The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently approved a major maritime security bill that would start the Department of Homeland Security down the road to 100 percent scanning of cargo containers. There have also been attempts in the House to add requirements for radiation scanning and the use of seals on all containers before they enter…

"Hollow force," a term coined in the post-Vietnam War era, describes a military force that lacks the resources to field trained and ready forces, to support ongoing operations, and to modernize. With mandatory spending in the U.S. budget projected to increase significantly in the coming years, the armed forces may well face a tightening budget. The concern at hand…

The sale of facilities at six U.S ports by a British-based company to Dubai Ports World, a government-owned company in the United Arab Emirates, has raised concerns among many in the homeland security community. While a review of the facts suggest no apparent security issues, these concerns do reflect the importance of ensuring that the system created by Congress to…

Last week the Department of Defense (DOD) released its Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The QDR reviews DOD's forces, resources, and programs. It outlines the strategy for addressing critical issues like budget and acquisition priorities, emerging threats, and necessary military capabilities. While the QDR offers a satisfactory strategy to meet the nation's…

"Hollow force" is a term that observers use to describe the United States' Armed Forces when military readiness declines and the services lack the resources to provide trained and ready forces, support ongoing operations, and modernize. It was first used after the Vietnam War. The concern today is whether defense funding for the future will be adequate to prevent…

Wars cannot be won by sacrificing national security or fundamental civil liberties. The war against terrorism is no exception. Our national leaders must protect both equally well.   Recent reports in the press of presidential authorization for the National Security Agency (NSA) to intercept international communications between foreign powers hostile to the…

Before it adjourns for the year, Congress should address liability issues that have been dogging military contractors that have employees working in foreign theaters. Contractors perform needed services abroad, but if they continue to face unmanageable liability risks, many could leave the United States' employ, diminishing the nation's base of responsible and…