Russia should reconsider security policies

Freedom New Mexico

The suicide bombing Monday in Moscow’s busy Domodedovo Airport is a reminder that terrorists of various stripes are still active and that societies with only a few open areas can be assaulted readily. Sadly, there is no such thing as 100 percent security in this or any feasible world.

Our hearts are broken for the 35 people killed and at least 168 wounded, including French and Italian citizens and at least two Britons, in the blast at the airport’s baggage pickup area for incoming passengers. As at most airports, this area was open to friends and families of arriving passengers, who were not screened.

It is possible to imagine somewhat tighter security, perhaps including trained plainclothes officers, in these baggage pickup areas, but how many are ready for closing them off or making friends and family go through body scanners — to say nothing of the expense.

In some ways the Moscow bombing demonstrates serious failure in the “lockdown” model of security. The Russian people made an implicit bargain with current premier Vladimir Putin some 10 years ago: We’ll give up some freedoms if you keep us safe. Since then Russia has suffered a series of severe terrorist attacks.

As Russia digs out of this horror, it might be time to reconsider whether conspicuous securitization of the citizens is really the most effective way to fight terrorism.