DHS and Homeland Security Essay

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limitations and capabilities of intelligence for corroborating homeland security efforts?

Sharing of intelligence and extensive threat analysis

There are quite many intelligent agencies working round the clock analyzing the data yet no single agency is working on analyzing the incoming data regarding terrorism in United States of America. No agency is presently working to gather intelligence and look for trends (DHS, 2002). Under the United States' president, a new department was formed which analyzed the data taken from government reserves such as DOE, DEA, INS, FBI, NSA, CIA and DOT along with public records. The department has the task of looking for trends keeping the big picture in mind. It is ready all-the-time to counter any probable terrorist activity underway (DHS, 2002).

An Example: Distribution of important pharmaceuticals

Potassium Iodide (KI) is quite a drug assisting in countering thyroid cancer when exposed to radiation. The drug needs to be taken during early hours of exposure for cancelling effect (DHS, 2002).

In case, the person lives inside the ten mile parameter of the nuclear establishment, the dispense process of Potassium Iodide falls under Nuclear Regularity Commission (NRC). NRC has the job of providing this life saving drug to the affected. However NRC has important duties too such as licensing nuclear establishments rather than providing emergency supply of medicines to a probable radiation affected population. Federal Emergency Management Agency works outside the ten mile radius for distributing and regulating KI. Apart from that, Department of Health and Human Services manages KI kept in stocks and sends it off to places required. Government agencies also work in evacuating the emergency zone as well. Sometimes the Department of Energy also comes into play when distributing KI comes into the picture (DHS, 2002).

In case of exposure to radiation, the states should collaborate with different government organizations for delivering much needed pharmaceuticals whose boundaries are exist by a stretch of ten miles. Take this scenario in consideration: NRC and state think of allotting KI to people within a ten mile parameter. FEMA has a problem with that and gives a red signal to the decision. Hence it doesn't distribute the drug in that ten mile radius. The turmoil between NRC, FEMA and state exists; meanwhile an evacuation process starts at the same time. In this scenario, people exposed won't be able to get cured from deadly radiation (DHS, 2002).

After the 9/11 commission reports, a presidential order had been passed keeping in mind the recommendations of the commission. Under the presidential order, the department would be busy with allocating the KI reserves to the exposed population as soon as possible. The ten mile barrier only exists on paper. The department would be liable to work with agencies and local officials for evacuation purposes to a safe zone (DHS, 2002).

According to history, security challenges need visible line of attack and strategy whilst working with the U.S.A. government. History has taught us new challenges require new ideologies and structure (DHS, 2002).

For instance before 1945, United States of America had separate forces. The navy and war departments were segregated while the intelligence agencies were scattered. They couldn't cooperate that well before. Then World War II occurred which was followed by Cold War that was when American really needed amalgamation of its armed forces to win battles and accomplish mission (DHS, 2002). American requires a new national security foundation which can avert another 9/11 terrorist attack on its soil, mobilize resources for countering such an attack and safeguard the ideals of American government and population. President George Bush instigated a counter attack requesting the Navy and War department become one single entity. The president thinks that it's time now to dispose of the useless organizational forms and work for a future where the armed forces have an easy carefree framework. He thought that it was a plausible way of attaining peace (DHS, 2002).The rearrangement of United States national security framework was necessary in order to fortify and strengthen the huge threat facing after 9/11 attacks. Hence it was a turning point in history of USA. Apart from that, prevention is a must from different terrorist groups (DHS, 2002).

Human Element: Domestic vs. foreign intelligence

The idea of domestic intelligence as opposed to foreign intelligence gives rise to a number of vital questions, as well as issues related to individual civil liberty within a free and liberal democracy (Logan, 2010; Martin, 2004). Martin (2004) writes, "Risks to civil liberties are inherent in the very nature of domestic intelligence.

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This is because intelligence necessarily operates in secret and, as a result, it is exceedingly difficult to subject intelligence activities to the checks and balances that the Framers of the Constitution understood as essential to prevent abuses of power (page 8)." At the same time as gathering domestic data and intelligence might give rise to issues related to individual civil liberties; it additionally backs up a similarly fundamental requirement -- the protection and safeguarding of nation-state (Logan, 2010).

Fortifying and maturing the DHS along with the whole Homeland Security structure, the individual and collective duties of federal, local, tribal, state and territorial, private sector cohorts, NGO's, people, individuals, families and societies are important for the facilitating the core missions and jobs aligned. It consists of having shared concerns for threats, risks, making communities more able and resilient, enabling new methods and solutions by breakthrough sciences and technology and lastly instituting a culture of sustainability, resilience and efficacy (DHS, 2002).

Combining all of the 22 diverse federal departments as well as agencies in on singular DHS has been more of a nuisance than a seamless operation. There are management issues and public policy matters at hand. QHSR and BUR along with other initiatives will assist in Secretary's Efficiency Review looking at the latest work done by department in unifying 22 departments.

DHS Efficiency Review program was launched way back in March 2009. It has been instrumental in implementing 36 projects to attain the aims necessary while keeping accountability, customer contentment and transparency in mind. With the help of this Efficiency Review, the department has seen perfection in every nook and cranny. Supporting the employees, physical assets management and daily expenses are all being taken care of in a fine manner. Apart from that, Acquisition Workforce is being developed constantly as their employees are exposed to many training sessions and given guidance on leadership skills and professional development (DHS, 2002).

Examine the operational capability of homeland security of USA in order to tackle the future challenges and national threats

Mission

In order to achieve success, Homeland Security needs to update its systems and amalgamate the tools needed to be wielded to attain necessary aims while closely working with their collaborators and partners. The military power must be in supreme form in order to prove its efficiency. With the existence of nuclear missiles, the nuclear prevention capacity, having the power to avert probable threats, striving for world peace and fortifying the partners are all imperative. The job of Homeland Security is to invest in development phases, diplomacy and institutions in ways which strengthens and supplements the global cohorts. The Homeland Security must be capable enough to recognize and avert potentially dangerous threats; categorize conventional threats from asymmetric threats giving timely data on the spot. Homeland Security will need to be integrated with the bigger national security approach in mind (NSS, 2010).

Analyzing the mission integration

Homeland Security is constantly enhancing the skills and capabilities in civil and military institutions hence they work wonderfully well with each other and work flawlessly. Homeland Security is also busy with policymaking and planning whilst building up the stronger areas which are weak. Congress is playing a pivotal role in this case. It's a delicate interagency process which is undertaken in order to integrate the combined efforts and implement systems and monitor functions, oversee strategies and policies. In order to jumpstart this venture, White House combined the National Security Council staff with Homeland Security Council (NSS, 2010).

But in any case as of yet, adequate amount of coordination is still needed within agencies and departments. The fundamental step is to keep fuelling the pool of resources along with national security objectives, updating the education and training sessions of national security employees enabling them to deal with modern issues and challenges, looking over authorities and mechanisms to put in effect and collaborate on assistance programs while going through various policies and programs fortifying synchronization (NSS, 2010).

Defense: Homeland Security is busy with fortifying the military with resources in order to avert any future wars, prevent threats to national security, whilst protecting the interests and plans of its allies and partners along with securing United States of America in terms of national and international threats. Homeland Security will be busy scrutinizing the military potential of the armed forces in order to counter terrorism, counter insurgency, securing peace and stability and tackling extremely difficult security threats whilst making.....

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