Homeland Security

Introduction to Homeland Security.

PROJECTS.

Project 1.

Current Event Analysis

This assignment is a review of a current homeland security event.  Analyze the event based on the material covered so far in class.   You will prepare three to four pages in length (not including cover page or reference pages) exploring the event and any response to the event. Examples of current events include the recent 2019 Typhoon Lekima in China; California wildfires; the massacre in the  Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo in which over 240+ persons were killed; and current COVID-19 virus.

Project 2.

Case Study

The case study is a review of a current homeland security issue and one that affects the U.S. You will prepare five to seven pages (not including the cover or reference pages) exploring the issue presented. Current issues include but are not limited to COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, border control, funding allocation, infrastructure, cyber warfare, biotechnology, intelligence, transportation security, incident response, civil liberties, resource allocation, capabilities, and immigration (the guideline provides further topics).  Make sure you can identify an issue relating to a topic.

Project 3.

Research Paper

Part 1
 

Select a domestic or international terrorist organization that threatens the U.S. homeland and complete a profile of that organization. The group profile should be approximately 50 percent of the final paper and must include a discussion of the group’s ideology, targeting, tactics, capability, and overall goals, analysis of attacks, and any statements or propaganda released by the group. Make sure you have enough information on the group to address all these factors and how it affects the US homeland.

A foreign terrorist group for this project must be on the official list of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) maintained by the U.S. Department of State. In the case of domestic terrorist groups, there is no sanctioned list from which to choose, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has made significant arrests from several groups that would fit the description of a domestic terrorist group. The FBI also names many other groups in congressional testimony. Materials presented in the first module, as well as recent news and congressional testimony, are good sources of information on how to identify domestic groups for this project.

Part 2

Use the group profile to conduct an analysis of one or more U.S. homeland security policies studied in module 2, to assess the ability of the policy or policies to counter the threat posed by the group profiled. This analysis should begin with an introduction and explanation of the policy, followed by an analysis addressing the breadth of the information (from part 1) gathered on that terrorist group. The policy you analyze should be consistent with the group; for example, if you choose a domestic terrorist group, it would be improper to analyze the Secure Border Initiative and its ability to counter a domestic threat, because the members of the group are already within the nation’s borders. If you find the policy deficient, make specific recommendations for policy change to counter the threat. If you deem the policy sufficient to counter the threat, explain the rationale for your conclusion.

Your finished project, including both elements of the paper, should be approximately 12 to 14 double-spaced pages, not including the cover or reference pages but including the abstract, submitted as one document. Make sure you present an introduction and a conclusion tying together both aspects of the paper.

Top of Form

Discussions Topics.

 Discussion post must be a minimum of 300 words not including citations. 

1) The discussion of the terrorism dynamic has several different parts, of three governmental options to combat terrorism, which option do you believe is the most important and why?

2) As you examine the terrorism paradigm, there are both domestic, international, and transnational elements, seeking to do harm to the United States and its citizenry. Identify which terroristic element who believe to be the most dangerous to the United States and why?

3) The last United States National Strategy for Homeland Security was published in 2002, that is almost 18 years old. Much has changed over the years and some challenges remain the same. The strategy’s  objectives of homeland security in order of priority are to: prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism; and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. Furthermore, they articulate six critical missions areas to accomplish this formidable task. Identify which critical mission area is the most important to protect the homeland and why? 

4) Over the years since 9/11, there has been a number of safety and security issues in homeland security sector.  Most have been terrorism related dealing with a multitude of groups.  Pandemics and surrounding health issues date back as 3,000 B.C. in “Hamin Mangha;” one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in northeastern China. How ironic that we are now dealing with the COVID-19 virus which originated in the Wuhan, China not to include the Asian flu of 1957-1958. With that being said, do you foreseen the greatest threat to homeland security in the aviation sector to be terrorism or contagious diseases and why? 

5) We as a society, within the boundaries of the United States and its territories, are addressing a faceless global threat that we have come to know as the coronavirus or COVID-19.  It attacks at the heart and soul of the nation and requires a multifaceted approach with a host of parties: federal government, state governments, municipalities, private sector, and non-governmental organizations as well. Should the pre-planning on the part of the private sector and non-governmental organizations be interfaced with the government’s planning prior to any nationwide disaster or national emergency? If so, what is the best or better path forward? 

6) There are several types of intelligence (i.e. human intelligence, signal intelligence, etc.) along with numerous agencies (i.e. CIA, FBI, DEA, DHS, NSA, etc.) that are involved in national and homeland security endeavors.  Much of the intelligence gathered is not provided un-redacted due to the information being so-called “classified” to state and local partners. Should there be a representative(s) for each state or regions  to participate in meetings, conferences, teleconferences, etc., to ensure the safety and security of their given state/region and why?

7) As we have seen with other national tragedies, for example 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and the most recent response to the COVID-19 virus, there is a national, state, local, and even a personal response to any given incident.  Many people live in vulnerable areas who know they might be the subject of a natural disaster during any given season.  With that being said, should the federal and/or state governments require citizens to have a certain level of preparedness to protect themselves and lessen the government response?  If so, to what extent? 

8) We have examined over the last eight weeks, many elements of homeland security: history, policies, procedures, terrorism groups, etc., to name a few. Cyber threats have been and continue to plaque our nation along with the COVID-19 virus and other contagious diseases. We as a society are very social both personally and technology based.  Do you foresee the biggest homeland security threat to our nation is that of a cyber threat or a pandemic type incident?  Explain and support your position.