We don’t mean to rattle cages, but we can’t resist pointing out that – even with effective fences, barriers and entry screeners – the final dependence in security is on alert human guards. Thus, we note that the FBI is investigating how “a suspicious package containing explosives was left unattended by security guards for three […]
Some elements of al-Qaeda, at least, seem anxious to recruit women terrorists, despite ambivalence on their eligibility once expressed by al-Qaeda’s deputy leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Earlier this month, Al-Fajr, a jihadist media distribution outlet, published the first issue of Al-Shamikha (“the majestic woman”), “an online magazine marketed to female jihadi audience.” Reviewers say the magazine […]
Another “heads up” service by Google. They have a Crisis Response site that keeps you reasonably up-to-date on whatever crisis is occurring around the world. You can use it for “emergency information, maps and missing persons resources” on the Japanese earthquakes, for example.
With whole seacoast landscapes being washed away in Japan, there’s no doubt that the earthquake and tsunami there represent an epic catastrophe. Homeland Security Watch has compiled a list of websites that are tracking earthquake-related developments in the Pacific. You’ll find it here.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is promoting its “See Something, Say Something”campaign for the general public, it’s increasingly important to maintain security vigilance at given at-risk facilities. That’s because the general campaign is threatening to overwhelm the system, says Homeland Security Newswire. David Rittgers, a legal policy analyst for the Cato Institute, thinks […]
Good news from Bruce Schneier on the crime front: Pickpockets in America are dying out. Bruce saw a story on their demise on Slate and is passing it along. “Pickpocketing,” says Slate, has always perpetuated itself by having older hooks – nicknamed “Fagins,” after the crime boss in Oliver Twist – teach younger ones the […]
Foreign Affairs has a dismaying article on al Qaeda. It’s stronger now, the scholarly journal says, than it was when it carried out the 9/11 attacks. “Today it (al Qaeda) has more members, greater geographic reach, and a level of ideological sophistication and influence it lacked ten years ago.” Not good news at all, especially […]