Critical Releases in Homeland Security: December 14, 2011

"This report describes homegrown violent jihadists and the plots and attacks that have occurred since 9/11. 'Homegrown' and 'domestic' are terms that describe terrorist activity or plots perpetrated within the United States or abroad by American citizens, legal permanent residents, or visitors radicalized largely within the United States. The term 'jihadist' describes radicalized individuals using Islam as an ideological and/or religious justification for their belief in the establishment of a global caliphate, or jurisdiction governed by a Muslim civil and religious leader known as a caliph. The term 'violent jihadist' characterizes jihadists who have made the jump to illegally supporting, plotting, or directly engaging in violent terrorist activity. The report also discusses the radicalization process and the forces driving violent extremist activity. It analyzes post-9/11 domestic jihadist terrorism and describes law enforcement and intelligence efforts to combat terrorism and the challenges associated with those efforts. It also outlines actions underway to build trust and partnership between community groups and government agencies and the tensions that may occur between law enforcement and engagement activities. One appendix provides details about each of the post-9/11 homegrown jihadist terrorist plots and attacks. A second appendix describes engagement and partnership activities by federal agencies with Muslim-American communities. Finally, the report offers policy considerations for Congress. There is an 'executive summary' at the beginning that summarizes the report's findings, observations, and policy considerations for Congress."

From the text: "On August 26, 2011, a suicide bomber drove a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) into the United Nations (U.N.) headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, killing 23 people and injuring more than 80 others. Responsibility for the bombing, one of the deadliest in the United Nations' history, was claimed by Boko Haram, an Islamist religious sect turned insurgent group based in the predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria. While this attack occurred inside Nigerian borders, it was the first time Boko Haram had targeted an international, non-Nigerian entity. The attack marked a significant shift in the targeting and goals of the group, largely unknown to the U.S. Intelligence Community, and capped off an evolution in the capabilities of Boko Haram, beginning in the mid-2000s, from attacks with poisoned arrows and machetes to sophisticated car bombings. In a video that surfaced in Nigeria in the weeks following the U.N. bombing, the perpetrator of the attack described the U.N. as a forum for 'all global evil' and stated the attacks were designed to 'send a message to the U.S. President and 'other infidels.' According to Ambassador Anthony Holmes, Deputy to the Commander for Civil- Military Activities (DCMA) of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), members of Boko Haram are being trained by Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). They are also believed to have ties to the Somalian militant group al Shabaab. This cooperation, combined with the increased sophistication of attacks executed by Boko Haram, have led to concerns from the U.S. Intelligence Community over the sect's intent and capability to strike Western targets in Nigeria, throughout Africa, and most importantly, the U.S. Homeland.'"

"More than 2.3 million Americans in the military have volunteered to go into harm's way overseas to combat terrorists since 9/11. But these heroes 'who shall have borne the battle,' as President Lincoln called war veterans, also have been in danger here at home -- where they should be safe and secure. The threat is real. The Department of Defense considers the U.S. Homeland the most dangerous place for a G.I. outside of foreign warzones -- and the top threat they face here is from violent Islamist extremists. […] A significant and growing number of military personnel, such as alleged Fort Hood mass murderer Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, pose a serious danger to their brothers and sisters in arms who wear the same uniform. At least 33 threats, plots and strikes against U.S. military communities since 9/11 have been part of a surge of homegrown terrorism which Attorney General Eric Holder has said 'keeps me up at night.' After Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed May 1, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Defense Intelligence Agency warned thousands of U.S. law enforcement and security agencies about possible retaliatory attacks by Al Qaeda, its allies or unaffiliated homegrown terrorists on our military. Weeks after the Pakistan raid, two radicalized U.S. citizens allegedly plotted to attack military personnel in Seattle. The Majority Staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security has been conducting an investigation, which finds that 70% of the plots against military targets occurred since mid-2009 -- including the two successful homeland attacks since 9/11."

"Our Nation faces a wide range of threats and hazards, including acts of terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics, and catastrophic natural disasters. Communities can address the risks these threats and hazards pose by working together using a systematic approach that builds on proven preparedness activities. The National Preparedness System builds on these activities and enables the Nation to meet the National Preparedness Goal. This document summarizes the components of the National Preparedness System, which include: identifying and assessing risk, estimating the level of capabilities needed to address those risks, building or sustaining the required levels of capability, developing and implementing plans to deliver those capabilities, validating and monitoring progress, and reviewing and updating efforts to promote continuous improvement."

"This Action Plan sets out joint priorities for achieving that vision within the four areas of cooperation identified in the Beyond the Border Declaration: addressing threats early; trade facilitation, economic growth, and jobs; cross-border law enforcement; and critical infrastructure and cyber security. Nothing in this Action Plan is intended to give rise to rights or obligations under domestic or international law; this action plan is not intended to constitute an international treaty under international law. Work to implement this Action Plan will be subject to normal budget, legal, and regulatory mechanisms in each country and will be carried out in close consultation with interested stakeholders in both countries. In particular, progress on many of the elements of this Action Plan will depend on the availability of funding. In those cases, appropriations to support implementation will be sought through the normal budgetary processes of each country. In addition to calling for this Action Plan, the Declaration of Leaders on February 4, 2011, also created a Canada--United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). Whereas this Action Plan aims to enhance security and economic competitiveness through measures taken at our shared perimeter and border, the RCC aims to better align our regulatory approaches to protect health, safety, and the environment while supporting growth, investment, innovation, and market openness. Some initiatives under this Action Plan will complement the work of the RCC, and indeed, could provide beneficial interim measures pending more fundamental regulatory solutions which may flow from the RCC."

"On February 4, 2011, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the creation of the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) to increase regulatory transparency and coordination between the two countries. Regulation plays an important role in both our countries. Effective regulations protect our health, safety, and the environment while supporting growth, investment, innovation, and market openness. […] The RCC will undertake efforts to better align the regulatory environment between the United States and Canada through a variety of tools such as enhanced technical collaboration, mutual recognition of standards, and joint work sharing, in an effort to address root causes of regulatory misalignments, develop lasting solutions, and avoid future misalignments from developing. This initial Joint Action Plan seeks to foster new approaches to regulatory alignment and serve as a template for future efforts at United States-Canada coordination. Council members agreed to Terms of Reference1, which established the mandate, principles, and structure of the RCC and will guide the work of the RCC throughout its mandate. Nothing in this Joint Action Plan is intended to give rise to rights or obligations under domestic or international law."