Threats at Our Threshold: Homeland Defense and Homeland Security in the New Century
Abstract
There is no more compelling issue to the government and people of the United States today than Homeland Security. Likewise, there is no more compelling mission for the military than Homeland Defense. But centuries of relative security for a people protected by two oceans and benevolent neighbors to the north and south have left us culturally ill-prepared for a new and ominous era of transitional terrorism that has brought danger to our door. Since the terrible wake-up call of 9/11, we have tried to overcome cultural malaise with institutional renovations, which has led to the greatest reorganization of government since 1947, a reexamination of the direction and focus of our intelligence community, and a renewed concern for domestic defense that has laid near dormant since the early 19th century. in short order this has led to the development of the Department of Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Council, the United States Northern Command, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense, a new Director for National intelligence, the National Counterterrorism Center, two committees devoted to Homeland Security oversight in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and a host of other institutional adjustments in the federal government. These changes were reflected and complemented by an equal commitment to renewal in our states, territories, and local governments, along with an essential commitment by much of the private sector to become active partners in the protection of the country's infrastructure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 21, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA486273
Entities
People
- Bert B. Tussing
Organizations
- United States Army War College