This paper is going to focus on the role of the Homeland Security Department in defending the U.S. from a special type of terrorism, which is domestic and home-grown terrorism. Since 9/11 and all the attention has been given to protecting the country from international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, yet domestic terror has been repeatedly revealing itself as a serious threat facing the security of the United States.
In this paper, we will discuss the challenges facing the American Homeland Security and the strategic plans to face these challenges and to prevent future human disasters from taking place. For further explanation this paper will use the Boston Marathon Bombing event as a case study for the discussed literature.
Table of Contents
1. Homeland Security; Domestic Terrorism (Boston Marathon Bombing Case Study)
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the role of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in addressing the growing threat of domestic and home-grown terrorism, utilizing the Boston Marathon Bombing as a primary case study to evaluate strategic successes and failures.
- The evolution of domestic terrorism threats post-9/11
- Strategic analysis of the U.S. Homeland Security counterterrorism framework
- Evaluation of intelligence tools, including the PATRIOT Act and database systems
- The importance of information sharing and inter-agency cooperation
- Crisis response preparedness and the role of local first responders and civilians
Excerpt from the Book
Homeland Security; Domestic Terrorism
This paper is going to focus on the role of the Homeland Security Department in defending the U.S. from a special type of terrorism, which is domestic and home-grown terrorism. Since 9/11 and all the attention has been given to protecting the country from international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, yet domestic terror has been repeatedly revealing itself as a serious threat facing the security of the United States. In this paper, we will discuss the challenges facing the American Homeland Security and the strategic plans to face these challenges and to prevent future human disasters from taking place. For further explanation this paper will use the Boston Marathon Bombing event as a case study for the discussed literature.
The first study used in this paper is a report by the Heritage Foundation written by Zuckerman, Jessica; Bucci, Steven P; and Carafano, James Jay about the major terrorist attacks that took place in the US after 9/11. Most of the attacks target whether the US military facilities, individual targets or mass gatherings as in our case of the Boston Marathon and others like shopping malls or nightclubs. The main concern regarding these attacks is that the actors were whether American citizens, legal permanent residents, or visitors radicalized predominantly in the United States. According to the article, out of 60 terror events that took place after 9/11, 49 were “domestic grown plots”, and 77 out of the 156 people arrested or killed for plotting terrorist attacks since 9/11 are American citizens (Zuckerman, Bucci and Carafano). The Homeland Security Committee has been working very hard since 9/11 to protect the US from similar attacks, and it has been very successful with yet few failures.
Summary of Chapters
1. Homeland Security; Domestic Terrorism (Boston Marathon Bombing Case Study): This chapter introduces the shift in focus from international terror groups to domestic, home-grown threats, establishing the Boston Marathon Bombing as a central case study to analyze current counterterrorism strategies and their deficiencies.
Keywords
Homeland Security, Domestic Terrorism, Boston Marathon Bombing, Counterterrorism, PATRIOT Act, Intelligence Failure, Home-grown Extremism, Crisis Response, Signal Detection Model, Information Sharing, Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Fusion Centers, Surveillance, Radicalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the role of the Department of Homeland Security in mitigating the threat of domestic and home-grown terrorism within the United States.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The main themes include evaluating the efficacy of existing counterterrorism policies, the importance of inter-agency intelligence sharing, the role of local law enforcement, and the preparedness of emergency responders.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to identify how U.S. Homeland Security can improve its strategic approach to preventing future domestic terror attacks by analyzing the successes and failures identified during the Boston Marathon Bombing.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative case study methodology, synthesizing findings from existing reports and literature to evaluate policy effectiveness and suggesting frameworks like the "signal detection model."
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines several key studies on domestic terror, discusses intelligence and technological failures, analyzes the importance of resource reallocation, and assesses the emergency response during the Boston Marathon event.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Homeland Security, Domestic Terrorism, Boston Marathon Bombing, Counterterrorism, and Disaster Preparedness.
How does the author characterize the threat posed by "lone wolf actors"?
The author suggests that while Federal law enforcement is structured to combat large organized groups, local governments are more appropriately positioned to identify and mitigate threats posed by individual "lone wolf" extremists.
What role did civilians play during the Boston Marathon attack?
Civilians played a critical role in the investigation and response; for instance, a carjacked driver provided key evidence by leaving a cell phone in the vehicle, and a local resident spotted suspicious activity in his backyard.
Why does the author advocate for permanent authorization of the PATRIOT Act?
The author argues that frequent reauthorization hinders the Department of Homeland Security's ability to utilize essential investigative provisions, such as business records surveillance, consistently and effectively.
- Quote paper
- Sandra Samaan (Author), 2016, The role of the Homeland Security Department in fighting domestic terrorism. The Boston Marathon bombing, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/413169
