DISCUSSION 2
After 9/11, we created DHS and moved way from a Civil Defense paradigm.
We also merged FEMA under DHS. This was the largest shakeup and
reorganization of the government since WWII. Since 9/11, the world has
changed even more.
What homeland security related law or policy do you find most
useful to the cause and why?
Should homeland security include what might be deemed
emergency management functions or should it only focus on
terrorism, and why?
What do you see as the 3 biggest threats/hazards to our homeland
and why?
What does the Bible tell us about such things?
Useful Homeland Security Law and/or Policy
Taking into consideration that the mission of the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) is to “ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other
hazards” (Department of Homeland Security, n.d.-b), the Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002
is arguably the most useful since it forms the legal basis for establishing the DHS and the
missions of the department (Department of Homeland Security, n.d.-a).
The 107th Congress passed the HSA, formally filed as Public Law 107-296, and wrote it
into law on 25 November 2002. This Act includes 17 Titles, some of which include the DHS,
information analysis and infrastructure protection, science, and technology to support homeland
security, border and transportation security, emergency preparedness and response, among others
(Public Law 107-296 107th Congress an Act, n.d).
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Functions
It is possible that an act of terrorism can result in a catastrophe, which necessitates
emergency management functions. The 9/11 attacks are an example of this possibility: Although
the cause of the incident was not a natural disaster, the chaos, which ensued required services of
first responders, security personnel, decontamination teams, incident commanders. Zaffar (2020)
explains in his book that in “all hazards” approach, it is the government’s responsibility to
establish policies, practices, and develop tools, which will help in responding to an emergency
circumstance regardless of the type of emergency.
As much as homeland security and emergency management functions can exist
independently, merging the two can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations by
respectively eliminating redundancies and merging resources or capabilities. Presidential Policy
Directive-8 also provides executive support for this vision by authorizing governmental and
private partners to work together in responding threats and hazards (Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 2021).
Three Biggest Threats/Hazards to Our Homeland
To determine the major threats and hazards to our homeland, it is important to consult the
most publicly accessible and latest Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA) report. The 2020 HTA
incorporates intelligence and operational gathered by the DHS (Department of Homeland
Security, 2020). The report categorizes threats into seven major sections namely: Cyber threats;
Foreign influence activity in the U.S.; Threats to the U.S. Economy; Terrorism; Transnational
criminal organization threats to national security; Illegal immigration to the U.S; and Natural
disasters (Department of Homeland Security, 2020, p.6).
One of the most concerning threats are cyber threats such as cybercrime, cyberterrorism,
misinformation campaigns, threats to democratic processes (elections) and the amplification of
socio-political divisions within the U.S; the author exclusively singles out Russia as the top state-
actor culprit for cyber threats (Department of Homeland Security, 2020, pp. 6-11). For example,
in 2017, Global Economic Crime Report disclosed that cybercrimes account for 31 percent in the
U.S. corporations (Krishnan, 2018).
The HTA report describes how the COVID 19 pandemic threatened the economic
security of the U.S. by destabilizing U.S supply chains and crippling international trade and
travel of workers (Department of Homeland Security, 2020, p. 14). It is possible that given the
reopening of international borders, rebounding mass global travel, and the COVID-related
weakening of social and health systems, other pandemics can emerge and cause a public health
hazard in addition to threatening the U.S. economy.
The HTA also highlights domestic terrorism as a key threat due to the current social and
political tensions which give these actors motive. The report also re-emphasized the potential
influence of the COVID lockdowns in amplifying radicalization. The report explains that
lockdowns create risk factors for radicalizations e.g., social isolation, joblessness, idleness,
depression, among others (Department of Homeland Security, 2020, p. 17).
Threats and Hazards in The Bible
The 24th chapter in the gospel of Matthew offers some insight regarding threats and
hazards. In answering his disciple’s inquiry about the signs of the end times, Jesus mentions the
expectation of wars, conflicts, famines, earthquakes, and the increase of wickedness among
people (Matthew 24 ESV, n.d.). Thus, we should expect the occurrences of international conflict
and hazards, natural or man-made.
The book of Ecclesiastes also offers some insight on the commonality of threats and
hazards in our world. In chapter 1, the author argues that everything that happens has happened
before (Ecclesiastes, n.d.). It is true that international conflicts are nothing new except that the
forms, weapons, and alliances may change. Pandemics also have occurred before. Hence, from a
homeland security perspective, preparedness is not futile.
References
Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.-a). Key DHS Laws. Department of Homeland Security.
Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.dhs.gov/key-dhs-laws
Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.-b). Laws & Regulations. Department of Homeland
Security. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from https://www.dhs.gov/laws-regulations
Department of Homeland Security. (2020). Homeland Threat Assessment.
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/2020_10_06_homeland-threat-
assessment.pdf
Ecclesiastes. (n.d.). Biblehub.com. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from
https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, December 21). National Preparedness |
FEMA.gov. Www.fema.gov. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-
preparedness
Krishan, R. (2018). Corporate Solutions to Minimize Expenses from Cyber Security Attacks in
the United States. Journal of Internet Law, 21(11), 16-19.
Matthew 24 ESV. (n.d.). Biblehub.com. Retrieved September 24, 2022, from
https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/24.htm
Public Law 107-296 107th Congress an Act. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2022, from
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-107publ296/pdf/PLAW-107publ296.pdf
