As outlined in the various media reports, the cyber czar’s reach would extend beyond the public sector sphere of influence into the private sector and have the ability (and authority) to shut cyber networks down if an attack on them is underway. With oversight over the various federal budgets, programs and policies in these areas, as well as cybersecurity standards for the public and private sectors,
It wasn’t surprising to hear that in a recent discussion with Mexico our government accepted some responsibility for aiding Mexican drug cartels by way of demand for drugs and gun smuggling. Are we employing the correct risk management tools to efficiently and effectively use the resources we have? Are we using a risk management analysis that includes guilt and shame instead of objective factors?
Recently, the TSA has begun the initial launch of Secure Flight which gives the agency the ability to mitigate risk in a significant way. Authorities have known since then that checking passenger behaviors and backgrounds is an important key in defeating the terrorists.
CQ Politics | SpyTalk – What’s the Big Deal About Hersh’s ‘Assassinations’ Claim? Ever since the CIA’s counterterrorism chief in 2001 was famously quoted by a CIA agent as saying, “Capture Bin Laden, kill him and bring his head back in a box on dry ice,” no one from President Bush on down has denied […]
Today’s House Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee hearing on “Priorities Enforcing Immigration Law” got off to a delayed and roaring thud. ICE Director of Investigations Marcy Foreman was unequivocal in her response to Rogers. Contrary to a statement in a Washington Post story, Foreman stated that ICE has not received any instructions from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano about a change in policy in enforcing immigration laws.
There is always a danger whenever you put something in writing – your words may come back and haunt you or be used against you. Such was the case of Bruce Fein, one of the witnesses at today’s hearing, “The Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers” before the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment.
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.
The word “intelligence” can have multiple meanings. If you were watching last week’s hearing (March 18, 2009) – “Homeland Security Intelligence: Its Relevance and Limitations,” held before the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment you will understand the word much better, especially in terms that Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) described as “what we want and what we don’t want.”
Cops do not write the laws. They are hired and trained to enforce what politicians have written and passed to protect the country. The agents liking or disliking a law is not relevant, their only job is to enforce them. Clearly writing a law and then criticizing those that enforce them only brings new meaning to the word hypocrite.
Quite frankly, I don’t believe that there are many US police forces that are truly ready to police crowds in a manner that is constitutionally, morally, and even legally compliant. By failing on any of these a department faces litigation and worse. I hope that I am wrong, but I am convinced that I am not.
Sponsored by:
