From Stratfor, who last week in their foreign policy brief were counselling the wisdom of the occupation of Saudi Arabia by the United States – taking total control of Middle East oil, come further suggestions for domestic policy.
Protecting important sites remains difficult, even three years after the
Sept. 11 attacks. Consider the reaction when the Kentucky governor’s plane
flew into restricted airspace near the Capitol during preparations for
President Ronald Reagan’s funeral: Hundreds of congressmen were told to run
for their lives from the building. Though pundits later dismissed the
incident as an innocuous event, we are not convinced that officials would
have been able to stop the plane if it had been manned by suicide attackers.
On the ground, there also are difficulties. Police and federal agents in the
capital operate under peacetime, Constitution-sensitive rules of engagement.
Given the limitations placed on racial profiling, authorities cannot stop and
search a Middle Eastern male who is carrying a backpack merely on a hunch. In
light of these political realities and some of al Qaeda’s known past plots,
it is easy to envision attacks against the persons or motorcades of
high-level government officials — either American leaders or visiting
foreign dignitaries. The recent strikes against expatriate compounds in Saudi
Arabia — involving multiple assault vehicles, overwhelming firepower and
vehicle bombs — give some indication of militants’ capabilities in this
area.
One expects these kinds of measures – racial profiling, check-points – in Israel. By following a similar foreign policy it looks like the United States will soon be obliged to follow Israeli domestic policy.
All citizens are to travel with readiness kits.
Observation and Readiness: This point cannot be emphasized enough. Ensure you
are aware of your surroundings, have an escape plan in mind and take basic
precautions. For example, consider buying a smoke hood: They are inexpensive,
can be carried in a briefcase and can be quickly deployed. Some models also
can be carried aboard an aircraft. The hoods can be used in the event of a
fire or attack — whether in a subway, hotel or office building.
Also, carry a portable flashlight, small enough to fit into a pocket or
briefcase. If a strike occurs, lights and power will go down, creating panic.
Stratfor bills itself as Predictive, Insightful, Global Intelligence and is based in Washington, D.C. General tendencies – America-centric viewpoint, conservative, war-mongering. And these days, with reluctance I must add the epithet – mainstream.
When will this insanity stop? Perhaps 4 November 2004. Vote wisely. And vote! This election does matter.