Afghanistan may have a literacy rate of 28.1 percent, a lack of paved roads, and a crumbling infrastructure, but the U.S. Army has an ambitious plan to install a nation-wide network of cameras to monitor security, reports Government Security News:
*
The U.S. Government is contemplating a massive video surveillance project for the country of Afghanistan that would establish surveillance over all major thoroughfares in Kabul, the capital city, as well as all U.S. and multinational camps, traffic circles and Afghan ministry compounds. *
The surveillance apparatus would provide a 24/7 command and control system that would be enable authorities to track personnel and identify vehicles with the use of license plate recognition systems.
After initiating the surveillance capability in Kabul, the plan calls for the construction of a fiber optic ring throughout Afghanistan which would allow for the extension of the monitoring capability across the country.
"This effort will also include at least two years of operations and maintenance of the current infrastructure, planning and execution and overall expansion in Kabul and across Afghanistan, with future years maintaining the country wide network within other cities within Afghanistan," said a pre-solicitation notice issued by U.S. Army Acquisition Center at Fort Monmouth, NJ, on February 5.
Sorry, don't get me wrong; camera systems can be an extremely effective way of monitoring high-value or sensitive sites, particularly in Kabul. But a fiber optic ring around Afghanistan? License plate recognition systems? What the heck country are we talking about? How about a recognition system for donkey carts, which are still commonly used in Afghanistan.
