Critical Releases in Homeland Security: July 5, 2017

"This year has shown us, once again, that we can't predict the next disaster. But it has also shown us clearly how being prepared protects health and saves lives. Emergencies can devastate a single area, as we saw with Hurricane Matthew, or span the globe, like Zika virus. Disasters from 9/11 to Ebola have demonstrated that we absolutely must have people, strategies, and resources in place before an emergency happens. CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] is committed to strengthening the nation's health security by protecting against public health threats, whether they begin at home or abroad, or if they are natural or man-made. We know that when we don't respond quickly and to scale, outbreaks become epidemics, natural disasters become crucibles for illness, and the human toll of terrorist attacks can mount. [...] Every response holds lessons on how to prepare for the next one. Today's interconnected landscape calls on us to invest, to innovate, and to remain flexible in our effort to safeguard the health and security of all Americans."

"The study addresses the challenges facing the United States from the increasing use by rivals and adversaries -- state and non-state alike -- of what have come to be called 'Gray Zone' techniques. The term Gray Zone ('GZ') denotes the use of techniques to achieve a nation's goals and frustrate those of its rivals by employing instruments of power -- often asymmetric and ambiguous in character -- that are not direct use of acknowledged regular military forces. The report is organized according to the specific subjects the ISAB [International Security Advisory Board] was directed to consider by the Terms of Reference (TOR) -- Characteristics of GZ Operations, Policy Options and Concepts, and Deterrence/Dissuasion."

"The modern anti-trafficking movement commenced in earnest with the adoption of the Palermo Protocol in 2000, and since then has grown substantially. Governments have made progress and continue to work to pass and implement legislation criminalizing all forms of human trafficking, collaborate with civil society and human trafficking survivors to strengthen victim protections at the policy and grassroots levels, and take prevention measures and raise public awareness about the dangers and indicators of modern slavery. While this progress is encouraging, traffickers around the world continue to exploit millions of victims in forced labor and sex trafficking. This multi-billion dollar industry destroys families and communities, weakens the rule of law, strengthens criminal networks, and offends universal concepts of human decency. Although support from civil society and international organizations has led to more holistic and effective anti-trafficking solutions, governments bear primary responsibility for addressing human trafficking. That is why the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report annually measures government efforts across the 3P paradigm of prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing the crime."