Detector-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

Many of you may recall a recent security scandal in Iraq. A UK firm, ASTC Ltd., sold $85 million in bomb detection equipment to the Iraqi government over a period of two years. A blessing, for Iarq has pretty high demand for bomb detection equipment. ASTC's flagship product is the ADE-651 "Magic Wand." A catchy name, thought American military officials. But how does it work? Upon taking apart the ADE-651, BBC correspondents found...an RFID chip...and some snake oil. There wasn't even a power source. A U.S. official was quoted as saying the "Magic Wands" work "on the same principle as the Ouija Board" - on the power of suggestion. Given that there are no working components, and no possible reason for it to work, you may find it surprising that the "Magic Wand" was in common use across Iraq since 2007.

You may find it surprising, until you get to know the man in charge. Meet Major General Jehad Al-Jabiri, head of the Iraqi Interior Ministry's Directorate of Combating Explosives:

"Whether it's magic or scientific, I don't care as long as it detects bombs."

"I know more about this issue than the Americans do. In fact, I know more about bombs than anyone in the world."

But, Major General, are you a wizard?

Reliance on these wands has probably led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths in Baghdad and other major cities. The United Kingdom has imprisoned the head of ASTC, Jim McKormick. The US Justice Department has specifically warned the Iraqi government about these products. So surely Major General Al-Jabiri has seen the light? Wrong. After an exhaustive review, the Iraqi government has concluded that a few of the "Magic Wands" were fake or defective, but they will be replaced by ones that work.

WHY DO I BRING THIS UP?

Any Saudi hotel worth staying in is protected by concrete barriers, a couple check points and at least 1 50 caliber machine gun. This is all due to specific threats on Westerners in the Kingdom since 2003. My hotel in Khobar has the same set up, with a four man guard searching every car that enters. Do they ask for my passport? No. Do they look into the trunk? No. Under the wheel wells? No. Why not?

Because they employ an ADE-651. Every day when returning from work my car stops as a Saudi National Guardsman walks slowly by the car, his Magic Wand antennae hanging limply to the ground.

I'd love to get a photo or video of them doing it, just so you see how ridiculous it is. But, and I'm not exaggerating, I would probably be detained.

By the way, my sources are articles entitled:
IRAQ SWEARS BY BOMB DETECTOR US SEES AS USELESS
MAGIC WAND BOMB DETECTOR IS A FRAUD; PROBABLY KILLED HUNDREDS