Russia: At least 35 people were killed by the suicide bomb at Domodedovo airport. Airport representative Elena Galanova issued an official statement in which she said the blast struck the international arrivals hall in the common area, to which citizens who are not passengers have access. Consequently, the explosion occurred outside the baggage claim area, close to people who may not have been passengers.
Ria Novosti reported that Russian security services had received warning of a possible terrorist attack on Moscow's Domodedovo airport, a law enforcement source said, but airport authorities denied receiving any warning.
Comment: Multiple news services reported that the head of the bomber was found intact. That is always the signature of an explosive vest worn by the suicide bomber. Pakistani media have made that observation repeatedly. They always find the head.
The features of the head were described as resembling an “Arab,” which could also match the features of a Chechen or a Caucasian.
One point that is clear is that Russian airport security is so poor that it failed to detect a person wearing an explosives vest. If the Ria Novosti report proves accurate, the failure to communicate threat information to airport authorities — who had the ability to make low cost quick security upgrades, but were not given the opportunity– makes Russian intelligence cooperation comparable to that of the US in 2001.
Phi Beta Iota: This is yet another early warning. The solution to suicide terrorists “dying to win” (as well as WikiLeaks) is very straight-forward: legitimacy. Absent legitimacy, violence will grow, with 2012 expected to be a turning point year. There are not enough weapons (or counterintelligence and security professionals with brains) to keep the masses down. The meek will inherit the Earth, but first the less meek will wreak havoc.
