David Olive

S&T Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers – A Four-Month Progress Report

August 29, 2014

If being a “good listener” is a trait of being a good leader, then Dr. Reginald Brothers, the relatively new DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology, is well on his way to being the type of leader that DHS S&T needs. Now that he has been in his position for several months, there are no longer any outside restrictions on structural or personnel changes he can make, should he choose to do so. But will he?

Chris Battle – One Year Later

David Olive |

August 8, 2014

It was one year ago today that we got the news that Chris Battle had lost his fight against kidney cancer. He knew Security Debrief was a part of his legacy, and he wanted it to grow beyond its beginnings and be around long after his battle with cancer had ended.

Who is Supplying Terrorists with US-Made Technologies?

David Olive |

June 20, 2014

While ISIS is capturing national concern, Iraq is not the only place where terrorist activities are happening this month. Earlier in June, Tarheek-e Taliban attacked the Karachi, Pakistan airport. What is striking is the terrorists were found with a gunshot wound U.S. military technology called XStat, which had only just been approved by the FDA. How did terrorists get this new technology?

Congress Heal Thyself – New Voices Convey an Old Message

David Olive |

May 27, 2014

A full page Wall Street Journal ad last week, signed by 61 former elected and administration officials, including all three previous DHS Secretaries, added a number of new voices to the almost decade-old message that Congress needs to “fix” the overlapping committee structure morass it created to oversee homeland security issues.

Welcome Dr. Brothers and General Taylor

David Olive |

April 9, 2014

This week, the U.S. Senate confirmed, on a voice vote, Dr. Reginald Brothers as the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and General Francis X. Taylor as Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis.

DHS Secretary Johnson’s First Time Before House Homeland Security Committee

David Olive |

February 27, 2014

The House Homeland Security Committee did something yesterday it has not done in the past several years, for anyone: it came out in full force for DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson’s maiden appearance before the committee. It was a positive performance by the Secretary, who showed himself adept at answering questions, even as his lawyer’s instincts kept him from falling into political traps.

Border Surveillance is Necessary But at What Price?

David Olive |

February 6, 2014

There are a host of questions Congress ought to be asking about DHS’ use of Predator unmanned aerial vehicles to provide border surveillance. Congressional staff should know how the Predator’s cost stacks up against other alternative means of surveillance. Perhaps the problem is that decisions on what platform to use for border surveillance are not being made on the basis of risk-reward or cost-benefit.

CBP Ditches Predator in the Pacific Ocean

David Olive |

January 29, 2014

News reports are trickling out about a decision by a Customs and Border Patrol Predator operator to send a multi-million dollar unmanned aerial vehicle into the Pacific Ocean when it became clear it could not make it back to its home base. This incident demands serious questions from Congress about the future of CBP’s Predator drone use.

Congressional DHS Oversight is Overkill

David Olive |

December 12, 2013

Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the many leadership vacancies at DHS and Congress’ overlapping, uncoordinated legislative oversight. His testimony is absolutely right.

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