December 1, 2004
OVER THE HILL GANG:
Europe tries to sharpen antiterror efforts: European countries are adopting tougher tactics to combat terrorism, but cooperation remains a challenge. (Andreas Tzortzis, 12/01/04, CS Monitor)
German security officials, for example, have been at pains to improve data sharing since the Sept. 11 attacks, with only marginal success, say critics. "The police don't know what the police know," says Bodo Franz, the Hamburg state police's top terrorism investigator, echoing a common refrain.Rivalries between Germany's three major law enforcement agencies and the complexity of the country's security structure is hampering Germany's antiterrorism efforts, says Klaus Jansen, head of Germany's criminal investigators' union.
"They gather information, each on their own, and don't compare it to one another," says Mr. Jansen, one of German law enforcement's most persistent critics.
The same criticism is made across Europe. Following the Madrid terrorist attacks in March, a top German justice official complained that Spanish police guarded information on the attackers rather than contact other investigators for help.
They can't get their act together to protect themselves and folks think they'll be able to project any power abroad?
Posted by Orrin Judd at December 1, 2004 12:00 AM
After the history of the twentieth century, do we really want the Germans projecting power abroad?
("Keep the autobahn clean, Hans, we got this...")
Posted by: Mikey at December 1, 2004 7:45 AMAll of the American agencies dropped the ball regarding 9/11, but America still projects power rather well.
The reason that they won't be a military factor during the 21st century isn't because they can't, but because they won't spend the money that it takes.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at December 1, 2004 1:14 PMDo these "tougher tactics to combat terrorism" include growing the correct-length beard, razoring off their daughter's clits, and stuffing them in burqas?
Posted by: Ken at December 1, 2004 3:05 PM