Security Debrief

Doing Homeland Security at the Speed of Bureaucracy

It is all but impossible for DHS to fulfill its mission of protecting the homeland when the bureaucratic processes they must work with fail to recognize that sometimes a partial solution is better than a delayed solution. Last week the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Management held a hearing on technology acquisition. I have little hope that GAO will ever understand the real-world environment in which homeland security acquisition ought to occur. The GAO report released to coincide with the hearing shows me that they just don’t “get it.”

Business, Government Finding the Edges and Opportunities in Transportation Infrastructure

There was a time when the United States’ transportation infrastructure was the envy of the world. Times are changing and U.S. infrastructure isn’t. This poses a significant threat to America’s profitability, economic recovery and international competitiveness. Recognizing this, the National Chamber Foundation – the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s think tank – put on a program in conjunction with the Chamber’s Let’s Rebuild America initiative, “Infrastructure: What We Want, What We Need.” Here’s a breakdown.

Space Life After "Wheels Stop" – Shuttle Atlantis Makes Final Landing

“Wheels stop.” With those two words, the era of the Space Shuttle officially closed. Those two words are traditionally spoken by the Shuttle Commander as the orbiter comes to a complete stop. Today’s space shuttle landing means 6,300 people will be laid off and the Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control will fall silent. For now, we will have to wait until we see what the private sector can provide for a new era in human spaceflight.

Upcoming House Hearing: Recruitment and Radicalization within the Muslim American Community and the Threat to the Homeland

“FEMA will not save you,” said Michael Brown, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Coast Guard Blues – Spending Cuts Threaten Mission Capability

No part of the federal government is more at risk in Washington’s mindless approach to budget cutting than the U.S. Coast Guard. By every responsible measure, the service is blinking red when it comes to the challenge of matching vital missions to capability. Yet, Congress appears ready to gut the service to preserve funding for “pork barrel” grants. No wonder the Coast Guard is singing the blues.

Need, Want, (Don’t) Have: Bringing America’s Infrastructure into the 21st Century

America’s infrastructure could use a makeover. Many of the things that help this country “GO” – roads, bridges, utilities and more – are in poor shape and in many places, crumbling before our eyes. Yet, the country has seen little in the way of real change when it comes to building a stronger, more resilient America. Not enough of us are talking and thinking strategically about infrastructure investment priorities, how risk and resilience are considered, and how we are going to pay for these much-needed updates. Enter Adm. Thad Allen, former commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

A Call for Better Border Security Metrics

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has complained on more than one occasion that Republicans are “moving the goalposts” when it comes to border security. One reason, as former DHS economist Bryan Roberts and I argue in a new piece for Foreign Affairs, is that the current metrics for measuring progress at the border are lousy. Apprehensions at the border may be falling, but does that mean illegal immigrants have been deterred from trying?

Napolitano Quashes 100 Percent Screening for Maritime Cargo

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the United States is no longer going to screen every cargo container before it enters the United States

GOP report says private airport screeners can do more for less (6/3/11) — GovExec.com   On the heels of a successful charge in the House to cut funding for the Transportation Security Administration’s airport screening staff, a Florida Republican has unveiled a report claiming TSA screeners cost roughly twice as much as private screeners and […]

Denying safe havens to terrorists — and reporting about it

Denying safe havens to terrorists — and reporting about it – Homeland Security Newswire
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report discusses U.S. efforts to address terrorist safe havens. Terrorist safe havens provide security for terrorists, allowing them to train recruits and plan operations.