Chris Battle

Proposed Intelligence Chief Assails "Israel Lobby" in Bizarre Email Rant

March 12, 2009

Let’s put aside Charles Freeman’s previous in-your-face assertions denouncing Israel’s policies as “high handed,” “self-defeating,” and “inherently violent.” What’s more telling is that he seems surprised that such public statements would not provoke equally in-your-face responses, and that they would come back to bite him, as they have done in the current controversy over his appointment. He was surprised? Really? And we were thinking of appointing him as one of our Intelligence Czars? What were we thinking?

The Administration's Mixed Signals on Immigration Policy

Chris Battle |

February 24, 2009

By federal government standards, there has been a veritable frenzy of activity related to immigration at the Department of Homeland Security. With three high-profile appointments in the last couple of weeks, the Administration has sent mixed signals about the direction it intends to take on immigration policy from a public perspective, as well as how it intends to manage the effort from an internal perspective. Oddly, the mainstream media has missed or ignored these developments.

New Media's Moment in Mumbai

Chris Battle |

January 28, 2009

Analysis of the use of social media tools during the Mumbai terror attacks, as well as how government agencies might use them in the future for homeland and national security strategies.

Napolitano's decision to keep DHS Old Hands exudes confidence

Chris Battle |

January 23, 2009

Secretary Napolitano has decided to keep a number of DHS non-career employees on board at the Department through an extended transition phase. It’s a wise move, and one that highlights the confidence the former Arizona Governor brings to her role. As a matter of national security, bipartisanship has never been more important.

President Obama's Homeland Security Agenda Posted on New White House Website

Chris Battle |

January 21, 2009

The new Administration’s focus on ending combat in Iraq and turning its focus to Afghanistan stands out as a bold departure. It’s focus on shoring up the nation’s critical infrastructure also signals a new approach. What also stands out is what is not given much attention — key among such issues being immigration policy. The plan outlined by the White House offers no sense of how it will tackle this critical matter; indeed, immigration is strangely buried with aviation and transportation security under the catch-all category of “critical infrastructure.”

FEMA Uses Twitter, Social Media to Expand Communications with Public

Chris Battle |

January 16, 2009

The emergence of citizens news conferences, such as those hosted by FEMA and the Israeli Government, make clear that social media tools have the potential to serve as critical communications tools during national emergencies.

State Department Leads Effort in Leveraging New Media Communications Tools

Chris Battle |

December 30, 2008

Too many government agencies, particularly in the security realm, are missing opportunities provided by New Media. The suggestion that Facebook or Twitter — despite their funky names — is for college kids is as uninformed as it is tiresome. Not only are top corporations in the private sector actively engaged on these sites; so are terrorists and criminals. The Internet has indeed made the world flat; social media tools have made it paper thin.

TSA, Little Old Ladies & Eyeball Security

Chris Battle |

December 21, 2008

In her 60 Minutes segment, Leslie Stahl suggests she can spot terrorists simply by eyeballing them. Old white lady? No. Young Arab man? Could be … If it were only that easy.

Texas Governor Shocked Shocked to Discover Illegal Aliens in his Jails

Chris Battle |

November 24, 2008

It appears that Rick Perry, the governor of border state Texas, has just discovered he has illegal aliens in his jails. And that some of them are being released back into the community to possibly commit more crimes when they should have been deported. (Federal law dictates that aliens convicted of felonies are automatically eligible for deportation.) He wants some heads to roll – just preferably not his. So he has written the classic “strongly worded letter” to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

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