Security Debrief

Petraeus’ Affair is Not Our Business

November 12, 2012

Honoring our country’s military is important. For those who lay down their life to uphold the freedoms we cherish, we rightly celebrate their service, not just on Veterans Day, but year round. Celebrations took place across the country on Sunday, but while thousands of veterans received their just tribute, there was at least one soldier who did not. After 37 years of honorable service, four-star General David Petraeus’ reputation is being dragged through the streets and dissected in media reports. This is not how we honor our veterans.

White House Executive Order on Homeland Security Leaves more Questions than Answers

David Olive |

November 7, 2012

On October 26, the White House quietly issued an Executive Order entitled: “Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council.” For the life of me I cannot figure out why this was released. I’m not sure that anyone from the White House or the Department of Homeland Security is willing to say why it was necessary or that they can explain how this isn’t duplicative of efforts already underway.

The Next DHS Secretary – The Potential Candidates

Rich Cooper |

November 6, 2012

Whether or not President Barack Obama gets another term or Gov. Mitt Romney pulls out a victory, it can be anticipated that after four years, current DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano will move on. So who is in the wings to take her spot? Listed below are some of the names of people that I think would be on a short list of a second term Obama White House or a new Romney White House.

Cancel the NYC Marathon

Rich Cooper |

November 2, 2012

Over the past several days, we’ve seen some remarkable examples of leadership in times of challenge. For as good as all of these efforts may be, however, there is one decision that makes no sense to me. The decision to proceed with the New York City Marathon this weekend is the wrong decision. Let’s put a few things on the table here first.

Homeland Security – What Next?

Security Debrief |

November 1, 2012

By Doug Doan
So far, none of the presidential candidates have mentioned much about Homeland Security. With so many other problems, issues surrounding how best to organize, manage and lead the vast DHS bureaucracy are just not that important. Too bad. I would have liked to see the candidates talk about what they might do. Here is an agenda that I happily provide.

Hurricane Sandy a Chance at Redemption for FEMA

Media Watch |

October 31, 2012

As Hurricane Sandy approached landfall Monday, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials here were struggling with the question of how to deploy resources in the face of a powerful, far-reaching storm that was bearing down on a string of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.

Hurricane Sandy Military Response

Media Watch |

October 31, 2012

As Hurricane Sandy started to batter the East Coast of the United States, the National Guard and U.S. military had more than 61,000 personnel mobilized and ready for duty. As of 4:00 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 30, more than 7,400 National Guard members were responding to calls for assistance in 11 states.

FEMA administrator says 'dangerous conditions' from Sandy persist

Media Watch |

October 30, 2012

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said Tuesday that dangerous conditions from Hurricane Sandy continued to persist Tuesday morning, and urged those in areas affected by the storm to stay in a safe location.

Commercial Mobile Alert Service used widely during Hurricane Sandy

Media Watch |

October 30, 2012

The high winds, heavy rain, and storm surges are dying down along the East Coast today. We have yet to account for the total damage done by Hurricane Sandy, and many areas of New York City are still flooded.

Patience After the Storm – The Hardest Part

Rich Cooper |

October 30, 2012

The images from Hurricane Sandy are jaw dropping. From flooded subway stations, waterfalls into the Ground Zero area, destroyed piers, boardwalks and homes, Hurricane Sandy – “The Frankenstorm” – was a big one that Mid-Atlantic States, New Jersey and NYC have long feared. Right now, we don’t know the full costs in lost lives or destroyed infrastructure and homes, but we do know this – it’s going to take some time to get things back to any sense of normal in the affected regions.