Abstract: A robust, comprehensive, and integrated suspicious activity reporting (SAR) system, linking the unique observations of law enforcement personnel from around the nation, is a necessary component of a 21st-century policing strategy predicated on the increasing role of state and local law enforcement in… Read more
On Saturday night, 25-year-old Sami Osmakac was arrested in connection to an alleged Islamist-inspired terrorist plot in Tampa, Florida. Osmakac, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the former Yugoslavia, is believed to have planned to use vehicle bombs, assault rifles, grenades, and other explosives in an attack on possible targets… Read more
Executive Summary Getting the national homeland security enterprise right is among the most difficult challenges in Washington because the problems in protecting the homeland are rooted in overcentralization, pervasive complacency, and entrenched politics—problems that often cause Washington… Read more
Abstract: Many aspects of the terror threat—from communication between terrorist groups to recruitment of new members—has been changing, largely due to ever-developing Internet technology and new possibilities in cyberspace. One new trend is the lone-wolf terrorist—such as Army Major Nidal Hassan, who massacred his… Read more
Abstract: Over the past 10 years, the United States has devoted significant resources to the development of a counterinsurgency strategy for fighting non-traditional enemies on the ground. As the global scandal caused by the unauthorized publication of classified government material on the infamous WikiLeaks… Read more
Abstract: The three anti-terrorism tools scheduled to sunset on May 27, 2011—the authority to conduct “roving” wiretaps of terrorist suspects, to obtain “business records” relating to terrorism investigations, and to conduct surveillance… Read more
Abstract: The Heritage Foundation began tracking foiled terror plots against the U.S. in 2007—counting at least 19 foiled plots since 9/11. Today, that count stands at 39 plots against the U.S. foiled—thanks overwhelmingly to the Bush-era policies of enhanced information sharing and intelligence gathering.… Read more
Osama bin Laden’s death was undoubtedly a major victory for the United States and civilized society. The War on Terrorism, however, is not over—al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups will continue to stage plots against the United States, as they have done at least 39 times since 9/11. Successful counterterrorism policies,… Read more
It was an era of dramatic change for the Middle East. The pos/world/ War I collapse of the Ottoman Empire produced five new states -- Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, Iraq and Palestine -- but little peace. Violence erupted in Syria. Arabs attacked Jews in Palestine. Iraq broke… Read more
Paul Rosenzweig discusses the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. David Weinberger hosts. To get regular updates on Heritage in Focus podcasts, visit our RSS feed or subscribe on iTunes. … Read more
This month, several individuals detained as "enemy combatants" will make their appeals for freedom to the highest court in the land. Perhaps now, more than any other time in recent memory, the eyes of the world are intensely focused… Read more
The word "justice" is on everyone's lips nowadays, and may signify almost anything. We hear the cry "Peace and Justice!" from folk who would destroy existing societies with fire and sword. Other folk fancy that perfect justice might readily be obtained by certain financial rearrangements -- as if anything in this world ever could be… Read more
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… Read more
Delivered July 30, 2007 immigration has become the most controversial, complex, and sensitive subject we face today. It directly affects our economy, our culture, and our future. To ensure that any action we take on immigration policy is in our national interest, we need to approach the subject with reason and facts.… Read more
Almost everyone seems to be asking the same question with respect to the WikiLeaks saga: What, if anything, can Julian Assange, and those who have worked closely with him, be prosecuted for? Most Americans have a visceral reaction that Assange did something wrong and must be… Read more
Note: This WebMemo is the work of a series of roundtables organized by The Heritage Foundation on congressional oversight of homeland security. It has been seven… Read more
[caption id="attachment_83440" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="A general view shows the reactor at the nuclear...… Read more
The Wall Street Journal yesterday published an important op-ed by a distinguished intelligence specialist, Fred Fleitz,...… Read more
With the killing of Osama bin Laden, a significant strategic and symbolic blow was dealt to al-Qaeda and its network of...… Read more
Taking down Osama bin Laden was an achievement resulting from a culmination of a decade of national security policy....… Read more
After spending almost two months in a Lahore jail for killing two Pakistanis, CIA contractor Raymond Davis was released...… Read more
In thinking about India’s internal security woes, several pressing issues come to mind: poverty, social fragmentation,...… Read more
Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist who defected last year to the United States, headed back to Iran this week,...… Read more
On July 12, agents of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service raided the Caracas home of Venezuela opposition figure...… Read more
Leon Panetta, the low-key Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, made an eye-opening disclosure on Sunday that ...… Read more
On Friday, May 21, 2010, Admiral Dennis Blair (ret.), the Director of National Intelligence resigned. What really...… Read more
Senior Fellow, National Security Affairs and Chung Ju-Yung Fellow for Policy Studies