The Heritage Foundation: NationalSecurity.org

Homeland Security

Americans must recommit themselves to living the principles that made this nation safe, free, and prosperous while defending them against attack. The surest way to reduce America’s vulnerability is to provide persistent, sensible homeland security; the broad national effort by all levels of government - federal, state, and local - 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.

National Intelligence Council: Global Trends 2025- A Transformed World
The purpose of this report is to stimulate strategic thinking about the future by identifying key trends, the factors that drive them, where they seem to be headed, and how they might interact. 11.30.08

GAO: Department of Homeland Security- A Strategic Approach Is Needed to Better Ensure the Acquisition Workforce Can Meet Mission Needs
GAO was asked to identify and assess DHS’s efforts to build and sustain an effective acquisition workforce and determine the extent to which DHS has planned strategically for the acquisition workforce. GAO-09-30, 11.19.08

GAO: Nonproliferation
This report assesses (1) the extent to which the administration issued a PSI directive and submitted required PSI-related reports to Congress; (2) steps U.S. agencies have taken to establish clear PSI policies and procedures, structures, budgets, and performance indicators; and (3) U.S. agencies’ efforts to increase cooperation and coordination with PSI countries and develop a strategy to resolve interdiction issues. Basically, U.S. Agencies Have Taken Some Steps, but More Effort Is Needed to Strengthen and Expand the Proliferation Security Initiative. 11.10.08

GAO: Flood Insurance- FEMA's Rate-Setting Process Warrants Attention
This report evaluates (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) process for setting full-risk rates to determine whether it produces rates that accurately reflect the risk of flooding and (2) the process that FEMA uses to set subsidized rates and their effect on the financial condition of NFIP. GAO-09-12, 10.31.08

Department of Homeland Security: Remarks by Secretary Michael Chertoff
Secretary Chertoff gives remarks on the current State of Immigration and the No Match Rule.

Department of Homeland Security: Remarks by Secretary Michael Chertoff on the State of Immigration and the No Match Rule
Secretary Chertoff gives a State of Immigration address to the American people highlighting the efforts of the Department to secure our border, enforce our national immigration laws, and improve temporary worker programs, and legal migration.

GAO: Nuclear Safety- Department of Energy Needs to Strengthen Its Independent Oversight of Nuclear Facilities and Operations
This report examines (1) the extent to which HSS meets GAO’s elements of effective independent nuclear safety oversight and (2) the factors contributing to any identified shortcomings with respect to these elements. GAO reviewed relevant DOE policies, interviewed officials and outside safety experts, and surveyed DOE sites to determine the number and status of nuclear facilities. GAO-09-61, 10.23.08

The Heritage Foundataion: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack: A Preventable Homeland Security Catastrophe
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack could wreak havoc on the nation's electronic systems—shutting down power grids, sources, and supply mechanisms. An EMP attack on the United States could irreparably cripple the country. It could simultaneously inflict large-scale damage and critically limit our recovery abilities. 10.20.08

GAO: Information Technology: Management Improvements Needed on the Department of Homeland Security's Next Generation Information Sharing System.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s homeland security communications with all levels of government. In support of this mission, DHS implemented, and has been enhancing, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). It also has proposed a follow-on system, called Next Generation HSIN (HSIN Next Gen). GAO was asked to determine whether (1) DHS has stopped further improvements on HSIN and if so, the department’s rationale for doing so and plans for acquiring its proposed follow-on system HSIN Next Gen and (2) the department is effectively managing the HSIN Next Gen acquisition.

Congressional Review Service: FY2009 Appropriations for State and Local Homeland Security
This report is an overview of the FY2009 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs for states and localities that are designed to provide assistance to state and local governments. The assistance is primarily used by first responders, which include firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency managers, and law enforcement officers. 10.10.08

Congressional Review Service: Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation
This report discusses in more detail the evolution of a national critical infrastructure policy and the institutional structures established to implement it. The report highlights five issues of Congressional concern: identifying critical assets; assessing vulnerabilities and risks; allocating resources; information sharing; and, regulation. This report will be updated. 10.10.08

GAO: Aviation Safety: FAA Has Taken Steps to Determine That It Has Made Correct Medical Certification Decisions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeks to make the U.S. aviation system one of the safest in the world. However, a 2005 Department of Transportation Inspector General investigation found that FAA had issued medical certificates to a small percentage of pilots with disqualifying medical conditions, such as heart conditions, schizophrenia, and drug or alcohol addiction.

GAO: Defense Management: DOD Needs to Establish Clear Goals and Objectives, Guidance, and a Designated Budget to Manage Its Biometrics Activities
The Department of Defense (DOD), in its response to unconventional threats from terrorists, uses biometrics technologies that identify physical attributes, including fingerprints and iris scans. However, coordinating the development and implementation of biometrics and ensuring interoperability across DOD has been difficult to achieve. Biometrics also is an enabling technology for identity management, a concept that seeks to manage personally identifiable information to enable improved governmentwide sharing and analysis of identity information. GAO was asked to examine the extent to which DOD has established biometrics goals and objectives, implementing guidance for managing biometrics activities, and a designated budget

Report from the ISAB Task Force: China's Strategic Modernization
The Secretary's International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) was asked to examine China's Strategic modernization, including the principal underlying motivations. Based on this review, the Board was asked to recommend approaches that could "move the W.S.- China security relationship toward greater transparenct and mutual confidence, enhance cooperation, and reduce the likeligood of misunderstanding or miscalculation that can contribute to competition or conflict."

GAO: Visa Waiver Program: Actions Are Needed to Improve Management of the Expansion Process, and to Assess and Mitigate Program Risks
The Visa Waiver Program, which enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa, has many benefits, but also has risks. In 2006, GAO found the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needed to improve efforts to assess and mitigate these risks.

GAO: U.S. Asylum System: Significant Variation Existed in Asylum Outcomes across Immigration Courts and Judges
Each year, tens of thousands of people who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home countries apply for asylum in the United States. Immigration judges (IJ) from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) decide whether to grant or deny asylum to aliens in removal proceedings. Those denied asylum may appeal their case to EOIR’s Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). GAO was asked to assess these cases and here are their findings.

GAO: U.S. Asylum System: Agencies Have Taken Actions to Help Ensure Quality in the Asylum Adjudication Process, but Challenges Remain.
This report addresses the extent to which quality assurance mechanisms have been designed to ensure adjudications’ integrity, how key factors affect AOs’ adjudications, and what key factors affect IJs’ adjudications.

GAO: Disaster Recovery: Past Experiences Offer Insights for Recovering from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and Other Recent Natural Disasters.
This month, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav struck the Gulf Coast producing widespread damage and leading to federal major disaster declarations. Experiences from past disasters may help them better prepare for the challenges of managing and implementing the complexities of disaster recovery.

GAO:Information Security: Actions Needed to Better Protect Los Alamos National Laboratory's Unclassified Computer Network.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which is operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), has experienced security lapses protecting information on its unclassified computer network. GAO examined security policies and procedures and reviewed the laboratory’s access controls for protecting information on the unclassified network. What GAO Recommends

Manhattan Institute, Center for Legal Policy: Tragic Solutions: The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, Historical Antecedents, and Lessons for Tort Reform
Eleven days after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and Stabilization Act (hereinafter “Act” or “Stabilization Act”)1 to protect air carriers from tort lawsuits that threatened to cripple air travel in America. The Act capped tort lawsuits against the airlines at their pre-existing liability insurance limits and limited jurisdiction for tort claims to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Moreover, the Act established the September 11th Compensation Fund of 2001 (hereinafter “Fund” or “9/11 Fund”), in which victims of the attacks could opt to waive all federal and state tort claims and receive administrative relief through a predetermined formula, under the discretion of the Fund administrator.

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, Special Report: An Investigation of the Immigration and Naturalization Services's Citizenship USA Program,
Citizenship USA was a major initiative of INS in fiscal year 1996 to reduce its backlog of pending naturalization applications. In this chapter, we discuss the factors that led INS to implement CUSA and the strategies it used to meet the program’s ambitious goals. We also describe the production pressures that characterized the program late in the fiscal year and negatively affected the quality of naturalization adjudications as described in greater detail in subsequent chapters of this report

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Semiannual Report to Congress, October 1, 1996–March 31, 1997
The Investigations Division investigates allegations of bribery, fraud, abuse, civil rights violations, and violations of other laws and procedures that govern Department of Justice (Department) employees, contractors, and grantees. The Division also develops cases for criminal prosecution, civil action, and administrative action. In some instances, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) refers allegations to components within the Department and requests notification of their findings and of any disciplinary action taken. In addition to responding to misconduct allegations, the OIG believes additional benefits can result from proactive efforts to educate and deter employees from engaging in misconduct. To educate Department employees on ethics, special agents conducted 41 integrity awareness briefings, reaching 1,070 Department employees.

GAO: Immigration Benefits: Several Factors Impede Timeliness of Application Processing
Although INS has experienced substantial growth in its budget and staff, it continues to have difficulty managing its application workload. INS’ Adjudications and Naturalization program budget, comprised largely of fees paid by applicants, has nearly quadrupled since fiscal year 1994 to nearly $500 million. The size of its program staff has more than doubled since fiscal year 1995 to about 6,100. In fiscal year 2000, INS received nearly 50 percent more applications than in fiscal year 1994, while its application backlog increased nearly four-fold to about 3.9 million during the same time period. INS’ efforts to meet production goals for processing naturalization and adjustment of status applications helped reduce backlogs in those areas, but backlogs for other application types then increased.

Department of Homeland Security: Annual Report 2007- Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
This report, submitted pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 § 452, provides details on activities undertaken by the Ombudsman from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007. The statutory mission of the Ombudsman is to: • Assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with USCIS; • Identify areas in which individuals and employers have problems in dealing with USCIS; and • Propose changes to mitigate identified problems.

The White House: National Strategy for Homeland Security, October 2007
The purpose of our Strategy is to guide, organize, and unify our Nation’s homeland security efforts. It provides a common framework by which our entire Nation should focus its efforts on the following four goals: • Prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks; • Protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key resources; • Respond to and recover from incidents that do occur; and • Continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure our long-term success.

The Heritage Foundation: Fighting Terrorism, Addressing Liability- A Global Proposal
Since 9/11, Congress has acted decisively and to good effect in one area of liability protection: TheSupport Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act lowered the liability risks of manufacturers that provide products and services used in combating terrorism.

The Heritage Foundation: Naturalization, Citizenship, and Presidential Elections- Lessons for 2008
During presidential election years, it is common to pressure the Administration to speed up the process of naturalization so that a potential pool of new voters is available to help pick the next chief executive.

The Heritage Foundation: Resiliency and Public-Private Partnerships to Enhance Homeland Security

The Heritage Foundation: Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties with Australia and the U.K. Will Improve Security
The United States and the United Kingdom signed a defense trade cooperation treaty on June 21 and 26, 2007. The United States and Australia signed a similar treaty on September 5. The purpose of these two treaties is to permit the United States to trade most defense articles with these two close allies without an export license or other written authorization.

The Heritage Foundation: Congress Should Not Permit Negative GAO Report to Curtail Weapons Programs
On March 31, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its annual assessment of inefficiencies in the Defense Department's acquisition of major weapons. Predictably, the GAO's report decries the problem of cost overruns in the 72 weapons programs assessed, alluding to many contributing factors but focusing its criticism on bad management practices at the Department of Defense and by defense contractors.

The Heritage Foundation: U.S. Africa Command- Challenges and Opportunities
The decision to create the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was more than an administrative change within the Department of Defense (DOD). It was the direct result of Africa's increasing strategic importance to the U.S. and represents responsible officials' recognition that the U.S. can no longer address the region's unique security concerns by splitting responsibility among three independent combatant commands.

GAO: Department of Homeland Security: Improvements Could Further Enhance Ability to Acquire Innovative Technologies Using Other Transaction Authority
In 2004, GAO reported on DHS’s early use of this authority. This follow-up report determines the extent to which nontraditional contractors have been involved in DHS’s other transactions, and assesses DHS’s management of the acquisition process when using this authority to identify additional safeguards.

GAO: Mass Care in Disasters
FEMA Should Update the Red Cross Role in Catastrophic Events and More Fully Assess Voluntary Organizations' Mass Care Capabilities.

United States Institute of Peace Special Report No. 116
Terrorists fight their wars in cyberspace as well as on the ground. However, while politicians and the media have hotly debated the dangers that cyberterrorism poses to the Internet, surprisingly little is known about the threat posed by terrorists’ use of the Internet. Today, as this report makes plain, terrorist organizations and their supporters maintain hundreds of websites, exploiting the unregulated, anonymous, and easily accessible nature of the Internet to target an array of messages to a variety of audiences. Gabriel Weimann identifies no fewer than eight different ways in which terrorists are using the Internet to advance their cause, ranging from psychological warfare to recruitment, networking to fundraising. In each case, the report not only analyzes how the Internet can facilitate terrorist operations but also illustrates the point with examples culled from an extensive exploration of the World Wide Web.

Information Sharing Environment Implementation Plan, November 2006
While it is often said—with good reason, but some exaggeration—that the first casualty in battle is the battle plan, there is no doubt that the plan is essential to get the forces ready for battle. This is what battle plans are designed to do: prepare for the effort, not control its every step. With this in mind the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE) submits this Implementation Plan as the preparation for making a fully functional and useful Information Sharing Environment a reality for the struggle against terrorism. As such, it joins similar efforts in other areas to prepare for this struggle, such as the National Implementation Plan and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

GAO: Critical Infrastructure: Challenges Remain in Protecting Key Sectors
As Hurricane Katrina so forcefully demonstrated, the nation’s critical infrastructures—both physical and cyber—have been vulnerable to a wide variety of threats. Because about 85 percent of the nation’s critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector, it is vital that the public and private sectors work together to protect these assets. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for coordinating a national protection strategy including formation of government and private sector councils as a collaborating tool. The councils, among other things, are to identify their most critical assets, assess the risks they face, and identify protective measures, in sector-specific plans that comply with DHS’s National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). This testimony is based primarily on GAO’s October 2006 sector council report and a body of work on cyber critical infrastructure protection. Specifically, it addresses (1) the extent to which these councils have been established, (2) key facilitating factors and challenges affecting the formation of the council, (3) key facilitating factors and challenges encountered in developing sector plans, and (4) the status of DHS’s efforts to fulfill key cybersecurity responsibilities.

Middle East Media Research Institute Special Report No. 31
The post September 11 war on terrorism has increased Islamist organizations' dependence on the Internet, making it a vital means of communication and indoctrination for both Islamist organizations and for the infrastructure of Al-Qa'ida supporters. As a result of Islamist websites often being tracked and in some cases hacked, or shut down by their Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the Islamist organizations have also become increasingly dependent on chat rooms and message boards for communication.

Middle East Media Research Institute Special Report No. 35
Islamist Websites and their Hosts Part II: Clerics

The White House: Homeland Security Presidential Directive HSPD-7
This directive by President Bush establishes a national policy for Federal departments and agencies to identify and prioritize United States critical infrastructure and key resources and to protect them from terrorist attacks.

DoD: President Bush's FY 2008 Defense Budget Submission
President Bush’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 budget requests $481.4 billion in discretionary authority for the Department of Defense base budget, an 11.3 percent increase over the projected enacted level for FY 2007, for real growth of 8.6 percent; and $141.7 billion to continue the fight in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) in FY 2008.

GAO: Terrorism Insurance: Rising Uninsured Exposure to Attacks Heightens Potential Economic Vulnerabilities
The tragic events of September 11, 2001 brought to light the huge potential exposures insurance companies could face in the event of another terrorist attack. Faced with continued uncertainties about the frequency and magnitude of future attacks, at the same time government and military leaders are warning of new attacks to come, both insurers and reinsurers have determined that terrorism is not an insurable risk at this time. As a result, in the closing months of last year insurers began announcing that they could not afford to continue providing coverage for potential terrorism losses. The effects of this trend have yet to be fully realized, but there is some indication that it has begun to cause difficulties for some firms in certain economic sectors.

Congressional Research Service: Data Mining and Homeland Security - An Overview
Data mining has become one of the key features of many homeland security initiatives. Often used as a means for detecting fraud, assessing risk, and product retailing, data mining involves the use of data analysis tools to discover previously unknown, valid patterns and relationships in large data sets. In the context of homeland security, data mining can be a potential means to identify terrorist activities, such as money transfers and communications, and to identify and track individual terrorists themselves, such as through travel and immigration records.

GAO Report: Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs
This report provides congressional and DOD decision makers with an independent, knowledge-based assessment of defense programs, identifying potential risks when a program’s projected attainment of knowledge diverges from best practices.

GAO: FEMA Should More Fully Assess Organizations' Mass Care Capabilities and Update the Red Cross Role in Catastrophic Events
Voluntary organizations have traditionally played a major role in the nation’s response to disasters, but the response to Hurricane Katrina raised concerns about their ability to handle large-scale disasters. This report examines (1) the roles of five voluntary organizations in providing mass care and other services, (2) the steps they have taken to improve service delivery, (3) their current capabilities for responding to mass care needs, and (4) the challenges they face in preparing for large-scale disasters.

DHS Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2013
The Department of Homeland Security has released their Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2013. This report explains the goals, measures, and challenges for DHS through the year 2013.

Homeland Security Advisory Committee: Top Ten Challenges Facing the Next Secretary of Homeland Security
In an effort to assist with the first Presidential administration transition of the Department of Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Advisory Council has identified ten key challenges that will confront the next Secretary of Homeland Security.

GAO: Terrorism Insurance: Status of Efforts by Policyholders to Obtain Coverage
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA) specifies that the federal government assume significant financial responsibility for insured losses on commercial properties resulting from future terrorist attacks. While TRIA has been credited with stabilizing markets for terrorism insurance after the September 11, 2001, attacks, questions remain as to whether certain policyholders, especially those located in large urban areas viewed as being at high risk of attack, may still face challenges in obtaining coverage.

GAO: Visa Waiver Program: Actions Are Needed to Improve Management of the Expansion Process, and to Assess and Mitigate Program Risks
GAO recommends that DHS establish a transparent process for Visa Waiver Program expansion, and improve and monitor overstay rates for current and aspiring program countries. DHS generally agreed with GAO’s recommendations. The Department of Justice (Justice) noted the importance of lost and stolen passport reporting, but did not comment on the recommendations.

GAO: Cyber Analysis and Warning: DHS Faces Challenges in Establishing a Comprehensive National Capability
Cyber analysis and warning capabilities are critical to thwarting computer-based (cyber) threats and attacks. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to, among other things, coordinate the nation’s efforts to prepare for, prevent, and respond to cyber threats to systems and communications networks.

GAO: Critical Infrastructure Protection: DHS Needs to Fully Address Lessons Learned from Its First Cyber Storm Exercise
Federal policies establish the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the focal point for the security of cyberspace. As part of its responsibilities, DHS is required to coordinate cyber attack exercises to strengthen public and private incident response capabilities. One major exercise program, called Cyber Storm, is a large-scale simulation of multiple concurrent cyber attacks involving the federal government, states, foreign governments, and private industry. To date, DHS has conducted Cyber Storm exercises in 2006 and 2008.

Secure Border Initiative: DHS Needs to Address Significant Risks in Delivering Key Technology Investment
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Secure Border Initiative (SBI) is a multiyear, multibillion-dollar program to secure the nation’s borders through, among other things, new technology, increased staffing, and new fencing and barriers. The technology component of SBI, which is known as SBInet, involves the acquisition, development, integration, and deployment of surveillance systems and command, control, communications, and intelligence technologies.

GAO: Secure Border Initiative - Observations on Deployment Challenges
In November 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a multiyear, multibillion-dollar program to secure U.S. borders. One element of SBI is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) SBI program, which is responsible for developing a comprehensive border protection system through a mix of surveillance and communication technologies known as SBInet (e.g., radars, sensors, cameras, and satellite phones), and tactical infrastructure (e.g., fencing).

GAO: TSA Is Enhancing Its Oversight of Air Carrier Efforts to Screen Passengers against Terrorist Watch-List Records, but Expects Ultimate Solution to Be Implementation of Secure Flight
TSA’s requirements for domestic air carriers to conduct watch-list matching include a requirement to identify passengers whose names are either identical or similar to those on the No Fly and Selectee lists. Similar-name matching is important because individuals on the watch list may try to avoid detection by making travel reservations using name variations. According to TSA, there have been incidents of air carriers failing to identify potential matches by not successfully conducting similar-name matching.

Briefing on the Missile Defense Agreement Between the U.S. and Poland
[Transcript] MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, everyone. As promised, we have with us Acting Under Secretary of State for International Security and Arms Control John Rood, who is here to talk to you about the recent signing of the U.S.-Poland ballistic missile defense agreement. Under Secretary Rood will, you know, make a few opening remarks and then take your questions. So without further ado, let me turn it over to Secretary Rood.

GAO Report: Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain
Oceangoing cargo containers play a vital role in global trade but can also pose a risk of terrorist exploitation. CBP anticipates that adoption of uniform, international customs security standards could eventually lead to a system of mutual recognition whereby the customs security-related practices and programs taken by one customs administration are recognized and accepted by another administration. In response to congressional requesters, GAO determined (1) actions CBP has taken to develop and implement international supply chain security standards, (2) actions CBP has taken with international partners to achieve mutual recognition of customs security practices, and (3) issues CBP and foreign customs administrations anticipate in implementing 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound container cargo.

GAO Border Security: State Department Is Taking Steps to Meet Projected Surge in Demand for Visas and Passports in Mexico
The number of visa requests to be processed by the U.S. consulates in Mexico is expected to jump. GAO sought to study the Department of States preparedness for such a spike.

GAO Highlights of a Forum: Enhancing U.S. Partnerships in Countering Transnational Terrorism
GAO convened a forum on April 22, 2008, to advance the dialogue on how partnerships can mitigate the conditions that foster transnational terrorism and to identify potential strategies for overcoming challenges faced in engaging in such partnerships.

GAO Combating Terrorism: Action Needed to Enhance Implementation of Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership.
GAO has reported on funding and implementation of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), a partnership established to eliminate terrorist safe havens in northwest Africa by strengthening countries’ counterterrorism capabilities and inhibiting the spread of extremist ideology.

GAO Information Security: Federal Agency Efforts to Encrypt Sensitive Information Are Under Way, but Work Remains
GAO reviewed the use of encryption technologies to protect sensitive information by 24 major federal agencies, as well as what encryption technologies are available and the laws that surround their use. It was found that many of the agencies needed to strengthen their use of encryption technologies.

Why Have We Not Been Attacked Again? Competing and Complimentary Hypothesis for Homeland Attack Frequency
This study examines a number of competing hypotheses that seek to explain terrorist attack frequency against the U.S. homeland. In short, the study explores the question, Why have we not been attacked again?

GAO Human Rights: U.S. Government's Efforts to Address Alleged Abuse of Household Workers by Foreign Diplomats with Immunity Could Be
GAO has put forth an analysis of the issuance of A-3 and G-5 visas, as well as reports of abuse by workers brought to the US on such visas by foreign diplomats with immunity and how the US government investigates these claims.

GAO Information Security: Federal Agency Efforts to Encrypt Sensitive Information Are Under Way, but Work Remains.
In this report, GAO presents the results of a study on encryption technologies after compromises of sensitive information at numerous federal agencies have raised concerns about the extent to which such information is vulnerable.

Border Film Project: Website
Border Film Project is an art collaborative that distributed disposable cameras to two groups on different sides of the U.S.-Mexico border - undocumented migrants crossing the desert and American Minutemen trying to stop them.

Emergency Management: GAO Responses to Post-hearing Questions for the Record
Members of the Committee requested that GAO provide additional comments to a number of post-hearing questions after GAO testified before the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Preparedness for Catastrophic Disasters, the above is contained in this report.

GAO Report: Defining the Results to be Achieved in Improving Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress.
To guide the Information Sharing Environment (ISE), the Program Manager has developed 89 action items to address a multitude of issues related to ISE. Yet, GAO and the Program Manager agree that these actions do not address all the activities that must be completed in the ISE. Furthermore, these efforts do not provide for an assessment of overall progress nor do they define how much work remains to be done.

GAO Risk Management: Strengthening the Use of Risk Management Principles in Homeland Security
Homeland security risks are broad and DHS cannot protect against all, rather there is a clearly defined need for risk management strategies. GAO assembled a forum of 25 experts from both the national and international arena, including government officials and risk management experts. The members of this forum evaluated what risk management practices were considered to be effective and the key challenges in applying best practices.

GAO Report: Maritime Security, Successful Development Leading Towards Implementation
Of the six desirable characteristics of an effective national strategy that GAO identified in 2004, the "National Strategy for Maritime Security" and its eight supporting implementation plans address four and partially address the remaining two characteristics.

GAO Higher Education: United States’ and Other Countries’ Strategies for Attracting and Funding International Students
In the recent years since September 11th, the number of international students coming to study in the US has dropped for the first time in over thirty years. While the numbers have begun to rise again, many point to the tightened immigration and visa policies as the potential cause of this initial dip. GAO has developed an ongoing study on both US and international governmental efforts to fund international students studying in their country.

GAO Afghanistan Security: Further Congressional Action Needed to Develop and Sustain Capable Afghan National Security Forces
GAO found that the Department of Defense report, in response to a GAO request for detailed planning for the ANSF, lacks sufficient detail for effectice interagency planning and oversight. Additionally, although the Department of State is sharing duties for this task, they have not completed a plan of their own. Without a detailed plan, it is difficult to assess progress and conduct oversight of the cost of developing the ANSF.

GAO Afghan Security: U.S. Efforts to Develop Capable Afghan Police Forces Face Challenges and Need a Coordinated, Detailed Plan to Help Ensure Accountability
As with the concurrently issued report on the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), GAO found that the plans for the development and the training of the Afghan National Police (ANP) were not sufficient. Neither the State Department nor the Department of Defense has set forth a clearly defined plan or milestones for the ANP. In all, after an investment of over $6 billion, none of the 433 ANP units are considered to be fully capable.

GAO Report: “Global War on Terrorism: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense”
From fiscal year 2001 through fiscal year 2007, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 through December 2007, Congress has provided DOD with a total of about $635.9 billion for its efforts in support of GWOT. As part of GOA's ongoing work, they are reviewing DOD's rationale for reporting its GWOT related obligations.

GAO Supply Chain Security: Challenges to Scanning 100 Percent of U.S.-Bound Cargo Containers
GAO has released a report on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), which is testing the feasibility of scanning 100 percent of cargo containers bound for the U.S. at seven major ports. GAO found nine issues with the system and the requirement of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (9/11 Act) to expand the Secure Freight Initiative to all ports by 2012.

GAO Emergency Management: Observations on DHS’s Preparedness for Catastrophic Disasters
GAO examined how the Department of Homeland Security has defined roles and responsibilities in national emergency preparedness, an important issue with the upcoming transition of administrations. GAO found that these roles and responsibilities, as well as capabilities, were well defined by DHS in policy documents, but that stake holders needed to be better integrated in the revision of these documents. It was also found that DHS needed to put further work into the development of means by which to lead national emergency response and planning, as well as means by which to measure national preparedness and capabilities.

GAO Combating Terrorism: Guidance for State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance Program Is Limited and State Does Not Systematically Assess Outcomes
GAO assessed the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA), Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT), and Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (DS/T/ATA). It recommended that Congress reexamine the requirement that the Department of State file an annual report on U.S. counterterrorism assistance and its assessment measures.

GAO Combating Terrorism: Guidance for State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance Program is Limited and State Does Not Systematically Assess Outcomes
The Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) was found to provide minimal guidance to help prioritize Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) recipients. Additionally, the S/CT and its Bureau of Diplomatic Security as well as the Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (DS/T/ATA) did not systematically align ATA assistance with U.S. assessments of foreign partner counterterrorism needs. Furthermore, State reporting on U.S. counterterrorism assistance abroad was incomplete and inaccurate. The S/CT had not regularly submitted required reports to Congress after 1996. The reports that were submitted contained inaccurate program information and comprehensive information of the results on program assistance that would be useful to Congress. GAO suggested that Congress reconsider the requirement that State prepare an annual report on U.S. counterterrorism assistance and review its use of needs assessments and measures for assessing the ATA program.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria and the Concept of Democracy
Radwan Ziadeh (Senior Fellow at Jennings Randolph Fellowship Program at USIP) discusses the transformation in the political thinking mechanism of the most prominent Syrian Islamic movement.

CRS Report: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments
The Bush Administration opposses the CBTB and has not ruled out resumed testing.

GAO Border Security: State Department Should Plan for Potentially Significant Staffing and Facilities Shortfalls Cause by Changes in the Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) currently allows the citizens of 27 different countries to enter the United States without a visa. While the executive branch has proposed to potentially add 13 new countries to the program, others worry about the security risks of this program and have suggested its termination. GAO assessed the possible effects that would occur if the program were to come to an end, as well as those that would come from its expansion. Additionally, GAO to a look at the possible effects of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). GAO has recommended that the Department of State and US embassies in VWP countries develop contingency plans for the possibility of the termination of the VWP program. It also recommended that DHS and State prepare for the possible effects of ESTA.

GAO Combating Terrorism: U.S. Efforts to Address the Terrorist Threat in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas Require a Comprehensive Plan and Continued Oversight
Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ (FATA) are highly prone to terrorist threats and use as a safe haven by these terrorists. Thus far, the US has relied mainly on the Pakistani military, supported by U.S. Coalition Support Funds (CSF), and predominantly military forms of national power to protect the FATA. GAO concluded that the United States has not developed a comprehensive plan to combat the rampant terrorism in the area. The development of such a plan is exceptionally important given the growing uncertainty as to the support of the new Pakistani government.

GAO Border Security: Summary of Covert Tests and Security Assessments for the Senate Committee on Finance, 2003–2007
Between 2002 and 2006, GAO sent covert investigators to attempt to enter the United States with fraudulent identification documents. They tested both manned, legal points of entry and unmanned points at international airports, the northern U.S.-Canadian border, and the southern U.S.-Mexican border. In 93 percent of cases, investigators had no problem entering the country.

Cybersecurity in the Internet Marketplace
Interviews with chief security officers in the Internet supply chain (those companies that provide Internet services or encourage people to use the Internet) reveal dramatically different attitudes about corporate cybersecurity. The authors’ preliminary investigation suggests that a company’s market discipline explains these differences.

How to Encourage and Support Muslim Democrats
Nowhere is the question of whether people are fit for democracy by virtue of their culture and traditions raised more relentlessly than in the case of the Middle East and the broader Muslim world. Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy offers some ideas for consideration.

Country Reports on Terrorism 2007
U.S. law requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress, by April 30 of each year, a full and complete report on terrorism with regard to those countries and groups meeting criteria set forth in the legislation. This annual report is entitled Country Reports on Terrorism. Beginning with the report for 2004, it replaced the previously published Patterns of Global Terrorism.

CRS Report For Congress, Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives
CRS has sought to examine the Congressional structure and oversight on intelligence, especially in light of the pledge by the House majority to enact the remaining recommendations of the 9/11 Commission which called congressional oversight of intelligence "dysfunctional". CRS examined the current state of intelligence committees in Congress and the proposals that either the power of the existing committees on intelligence be expanded or that a joint committee on intelligence (JCI) be created based on the structure of the former Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (JCAE).

CRS Report for Congress, Homeland Security Act of 2002: Tort Liability Provisions
While state law generally governs tort liability, Congress has the ability to regulate it when it affects interstate commerce. This CRS report discusses the past cases where Congress has limited tort liability, as well as the provisions in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 that do the same.

Violent Islamist Extremism, The Internet, and the Homegrown Terrorist Threat
United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Majority & Minority Staff Report Joseph Lieberman, Chairman Susan Collins, Ranking Minority Member May 8, 2008 This is the first in a series of reports by the Majority and Minority staff of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Committee) on the threat of homegrown terrorism inspired by violent Islamist extremism.

What Determines Homeland Security Spending?
The distribution of State Homeland Security Grants has been characterized as pork barrel spending, where political considerations and not terrorism risk are determining the allocation each state receives. Using revealed preference analysis, we test this claim. From 2004 to 2006, measures of terrorism risk are found to be positive determinants of funding while measures of political influence and party affiliation of elected officials show no positive relationship with grant funding. These results are not compatible with the assertion that funding is distributed due to political factors.

Petraeus Hearing Should Focus on Three Fronts, One Long War
During the upcoming confirmation hearings, senators from both sides of the aisle should make clear to the incoming the U.S. Central Command commander that winning all three fronts is vital to American interests and that they will do everything in their power to support accomplishing these goals.

Real Solutions for Challenges on the Mexico-US Border: The Mérida Initiative
The relationship between Mexico and the United States impacts a wide variety of issues including immigration, border security, economic development, and transnational crime. Tackling these issues will require joint solutions that respect the sovereignty of both nations and address mutual concerns. Join us as Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan of Mexico speaks about current U.S.-Mexico relations and the way forward, followed by a panel of experts who will provide additional commentaries.

CRS Report for Congress- 2008-2009 Presidential Transition: National Security Considerations and Options

CRS Report for Congress- Organizing the U.S. Government for National Security: Overview of the Interagency Reform Debates

The War in Afghanistan: More Help Needed
Greater international support is needed to secure and stabilize Afghanistan, a crucial front in the global war on terrorism. The February 18 Pakistani election provides an opportunity to isolate extremists along the border. The U.S. should work with NATO countries on a joint approach to Pakistan and consider appointing a high-level envoy to coordinate policies between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Moving Forward to Secure the Border

Testimony of the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General on FEMA's preparedness
On April 3 the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) level of preparedness for a catastrophic disaster. He testifies that FEMA has made limited progress in its level of preparedness since Hurricane Katrina, and that it still has much work to do to be ready for future catastrophic disasters.

GAO Supply Chain Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Has Enhanced Its Partnership with Import Trade Sectors, but Challenges Remain in Verifying Security Practices
The GAO assessed the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its oversight of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) with specific regards to "(1) improving its benefit award policies for C-TPAT members, (2) addressing challenges in validating members' security practices, and (3) addressing management and staff challenges."

FEMA’s Preparedness for the Next Catastrophic Disaster
This is one of a series of audit, inspection, and special reports prepared as part of The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General's oversight responsibilities to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the department. This report addresses FEMA’s preparedness for the next catastrophic disaster. It is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents. It finds that, while FEMA has made moderate progress towards preparing for disasters, it still has a long way to go in being prepared for future catastrophic disasters.

GAO Report: Catastrophic Disasters: Federal Efforts Help States Prepare for and Respond to Psychological Consequences, but FEMA's Crisis Counseling Program Needs Improvements
This report examines federal agencies’ actions to help states prepare for the psychological consequences of catastrophic disasters and states’ experiences obtaining and using grants from the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) to respond to the psychological consequences of catastrophic disasters. CCP is a program of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

GAO Report: National Disaster Response
The GAO Report published Feb 27 its finding on the FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA and the Red Cross agreed the FEMA should be the primary agency for mass care in the NRF because the primary agency should be able to direct federal agencies’ resources to meet mass care needs, which the Red Cross cannot do. The shifting roles present several implementation issues. For example, FEMA has enhances responsibilities for coordinating the activities of voluntary organizations, it does not currently have a sufficient number of specialized staff to meet this responsibility.

Data Mining Report
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is pleased to provide to the Congress The Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007 (“Data Mining Reporting Act”). The Data Mining Reporting Act requires “the head of each departments or agency of the Federal Government” that is engaged in activities defined as “data mining” to report on such activities to the Congress. The report covers the data mining activities of all elements of the ODNI.

Help Wanted: Administration Proposes Needed Changes in the H-2A Visa Program

A Neighbor Calls: Mexican President Calderón Visits the U.S.

The Heritage Foundation's Research on FISA, Web Memo #1810
The Senate is preparing to vote on legislation to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the 1970s law that governs intelligence-gathering. The executive branch must have the powers it needs to protect Americans from acts of war by foreign enemies. The following is a list of Heritage Foundation research on FISA.

The Heritage Foundation: Trojan Dragon- China's Cyber Threat
America's counterintelligence czar, Dr. Joel F. Brenner, painted an alarming picture of economic espionage in 2006, albeit in the objective tones and neutral parlance of the intelligence community. He reported to Congress that "foreign collection efforts have hurt the United States in several ways". 02.08.08

Towards a Grand Strategy for an Uncertain Role: Renewing Transatlantic
In this report authors assess current capabilities and analyze the deficiencies in existing institutions, concluding that no nation and no institution is capable of dealing with current and future problems on its own. Based on this, the authors propose a new grand strategy, which could be adopted by both organization and nations, and then look for the options of how to implement such a strategy. They conclude, given the challenges the world faces, that this is not the time to start from scratch.

The Heritage Foundation: Northern Exposure- The Right Way to Address U.S.–Canadian Counterterrorism
Victory requires a future, and winning the long war against terrorism requires keeping America free and prosperous as much as it requires catching terrorists. Canadians harbor the same hopes for their future. This common cause can serve as the foundation for a long-term security strategy. A strong alliance requires a proactive strategy that reinforces the sovereignty of both states while strengthening the bonds of trust and confidence between them. 02.01.08

Strengthening Homeland Security: Reforming Planning and Resources Allocation
This report presents findings about the organizational structure pocess, and tools that surround planning and resource allocation for Homeland Security in the executive branch and Congress. The author explores problem's with today's arrangements and offers recommendations for consideration for the next administration and Congress.

GAO Report: Examinations of High-Risk Cargo at Foreign Seaports Have Increased, but Improved Data Collection and Performance Measures Are Needed
The GAO report evaluates and asses Customs and Border Protection’s Container Security Initiative on how it has contributed to strategic planning for supply chain security, strengthened CSI operations, and evaluated operations. The GAO recommends the CPA enhance data collected on CSI team performance, host government examinations, and related performance measures.

Securing America’s Passenger-Rail Systems
Rand’s report on “Securing America’s Passenger-Rail Systems” provides a framework for security planners and policymakers to use in order to protect the people against threats and vulnerabilities of rails systems. The synthesis of the report is a combination of rail-system vulnerabilities and how to cost-effectively reduce them.

Secure Borders and Open Doors
This report was led by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and the Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee in order to reassess our nation’s borders and security. It outlines 44 policy recommendations that can be implemented solely by the executive branch which require funding from Congress and legislative changes.

GAO Report: Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) estimated that more than several thousand inadmissible aliens entered the United State through ports of entry in 2006 and the numbers have not changed despite new implantations that have been made. The GAO in its report has recommended enhancing the internal controls in the inspection process, providing new mechanisms for training, and implementing a performance measure that will apprehend inadmissible aliens and violators.

GAO: Observations on Implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
This GAO report focuses on the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHITI) analyzing specifically that the DHS needs to take action to implement the program as soon as feasible.

CRS Report - Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Issues for Congress
In the recent years, there has been effort to increase investment in open source information (OSINT), intelligence gathered from newspapers, journals, radio and television, and the Internet. In order to support other intelligence agencies in OSINT, and perform OSINT acquisition and analysis, the position of Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Open Source and the National Open Source Center was created. Some suggests that congressional oversight be used to ensure all agencies are committed to using OSINT, and that the ODNI are meeting the challenge of properly using OSINT.

Maritime Security - The SAFE Port Act: Status and Implementation One Year Later
Because the safety and economic security of the United States depend in substantial part on the security of its 361 seaports, the United States has a vital national interest in maritime security. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act), modified existing legislation and created and codified new programs related to maritime security. This testimony synthesizes the results of GAO’s completed work and preliminary observations from GAO’s ongoing work related to the SAFE Port Act pertaining to (1) overall port security, (2) security at individual facilities, and (3) cargo container security. To perform this work GAO visited domestic and overseas ports; reviewed agency program documents, port security plans, and post-exercise reports; and interviewed officials from the federal, state, local, private, and international sectors.

GAO Report: Border Security - Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation’s Ports of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping terrorists and other dangerous people from entering the country while also facilitating the cross-border movement of millions of travelers. In response to a congressional request, GAO examined CBP traveler inspection efforts, the progress made and the challenges that remain in staffing and training at ports of entry, and the progress CBP has made in developing strategic plans and performance measures for its traveler inspection program.

CRS Report for Congress: National Security Special Events
Major events that are considered to be nationally significant may be designated by the President - or his representative, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - as National Special Security Events (NSSE). Beginning in September 1998 through February 2007, there have been 27 events designated as NSSEs. Some of these events have included presidential inaugurations, presidential nominating conventions, major sports events, and major international meetings. The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) is the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating, planning, exercising, and implementing security for NSSEs, and was designated as the lead agency in P.L. 106-544. This report provides information on USSS legislative authority for NSSEs, NSSE designation funding and training, and NSSE funding.

GAO Congressional Testimony on Border Security
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping terrorists and other dangerous people from entering the country while also facilitating the cross-border movement of millions of travelers. CBP carries out this responsibility at 326 air, sea, and land ports of entry. In response to a congressional request, GAO examined CBP traveler inspection efforts, the progress made, and the challenges that remain in staffing and training at ports of entry, and the progress CBP has made in developing strategic plans and performance measures for its traveler inspection program.

The Heritage Foundation: U.S. Thwarts 19 Terrorist Attacks Against America Since 9/11
Criticisms of post-9/11 efforts to protect the United States from attack range from claims that America is more vulnerable than ever to the contention that the transnational terrorist danger is vastly over-hyped.[1] A review of publicly available information on at least 19 terrorist conspiracies thwarted by U.S. law enforcement suggests that the truth lies somewhere in between these two arguments. 11.13.07

GAO Report: Global War on Terrorism - DOD Needs to Take Action to Encourage Fiscal Discipline and Optimize the Use of Tools Intended to Improve GWOT Cost Reporting
Since the September 2001 terrorist attacks, Congress has provided about $542.9 billion, as of May 2007, to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Under the Comptroller General’s authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative, GAO assessed (1) the outlook of DOD’s reported GWOT obligations for fiscal year 2007 and funding requests for fiscal year 2008, (2) the effect of changes in DOD’s GWOT funding guidance, and (3) DOD’s progress in implementing variance analysis and affirmation statements.

National Strategy for Information Sharing
Our success in preventing future terrorist attacks depends upon our ability to gather, analyze, and share information and intelligence regarding those who want to attack us, the tactics that they use, and the targets that they intend to attack. Our National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, issued in September 2006, recognizes that the War on Terror is a different kind of war, which requires a paradigm shift and the application of all elements of our national power and influence. The intelligence and information sharing structures that once enabled the winning of the Cold War now require greater flexibility and resilience to confront the threats facing our Nation from a transnational terrorist movement determined to destroy our people, our freedoms, and our way of life.

GAO Report: Internet Infrastructure - Challenges in Developing a Public/Private Recovery Plan
Since the early 1990s, growth in the use of the Internet has revolutionized the way that our nation communicates and conducts business. While the Internet originated as a U.S. government-sponsored research project, the vast majority of its infrastructure is currently owned and operated by the private sector. Federal policy recognizes the need to prepare for debilitating Internet disruptions and tasks the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with developing an integrated public/private plan for Internet recovery. GAO was asked to summarize its report on plans for recovering the Internet in case of a major disruption and to provide an update on DHS’s efforts to implement that report’s recommendations.

GAO Report - Maritime Security: One Year Later: A Progress Report on the SAFE Port Act
Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within DHS investigate violations of immigration laws and identify aliens who are removable from the United States. GAO was asked to examine how ICE ensures that discretion is used in the most fair, reasoned, and efficient manner possible. Their report concludes with some recommendations for the officers working in the field of apprehension.

GAO Report: Transportation Security - Efforts to Strengthen Aviation and Surface Transportation Security are Under Way, but Challenges Remain
Since its inception in 2001, TSA has developed and implemented a variety of programs and procedures to secure commercial aviation and surface modes of transportation, including passenger and freight rail, mass transit, highways, commercial vehicles, and pipelines. GAO examined (1) the progress DHS and TSA have made in securing the nation’s aviation and surface transportation systems, and (2) challenges that have impeded the department’s efforts to implement its mission and management functions.

GAO Report: One Year Later: A Progress Report on the SAFE Port Act
The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act), modified existing legislation and created and codified new programs related to maritime security. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Agency, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have key maritime security responsibilities. This testimony synthesizes the results of GAO's completed work and preliminary observations from GAO's ongoing work related to the SAFE Port Act pertaining to: (1) overall port security, (2) security at individual facilities, and (3) cargo container security.

The Top Five Reasons Why Conservatives Should Oppose the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
Twenty-five years ago, President Ronald Reagan rejected the Law of the Sea Treaty — and rightly so. Today, the convention remains a threat to American interests.

New Homeland Security Strategy Misses the Mark
In the wake of 9/11, the Administration published a strategy for keeping the nation safe, free, and prosperous in the face of the threat of transnational terrorism. As the nation's first homeland security strategy, it was not bad. This week, the White House published a new version of the strategy that obfuscates rather than clarifies the government's homeland security mission.

GAO Report: High-Containment Biosafety Laboratories: Preliminary Observations on the Oversight of the Proliferation of BSL-3 and BSL-4 Laboratories in the United States.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 the United States has constructed ten additional biosafety level (BSL) 4 labs in addition to numerous BSL-3 labs across the country. This proliferation of high-containment labs containing the “most dangerous infectious disease agents” has raised concerns within the GAO following surveys conducted by the organization that illustrate the lack of oversight by government agencies on BSL labs. The GAO report expresses concern towards the security of these facilities, the transport of biological agents and government oversight.

GAO Report: Maritime Security: The SAFE Port Act and Efforts to Secure Our Nation’s Seaports
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have the difficult task of port and maritime security. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) was implemented to better monitor and secure America’s 361 seaports and approximately 3,000 maritime facilities from unlawful entry into the U.S of illicit people and goods. In the attached document, the GAO summarizes recent efforts, such as SAFE, to expand maritime security and additional measures to combat terrorism in maritime regions.

Fact Sheet: National Strategy for Homeland Security
This fact sheet outlines the critical components of the newly issued National Strategy for Homeland Security.

Reagan and The Law of the Sea
It is an impressive testament to the abiding affection and political influence of former President Ronald Reagan that the fate of a controversial treaty now before the U.S. Senate may ultimately turn on a single question: What would Reagan do?

Combating Terrorism: Law Enforcement Agencies Lack Directives to Assist Foreign Nations
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001 the Bush administration has implemented numerous measures to combat terrorism worldwide. One major addition to counterterrorism has been the changing role of law enforcement agencies in their cooperation with foreign nations to prevent terrorist activities in the host countries before reaching U.S. soil. This report summarizes the difficulties that LEA’s are facing with regards to organization and collaboration in the fight against terrorism.

National Strategy for Homeland Security
This updated Strategy, which builds directly from the first National Strategy for Homeland Security issued in July 2002, reflects the Administration's increased understanding of the terrorist threats confronting the United States today, incorporates lessons learned from exercises and real-world catastrophes – including Hurricane Katrina – and proposes new initiatives and approaches that will enable the Nation to achieve its homeland security objectives. This Strategy also complements both the National Security Strategy issued in March 2006 and the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism issued in September 2006.

Immigration: Many Questions, A Few Answers
This article sheds light on the grossly controversial topic of illegal immigration in the United States. By not enforcing our immigration laws, America has left its borders out of control and as a result, there is an overwhelming sense of disrespect for our rule of law. The Honorable Lamar Smith proposes ways in which we can reduce illegal immigration by giving America better tools to fight it.

RAND Report: Is Weapon System Cost Growth Increasing? A Quantitative Assessment of Competing and Ongoing Programs
This study is designed to answer questions regarding the cost of the Department of Defense's weapons systems. It looks at the trends of cost growth over the past three decades using a variety of methodologies and attempts to analyze ongoing programs. By addressing the magnitude of cost growth, this study hopes to rein in the cost growth of U.S. DoD acquistion programs.

Dangerous Seas Ahead
The United States has always been defined by the oceans. For centuries they've separated our nation from potential invaders. About 20 percent of the world's oceanbourne trade passes through American ports. So it makes sense that the Bush administration would want to protect America's freedom of access to the oceans. Unfortunately, it's trying to take a big step in the wrong direction.

GAO Report: Key Aspects of International Air Passenger Inspection Travel Fees Should Be Addressed Regardless of Whether Fees Are Consolidated
The process of setting, collecting, and distributing separate, dissimilar fees creates challenges for agencies and stakeholders. Although air passenger inspections were integrated within CBP, the fees supporting these inspections were created and are still governed by separate, dissimilar authorizing legislation. Two fee amounts are set in statute and one is set by regulation; all are collected by the airlines, deposited into three separate accounts and distributed among the agencies. As a result, the fees are administered and overseen by a complicated network of executive branch agencies and congressional committees, creating a series of challenges. GAO is making 10 recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Homeland Security to improve cost estimates, collection, distribution, remittance, and compliance of the user fees.

The Heritage Foundation: Combating Enemies Online- State-Sponsored and Terrorist Use of the Internet
Even before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, security experts were becoming increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of U.S. computer systems and associated infrastructure. The 9/11 attacks amplified these concerns.

Heralding Unheard Voices: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations During Disasters
FBOs and NGOs had a significant beneficial impact for many victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They provided shelter, food, medical services, hygiene services, mental health and spiritual care, physical reconstruction, logistics management and services, transportation, children’s services, and case management. What follows is a glimpse into the world of FBOs and NGOs and their actions following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat
Understanding the radicalization process in the West that drives “unremarkable” people to become terrorists is vital for developing effective counterstrategies and has special importance for the NYPD and the City of New York. As one of the country’s iconic symbols and the target of numerous terrorist plots since the 1990’s, New York City continues to be among the top targets of terrorists worldwide.

Financing Recovery from Catastrophic Events
What is the Federal Government’s financial responsibility in case of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina? How can the Federal Government pre-position itself to help the nation recover and still encourage the public and private sectors to undertake mitigation strategies? What is the best combination of compensation mechanisms in case of a mega-catastrophe, and how can the Federal Government best encourage this division of responsibility?

DHS Outlines Eight Keys to National Preparedness
The Homeland Security Department has just released its National Preparedness Guidelines this week, providing a list of the eight most important priorities that should guide national preparedness investments in the coming years. Strengthening national information sharing, emergency communications and infrastructure protection are among the top priorities.

World Trade Center: EPA's Most Recent Test and Clean Program Raises Concerns That Need to Be Addressed to Better Prepare for Indoor Contamination Following Disasters
While EPA has acted upon lessons learned following this disaster, some concerns remain about its preparedness to respond to indoor contamination following future disasters. Specifically, EPA has not developed protocols on how and when to collect data to determine the extent of indoor contamination, one of the concerns raised by panel members.

GAO Report: U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but Tons of Illicit Drugs Continue to Flow into the United States
The overall goal of the U.S. National Drug Control Strategy, which is prepared by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is to reduce illicit drug use in the United States. One of the strategy’s priorities is to disrupt the illicit drug marketplace. To this end, since fiscal year 2000, the United States has provided about $397 million to support Mexican counternarcotics efforts. According to the Department of State (State), much of the illicit drugs consumed in the United States flows through or is produced in Mexico. GAO examined (1) developments in Mexican drug production and trafficking since calendar year 2000 and (2) U.S. counternarcotics support for Mexico since fiscal year 2000.

Administration Record on Improving Border Security and Immigration
These reforms represent steps the Administration can take within the boundaries of existing law to secure our borders more effectively, improve interior and worksite enforcement, streamline existing guest worker programs, improve the current immigration system, and help new immigrants assimilate into American culture.

DOJ Fact Sheet on National Security Letters
This provides a brief overview on National Security Letters, including their definition, authority, practice and limitations.

Counterterrorism White Paper
This paper outlines the success of the Department of Justice in the war on terrorism. Although the Department’s counterterrorism efforts span the period from the 1980s to the present, this paper focuses primarily on the investigations, prosecutions, policy and legislative efforts that post-date September 11, 2001, the defining moment which transformed our approach from reactive to proactive, from response to prevention. The spotlight of this paper is on the many criminal prosecution successes.

Underlying Reasons for Success and Failures of Terrorist Attacks: Selected Case Studies
This report by the Homeland Security Institute focuses on trends in success and failures from attacks since the mid-1990s against targets in the United States and abroad, whether or not directly targeting the United States. The report focuses on two target categories that they believe are particularly vulnerable: passenger rail and commercial aviation. The report concludes that the most influential factors determining the success or failure of a terrorist attack are those that occur in the pre-execution phases.

GAO Testimony: ALIEN DETENTION STANDARDS
GAO Testimony before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives ALIEN DETENTION STANDARDS Observations on the Adherence to ICE’s Medical Standards in Detention Facilities Statement of Richard M. Stana Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues At the time of its visits, GAO observed instances of noncompliance with ICE’s medical care standards at 3 of the 23 facilities visited. The types of grievances at the facilities GAO visited typically included the lack of timely response to requests for medical treatment, missing property, high commissary prices, poor food quality and insufficient food quantity, high telephone costs, problems with telephones, and questions concerning detention case management issues. ICE’s detainee grievance standard states that facilities shall establish and implement procedures for informal and formal resolution of detainee grievances. Four of the 23 facilities GAO visited did not comply with all aspects of ICE’s detainee grievance standards. For example, one facility did not properly log all grievances that GAO found in their facility files. Detainee complaints may also be filed with several governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The primary way for detainees to file complaints is to contact the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). About 11 percent of detainee complaints to the OIG between 2005 and 2006 involved medical treatment issues. However, we found that the OIG complaint hotline 1-800 number was blocked or otherwise restricted at 12 of the facilities we tested. OIG investigates the most serious complaints and refers the remainder to other DHS components. GAO could not determine the number of cases referred to ICE’s Detention Removal Office and concluded that ICE’s detainee complaint database was not sufficiently reliable.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: The Risks Outweigh the Benefits
While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) contains provisions that would be marginally beneficial to the U.S. Navy, other provisions of the treaty, such as those regarding the settlement of disputes, royalties on the exploitation of resources on the deep seabed, and the empowering of an additional U.N.-affiliated international bureaucracy, pose far greater risks to U.S. interests. Nothing has occurred since 2004 that should lead the Senate to reverse its earlier decision to decline to take up the treaty.

Homeland Security Institute - Strategic Planning: Mission Area Analysis
The Homeland Security Institute (HIS) provides a clear outline of the national leadership’s strategic vision in its Mission Area Analysis (MAA) report. In order to reach this goal, the report provides a graphical presentation of the breakdown of activities that include objectives, functions, and others tasks that are necessary. With these activities in place and enforced, the MAA proves to be an effective analysis and measurement tool that must be pursued in order to secure the homeland.

National Security Letters Diagram
This diagram illustrates how the FBI uses National Security Letters.

Port Risk Management: Additional Federal Guidance Would Aid Ports in Disaster Planning and Recovery
This report was prepared under the authority of the Comptroller General to examine (1) challenges port authorities have experienced as a result of recent natural disasters, (2) efforts under way to address these challenges, and (3) the manner in which port authorities plan for natural disasters. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed various port stakeholders from 17 major U.S. ports. It recommends that the Secretary of Homeland Security encourage port stakeholders to use existing forums for discussing all-hazards planning.

Maritime Security: Public Safety Consequences of a Liquefied Natural Gas Spill Need Clarification
This testimony is based on GAO’s recently released report, Maritime Security: Public Safety Consequences of a Terrorist Attack on a Tanker Carrying Liquefied Natural Gas Need Clarification (GAO-07-316). To prepare this report, GAO examined the results of six recent unclassified studies on the effects of an LNG spill and convened a panel of 19 experts to identify areas of agreement on the consequences of a terrorist attack on an LNG tanker.

Homeland Security: Continuing Attention to Privacy Concerns is Needed as Programs Are Developed
For this hearing, GAO was asked to testify on key privacy challenges facing DHS. To address this issue, GAO identified and summarized issues raised in its previous reports on privacy and assessed recent Government-wide privacy guidance.

Federal Aviation Administration: Observations on Selected Changes to FAA's Funding and Budget Structure in the Administration's Reauthorization Proposal
This statement offers GAO’s observations on the proposed changes in FAA’s (1) funding and (2) budget structure and is based on GAO’s analysis of FAA’s proposal and a recent GAO report on FAA funding options.

Homeland Security: US-VISIT Program Faces Operational, Technological, and Management Challenges
This testimony summarizes GAO’s work on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to implement the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at air, sea, and land ports of entry (POE). This testimony addresses DHS’s efforts to (1) implement US-VISIT entry capability, (2) implement US-VISIT exit capability, and (3) resolve longstanding management challenges that could impair DHS’s ability to effectively implement the US-VISIT program. GAO analyzed DHS and US-VISIT documents, interviewed program officials, and visited 21 land POEs with varied traffic levels on both borders.

Critical Infrastructure: Challenges Remain in Protecting Key Sectors
This testimony is based primarily on GAO’s October 2006 sector council report and a body of work on cyber critical infrastructure protection. Specifically, it addresses (1) the extent to which these councils have been established, (2) key facilitating factors and challenges affecting the formation of the council, (3) key facilitating factors and challenges encountered in developing sector plans, and (4) the status of DHS’s efforts to fulfill key cybersecurity responsibilities.

Response to DOJ Inspector General's Report on FBI's use of National Security Letters
The FBI concurs with the Inspector General that, when implemented, the recommended reforms can improve the accuracy of the reporting of the use of National Security Letters (NSLs) and ensure compliance with the requirements governing their use.

Letter from Attorney General to Inspector General Fine
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales expresses his concurrence with the findings of IG Fine regarding FBI use of National Security Letters. He reports that the FBI’s National Security Division and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Office will report to him on their progress in corrective actions. Gonzales also asks that IG Fine report back to him in four months on the FBI’s implementation of his recommendation.

The Heritage Foundation: The DHS Budget for FY 2008: Time for a Comprehensive Approach to Homeland Security
In the years since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established, the Bush Administration has demonstrated its commitment to homeland security by proposing reasonable budgets. The Administration's proposed DHS budget of $46.4 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2008 continues this tradition by requesting an 8 percent increase over the FY 2007 budget. 03.08.07

The DHS’ Security Risk Assessment Methodology: Evolution, Issues and Options for Congress
During Secretary Chertoff’s Senate confirmation hearing, he advocated a risk-based approach to homeland security. While risked-basis analysis is common in many fields, it is a relatively new approach to homeland security. This CRS report examines the history of risked based analysis in the security sector, and looks to the future of this practice towards securing the homeland.

DOJ Press Release: Statement from DOJ Spokesman Dean Boyd
DOJ Spokesman Dean Boyd responds to the findings of IG Fine that the Department must collect, verify, and maintain accurate statistic on the national security work being conducted at DOJ offices around the country. With few exceptions, he acknowledges that the Department has already implemented the controls recommended by the OIG.

Report on "Critical Homeland Infrastructure Protection"
The Defense Science Board (DSB) was asked by both the DoD and DHS to establish the Critical Homeland Infrastructure Protection Task Force to assess best practices for protecting US homeland installations and recommend different approaches to enhance security and protection of these facilities. This is a general report of the DSB’s findings.

Port Security Task Force Report: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
The economic impact of exports and imports at maritime ports in the United States totals $2.23 trillion. With the Congressional debate over Dubai Ports World taking over port security, there has been a renewed debate about maritime security. This report offers a series of policy suggestions for increasing our homeland security in the maritime sector.

Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security
This report presents the major management challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security and was included in DHS’ FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report. As required by the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, this assessment of management challenges is updated annually.

Coast Guard Deepwater Program; Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
In order to assist Congress in the decision to approve, reject or modify the Administration’s annual funding requests for the Integrated Deepwater Systems (IDS) program, this report offers a cost-benefit analysis of the program’s requirements.

Illegal Immigration Task Force Report
The Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s Illegal Immigration Task Force began its work with the objective of offering practical policy solutions that address the incentives that draw immigrants to Texas illegally. To this end, the TCCRI’s Illegal Immigration Task Force has focused its work in four key areas: 1) Voter identification; 2) Access to state and federal welfare programs; 3) Employer sanctions; and 4) Bilingual education in public schools. By laying out the fundamental problems in each of these areas, the Task Force offers lawmakers not only a map for evaluating these issues, but also specific legislative recommendations to address illegal immigration in Texas.

National Strategy for Combating Terrorism
This updated strategy sets the course for winning the War on Terror. It builds directly from the National Security Strategy issued in March 2006 as well as the February 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, and incorporates an increased understanding of the enemy. To win the War on Terror, this strategy states that we will: advance effective democracies as the long-term antidote to the ideology of terrorism; prevent attacks by terrorist networks; deny weapons of mass destruction to rogue states and terrorist allies who seek to use them; deny terrorists the support and sanctuary of rogue states; deny terrorists control of any nation they would use as a base and launching pad for terror; and lay the foundations and build the institutions and structures we need to carry the fight forward against terror and help ensure our ultimate success.

Catastrophic Disasters: Enhanced Leadership, Capabilities, and Accountability
The purpose of this report is to summarize what went well with the national response to Hurricane Katrina, and what did not go well and why, and what changes are needed to improve the nation’s readiness to respond to a catastrophic disaster; and to identify selected issues associated with the Gulf Coast’s recovery. This report includes six recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security with which DHS generally agreed, describing actions taken to implement them. The report also includes a matter for congressional consideration.

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS): Background and Issues for Congress
This report provides an overview of the factors of consideration should Congress decide to continue funding Littoral Combat Ships.

DOE’s Efforts to Protect the Columbia River from Contamination
This GAO paper reports on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts regarding nuclear contamination to the Columbia River in Washington State. The DOE has proposed new initiatives to integrate all contamination zones under a single project. However, past failures of the DOE in relation to similar programs is likely to be repeated unless the DOE incorporates measures and evaluations of results and effectiveness.

Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions and Approaches
Prior to 9/11, the various technical and non-technical means of gathering intelligence have been seen as specific to foreign policy and national security. This report reviews the models and concepts regarding how the gathering of intelligence for homeland security intelligence (HSINT) purposes. Though the tools and methods for HSINT may be similar to those in the past, the organizational model is more holistic, as it attempts to bridge the “foreign-domestic divide.”

Historical Tables
This document provides a wide range of data on Federal Government finances. Many of the data series begin in 1940 and include estimates of the President’s budget for 2004-2009.

Maritime Security: Information-Sharing Efforts are Improving
This GAO report states that the Coast Guard has the leading responsibility in coordinating maritime information sharing efforts. It outlines steps that the Coast Guard has undertaken, such as the establishment of area maritime security committees, in order to identify and improve the risks involved with current port security initiatives.

Admitting Additional Countries into the Visa Waiver Program
This GAO report describes the Visa Waiver Program, which enables citizens of 27 participating countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. In February, 2005 President Bush announced the “Road Map Initiative,” establishing requirements and guidelines for countries that wish to be included in the Visa Waiver Program. An overview of these prerequisites is contained in the body of the report.

Homeland Security: DHS is Addressing Security at Chemical Facilities, but Additional Authority is Needed
The GAO was asked to review the Department of Homeland Security’s coordination efforts to protect United States chemical facilities. Upon Review of DHS’s strategy, the GAO makes three recommendations it believes will improve the department’s strategy for U.S. chemical plant protection, including interagency cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Coast Guard: Observations on Agency Performance, Operations and Future Challenges
The GAO did a comprehensive review of the Coast Guard and its performance level. This testimony makes recommendations as to how the Coast Guard can (1) meet performance goals (2) adjust to added responsibilities (3) Acquire new assets and (4) meet other future challenges.

Fact Sheet: Securing Our Nation's Borders
Through the Secure Border Initiative (SBI) and other efforts, DHS is strengthening security along our northern and southern borders through the integrated use of increased manpower and infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, enhanced immigration enforcement, and cooperation with our state, local, and international partners.

Current Strategy Forum - Naval War College
The CNO outlines recent Naval Maritime Strategy and the changes that now must be made due to the vast changes from globalization. The Navy is now operating is an information aged world, where it can not simply adapt to change, but adapt to the rapid speed of change. Adm. Mullen suggests the Navy must redefine “Sea Power” in this new era and explain how it will operate differently, train differently, educate differently, and balance the force differently.

State Interoperable Communications: DHS Funded Activities Fiscal Years 2003-2005
This report gives a state by state breakout of fiscal spending on interoperable communications in all 50 states from 2003-2005. The report also includes spending on procurement, infrastructure modernization and training and project development costs.