VOA标准英语2010年-Transit Systems Worldwide Boost Securi

In the wake of the Moscow bombings, some global security experts say this kind of violence cannot be permanently¹ stopped. But governments can do more to prevent mass casualties. Our correspondent takes a look at the additional measures governments can take and what terrorists hope to achieve through violence.

It's a commuter's worst nightmare, a normal day turned upside down by an explosion.

But some global security experts say the Moscow bombings represent a kind of terrorism that is here to stay.

 

"This kind of violence cannot be permanently stopped, and that we may be living with this for the rest of our lifetimes," noted² Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution.

In the wake of the bombings, cities in the United States and Europe boosted security in and around their mass transit³ systems. 

But the heightened security will only last a short time.  O'Hanlon says there should be more permanent changes in mass transit security.

"I do believe we probably should step up the relatively⁴ unobtrusive and relatively easy, although sometimes somewhat expensive, means of looking for explosives perhaps many more K-9 bomb teams at these kinds of places and we should put a lot of resources in intelligence work," he added.

While terrorism is a constant threat, local and federal emergency responders in the U.S. regularly conduct drills to prepare for disaster.

The goal of these exercises is to practice, so when a real emergency hits these crews will be prepared.  Lindsay Godwin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation⁵.

From the tragedy in Moscow's subway, to the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the explosions in London's public transit system the following year, experts say no country is immune to terrorism.

"Today, the goal of modern apocalyptic⁶ terrorism is often to do as much disruption as possible and kill as many as possible to really shake up the way in which societies operate and governments make decisions and make the pain so high that decisions are reassessed," explained O'Hanlon.

O'Hanlon says even though the aim of modern day terrorists is to force a change in policy, so far, the tactics do not work.

"What I think some of these terrorist group may have underestimated is that we in the west or in Russia, in this case, are perhaps not quite as soft as they might have first believed,"  he added.

O'Hanlon says since the September 11 attacks, Western societies have not tolerated terrorism.

And cities across the United States will continue to prepare for the worst, in exercises like this one, so if another attack occurs, they will be ready for it.
 

1 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 apocalyptic   

adj.预示灾祸的，启示的

参考例句：

• The air is chill and stagnant,the language apocalyptic.空气寒冷而污浊，语言则是《启示录》式的。
• Parts of the ocean there look just absolutely apocalyptic.海洋的很多区域看上去完全像是世界末日。