Rich Cooper

Guantanamo – Reality Bites for Pandering Promises

March 9, 2011

At the height of the 1988 Presidential campaign, George H. W. Bush stood at the podium of the Republican National Convention and uttered: “Read my lips, no new taxes!” Now, fast forward to 2000, where a young Senator from Illinois (Barack Obama) promised to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. After two years in office, reality sets in. Bush couldn’t hold back new taxes, and now Obama can’t close Guantanamo. Reality bites, and this is one of those times for Barack Obama.

Thoughts on the DHS Anniversary Program at Georgetown University

Rich Cooper |

March 1, 2011

Georgetown University hosted the only three people to hold what is arguably one of the most demanding and thankless jobs in America – Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In partnership with the Aspen Institute, Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff and Janet Napolitano sat down with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell in Georgetown’s famed Gaston Hall to talk about the state of America’s newest Cabinet Department and what we have learned after eight years of its operation.

The Mind of a Despot – What Middle Eastern Dictators Don't Understand

Rich Cooper |

February 28, 2011

Countries in the Middle East that have been ruled for decades by one person and their respective families and close allies have found their grips on power disappearing. The sheer brutality of these men and their regimes is well documented, but it is more than interesting to watch the actions of the teetering dictators as they look to hold onto what power they have. For all of their faults and countless sins for which these despots must ultimately answer, we know one thing is for sure – their egos remove them from any sense of reality, and when that happens, leadership fails.

The Quest Tragedy and a Strategic Response to Piracy

Rich Cooper |

February 27, 2011

With the sad news of the murder of four Americans by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, the United States and the international community once again have to realize that ignoring the situation in East Africa is not a viable or productive option. For decades, the lawlessness of the area has allowed piracy to become the de facto career choice for young men desperate for money and to do the unthinkable to those who unfortunately come within range of their coastal waters.

Hope from OMB – Improving Communication between Government and Industry

Rich Cooper |

February 15, 2011

Daniel Gordon, OMB’s Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, released a 13-page Memorandum for Chief Acquisition Officers, Senior Procurement Executives and Chief Information Officers. If you are someone who has tried to do business with the federal government, this memo speaks directly to you. As someone who has worked with the homeland security industry, I’ve seen first hand the behaviors and attitudes that prevent meaningful dialogue. It does not have to be this way.

Pistole Channeling his Inner Reagan

Rich Cooper |

February 10, 2011

With all of the Reagan Centennial activities starting to get underway, it is completely understandable for public officials – regardless of their political ideologies – to embrace “the Great Communicator.” In a hearing before the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee on “Terrorism and Transportation Security,” TSA Administrator, John Pistole shared that he would fire any TSA employee if they were to go on strike, fail to show up for work or engage in work slow down behavior. That’s something the Gipper would be proud of.

Harman's Departure from Congress

Rich Cooper |

February 8, 2011

Today’s unexpected news that Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) is departing the US House of Representatives to take over as the new Director of the Woodrow Wilson Center is a tremendous blow to the Congress and in particular House Democrats. By far one of the most powerful and influential voices on national security, homeland security and intelligence matters, Harman has been one of the real leaders in the Congress on all of these issues and has not been afraid to speak her peace regardless of whose feathers she might ruffle.

Pistole’s Union Decision – Checks the Box but with lots of Strings

Rich Cooper |

February 4, 2011

There’s a long standing rule that if you want to bury a news story, release it on a Friday afternoon. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today its answered to the long-drawn out question over TSA screeners and collective bargaining rights. The answer is yes but with very firm barriers – more like electrified barb-wired jersey walls.

The State of the Homeland Security Industry – Resigned Frustration

Rich Cooper |

February 2, 2011

In what was billed as the first State of Homeland Security address, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano talked about the maturing of the Department that she leads and the “shared responsibility” that is homeland security. As important as her words might be, they unfortunately do not speak to the state of the homeland security industry – “resigned frustration” best describes the relationship between Congress, DHS and the private sector. Despite these conditions, there remain enormous opportunities for companies and individuals, and it is important to understand how a race to protect U.S. citizens, infrastructure and interests has devolved into a frustrating enterprise.

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