As the nation reacts to yesterday’s death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, Michigan residents should prepare for the possible ramifications of the killing of the world’s most-wanted terrorist.
U.S. forces killed bin Laden Sunday during a raid on his walled compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The attack ended the near decade search for the al-Qaida leader.
The death of bin Laden raises the specter of possible revenge terrorist attacks overseas or in the United States. CNN reports that the Department of Homeland Security expects “threats of retaliation” from al-Qaida. U.S. diplomatic facilities were put on “high alert” and the State Department issued a global travel warning for U.S. citizens.
Closer to home Michigan residents should prepare for a range of possibilities arising from bin Laden’s death. These vary from an ad-hoc terror attack to simple travel delays resulting from increased security measures.
Although al-Qaida might threaten to retaliate their ability to do so inside the continental U.S. appears limited. In the 10 years since the 9/11 attack there have been no successful al-Qaida sponsored terror attacks inside the U.S. mainland. Any large-scale attack requires extensive planning, resources, coordination, and personnel. Those requirements not only make any attack harder to mount, but also make the terrorist cell more vulnerable to law enforcement detection in the time leading up to the planned attack.
The attacks that have occurred appear to be the work of individual al-Qaida sympathizers who planned and executed their attacks without any central coordination from the larger terrorist network. These attacks include the D.C. beltway sniper shootings, the 2002 shootings at the El Al ticket counter at the Los Angeles airport, and the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
Based on that history, if there is a local terror attack, I would expect it would most likely be a small-scale attack, carried out by one person using a firearm, instead of a large-scale coordinated attack using weapons of mass destruction.
My logic is that while the government has historically been able to identify and stop terrorist cells that planned large-scale attacks; there is no good way to identify and stop an al-Qaida sympathizer who just decides to use a gun to seek out personal revenge for the death of bin Laden with a mass public shooting.
Fortunately, a small-scale attack like this, while impossible to prevent totally, is easier to stop than a large-scale attack. Any public mass shooting requires an aggressive counter-attack by police first responders or legally armed citizens to stop the terrorist before he can hurt too many innocent people.
For that reason, although I think the actual risk of a terror attack in Michigan is low, here is my personal advice for anyone concerned about any possible attack:
- If you have a Michigan Concealed Pistol License, carry your pistol everywhere legal.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. If something doesn’t look right, leave!
- Avoid large crowds and public gatherings that might attract a terror attack.
- If you are involved in an “active shooter” situation, act decisively. If you try to escape, do so quickly, before you are trapped or taken hostage.
- If you decide to fight back, be aggressive and determined.
- Don’t wait for help to arrive. You will likely be own your own until after the situation is resolved.
Although an actual terror attack may be unlikely, the mere threat of a terror attack does impact our lives. In the short term I would plan for increased security at the airport, border crossings, and at any large public event. If you travel, add extra time for delays caused by increased security and plan accordingly.
With the death of bin Laden, American’s may celebrate and breathe easier, but we have to remember that we still have enemies who wish to do us harm
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