The New York Times report on the terrorist threat to passenger and vehicle ferries is the latest in a long succession of media articles published since 9/11 , highlighting the vulnerabilities of yet another potential terrorist target. As was pointed out in a recent WAR Report, improved security at airports will almost certainly encourage the terrorist to seek out other, more vulnerable targets, including other mass transportation systems.

Transportation infrastructure–such as rail networks, metro systems, and ferries–are particularly tempting because they are difficult to protect, carry large numbers of passengers, and the disruption and publicity resulting from an attack would be enormous. The vulnerability of such modes of transport has already been demonstrated quite vividly on numerous occasions, including the 2004 bombing of the Madrid rail network , the 1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo metro system , and the 2004 bomb attack on a Philippines ferry . Other potential targets highlighted in recent media reports have included: the petrochemical industry, nuclear power plants, schools, public buildings, national monuments, tourist sites, the food industry, drinking water supplies, and shopping malls. The reality, of course, is that one could produce a target list that contained literally thousands of potential terrorist targets, most of which could never be adequately protected against all types of threats. The question that must, therefore, be answered is: how does one protect these numerous targets against determined and ingenious terrorists who have constantly demonstrated their ability to find vulnerable targets and the means to attack them?