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Apr 3, 2024
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Nuntivacharind 1
CJ 310 Project One Template
31 JAN 2024
TO: British Prime Minister and Delegation of the United Kingdom
FROM: Director of Partnership and Engagement for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
SUBJECT: A joint counterterrorism initiative
Thesis Statement: Assessing the evolution of homeland security and counterterrorism in the United States.
Introduction: Following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the United States mostly reacted reactively. A number of weaknesses were identified in our security and response to major incidents such
as 9/11, and legislation was passed to mitigate these weaknesses and prevent them from occurring again. Because of these changes, such as the combination of organizations and the creation of new ones, agencies were able to share information and resources more effectively (DHS, n.d.).
Background Information: Until 9/11, terrorism was not clearly defined; there was no definitive outline or
identification that would identify it as a distinct entity. Further, prior to 9/11, there was insufficient communication, such as information sharing and resource sharing, between the two agencies that were primarily responsible for security. Through the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, our counterterrorism capabilities, coordination, and response have grown significantly since that time. The USA Patriot Act, along with DHS and the integration of other agencies have provided us with the most counter-intuitive abilities for combating terrorism on both a national and international scale. (DHS,
n.d.).
Response to Terrorism Before 2001:
The FBI and CIA were the primary federal agencies responsible for combating domestic and international terrorism before 2001. In 1947, the National Security Act established the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as the United States' leading intelligence agency. CIA's primary activity involves the gathering of foreign intelligence information, which refers to information concerning the capabilities, intentions, and activities of foreign governments or organizations, including information concerning their international terrorist activities. In 1986 however, the FBI became primary in overseeing investigations into and efforts to stop acts of terrorism in the country (Office of the Inspector General, Nov 2004). Due to the fact that these agencies function separately and have very little coordination, cooperation, and collaboration this has resulted in a wide variety of strategies to combat terrorism which have proven to be ineffective. With the World Trade Center bombing of 1993, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, the USS Cole bombing, and the Khobar Towers bombing, as well as many other attacks, it became evident that the U.S. needed improved strategies to protect itself against domestic and foreign terrorist activities.
Response to Terrorism After 2001: In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the U.S. government passed new legislation designed to prevent terrorist activity both domestically and internationally. In its 9/11 Commission Report, the 9/11 Commission aimed to provide a comprehensive 1
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account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including preparation and response (Bergen, 2024). The Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 was enacted after 9/11 by President George W. Bush. Under this new law, a large, cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security was established. It is the Department of Homeland Security's responsibility to counter terrorism following September 11, 2001 (Martin, 2020).
Congressional Legislation: Several legislative acts have been passed as a result of the 9/11 Commission Report, including the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act that implemented the recommendations of the 2007 9/11 Commissions Act. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention
Act has been created to ensure that civil liberties and privacy are protected under new policies and programs. It also established the National Counterterrorism Center and the Directorate of National Intelligence. The 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 mandates a 100% inspection of air and sea cargo entering the United States and sets up a fair and stable method of distributing grants for homeland security (DHS, n.d)
Lessons Learned: The lessons learned include developing a more effective security framework to be able
to defend against large-scale attacks, as well as coordinating and sharing resources in response to events. By utilizing better technology and innovations in technology, as well as other helpful resources, agencies and the American government as a whole have been able to communicate and respond to terrorism more effectively, thus allowing all stakeholders to work together on the common goal of preventing further terrorist attacks.
Summary: There had been very little progress in deterring, anticipating, and preventing terrorism before
the September 11th attacks due to the number, size, and coordination of the agencies responsible. The lack of communication and structure between the agencies at the time prevented us from dealing with a
nonmilitary attack of such magnitude. Due to the policies enacted after 9/11, we have made great strides in anticipating and preventing terrorism. For example, the Department of Homeland Security was
established in order to stop terrorist attacks. We collaborate with the FBI, CIA, as well as other federal, state, and local agencies in order to protect our nation.
Nuntivacharind, M
Government Resources
Bergen, P. L. (2024). September 11 attacks
. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/September-11-attacks
DHS (n.d) About DHS
| Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/about-dhs#:~:text=The%20Department
%20of%20Homeland%20Security,analyst%20to%20chemical%20facility%20inspector.
Martin, G. (2020). Understanding Homeland Security
(3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).
Office of the Inspector General (Nov 2004) A Review of the FBI's Handling of Intelligence Information Prior to the September 11 Attacks. https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0506/index.htm
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