Ralf Kassner: "Times are not getting better"

National holiday, a beach promenade. Thousands of people waiting for a fireworks display. A truck. The rest we don't need to tell. - Ralf Kassner, formerly GSG9 and now head of the security firm Wodan Security has already dealt with the Promenade, also because the surroundings were considered vulnerable. We wanted to know his opinion on the attack in Nice.

SPARTANAT: Ralf, you have worked in personal security in Nice. How do you see the attack?

Ralf Kassner: I have been in personal security in Nice several times this year. During my stays, there were frequent interventions by the Gendarmerie and the military - especially in the area of Massena Square, a popular tourist destination. During our operational preparation, we repeatedly came across terrorist warnings for the Cote d'Azur on well-known portals.

This attack is once again a cowardly act in which people were killed indiscriminately, including many women and children. The attack was well thought out and conducted militarily and strategically by the perpetrator in terms of planning and target selection on the National holiday. I emphasize this because in many other attacks there was an extremely thorough preparation by the perpetrators.

I also think that the security forces on site were late in recognizing the attack in Nice, which makes it extremely difficult to act against the perpetrator.

SPARTANAT: In your opinion, was there inadequate security for the event? Or is it simply too easy to be a mass murderer?

Ralf Kassner: Well, in my opinion, one must be quite disturbed to kill people indiscriminately - whether under the guise of religion or fanaticism.

But you don't necessarily need a firearm for that, so I also don't understand this whole debate about tightening gun laws! Do we now want to limit truck driver licenses? Any means of committing a crime can be suitable for a perpetrator who is ready for anything...

Regarding your question about securing the event, I stick to my principle: Never judge a situation you haven't experienced yourself. In general, the French have great experience in anti-terrorism and also did an excellent job during the European Championship!

If you start discussing afterwards why there were no tank traps, etc., well then the perpetrators will come with a motorcycle with explosives and drive into a crowd. There are so many conceivable scenarios, and you can't prepare for everything and prevent everything. No country in the world can do that!

Without intelligence information or tips from the perpetrator's immediate environment, it will be extremely difficult to prevent such acts.

SPARTANAT: Or, to ask again differently: Do the police and personal security have a chance to prevent such an attack in advance when dealing with a single perpetrator who apparently strikes without any organizational connection or prior warning?

Ralf Kassner: I think without intelligence information or tips from the perpetrator's environment, it will be extremely difficult to prevent such acts. However, the perpetrators must also conduct their own reconnaissance of their targets to plan their actions. The attacker in Nice is said to have been at the site of the damage several times beforehand. If perpetrators behave conspicuously through photos/videos, etc., then there might be a slight chance of becoming aware. But since the perpetrators adapt to the normal environment, often shave their beards and wear civilian clothing, this chance is rather slim.

In personal protection, I can only recommend to the client not to visit a particular country or to stay away from special events. But even here, most people are rather resistant to advice...

For the team, this requires good operational preparation, emergency plans, additional personnel from the respective country, safe houses, and much more.

SPARTANAT: We learn that from AK to explosive belts, from airplanes to cars and knives, everything that is available is suitable for mass murder. What does this mean for society's need for security?

Ralf Kassner: I think this is more of a question for our politicians; they will certainly use this issue for the election campaign. Statements like, "further information would surely unsettle you too much," do not contribute to reassuring the population.

We have been lucky in Germany so far, but due to the immediate proximity to France and Belgium, and the attacks in many holiday regions, Germans have become more pensive and think more about the holiday destinations they choose. A comprehensible process, but it also plays into the hands of terrorists who also have the goal of destabilizing a country, especially in countries that rely on tourism (Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt...)

Terror creates uncertainty around the world; it affects not only our soldiers and security forces but can affect anyone... The times will not get better.

SPARTANAT: Daesch always manages to directly instigate (Paris, Brussels) or incite (Nice) serious attacks. On the other hand, a regular and Europe-wide terrorist offensive seems unattainable. What is the perspective of terrorism in Europe for you?

Ralf Kassner: Difficult question ... We live in Europe, and everyone initially looks after their own doorstep, but terrorism is international, so it should be considered globally. This year, we have already had more than 160 attacks classified as acts of terrorism with more than 1,200 victims worldwide.

The perpetrators were not only IS but also Hamas, Boko Haram, and many others.

The main targets were so-called "soft targets": hotels, clubs, restaurants, and major events, as well as typical tourist attractions, trains, bus stops, etc.

Terror creates uncertainty around the world; it affects not only our soldiers and security forces but can affect anyone. I doubt that there will ever be a political solution. But half-hearted airstrikes have only limited effects.

SPARTANAT: Some media speculate about the mental state of the perpetrator, probably to portray the attack as an act of a madman. Is there any doubt that this was an Islamist attack?

Ralf Kassner: According to the latest information, he is said to have become increasingly radicalized and allegedly asked for further weapons from alleged accomplices. If these statements are true, there is little doubt. However, IS did not claim responsibility until later ( - see: the claim through the IS-affiliated agency Amaq).

SPARTANAT: How can an individual prepare for such a situation? How can one protect oneself?

Ralf Kassner: The average citizen should familiarize themselves with the situation in a country during their travels and consciously choose their holiday destination. Awareness is crucial in today's world, and everyone should carry out their own security management: What do I do if... Even a medic training can never hurt. Security forces should prepare for extreme situations, similar to what we trained for at our International Bodyguard Conference in the Czech Republic in July. In today's world, a rethink towards planning, tactics, training, and equipment should be mandatory because the times will certainly not get better.

RALF KASSNER, born in 1967, was a member of the police special units GSG 9 and SEK for 20 years and was involved in combating terrorist threats, organized crime, advising on hostage-takings, and extortions in hundreds of operations. Stations in his career include the Anti-Terror Special Unit of the Federal Police GSG 9, the Special Operations Command SEK, the manhunt department of the State Criminal Police Office North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the protection of high-ranking personalities and security coordination for Aida Cruises. Additionally, Ralf Kassner has been involved in many national and international training measures, such as with the Delta Force, Navy SEAL Team 6, SAS, and other international special units from Europe, North Africa, and the Far East. Since 2012, he has been leading Wodan Security.

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