The DOD Role in Homeland Security
Abstract
Many experts warned prior to September 11, 2001, that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) would exploit weaknesses in the defense of America. A report by the Commission on National Security/21st Century sounded one such alarm: "The United States will become increasingly vulnerable to hostile attack on the American homeland. . . . military superiority will not entirely protect us." The subsequent terrorist attacks validated the commission report and the need to reexamine protecting the homeland. Moreover, they resulted in a reappraisal of the role of the Department of Defense in support of civil authorities. Among Federal agencies, it has the most experience in combatting terrorism. One year after 9/11, the commission cochairs, Gary Hart and Warren Rudman, cautioned: "America remains dangerously unprepared to prevent and respond to a catastrophic terrorist attack on U.S. soil." And, as the Nation prepares for such attacks, so will terrorists. Though America maintains a superiority in weaponry, personnel, and other resources, terrorist groups can convert their disadvantage in numbers into an advantage. Networked terrorists can coordinate strategy and plans, execute schemes quickly, and outpace the cumbersome U.S. decisionmaking cycle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA523840
Entities
People
- Aaron Scholer
- Adrian A. Erckenbrack
Organizations
- National Defense University