In response to terrorism threats, and what appears to be lax airport security ahead of today’s opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the Transportation Security Administration on Thursday banned all liquids from carry-on bags on all flights between the United States and Russia.
U.S. Homeland Security officials are concerned that terrorists might to smuggle bomb-making materials onto planes and into Russia in such items as toothpaste, underarm deodorant and shaving cream, among others.
Though the threat is not new – in December, terrorist bombings at a train stration and a trolleybus killed 34 in the Russian city of Volgograd and heightened concerns – there is only so much Homeland Security and TSA warnings can do. Ultimately it’s up to airport security personnel and, so far, oversight appears to be sporadic, at best.
The Associated Press reported that several of its journalists traveling to, through or starting their journeys in Moscow have said their liquid items were not confiscated.
The AP also noted, ironically, that the rules seem to be more enforced in train stations near the Olympic site than at airports.
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