Using Intel to Target Terrorists: Not a Novel Concept

Jena McNeill / April 02, 2010

It’s difficult to know how to react to the ‘new’ TSA security rules announced by the Obama Administration. On one hand, the good news is that the Administration is abandoning the silly process put in place after the Christmas Day plot of targeting 14 suspicious countries for secondary inspection. Any terrorist with half a brain would recognize that this is easily avoidable by simply flying through another country, not on the list.

However, the Administration has announced that its new policy would involve “surgically targeting” terrorists on “characteristics of suspected terrorists.” This should leave Americans scratching their heads. Why should using intelligence to target terrorists be a new concept to President Obama? This is the true essence of counterterrorism, and a risk-based layered approach is a best practice of security. (more…)