9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security

by R. William Johnstone

Overview

R. William Johnstone served on the transportation security staff of the 9/11 Commission, and wrote this book to build upon and supplement the Commission's work. In its pages, he explains the aviation security system failure on 9/11, uses that as a means for evaluating post-9/11 transportation security efforts, and proposes remedies to continued shortcomings.

9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security is based on information originally provided to the 9/11 Commission, augmented by unpublished reports and a wealth of other material that has come to light since the issuance of the Commission's own report in July 2004. Part One analyzes the aviation security system's history and institutions to explain why the system failed on 9/11. Part Two looks at what has been done in aviation and transportation security since 9/11, including the Commission's recommendations and the congressional response to them. Finally and most significantly, Part Three outlines a suggested approach for improving current U.S. transportation security. It begins with fundamental policy questions that must be answered if we are to optimize transportation security efforts, and concludes with both underlying principles for action and specific recommendations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275990756
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/2006
Series:	Praeger Security International
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

R. William Johnstone served on the transportation security staff of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) after working for over twenty years as a Congressional staff member. He is currently a consultant on homeland and national security matters.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
The 9/11/01 Systems Failure of Civil Aviation Security
The Pre-9/11 Aviation Security System
Attributes of the Security System
The 9/11 Hijackings
Transportation Security Today
Response to 9/11
The New Organization of Transportation Security
The Current State of Transportation Security
Where Do We Go From Here?
"Looking Back to Look Forward:" The Post-9/11 Policy Failure of Transportation Security
Key Questions, Hard Choices
Principles for Action
Reassessment and a Test
Priorities
Appendix A: Transmittal Letter and Recommendations of 9/11 Commission Aviation and Transportation Security Staff
Appendix B: 9/11 Public Discourse Project, Report on the Status of 9/11 Commission Recommendations, Part I: Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response

What People are Saying About This

Lee H. Hamilton

"9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security performs the extraordinary service of looking back at the failures of 9/11, and looking forward to the pressing challenges of transportation security. Bill Johnstone offers a remarkably well-researched and engagingly written analysis that builds on his outstanding work on the 9/11 Commission."

—

Lee H. Hamilton, Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and former Vice-Chair, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the Unites States

Lee H. Hamilton

"9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security performs the extraordinary service of looking back at the failures of 9/11, and looking forward to the pressing challenges of transportation security. Bill Johnstone offers a remarkably well-researched and engagingly written analysis that builds on his outstanding work on the 9/11 Commission."

Editorial Reviews

Johnstone builds on his experience as a former transportation security staff member with the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States in an effort to explain the causes of aviation security failure in the September 11th attacks and to draw lessons and recommendations for continuing shortcomings in US transportation security. In formulating his recommendations, he pays attention to key questions of how security is to be prioritized in relation to fiscal responsibility, economic efficiency, and civil liberties; how it is to be organized in terms of federal, state, local, and private roles and responsibilities; and how it is to be funded.” —Reference & Research Book News

“R. William Johnstone, a member of the 9/11 Commission, has written the best book on this topic we are likely to see for some time. The narrative covers past, present, and future transportation issues. Recommended.” —Security Letter

From the Publisher