Part A – Areas of Vulnerability
Assess the Zazi plot in terms of aviation security, border security, and soft targets. Answer the questions below by focusing on the following chapters in the Forest textbook: Joshua Sinai, p. 116; K. Jack Riley, p. 149; and James Robbins, p. 159. In addition, refer to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) report by Marc Rosenblum, et al., assigned for Week 4.
First, consider post-9/11 enhancements to aviation security, and whether those are relevant to the Zazi plot. Why or why not? Did Zazi and his co-conspirators raise any red flags during air passenger screening? Should they have raised suspicions? Review Table 1, describing selected border threats, on page 26 of the CRS report by Marc Rosenblum and colleagues. Did Zazi and his co-conspirators fit into one of the threat scenarios listed in the table? Could improved border security have helped authorities detect this type of plot?
Finally, what factors likely contributed to the choice of targets by Zazi and his accomplices? What is the feasibility of “hardening” these targets? Refer to the Robbins chapter for a discussion of target types, selection, and consequences.
Part B – Response and Resilience
Refer to the textbook chapter by Joshua Sinai and Part 2 of the ABC video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aosfqxFEc6E&feature=emb_imp_woyt
Describe the strategies authorities used to investigate and foil the attacks planned by Zazi and his accomplices. Describe the roles of specific government and law enforcement agencies and organizations in activities such as surveillance and interrogation. How were information and responsibilities shared? What approaches by authorities were most successful, and why?
