Critical Issues in Homeland Security: A Casebook encourages analytical and careful examination of practical homeland security problems through the presentation of contemporary cases involving major state or national events. Case studies demonstrate the complexity of challenges within the domain of homeland security policy and administration. Editors James D. Ramsay and Linda Kiltz carefully curated fourteen cases, all from top scholars and practitioners, to cover a broad range of legal, policy, and operational challenges within the field of homeland security. Timely and interesting cases on such issues as arctic security, the use of drones in targeted killings, cyber security, and the emergency management lessons of the 2010 Haiti earthquake give students a deeper understanding of the relationship between the theories and the practices of homeland security. Discussion questions at the end of each case and an online instructor's manual make Critical Issues in Homeland Security an even more effective learning tool for any homeland security program.

Critical Issues in Homeland Security: A Casebook encourages analytical and careful examination of practical homeland security problems through the presentation of contemporary cases involving major state or national events. Case studies demonstrate the complexity of challenges within the domain of homeland security policy and administration.

This edited volume uses a ‘constructivist/reflexive’ approach to address critical infrastructure protection (CIP), a central political practice associated with national security. The politics of CIP, and the construction of the threat they are meant to counter, effectively establish a powerful discursive connection between that the traditional and normal conditions for day-to-day politics and the exceptional dynamics of national security. Combining political theory and empirical case studies, this volume addresses key issues related to protection and the governance of insecurity in the contemporary world. The contributors track the transformation and evolution of critical infrastructures (and closely related issues of homeland security) into a security problem, and analyze how practices associated with CIP constitute, and are an expression of, changing notions of security and insecurity. The book explores aspects of ‘securitisation’ as well as at practices, audiences, and contexts that enable and constrain the production of the specific form of governmentality that CIP exemplifies. It also explores the rationalities at play, the effects of these security practices, and the implications for our understanding of security and politics today.

In 2003, the President and the U.S. Congress established the Department of Homeland Security. From the beginning, its mission was clear: prevent terrorist attacks, protect against threats to America's safety and security, and prepare the nation to respond effectively to disasters, both natural and man-made. This monumental mission demands a comprehensive strategy. It also requires a crystal-clear explanation of that strategy to Americans and their allies worldwide. In a revealing new book, Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years, Michael Chertoff provides that explanation. In a refreshingly candid and engaging manner, America's former homeland security secretary depicts the department's long-term approach, what it has achieved, and what it has yet to do. The strategy begins with the threats America faces, from terrorist groups like al Qaeda to hurricanes like Ike or Gustav. "Once these threats are identified," Chertoff writes, "we can confront them, using every tool at our disposal. We can stop terrorists from entering the country, and discourage people from embracing terrorism by combating its lethal ideology. We can protect our critical assets and reduce our vulnerabilities to natural disasters. We can plan and prepare for emergencies and respond in a way that minimizes the consequences. And we can work closely with our allies abroad to reduce the risk of future disasters." In each of these areas, Chertoff informs the reader what the nation has done and what it still must do to secure its future. How well has this strategy fared in a post-9/11 world? Since that fateful day, there have been no global terror attacks on American soil. Yet in the face of continued dangers, Michael Chertoff warns repeatedly against complacency. He urges America and its leaders to strengthen their resolve, stay the course, and build creatively on past successes.

This book is devoted primarily to papers prepared by American and Russian specialists on cyber terrorism and urban terrorism. It also includes papers on biological and radiological terrorism from the American and Russian perspectives. Of particular interest are the discussions of the hostage situation at Dubrovko in Moscow, the damge inflicted in New York during the attacks on 9/11, and Russian priorities in addressing cyber terrorism.

This document discusses one of the most important issues of our time, the reorganization of government agencies and the reorientation of their missions to improve our nation's ability to better protect our homeland. It is important to recognize that this transition to a more effective homeland security approach is part of a larger transformation effort that our government must make to address emerging security, economic, demographic, scientific, technological, fiscal and other challenges of the 21st century and to meet the expectations of the American people for timely, quality and cost-effective public services. In the months since the horrible events of September 11th, the President and the Congress have responded with important and aggressive actions to protect the nation, including creating an Office of Homeland Security (OHS), passing new laws such as the USA Patriot Act and an initial emergency supplemental spending bill, establishing a new agency to improve transportation security, and working with unprecedented collaboration with federal, state, and local governments, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations, and other countries to prevent future terrorist acts and to bring to justice those individuals responsible for such terrible acts.