Civil Service Reform Is Dead: Long Live Civil Service Reform

The federal civil service system is widely regarded as obsolete. The pay of federal employees bears little relation to the market, narrowly defined jobs hamper the assignment of tasks, and byzantine hiring rules impede the procurement of needed skills. The theory of punctuated equilibrium holds that an episode of rapid and dramatic change portends, that the pressures for change will build and that some exogenous event will trigger a reform event similar to what happened in the mid-2000s subsequent to the 9/11 terrorist incident. Does another episode of punctuated equilibrium impend or is change more likely to occur in an incremental manner? Distinctive features of the policy subsystem make evident the improbability of another episode of “grand reform.” Recent developments further highlight a dynamic element whereby small-scale adjustments are being employed to address some of the system’s most dysfunctional aspects.

A Case Study on the Factors of Biometric Counterterrorism Policies as a Result of September 11, 2001

Biometrics has emerged as a rapidly moving technology that has been continuously evolving and improving. It has even been incorporated as a form of counterterrorism, preventing incidents of terrorism as well as providing safety measures. While various researchers have analyzed the effectiveness of biometric counterterrorism measures, the factors behind the reasonings of those decision making process of implementation have been untouched. This paper looks to analyze the factors through a case study on the events of September 11, 2001, using a qualitative thematic analysis to identify the factors. It is important to note that rather than analyzing secondhand sources, this study will analyze first hand sources throughout the study. Through this study, it can be concluded that there are five main factors behind implementation of biometric counterterrorism policies: ensuring safety if a terrorist incident were to happen, increasing security to prevent the incident from occurring, public sentiment, potential to become in the future, and current effectivity.

German 'Reichsbuerger' will pose limited threat

Significance The 'Reichsbuerger' ('citizens of the Reich') are Germans who reject the legitimacy of the current state and are often associated with the far-right, anti-Semitic scene. They have grown increasingly violent in recent years, prompting domestic intelligence agencies to monitor the movement more closely. Impacts A serious terrorist incident could damage Chancellor Angela Merkel’s credibility and authority. The movement is creating business opportunities for individuals selling ‘Reich passports’ and offering consulting services. Concerns about the possession of firearms by Reichsbuerger could prompt stricter gun laws. Reichsbuerger disarmed by authorities may obtain weapons illegally.

Marauding terrorist attack (MTA): prehospital considerations

Terrorist attacks are increasing each year as are the number of deaths associated with them. Recent incidents have seen a shift in tactics with the use of multiple terrorists across multiple locations with firearms or knives, referred to as the marauding terrorist attack. These methods are becoming more prevalent alongside the use of vehicles deliberately aimed at pedestrians. Management of these incidents can be challenging. Not only it involves a large number of casualties but also the management of a dynamic scene in terms of both location and threat from attack. In order to improve response, and potentially outcomes, a system or response needs to have preplanned and practised procedures in place. This article reviews major incident management for those unfamiliar with current prehospital practice and details some of the findings from recent marauding terrorist firearm attacks, in particular the evolution of newer scene management tools such as 3 Echo and THREAT. It highlights the importance of haemorrhage control and the public initiatives focusing on actions during a terrorist incident.

London and Anti-Terrorism in Europe

Urban terrorist attacks have become increasingly frequent in Europe in recent years. The review conducted during 2016 into London's preparedness to respond to a major terrorist incident found that London's emergency services had improved their ability to respond quickly to such incidents. However, the safety of citizens from such events can never be guaranteed. Preparation is nevertheless essential, and emergency services need to adjust their tactics and plans in response to terrorist incidents that occur anywhere in the world as attack methodologies spread very rapidly through the Internet. The safety of all public spaces needs to be kept under review. There is a role for commercial businesses in enhancing security, and each individual has a part to play in building a culture of security and resilience.

Islamist terrorism may now take new forms in Balkans

Subject The evolving threat of Islamist terrorism. Significance Seven unnamed individuals were convicted in Kosovo on January 19 on charges of terrorism. Six were found guilty of joining a terrorist organisation after travelling to Syria to fight alongside Islamic State (IS); the seventh was convicted of recruiting fighters inside Kosovo. Not only does the case shine a light on the growing terrorist threat in the Balkans, which has gained new life with the rise of IS, it also provides an ominous backdrop to a potential rise in interethnic violence linked to frustrated nationalism in the region. Impacts Governments may implement more onerous security measures, especially at airports and international borders. A major terrorist incident could potentially cause damage to an economic sector such as tourism. An intensified terrorist threat could inflame nationalism and contribute to the fragmentation of states along ethnic lines.