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U.S.-E.U. relations under strain over visa waiver program
U.S. refuses to allow new E.U. countries to participate citing security concerns; in response, the European Commission says it will recommend imposing visa requirements on U.S. diplomats
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MIT researchers model automated UAV deployment
The market for UAVs is exploding, but critical issues remain about reliability and tactics; a team at MIT uses model helicopters to simulate a constant surveillance system that automatically switches UAVs in and out of the swarm for refueling and maintenace
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European court deadline for data sharing agreement passes
Negotiations will continue while the U.S. defers imposing $6,000 fines; privacy rights at issue, but U.S. will not budge on refusal to allow passengers to inspect shared information
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Border overgrowth threatens SBInet planning
International Boundary Commission reports severe problems with vegetation obstructing the northern border line; officials will meet in Washington this week to lobby Congress for more funding
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Congress passes border and port security bills
Last-minute vote provides funding for 700 miles of fence; port security bill requires radiation detectors at twenty-two American ports and implements pilot program for those abroad
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Joke at Tim Hawley's expense leads to unfunny security delay
Screeners at Milwaukee airport find nothing to laugh at when passenger writes “Tim Hawley is an idiot” on plastic bag
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Saudi government moves forward with border fence plans
Nervous about terrorism and drug smuggling, Saudi Arabia plans a $12 billion border protection initiative; electronic sensors, ultraviolet cameras, and a massive fingerprinting program are on the agenda; no contracts have been awarded so far
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San Diego shows promise as homeland security incubator
Local companies take advantage of proximity to high education; Daylight Solutions offers a hand held trace explosive detector that relies on lasers; Seacoast Science “volitaile organic chemical detector” identifies sarin, acetone, and other deadly chemicals
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Airport screening system under strain says TSA
A dearth of screeners and cumbersome explosive detectors contribute to problem; fix to cost $5 billion; selling federal tax credits one possible way to get more efficient machines on line
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NYC trains test laser system
Train and subway tunnels are long, dark, and empty — all conditions which make it easier for a terrorist to plant a bomb or otherwise do damage to passenger trains; one way to guard against this is to install detection systems at tunnel entrances to monitor the comings and goings there; the New York City subway is already testing a laser0base system, and this week said it would install a second one
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GE signs deal with Dubai for luggage screening systems
CTX 900s to be deployed at Dubai International Airport; Arab Middle East market is booming as states deal with economic growth and homegown terrorism; airport, one of the largest in region, is a prime business opportunity for the security-minded
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Congress acts to delay Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Land-crossing PASS card requirements delayed until June 2009; border security bill, awaiting reconciliation, includes funds for a border fence and nuclear detectors; FEMA overhaul may cause personnel changes; chemical industry loses on federal shut-down authority but prevents rule requiring a shift to safer chemicals
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TSA considers shifting money from puffers to X-rays
Criticism of explosive trace detection system reliability compunded by fear of liquid explosives; TSA believes newer X-rays will better detect liquid containers, though not the explosives themselves
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Update: TSA lowers proposed Registered Traveler Program fees from $100 to $30
Move follows industry and program participant objections; high fees might have killed the program
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The long view
Calls Grow for U.S. to Counter Chinese Control, Influence in Western Ports
Experts say Washington should consider buying back some ports, offer incentives to allies to decouple from China.