Why didn't the government wait until these types commission reports were avilable before rewriting our airline security policy?

Friedman has finally lost my respect. He tries to make the point that Europe has failed the Arab world by not doing enough to improve their well being. Which is a valid position, but its a bit more complicated than his two lines on Europe would imply:

"Europe has done an extremely poor job of integrating and employing its growing Muslim minorities, many of which have a deep feeling of alienation. And Europe has done a very poor job of investing in North Africa and the Middle East — its natural backyard."

Yes integration is a problem in Europe. But its not fully the European's fault. The immigrant Muslim population suffers the same fate as the inner city population in US cities such as Detroit and Phili. But unlike the US, Europe provides strong public education systems that these young immigrants could use to their advantage. Sadly, more often than not, immigrant Muslims are unprepared for integration. There is no work ethic and no interest in education. Youth gangs roam the street of Brussels, harassing women.

And as to the charge of poor investment in its backyard... Western Europe's backyard is actually Eastern Europe. Friedman makes a parallel with Mexico and the US's free trade agreement. Europe is moving towards the equivalant of allowing the Mexican states to join the US, giving Mexicans the right to live and work anywhere in the US.

How would Friedman propose Europe invest in North Africa and the Middle East? By giving money to the governments of Libya, Sudan, Syria, or Iran? By brokering deals with the Saudis whom in turn donate to terrorist organizations?