Locked down already, the streets of Paris boast 35,000 gendarmes along with 18,000 French soldiers, 2,000 foreign police and troops contributed by 45 countries, including intelligence experts from the RCMP, Rosie DiManno writes.
Lone gunmen. Cyberattacks. Radical environmental activists. Deep-cover cells, awaiting the moment of bloody spectacle.
All must be envisioned as potential disrupters and pre-emptively stopped in their tracks.
As French intelligence could not intercept or prevent two devastating attacks in 2015: the Islamist assault on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo — 17 killed in that operation, including 11 journalists and a cop — and the co-ordinated jihadist barrage 10 months later that targeted a football game at the Stade de France, a rock concert at the Bataclan theatre, cafes and restaurants — 131 slain.
The XXXIII Olympics can’t come and go quickly enough for the whole security apparatus and the many agencies charged with keeping the Games safe.
On the streets of this city, locked down already, the visible presence is obvious enough: 35,000 gendarmes who’ve been in situ for the past month — with a particular show of force in Metro and train stations and around religious and tourism sites — along with 18,000 French soldiers, augmented by 2,000 foreign police and troops contributed by 45 countries, including intelligence experts from the RCMP.
Less obvious and beyond the CCTV cameras is the massive AI surveillance, drones, sonar detectors, water barriers in the Seine to obstruct invaders and combat divers — a large chunk of the scrutiny contracted from private agencies and the tech sector. “Will we have enough guards to properly ensure the security of the Games?” one of the leading contractors asked rhetorically at an April press conference. “We need to hit the accelerator.”
Esta historia es de la edición July 23, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 23, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
People's Choice Award goes to 'The Life of Chuck'
Prize considered Oscar bellwether
Shaboozey shines in Toronto debut
Country star's show left a positive, lasting impression
Deep in debt? Consider a consumer proposal
If your debt is out of control and you can see no way out, filing for insolvency is an option that can help you get a handle on your finances and improve your credit history in the long run, experts say.
Parents eye savings as program costs rise
Increasing price tags are making it harder for families to afford to keep their children active
Save today for security tomorrow
Roughly half of mortgage holders have yet to face higher rates, but it’s never too early to start preparing
Euphoria from impulse-buying is often fleeting
It feels like a release.
It takes money to make money
While personal, your relationship with your wealth planner is also highly transactional, and understanding how these fees are structured is important when it comes to growing your money over time.
Babe out of the woods
How Schneider got his groove back after ice-cold months at plate
Boone calms Cole's walk controversy
Aaron Judge hit his major-league-leading 53rd homer and the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 on Sunday to open a three-game lead over the secondplace Baltimore Orioles atop the American League East.
Chiefs alive and kicking
Winning field goal follows timely interference call