Americans must recommit themselves to living the principles that made this nation safe, free, and prosperous while defending them against attack. The only way to reduce America's vulnerability is to provide persistent, sensible homeland security.
Issues 2012 provides candidates for elected office the ability to quickly identify the key issues of the day and present clear policy recommendations, supported by facts, for addressing them. Read More.
The recommendations in this report are essential steps in establishing the right type of homeland security for the United States—one that is enduring and efficacious. Read More.
On October 11 in New York, the Justice Department charged Manssor Arbabsiar, an Iranian-born naturalized U.S. citizen, and Gholam Shakuri with an array of charges related to a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S. Read More.
It is one thing for government entities to dismiss the criticisms from outside groups. It is quite altogether something else to dismiss the criticisms of government-empowered investigators who have access to the closely held data. Based on its reaction to an audit by the U.S. Department…
Earlier today, the White House and FBI confirmed reports of a terrorist attempt to blow up a U.S.-bound airliner, reminiscent of the planned attack that was foiled on Christmas Day 2009. The plot, perpetrated by al-Qaeda affiliate al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), appears to have been planned to coincide…
On Monday, the FBI arrested five individuals in a planned attack to blow up a Cleveland-area bridge. Unlike many of the foiled terror attacks seen in recent years, this recent plot seems to have no connection to Islamist extremism. Instead, three of the suspects are said to be self-proclaimed anarchists. …
Executive Summary To assess the Japanese experience, The Heritage Foundation reassembled a team of experts to evaluate Japan’s long-term efforts to recover from the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and to prepare for future catastrophes. Based on extensive literature and interviews with Japanese officials and experts, the team…
Abstract: In 2007, The Heritage Foundation became the first and only organization to track thwarted terrorist attacks against the United States. That year, Heritage reported that at least 19 publicly known terrorist attacks against the United States had been foiled since 9/11. Today, that…
Recognizing that the U.S. faces serious cybersecurity threats, Congress has wisely decided to take action in this important arena, and the House of Representatives will vote on multiple cybersecurity bills this week. It is just as important, however, that Congress take proper and helpful action. House…
Last month, the Senate introduced the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act, which would seek to foster the greatly overdue expansion of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, the legislation would also create misguided priority programs and specialized provisions for different kinds of travelers seeking to visit the United…
Member expansion is not the only thing that is on hold when it comes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Since 2007, VWP partner nations have been required to enter into three information-sharing agreements with the United States as a stipulation of membership. Through these agreements, member nations share data…
With an increase in the national response to terrorism, many people believe the principle of federalism has little utility today or that states do not have much to contribute in counterterrorism policy or activity. When it comes to domestic security, however, federalism is more relevant than ever, and the states…
Abstract: In February 2012, President Obama issued his FY 2013 budget proposal. His $59 billion request for the Department of Homeland Security is slightly lower than the enacted level for FY 2012. The President is to be applauded for continuing strong financial investments in…
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) produced by the detonation of a nuclear weapon at high altitude or as the result of unusually powerful solar activity (often called severe space weather) could produce catastrophic destruction in the United States. Congress has long deliberated this threat, but it has not produced substantive legislative…
Abstract: In 2007, The Heritage Foundation became the first and only organization tracking thwarted terrorist attacks against the United States. That year, Heritage reported that at least 19 publicly known terrorist attacks against the United States had been foiled since 9/11. Today, that number…
Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) over the United States could end modern life in America overnight. Whether caused by an enemy attack (a nuclear device detonated above the atmosphere) or by a natural phenomenon (a geomagnetic storm), an EMP can cause entire regions of…
Abstract: In 2009 alone, U.S. authorities foiled at least six terrorist plots against the United States. Since September 11, 2001, at least 30 planned terrorist attacks have been foiled, all but two of them prevented by law enforcement. The two notable exceptions are the…
Abstract: A decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking back is as important as looking forward in order to learn from the past and to examine the current and future threats facing the U.S. This survey aggregates international…
Statement before the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate Introduction Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Grassley, and Members of the Committee, I thank you…
Iran is rattling sabers. Iraq may be falling apart. In North Korea, one of the world’s most inexperienced and unpredictable leaders has his thumb on the country’s nuclear button. Talks with the Taliban look like an instant replay of the Paris peace negotiations with Hanoi. The Arab Spring has turned…
Next week is the start of Heritage's fourth annual Protect America Month. Protect America Month is the month where we...…
Want to cut government spending? Without compromising security? The Ryan budget is a good start, but we can do...…
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano told Congress whom she trusts on February 15 when she responded to...…
Representative Howard “Buck” McKeon (R–CA), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, spoke last week at the...…
Members of Congress have said it before, and they are saying it again: It’s time for the Transportation Security...…
In a recent op-ed, defense expert Mackenzie Eaglen points to the USS Essex as an unfortunate example of concerns about...…
In his recent budget request, President Obama cut funding for two Coast Guard National Security Cutters (NSC) that were...…
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One thing every parent knows is that no matter how many toys kids have, they will always end up fighting over one they...…
Earlier this month, Sami Osmakac, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the former Yugoslavia, was arrested near Tampa,...…
Deputy Director, The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies and Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies
Visiting Fellow