Blackwater Receives Afghan Contract

Mr. Prince strikes again.  This guy, plays chess not checkers at the grandmaster level.

CNN Reports:

Blackwater (Xe) security company has been awarded a contract to provide protection to U.S. consulates and diplomats in the Afghan cities of Herat and Mazar-e Sharif, a U.S. State Department official confirmed on Saturday.

The Highlights:

The deal is a one-year contract with an option to extend up to 18 months. If the contract is fulfilled for that entire period, it would be more than $120 million.

The Big Question:

The State Department official, insisting on anonymity, said past history with Blackwater did not prevent U.S. Training Center from bidding on contracts and that in this case the company was the best qualified for the work in Afghanistan.

For the full story, click HERE.

Wait, wasn’t it just reported that the company was up for sale?

See related- Blackwater For Sale?

Blackwater For Sale?

After years as the heavyweight in private security contracting, sounds like Xe,( aka the infamous Blackwater)  is going up for sale.  From what I know of the company owner Erik Prince, he’s always working the next plan.  It’ll be interesting to see what form it takes.

After nearly a decade of working overtly and covertly for the US government across the globe, Blackwater is apparently for sale. The company made the announcement in a brief statement Monday followed by an even briefer statement from the company’s owner, Erik Prince. “Performance doesn’t matter in Washington, just politics,” Prince said.In announcing Blackwater was for sale, the company stated Monday: “Xe’s new management team has made significant changes and improvements to the company over the last 15 months, which have enabled the company to better serve the US government and other customers, and will deliver additional value to a purchaser.”

Click on the link for the full story.

Security and Safety at The World Cup

South Africa Times Reports:  South African intelligence services have been accused of being slow to react to warnings of terror threats to the 2010 World Cup

The US Congress counter-terror caucus was briefed on threats to the tournament.  Ronald Sandee, director of the NEFA Foundation, warned the US Congress that:

• Pakistani and Somali militants are running terror training camps in northern Mozambique;
• Trainees from these camps may have crossed into South Africa to join or form cells planning World Cup attacks;
• Surveillance and strike teams planning attacks are well established in South Africa. Terror groups involved include al-Qaeda and their Somalian allies, al-Shahaab
• Simultaneous and random attacks are being planned during the World Cup

On Wednesday, the National Joint Operational Centre was activated at an undisclosed military base in Pretoria. It is co-coordinating the deployment of all South African security and intelligence structures to ensure a safe World Cup, including 24-hour protection of teams and officials.

According to two insiders, a watch-list of 40 terror suspects has been drawn up.  Police have neither confirmed nor denied the arrest or watch-list.

For the full story:  Click HERE.

It’s tough finding the balance between safety & security along with access & convenience at a world sporting event such as the World Cup.  Lot’s of moving parts, lots of players.   ~ES

Presidential Vehicle Security

The day before the Presidential Inauguration I had the opportunity to sit inside “The Beast” Impressive to say the least.   I remember thinking that like most things in this world, it’s not what you see on the outside that matters, but what’s hidden under the hood.

For more of the history of the vehicle protecting the sitting US President click HERE.

Homegrown Terror The Newest Worry

The Whitehouse has stated that home-ground terror has entered a new phase as radicals are increasingly plotting attacks inside the U.S.   the “new phase” in which al Qaeda is “increasingly relying on recruits with little training is on the rise. 

For the full story, click HERE.

Iowa Governor & Bodyguard Make Traffic Stop?

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver

Apparently Iowa Governor Chet Culver does not like being given the finger (or cut off in traffic depending on who’s telling the story).   The Governor was riding in an unmarked SUV when an incident happened causing a member of his Executive Protection Team who was driving to attempt to pull the offending vehicle over.  Even with red and blue lights the driver didn’t get the hint, he thought a deranged person was following them –that is until a marked patrol car joined the chase. 

Click HERE to read the full story.

Kwame Kilpatrick’s Bodyguard in Court

The ex-Detroit Police officer who is suing the city of Detroit in whistleblower case was back in court today. Tony Davis, who was also a member of former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s executive protection unit continued his trial today in a Wayne County courtroom.

Davis is accusing the former mayor of wrongfully firing him after he spoke out about an alleged “Manoogian Mansion” party were murdered exotic dancer Tamara Greene allegedly danced for Kilpatrick and was allegedly assaulted by the former mayor’s wife.  For the full story, click HERE.

September 11th

The Security & Intelligence fields learned a lot from this tragic day.

Let’s not forget.

Book Alleges Secret Service Cannot Protect Obama

The President on the steps of the Washington Monument

“The U.S. Secret Service has cut corners in ways that may have jeopardized the safety of President Obama, according to a new book by a veteran Washington journalist and author, Ron Kessler.  The book, “In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect,” details instances of “laxness in how they protect” Obama.

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Wow.  Powerful allegations.  I’ll reserve passing any judgement until I read the entire book myself.  However, I will say that having had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Obama on multiple occasions (from when he was a rising star Senator, to his current role as Commander in Chief) and liaising with his staff, the agents entrusted with his safety have always appeared attentive and mission-focused.    I did have some concerns during my time the inauguration– the sheer size and magnitude could have been nothing but overwhelming –but was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to bring them up to key parties.  

One thing I will say is that the men and women of the United States Secret Service have a very demanding job and one that allows zero margin for error. Lopsided or not, a book like this will surely light a fire that will make some take a closer look at any deficiencies for the greater good.  

The book is due on shelves August 4th. 

At the Presidential Inauguration

Ex-Bodyguard May Become Prime Minister

Bulgaria- The GERB, led by former bodyguard and now Sofia mayor Boiko Borisov, 50, campaigned on a promise to attack the deep-seated graft that prompted the European Union last year to cut aid pending tougher action on corruption.

The ex-communist nation of 7.6 million, joined the EU in 2007.

For more on the story, click HERE.

Wow.  Maybe I should reconsider my political ambitions???