Yesterday, the administration announced a new “border czar” and a raft of new and ongoing border security initiatives to battle the smuggling cartels. It still not clear what the scope of the czar’s authority will be and how he will interface with all the folks working on the border.
President Obama has nominated David Heyman as DHS assistant secretary of policy. Around Washington, Heyman is well known as one of the nation’s most respected homeland security analysts. Those of us who know him well, know that he is well-qualified for the challenges ahead.
The risk of electromagnetic pulse devastation is greater than ever. Why does Washington dismiss it? That’s the question asked and answered in recent article in the American Legion magazine that highlights the findings of the National Commission chartered by Congress to assess the EMP threat. A nuclear weapon detonated in space could wreck havoc on the electronic components of our national infrastructure.
The United States continues to have much to learn from our allies across the Pond. While Quick was photographed holding sensitive security documents, the British media did not publish the photos until after the operation was completed. A joint government-media body warned news organizations that publication of the photo would “seriously damage national security.” And the media listened.
Today’s USA Today features a compelling video on the Port of Savannah. This port, like many ports in America is suffering tremendously from the economic slump. Given these challenges to America’s ports, it seems illogical to implement the 100 percent scanning mandate.
A good engagement strategy starts with having a defined message and knowing where you want to strategically position your organization. Engagement in new media involves a loss of control, that’s what makes it such a transparent and authentic medium. Once your organization gets over its initial fear of criticism and pulls the trigger, you can use these insights to your advantage.
The use of assault tactics by small organized groups of heavily armed assailants who either seize hostages or kill indiscriminately is certainly not new. Between 1995 and 2004, Chechen rebels staged three major armed assaults in Russia. Even the United States has not been immune to the danger of planned armed assaults. A list of post 9/11 terrorist plots against the United States includes a August 2005 conspiracy by a Pakistani national who was arrested planning an attack on the Israeli consulate, California National Guard facilities, and other targets in Southern California.
When a team of experts led by scholars at The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies recommended some serious fixes to the organization of the Department of Homeland Security in their report DHS 2.0 advocated, among other key initiatives creating a policy section in the secretariat that would work for an Undersecretary for Policy and Planning. The need for a policy and planning arm in the department has been apparent for some time now.
Cubans attempting to enter the U.S. illegally are uniquely handled under an immigration law descriptively known as “wet foot/dry foot”. But a new and equally dangerous trend has emerged in the past several years that brings Cubans to the U.S. soil through dangerous Mexico.
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