Domestic Acts of Terrorism
Interaction of these agencies when preparing for, responding to, or recovering from Domestic Acts of Terrorism.
Order Instructions:
The intent and purpose of this Module is to familiarize the student with other agencies that are involved with Domestic Security and Terrorism. There are too many agencies to present; therefore, I request the student read their missions and histories.
Students are encouraged to deviate from the posted readings and look at the provided DHS organizational chart, seek the charts from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Military, the State Department, and the Justice Department to find out more. The organizations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are deliberately left out because the students should cover both of these agencies in depth in other classes. The Case questions concern the interaction of these agencies when preparing for, responding to, or recovering from an act of domestic terrorism.
The student is required to cover the required readings and apply the information provided combined with the student’s research to answer the following questions:
1. Do you agree/disagree with Thurston’s views on the role of the military in Domestic Terrorism? Why? (Thurston, 2007)
2. Explain the interface of CDC and DHS in a domestic bio-terror incident.
3. How would FEMA and the FAA integrate with the DHS, TSA, and Military if a domestic terror incident occurred similar to the events of September 11, 2001?
4. After reading (Haddal, 2010) what do you envision the role and success of the Border Patrol will be in the next five years?
5. In your view (supported by research and citation), do you believe the reorganizations of the first decade of the 21st century to combat domestic terrorism were/are effective? What changes would you recommend and why?
The following items will be assessed in particular:
1. Your ability to apply your understanding of the roles of the assigned agencies in combating domestic terrorism and their interrelationships.
2. Your ability to express the effectiveness of the changes in the entire spectrum of homeland security as applied to domestic terrorism.
3. In-text references to the modular background readings (APA formatting recommended) and a reference page. Outside background reading sources encouraged and expected.
Length: This Case Assignment should be at least 3 pages not counting the title page and references.
References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking).
Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to question.
Academic Source, Required readings:
ATF Home Page, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives website: Retrieved November 15, 2012, from: http://www.atf.gov/
Brinkerhoff, J.R. (2009). The role of Federal military forces in domestic law enforcement title. US Army Combined Arms Center, Newsletter 10(16), Ch. 11. Retrieved November 16, 2012, from: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/docs/10-16/ch_11.asp
Cook, T. (2008). The Posse Comitatus Act: An act in need of a regulatory update. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from: http://www.hsdl.org/?view&doc=137185&coll=limited
Haddal, C. C. (2010). Border security: The role of the U.S. Border Patrol. Congressional Research Office. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL32562.pdf
Thurston, T. W. (2007). The military’s role in domestic terrorism. Retrieved from: http://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/3019/07Dec_Thurston.pdf?sequence=1
Vision, mission, core values, and pledge: CDC vision for the 21st Century (2010). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from: http://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/mission.htm
SAMPLE ANSWER
- Do you agree/disagree with Thurston’s views on the role of the military in Domestic Terrorism? Why? (Thurston, 2007)
I agree and support Thurston’s views as presented in his article ´The Military’s Role in Domestic Terrorism´, on the role of the military in deterring, combating and providing assistance in instances of domestic terrorism in the US. He asserts that to effectively counter acts of home-grown terrorism, there is need for a concerted effort between the military and the civilian security forces. This is because protecting the lives of Americans is mandatory and the state should use all the resources at its disposal, including the military, to protect the citizens from any acts of terror. This is clearly spelt out in the National Strategy for Homeland Security, NSHS, of 2007. It states in part that ´´…the United States will use all instrument of national power and influence, diplomatic, information, military, economic, financial, intelligence, and law enforcement, to achieve our goals to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks; protect the American people…” The supportive role of the military is especially relevant in situations where the civilian police is widely overstretched or overwhelmed, and so the troops act as a force multiplier. This makes the use of the troops domestically, not to be a question of choice, but of necessity. The military’s role should however, as Thurston purports, not be a leading role but a supportive role since while they may have more airpower and substantial personnel, they do not necessarily possess the relevant training to effectively deal with domestic terrorism. This is true because the military are prone to using excessive force that may harm civilians. To counter this, they should be provided with relevant training in dealing with domestic terrorism. Their participation in countering domestic insurgents should also be short lived and their involvement halted once a situation can ably be handled by the civil police (Thurston, 2007).
- Explain the interface of CDC and DHS in a domestic bio-terror incident.
The twenty first century has witnessed an increase in bio-terror attacks such as the release of anthrax virus. Bio terrorist use disease causing agents such as viruses and bacterial to harm or kill people and animals by deliberately releasing them in the environment (Jones D., 2005) Both the Centre for disease control, CDC and the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, have a significant role to play in combating bio terror in the American soil. The CDC has the role of preventing and controlling bio terror, through such activities as detecting infections, conducting research on vaccines and controlling the spread of diseases such as small pox and anthrax, so as to promote the health of the public. CDC relies so much on DHS as it is the source of intelligent imminent attack so that the CDC can be put on high alert. This cooperation is vital as it can avert a possible terror incident or alleviate the effect of a bio terror as a result of information sharing. The DHS also works in partnership with relevant agencies to provide emergency support to CDC in case of a bio terror incident. This partnership between CDC and DHS helps in combating, controlling and even eradicating germs used as terror weapons. Just like the mission of CDC is to protect the lives of Americans through promotion of health security by swift response to health concerns, so does DHS, through its various departments that are created to respond to bio terror attacks.
- How would FEMA and the FAA integrate with the DHS, TSA, and Military if a domestic terror incident occurred similar to the events of September 11, 2001?
The DHS is adequately prepared in instances of emergencies through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. Federal Aviation Agency, FAA, and FEMA are components of the DHS. FEMA enhances disaster preparedness and provides emergency response during terror attacks that cannot be avoided, such as the September 11 attack, by reducing the impacts of a domestic terror attack and ensuring that Americans do not become victims of terror. FEMA does this by encouraging quick recovery of those affected by acts of terrorism. FAA is also under DHS and it is majorly concerned with enhancing security in the aviation industry through enhancement of screening of passengers as well as cargoes, enforcement of immigration laws so as to reduce the risk of passenger attack. In the event of terror incident similar to the September 11 attack, the DHS shall mobilize FEMA to enhance emergency services to the citizens while the FAA and TSA would be on high alert to boost security at the airport to prevent explosives from entering the country or attackers from escaping, and ensuring general aviation security as a key infrastructure. This shall be enhanced by the deployment of the military to provide support to the civilian police in restoring calm and order, and strengthening entire security of the state. The department of home homeland security shall coordinate all these agencies’ efforts since it has the overall mission of providing security in the home land.
- After reading (Haddal, 2010) what do you envision the role and success of the Border Patrol will be in the next five years?
The United States Border Patrol, USBP, as I envision it in five years, shall consolidate its role of protecting the states border points. Because of its expanding budget and fund allocation, the USBP will be in a better position to install more advanced and secure surveillance gadgets in both its northern and the porous southern borders. The border patrol agents, who also have an important role of not only detecting, but also deterring illegal migrants and terrorists, will be equipped with advanced skills since the huge budget allocation will facilitate training of border agents. Other shortfall such as lack of clear statistics on issues related to the border, such as availability of data on illegal migrants, and number of border agents attacked will be, in future, consolidated and more accurate statistics provided by border agents. There shall also be a consolidated integrated border enforcement team in the northern border of Canada to exert joint efforts in enhancing border patrol and security.
- In your view (supported by research and citation), do you believe the reorganizations of the first decade of the 21st century to combat domestic terrorism were/are effective? What changes would you recommend and why?
The 21st century has seen extensive overhaul of the security system and agencies involved in combating domestic terrorism and this was necessary if war on terrorism was to bear fruits. These new reorganizations, especially in the Department of homeland security, have drastically improved the level of preparedness of the state. The changes introduced are very effective since there is now a department solely focused on ensuring security in the homeland and its borders (Haddal, 2010). The effectiveness has been especially achieved through the establishment of various departments and agencies that even deal with emergencies such as FEMA, by ensuring that citizens do not become victims or terrorism. Information sharing among departments and the various relevant agencies has also enhanced their cooperation, hence, improving on effectiveness and raising more public awareness on terrorism. Effectiveness is also seen since there has never been a major attack in the country since September 11 and security has been beefed up in the aviation industry (Elias, 2009). Again, numerous plots of terrorist attacks in the U.S. soil have been foiled since the reorganizations and this indicates the effectiveness of such reorganizations
However, the reorganizations will make do with some crucial recommendations such as:
- Security alert should be strengthened. The thwarted terror attacks indicate that US is still a target for terrorists and as such increased intelligence to detect any possibility of terror in US soil should be adopted.
- There should also be a clear way in which the military and the civil police can work together to combat domestic terrorism. This should be in place to avoid confusions during a joint task force.
- The federals states need to establish a wider pool of volunteers as these will provide ready response to disaster and increase preparedness. This is because the local civilians can respond rapidly and assist each other after an attack before the federal can organize itself.
- There should be integration between the local and state efforts that are geared towards countering acts of terror.
With these in place, the risks of terrorist attack within USA will drastically be reduced. It is impossible to totally avoid the threats of terror attacks but stringent and practical measures as detailed in the DHS can be adopted and implemented to keep America safer.
References
Haddal, C. C. (2010). Border security: The role of the U.S. Border Patrol. Congressional Research Office. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL32562.pdf
Elias B., (2009). National Aviation Security Policy, Strategy and Mode-specific Plans. Background and Considerations for Congress.
Jones, D. (2005). Structures of Bio-terrorism Preparedness in the UK and the US: Responses to 9/11 and the Anthrax Attacks. British Journal Of Politics & International Relations, 7(3), 340-352. doi:10.1111/j.1467-856X.2005.00189.x
Thurston, T. W. (2007). The military’s role in domestic terrorism. Retrieved from: http://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/3019/07Dec_Thurston.pdf?sequence=1
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