Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2014
It Appears Baghdad Will Fall to Al Qaeda Related Group - Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Dire News for Price of Oil and and for the Civilized World
Commentary by Mark Carolla, Former Defense Diplomat and Analyst.
It appears that there is little standing in the way of an Islamic Extremist, not to mention terrorist, capture of Baghdad, or at best a partition of Iraq into sectarian parts - Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni. For US foreign policy and strategic interests this makes the Ukrainian-Russian ethnic clash look like a Sunday School outing. What could result here is an Islamic extremist Caliphate - the extremists have already threatened to kill staunch American Ally King Abdullah of Jordan. At the very least the price of oil could go sky high. Saudi Arabia could be threatened,and there could be a general Shiite-Sunni conflict ranging from Lebanon and Syria to Iran.
Our readers are urged to follow Retired US Air Force Colonel Rick Francona's blog at www.francona.com for up to date informed analysis. Additionally, Mark Carolla, the author of this small piece, in collaboration with Edna Chirico of Green Moose Consulting, LLC is prepared to do an analysis of what this means for Charlotte area business. Edna Chirico's knowledge of the Carolinas infrastructure and economy along with Mark Carolla's three decade plus international security experience can be deployed to help you evaluate your business risk strategy.
Monday, May 6, 2013
MIA gets black Lab Retrievers to help screen passengers - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
MIA gets black Lab Retrievers to help screen passengers - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.comhttp://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/03/3379700/mia-gets-black-lab-retrievers.html
The use of dogs adds another layer in security - it is random and is a factor that terrorists have to include in their penetration plans - The basic question they have to ask themselves is: "Do we feel lucky today about this target?" Hopefully coming to an airport you use soon.
One thing about the Boston Bombing on April 15th - terrorists do not necessarily look like people from the Middle East - and terrorists: radical jihadists; radical nationalists; and extremists come from areas such as Russia, the Balkans, Southeast Asia and here in the US. These dogs should help deter and make airports a "harder target."
The use of dogs adds another layer in security - it is random and is a factor that terrorists have to include in their penetration plans - The basic question they have to ask themselves is: "Do we feel lucky today about this target?" Hopefully coming to an airport you use soon.
One thing about the Boston Bombing on April 15th - terrorists do not necessarily look like people from the Middle East - and terrorists: radical jihadists; radical nationalists; and extremists come from areas such as Russia, the Balkans, Southeast Asia and here in the US. These dogs should help deter and make airports a "harder target."
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Security on LYNX
Security Built into LYNX Plans and Operations
The Charlotte LYNX has security plans and mitigation efforts incorporated into its planning as this study shows.http://www.rideonnews.com/deis/Chapter%2016%20-%20Safety%20and%20Security.pdf
It can be expected in the wake of the terrorist attack in Boston that questions will be raised about the safety and security of LYNX light rail. The Queen City needn't be complacent but there are security operating procedures in place and being improved. Exact details can't be divulged - to keep the bad guys guessing.
The Charlotte LYNX has security plans and mitigation efforts incorporated into its planning as this study shows.http://www.rideonnews.com/deis/Chapter%2016%20-%20Safety%20and%20Security.pdf
It can be expected in the wake of the terrorist attack in Boston that questions will be raised about the safety and security of LYNX light rail. The Queen City needn't be complacent but there are security operating procedures in place and being improved. Exact details can't be divulged - to keep the bad guys guessing.
Hotel Security after Boston - and Mumbai
This item is from Travel Agent Central:
Trend Watch – As Suspects in Boston Bombings Surface, What's Next for Travel Security?
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/trends-research/trend-watch-suspects-boston-bombings-surface-whats-next-travel-security-40155
April 17, 2013
By: Adam Leposa
The LA Times and Associated Press are reporting that police have identified possible suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings. But as the investigation continues, what will this event mean for the future of travel security? Travel Agent caught up with Todd Seiders, director of risk management at Petra Risk Solutions and former director of loss prevention at Marriott, on how hotels and public events can work to increase traveler safety in the future. “The Boston Marathon bombing is just another example of how hard it is to secure public places and events,” Seiders says. “According to the news, bomb dogs had swept the finish line area 1 hour prior to the start of the marathon. So obviously police did everything they could to secure the area, and the bombs were brought in during the event.” Because of the nature of their business, implementing TSA-style security measures at hotels would not be a good idea, Seiders says. “They would have to limit the entry into their buildings, search bags, confirm you have business there and inconvenience everyone. The general public will not stand for that (look at the continuing uproar about the TSA at airports).” Complicating the issue is the fact that hotel staff members are, by and large, trained to please potential guests, which can render them vulnerable to security threats. “There is a constant clash between hotel security experts and seasoned hotel management people, whose pay and bonuses depend on guest satisfaction surveys and comments,” Seiders continues. “Hotel security experts need to find more guest friendly ways to provide security, and hotel managers need to take security more seriously. A large number of hotels do not have a dedicated security staff, so security falls on the guest service staff, and guest service staff is trained never to say no or to offend or interfere with the guest experience.” Seiders recommends hotels install HD cameras to monitor open public spaces, exits and entrances, both to deter crime and to aid investigation should one occur. Staff should be trained to pick up and investigate unattended bags or luggage, and hotels should work closely with their local police of sheriff department, along with Homeland Security, to discuss security and terrorism. “Hotel staff is scared to death that if they upset a guest and have a complaint, they will always get in trouble,” Seiders says. “This prevents hotel staff from acting in a security role and questioning suspicious behavior. Attitudes about hotel security need to change all around.”
Mark’s Comment: What goes for public transportation "see something, say something" goes for the hotel and hospitality industry too. In a free democracy that is not living in terror of the terrorists, citizens have to be trained to be aware of their surroundings and not depend on others to look out for them except at the macro national or regional law enforcement level. Certainly unattended luggage will continue to be problematic in a hotel lobby, for instance, but left items not entrusted to a bell hop should certainly be reported; or if spotted by staff placed in a secure area as a "customer service." Random patrols of major hotel lobbies by alert, courteous and well-armed law enforcement could provide a sense of security to travelers and serve to deter terrorists. Also, good customer service should not deter service staff or front desks from alerting security to suspicious behavior without confronting a guest.
Trend Watch – As Suspects in Boston Bombings Surface, What's Next for Travel Security?
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/trends-research/trend-watch-suspects-boston-bombings-surface-whats-next-travel-security-40155
April 17, 2013
By: Adam Leposa
The LA Times and Associated Press are reporting that police have identified possible suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings. But as the investigation continues, what will this event mean for the future of travel security? Travel Agent caught up with Todd Seiders, director of risk management at Petra Risk Solutions and former director of loss prevention at Marriott, on how hotels and public events can work to increase traveler safety in the future. “The Boston Marathon bombing is just another example of how hard it is to secure public places and events,” Seiders says. “According to the news, bomb dogs had swept the finish line area 1 hour prior to the start of the marathon. So obviously police did everything they could to secure the area, and the bombs were brought in during the event.” Because of the nature of their business, implementing TSA-style security measures at hotels would not be a good idea, Seiders says. “They would have to limit the entry into their buildings, search bags, confirm you have business there and inconvenience everyone. The general public will not stand for that (look at the continuing uproar about the TSA at airports).” Complicating the issue is the fact that hotel staff members are, by and large, trained to please potential guests, which can render them vulnerable to security threats. “There is a constant clash between hotel security experts and seasoned hotel management people, whose pay and bonuses depend on guest satisfaction surveys and comments,” Seiders continues. “Hotel security experts need to find more guest friendly ways to provide security, and hotel managers need to take security more seriously. A large number of hotels do not have a dedicated security staff, so security falls on the guest service staff, and guest service staff is trained never to say no or to offend or interfere with the guest experience.” Seiders recommends hotels install HD cameras to monitor open public spaces, exits and entrances, both to deter crime and to aid investigation should one occur. Staff should be trained to pick up and investigate unattended bags or luggage, and hotels should work closely with their local police of sheriff department, along with Homeland Security, to discuss security and terrorism. “Hotel staff is scared to death that if they upset a guest and have a complaint, they will always get in trouble,” Seiders says. “This prevents hotel staff from acting in a security role and questioning suspicious behavior. Attitudes about hotel security need to change all around.”
Mark’s Comment: What goes for public transportation "see something, say something" goes for the hotel and hospitality industry too. In a free democracy that is not living in terror of the terrorists, citizens have to be trained to be aware of their surroundings and not depend on others to look out for them except at the macro national or regional law enforcement level. Certainly unattended luggage will continue to be problematic in a hotel lobby, for instance, but left items not entrusted to a bell hop should certainly be reported; or if spotted by staff placed in a secure area as a "customer service." Random patrols of major hotel lobbies by alert, courteous and well-armed law enforcement could provide a sense of security to travelers and serve to deter terrorists. Also, good customer service should not deter service staff or front desks from alerting security to suspicious behavior without confronting a guest.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Mali Conflict Highlights New Military and Security Challenges
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidblair/100200080/the-fight-against-al-qaeda-in-mali-could-be-a-sign-of-how-the-wests-wars-are-fought-in-future/?goback=%2Egde_4657639_member_208292595
This item in the UK's Daily Telegraph highlights the nature of conflict in the post Afghanistan and Iraq Era. One of the characteristics of conflict in North and Sub-Saharan Africa is that they may hinge on company and battalion size engagements rather than armored divisions and large air forces. They also, as in the case of Afghanistan also involve complicated ethnic and religious relationships. Threat and political risk analysts will not have an easy time advising clients investing in Africa nor in advising on transportation security.
This item in the UK's Daily Telegraph highlights the nature of conflict in the post Afghanistan and Iraq Era. One of the characteristics of conflict in North and Sub-Saharan Africa is that they may hinge on company and battalion size engagements rather than armored divisions and large air forces. They also, as in the case of Afghanistan also involve complicated ethnic and religious relationships. Threat and political risk analysts will not have an easy time advising clients investing in Africa nor in advising on transportation security.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Resuming Business As Usual Difficult For Arab Airlines
Resuming Business As Usual Difficult For Arab Airlines
This excellent AviationWeek and Space Technology article spotlights how the darker side of the Arab Spring; the Terrorist and Insurgent Threat in the Maghreb; and Israel-IAEA-Iran Confrontation all loom as factors airlines and the tourist industry must cope with. This linked article doesn't even really explore the Iranian situation in relation to the geography of Dubai and Doha. Political stabilization is imperative for Egypt's tourism economy, and the turmoil in the area can impact the economics of the airline industry, cruise industry and tourism.
Political Risks and Threat Assessments will be of increasing importance for those involved in commerce in and with this area.
This excellent AviationWeek and Space Technology article spotlights how the darker side of the Arab Spring; the Terrorist and Insurgent Threat in the Maghreb; and Israel-IAEA-Iran Confrontation all loom as factors airlines and the tourist industry must cope with. This linked article doesn't even really explore the Iranian situation in relation to the geography of Dubai and Doha. Political stabilization is imperative for Egypt's tourism economy, and the turmoil in the area can impact the economics of the airline industry, cruise industry and tourism.
Political Risks and Threat Assessments will be of increasing importance for those involved in commerce in and with this area.
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