In October 2000, terrorists attacked USS Cole, a navy destroyer docked in Yemen’s territorial waters. The bombing left seventeen sailors dead, revealing both the limited ability of the U.S. to protect its own naval vessels even in a friendly port, and the ominous capability of terrorist organizations to successfully attack units of the world’s most powerful navy. While sensitivity to terrorist activity has increased dramatically since the Cole incident, (largely as a result of September 11), the shipping industry—particularly the Caribbean segment of it—remains woefully unprepared for similar attacks in the future. In contrast to airport security, the Bush administration, aside from some empty rhetoric and a few showcase programs, has not made protecting America’s seaports a priority. Full Story
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