The Olympic Wars

The Olympic Games started thursday with a bang; an intriguing, cultural opening ceremony, eye catching figure skating, and skiing off such high jumps and around such sharp turns it made me sit on the edge of my couch. 

Every 4 years the games are thrilling and entertaining to watch but what I didn't know was what sort of security goes into it all. From several different articles I have read, there have been several different threats targeted towards the Sochi winter Olympic Games. One of the precautions to these threats that particularly caught my attention was the "toothpaste bomb threat". The united states airlines banned any toiletries being taken on flights to Russia. Rather than the under 3.4 ounce in a plastic bag rule, flyers cannot take any toiletries. 

In addition to this toothpaste bomb threat, there has also been a Turkish Hijacking. The plane ended up landing in Istanbul rather than Sochi because of this and is now being searched for explosives. From the hijacking to the toothpaste bomb threat and all the other threats in between I couldn't figure out why people are going to such extremes to attack the games. Whether the threat is towards Russia or towards all the countries being represented there. The games are the only time that all the countries can really come together and agree but yet, that cannot be true of there are people trying to attack the games. 

Not only are there the threats to the games going on but just on the edge of the Olympic games is a real war zone. It is "a simmering, murky battle between increasingly radicalized militants who operate in the shadows of society and a security force that can be brutal, even when lethally effective." It is one of the longest running conflicts in the world and yet, the games are still being held right on the edge of it all. It is the first time in history that the games are being held in such proximity to a war zone, and while Russia has spent much of their money into enforcing security, should the games be taking place here? Is it safe?

President Obama has been in "constant communication" with the russians about keeping everyone safe and from a USA Today article, it is clear the he and Putin are on the same page about the security of the olympics. It is also clear that they are confident in the security of the games. According to DW article, Russia has gone to the extent of "deploying over 100,000 police officers, soldiers and secret agents" to protect the Sochi games. In addition the Russian authorities have nearly set up the defense of a war zone. The defense to a fortress with surveillance everywhere and rocket launchers prepared all over. 

It is clear that proper safety precautions have been taken to protect the games from any terrorist actions but even so, should the games be taking place on the edge of a war zone under so many threats?