with other security agencies from countries that operate direct airlines to US or connect through the United States airspace. A joint task force that scrutinizes all the passengers in foreign countries should consist of agents from TSA and the departure country. Indeed, it would be vital if DHS assess the security protocols in the departure airports before allowing international flights to land in the country. Finally, a commitment to curb terrorism must entail punishment of any terror activities. The citizens must get vital education on terrorism and know how to respond upon suspicion of any threats (Shan & Zhuang, 2013). At the same time, severe punishment of terrorists vital in curbing domestic terrorism that could occur in the domestic airlines. References Alimahomed, S. (2014). Homeland Security Inc.: public order, private profit. Race And Class, (1), 82. Shan, X., & Zhuang, J. (2013). Cost of Equity in Homeland Security Resource Allocation in the Face of a Strategic Attacker. Risk Analysis: An International Journal, 33(6), 1083-1099. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01919.x Philip Caulfield, (Mar 24, 2011). Christmas 2009 underwear bomber targeted Detroit because it was the cheapest flight: Report. New York Daily News. Web. January 12, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/christmas-2009-underwear-bomber-targeted-detroit-cheapest-flight-report-article-1.118654 Read More