Keeping a Look Out - Border Security in the 21st Century

摘要

The first elements of what became known as The Great Wall of China date back to seven centuries BC and, following the later rebuild during the Ming Dynasty, is estimated to extend some 8,850 km. Among its many purposes, the collection of customs duty or taxes and control of immigration/emigration was equally as important as defence. Today border security is a serious business, with razor-wire fences and electronic surveillance and fixed crossing points. That said, the reality is that there are many countries where, due to topography, climate, history or pure economics, the border is not delineated on the ground at all, 'protected' by nature -deserts, mountains, rivers and lakes. However, just as physical barriers can be breached, so natural barriers overcome. The onus on any sovereign nation intent on monitoring cross-border incursion, is to detect it and respond. For much of the 20th Century, wire fences were patroltech by military or para-military forces on foot or horseback, a manpower-intensive task. The advent of TV cameras and communications links between remote installations has reduced the manpower required.