Why the 'no fly' list doesn't work

If the Obama administration had fixed the system, says Abe Greenwald in Commentary, Times Square bomb suspect Faisal Shahzad wouldn't have been on that plane

Airport security: Will tightening no-fly rules help?
(Image credit: Dennis Galante/Corbis)

In the wake of the Times Square bombing attempt, the federal government has started requiring airlines to check no-fly lists faster to keep suspected terrorists off of passenger flights. Faisal Shahzad, the man accused of trying to detonate a car bomb in the middle of New York City, was on those lists, but he somehow managed to board an international flight before federal authorities finally caught up with him. The Obama administration is saying it's now clear the no-fly system is broken, says Abe Greenwald in Commentary, but we've heard that one before. Here's an excerpt:

"Actually, that was said, word for word, by President Obama — back in December. He was talking about alleged Nigerian underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who managed to board a Northwest flight bound for Detroit, despite intelligence agencies having long been aware of the threat he posed.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us