Counter Terrorism: Airport Security, Hostage Rescue Teams and the CDC

Government counter terrorism measures include increased airport security, economic sanctions, and military response to terrorist activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with other US federal health agencies, such as Health and Human Services, work hard to prepare for public health threats and emergencies due to terrorism.

US Counter Terrorism Policy

  • Make no concessions to terrorists and do not strike any deals.
  • Bring terrorists to justice for their crimes.
  • Isolate and apply pressure on states sponsoring terrorism to force them to change their behavior.
  • Bolster the counter terrorism capabilities of those countries working with the US that require assistance.
(From US Dept. of State, Counter Terrorism Office)

Airport Security

Despite increases in airport security measures (metal detectors, sophisticated scanning machines, police patrols, bomb-sniffing dogs, and stricter enforcement of curbside parking) it appears that security is not tight enough. The case for tighter airport security could not be made any clearer than the terrorist skyjackings of September 11, 2001, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths.

Heightened airport security can include:

  • recommendations to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure
  • random searches of carry-on and checked luggage
  • strictly enforced carry-on restrictions
  • detainment of passengers carrying questionable items in their luggage
  • the presence of plainclothes air marshals
  • delays on the tarmac as checked luggage is compared to passenger lists.

Counter Terrorism Sanctions

In the past, the US and other countries have responded to terrorist activities by imposing sanctions on those countries supporting the terrorist acts. Of the seven countries currently on the Terrorism List, Iran, Iraq, and Libya are major oil producers, producing, in 1999, about 11 percent of the world's oil consumption, 35 percent of Europe's oil imports and 10.8 percent of Japan's oil imports (CRS Report IB95112). While Iran and Iraq are considered supporters of terrorism, the world's dependence on their oil production makes global economic sanctions difficult.
 
On August 21, 1998, the US launched retaliatory missile strikes on training bases in Afghanistan associated with Osama Bin Laden in response to the bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. This act turned the page on passive counter terrorism measures, such as economic sanctions, and revealed a new, more proactive global policy against acts of terrorism.

Hostage Rescue Teams

Both military and law enforcement agencies have special operations teams, such as SWAT and hostage rescue teams, trained to respond to crisis situations. Training for Special Forces members includes hostage negotiation strategies and tactics, advanced weaponry, sniper operations, stealth and concealment, and chemical agent and tactical explosive deployment.

While police officers are generally trained to negotiate with the captor, negotiation strategies typically do not work with a terrorist. When dealing with a terrorist hostage situation, the rule of thumb is "shoot first, ask questions later." The longer hostage rescue teams delay, the more likely it is that the terrorist will kill the hostages. The FBI's hostage rescue teams are composed of highly specialized members that engage only in preparing for and implementing hostage rescues.

Military Counter Terrorism Around the World
Countries the world over have special military forces designed to combat terrorism. Here are a few of the better-known units:
  • Israel: The Sayeret Mat'kal
  • The United States: SEAL Team Six, Delta Force, the FBI
  • Britain: The Special Air Service (SAS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the CDC has increased its efforts to build a solid public health infrastructure and counter terrorism strategy, identifying seven high priority areas:
  1. Build a well-trained, well-staffed, fully prepared public health force.
  2. Increase laboratory capacity to produce timely and accurate results.
  3. Expand surveillance and epidemiology capability to rapidly detect health threats.
  4. Make available a secure, accessible information system to analyze, interpret and disseminate health data to the public.
  5. Further develop a secure, swift two-way flow of communication.
  6. Establish a policy and evaluation capability.
  7. Institute a preparedness and response plan.
The key to successfully combating terrorism is knowledge. Knowing how to react to situations gives you some control over them. The CDC, for instance, informs people on the dangers of biochemical agents, including anthrax spores. Not only is the information offered by the CDC vital to understanding the threat of bio-chemical terrorism, it's comforting just knowing that a government organization is already working to combat bioterrorism.