Technology Against Terrorism: Structuring Security
Abstract
Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more prominent during the past two decades. Terrorist attacks have included not only political assassinations, but also large-scale attacks, often aimed at third parties, causing massive casualties. Two well-known examples are car bombings, employing hundreds of kilograms of high explosives, and attacks on commercial aircraft around the world. The U.S. Government and the American public became acutely aware of terrorism after the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in December 1988. The recent war in the Persian Gulf heightened fears of renewed terrorist attacks on U.S. targets, both overseas and at home. In 1989, because of growing concern over terrorist threats, several Senate Committees requested that OTA study the role of technology in fighting terrorism and the Federal effort in promoting related research and development. The requesting Committees were: Governmental Affairs; Foreign Relations (Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations); and Commerce, Science, and Transportation, together with its Subcommittee on Aviation. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence also endorsed the study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA360398
Entities
Organizations
- Princeton University