OSAC's Top 5 Security Trends in 2006 for the U.S. Private Sector in the Middle East

Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State

Washington, DC

December 27, 2006

Contact: Kendal Smith
571-345-2509
FAX 571-345-2527
SmithLK2@state.gov

OSAC Says Israel-Hezbollah Conflict, Kidnapping, Attacks On Oil Industry Among Growing Threats

The Israel-Hezbollah conflict, kidnappings and terrorist attacks in the oil-producing Persian Gulf nations, and instability in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank were among the top security challenges of 2006 confronting U.S. businesses, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions operating in the Middle East, according to a year-end analysis by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

"2006 was a defining year for the American private sector abroad," said Doug Allison, a Special Agent with the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Executive Director of OSAC. "The threats from traditional sources - such as crime, terrorism and political instability, as well as from non-traditional, non-routine sources - such as acts of nature and potential global pandemics, have demonstrated that firms must incorporate security and risk management into their core business operations if they are to overcome these threats."

"Corporations that develop an internal culture of resiliency are better prepared than their international competitors to deal with predictable and catastrophic challenges," he said. "Such firms are better able to exploit opportunities in riskier environments and in the aftermath of a major event."

OSAC said the most momentous event for its private sector constituents operating in the region was the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, which led to an unforeseen evacuation of thousands of U.S. citizens and significant consequences for U.S. organizations and firms operating there, as well as in neighboring countries.

"The events of this summer taught American organizations operating in the region that they need to be more forward-thinking in their crisis management and evacuation plans," the OSAC review said.

OSAC analysts noted that, despite numerous arrests of alleged terrorists and several attempted attacks foiled by security services in several Middle East nations, the Gulf countries were targeted for terrorist attacks and "the oil industry in the region is a highly valued target."

Increased military operations and political violence increased risks to the U.S. private sector operating in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. OSAC also cited an increase in the number of kidnappings of aid workers and journalists in Gaza and the West Bank as a threat to the security of U.S. private sector organizations in the region.

OSAC's regional specialists analyze information and develop informational products on security abroad that are then delivered to its private-sector members, explained Allison.

"By working with our OSAC partners, sharing our analysis, and pushing out our information, we aim to help the U.S. private sector better prepare for, respond to, and recover from the security challenges that may arise in 2007," said Allison.

The following is OSAC's list of the past year's top security challenges to the American private sector in the Middle East.

Top 5 Private Sector Security Issues for the Middle East

Israel/Hezbollah Conflict
The conflict in southern Lebanon over the summer between Israeli forces and Hezbollah was the most significant event of the year for OSAC, in terms of constituent communications and reports produced. Thousands of Americans evacuated Lebanon during the height of the conflict, either by traversing dangerous and traffic-filled roads to Syria or via ship to Cyprus. There was also serious concern over Hezbollah rocket attacks in northern areas of Israel. The events of this summer taught American organizations operating in the region that they need to be more forward-thinking in their crisis management and evacuation plans, preparing for issues such as: unavailability of air transportation; the needs of local employees, and; the potential for dependent minors to be caught in dangerous situations while on vacation without their parents.

Persian Gulf Threats
Numerous threats, arrests and attempted attacks throughout 2006 indicated that Gulf countries continue to be at risk from terrorists. Attacks on major oil installations in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen this year were thwarted by tight perimeter security and actions taken by guard forces, but the attacks show that the oil industry in the region is still a highly valued target.

Israel, West Bank and Gaza
The American private sector operating in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza saw threats increase over the past year. Certain areas of Israel were threatened by rockets launched from Gaza or southern Lebanon. In Gaza and the West Bank, Westerners faced obstacles such as increasing internal divisions, chaos and violence, multiple problems with visas and entering or exiting the area, and an increase in the number of kidnappings of journalists and aid workers.

The War in Iraq
U.S. private sector organizations doing reconstruction and humanitarian work in Iraq have been sharply affected by the continuing sectarian violence. In particular, it is extremely difficult to protect the safety of local national employees working for U.S. businesses and relief organizations. Local nationals especially are being singled out as sectarian targets or are threatened with violence for their "collaboration" with the U.S. and coalition efforts. Foreign firms employing Iraqis experienced an increased in the number of kidnappings for ransom against those employees over the past year.

Growth of Regional Terrorist Groups
The announced partnership in 2006 between al-Qa'ida and the Algeria-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) raised the profile of Islamist terror network expansion across the Trans-Sahara region. The GSPC was active near the capital city of Algiers with improvised explosive device attacks, including a coordinated attack on Algerian security forces using two vehicle bombs. Members of the GSPC operate in the Sahel region, crossing difficult-to-patrol borders between Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Algeria, and Chad to recruit extremists within the region for training and terrorist operations in the Trans-Sahara, and possibly for operations outside the region. If its alliance with al-Qa'ida becomes operational, the GSPC could continue to evolve into a more potent regional terrorist syndicate

About OSAC

The Overseas Security Advisory Council was established in 1985 as a Federal Advisory Committee with a U.S. Government Charter to promote security cooperation between the U.S. Department of State and American business and private sector interests worldwide.

With a constituency of more than 3,500 U.S. companies and other private-sector organizations with overseas interests, OSAC operates a Web site (www.osac.gov), which offers its members the latest in safety- and security-related information, public announcements, warden messages, travel advisories, significant anniversary dates, terrorist group profiles, country crime and safety reports, special topic reports, foreign press reports, and much more.

The OSAC staff includes international security research specialists dedicated solely to serving the U.S. private sector. Additionally, OSAC has a network of 100 country councils around the world that brings together U.S. embassies and consulates with the local U.S. community to share security information.

OSAC is co-chaired by the Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and a selected representative of the private sector. The OSAC Executive Director is a Diplomatic Security Special Agent.

About The Bureau of Diplomatic Security

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State's law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.

In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel investigate passport and visa fraud, conduct personnel security investigations, and protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.

Updates | Frequent Questions | Contact Us | Email this Page | Subject Index | Search
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
About state.gov | Privacy Notice | FOIA | Copyright Information | Other U.S. Government Information

Published by the U.S. Department of State Website at http://www.state.gov maintained by the Bureau of Public Affairs.