How can Russia react? President Medvedev said the “terrorists” will be punished as soon as possible, but to prevent further attacks Moscow may have to elevate military options. Considering the past experience with this approach, such a strategy may lead to further conflicts between Russia, Chechnya, and other North Caucasian regions.
Around the world, there is free access before passengers with tickets are checked by security. Anyone can enter lugging a suitcase or wearing a heavy jacket without generating suspicion. There are numerous areas where groups of people congregate, including check-in gates, the arrivals area, and parking lots, before reaching security checkpoint. Any attack in these areas will be easier than one near airplanes but it will still draw attention and have a substantive impact on air travel, even if casualties are lower than in the case of a bombing of an aircraft.
What options do governments have? It certainly would be possible to protect an entire airport by creating a perimeter around the airport and searching the thousands of vehicles and individuals who enter this. But imagine now the cost and resources this would involve and the impact that this would have on air travel. This is why it is impractical and why airports will remain vulnerable to those determined to take lives through terrorism.
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:49