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Network Extension: WideBridge™ - Bridging the Gap to First Responder Mission Critical Broadband Services
"The use of smartphones and broadband services is not just pervasive with the public, but is permeating the first responder community as well-whether agency issued or personal. Currently, the majority of this communication occurs across commercial networks; however, with the creation of the nationwide public safety broadband network, first responders will have access to increased capacity and coverage on a dedicated network. Broadband provides first responders with enhanced capabilities and serves as a medium to access large amounts of data. Nevertheless, it cannot yet provide first responders with mission critical voice capabilities (i.e., radio-to-radio or one-to-many communications) that are available on LMR [Land Mobile Radio] networks. Therefore, the reality is that LMR and broadband networks will likely coexist for years to come. The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and Customs and Border Protection have partnered to conduct research addressing first responder needs for mission critical voice over broadband, remote management (e.g., over the air programming), video and data transfer to tactical users, and network integration (i.e., ability to roam across LMR and Broadband networks). Addressing these needs, in part, was the impetus for the network extension project. In 2014, the WideBridge solution will undergo initial laboratory testing at the Department of Commerce's Public Safety Communications Research Boulder labs. This solution will undergo field tests across the country and is expected to be publicly available in 2015."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate
2014-09-24
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Privacy Impact Assessment Update for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) [February 17, 2016]
"The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a web-based application and
screening system used to determine whether certain foreign nationals are eligible to travel to the
United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is publishing this update to the
Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for ESTA, last updated on November 3, 2014, to provide
notice and privacy risk analysis of enhancements to the ESTA application questionnaire and
expansion of the ESTA application data elements in accordance with the requirements of the
Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2016-02-17
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Search For Legitimacy: Interventions Under The Responsibility To Protect
From the thesis abstract: "Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the United Nations Secretary-General called upon the international community to prevent similar atrocities in the future. To this end, Gareth Evans and Mahmoud Sahnoun led an international effort to examine the responsibility of both a sovereign state and the international community to protect people from mass atrocities regardless of their geographic location. In so doing, Evans and Sahnoun reframed the basic notion of sovereignty, to wit: if a state fails in its responsibility to protect those people within its borders from mass atrocities, the state may not use sovereignty as a shield to prevent the international community from taking appropriate action. The doctrine of Responsibility to Protect outlines, inter alia, the means by which the international community may legitimize coercive intervention otherwise deemed a violation of sovereignty. In its current, immature stage, the doctrine articulates some initial means by which the United Nations may legitimize coercive action; however, the United States should lead the international community to develop secondary means of legitimacy to fulfill the obligation to protect endangered people when the United Nations Security Council fails to authorize coercive intervention."
Army War College (U.S.)
Ryan, Michelle
2012
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Bear and Dragon Embrace: Russian-Chinese Security Cooperation
From the thesis abstract: "The two large and powerful nations of China and Russia are currently engaged in a strategic partnership which is an aberration in the history between the two countries. Both nations share an aversion to a unipolar world led by the United States and seek to balance the expansion of American power and create a multi-polar international order. They have engaged in security cooperation activities ranging from arms sales and technical support, to military visits and exchanges, to large scale combined and joint military exercises. It is unlikely that this relationship will evolve into a formal military alliance, given the troubled history between China and Russia. The two countries, which share a large common border and some common interests, have numerous conflicting interests, are culturally incompatible with little grassroots affinity, and are each wary of the other, especially as China's power grows and Russia's declines. Both nations value their bilateral relations with the United States, the nature of which bear greatly on the character of the Chinese-Russian relationship. The United States should be vigilant in observing the Chinese-Russian partnership, while cultivating its own bilateral relationships with each country."
Joint Forces Staff College (U.S.); National Defense University
Cunningham, Paul E., II
2017-04-21
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Small Arms Proliferation and Homegrown Terrorism in the Great Lakes Region: Uganda's Experience
From the thesis abstract: "Illicit arms are responsible for high death rates in the Great Lakes region. The phenomenon of small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation owes to historical factors, porous borders, and the prevalence of regional armed conflicts that offer markets for illicit arms and is compounded by poor arms management and control measures within the region. The effects of SALW on the social, economic, and political arenas in Uganda and in other states in the region are enormous. Ad hoc measures and the lack of regional consensus in implementation allow illicit arms to flow to homegrown terrorists. Although not the only cause of homegrown terrorism, SALW have remained a significant driver in creating a fragile security environment in which homegrown terrorism thrives. This thesis addresses the causes and effects of SALW proliferation in Uganda and the Great Lakes region. Specifically, it explores the nexus between homegrown terrorism and SALW proliferation. The study concludes by providing policy recommendations to combat homegrown terrorism and the effects of SALW proliferation in Uganda and the Great Lakes region."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Kamwesiga, Polly K.
2016-12
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Evaluating U.S. Military Engineering Efforts in East Africa
From the thesis abstract: "Some states or regimes in Africa in the 21st century possess many of the same challenges as Afghanistan did in 1989 when the Soviet Union pulled out. These regimes have weak or failing governments, high poverty and disease rates, porous borders, and serious security issues. Therefore, it is in the U.S.'s strategic interest that Africa does not follow the same path as Afghanistan. This paper analyzes what capabilities the U.S. has available from a military engineering perspective to assist Africa, what the U.S. is currently doing with that capability in East Africa, and whether that effort is accomplishing U.S. strategic objectives there."
Army War College (U.S.)
Dalton, Sean
2013-03
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SAVER TechNote: Fingerprint Processing and Identification Equipment [December 2012]
"Fingerprints--the small ridges of skin on the fingertips which may enhance texture perception and grip friction--are unique to each person and have been used in identification for more than 100 years. Identification, the process of comparing a set of prints or a single print to others in a database, is used in many aspects of law enforcement and counterterrorism operations and investigations. Fingerprints may be compared to local and national databases for criminal history or to watch lists for border security. Latent prints from crime scenes are used in forensic investigations. Fingerprints can also be used to identify victims and for access control. Each application involves different processes for fingerprint capture and database searching and matching. An Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) uses imaging technology, computers, and software to acquire, store, and search fingerprint data."
System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER); United States. Department of Homeland Security
2012-12
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Somalia - Hidden Threat to Our Homeland
"In Somalia in 1993, famine and civil war riddled the country resulting in hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths leading to a major United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping mission and U.S. led military operations. Following the U.S. led Battle of Mogadishu, which resulted in a strategic disaster and U.S. withdrawal that scarred public opinion, Somalia became a politically sensitive and emotive issue impacting U.S. policy. This thesis will identify the clear and present danger that Somalia's terrorist and violent extremist networks (VEN) pose to our country and if U.S. policy remains unchanged will lead to attacks within our borders emanating from Somalia. U.S. policy shortfalls in our National Security Strategy and military oversight by U.S. Africa Command in the U.S. defense strategies fail to address this threat."
Joint Forces Staff College (U.S.); National Defense University
Fallin, Donald G.
2012-06-15
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Pakistan and the United States 2004-2005: Deepening the Entente
"The year 2004 ended with ties between the United States and Pakistan still showing signs of fragility but with more reasons than before to consider along-term alliance between them a realistic prospect. U.S. government military and economic assistance to Pakistan was beginning to achieve a scale by the end of 2004 commensurate with Pakistan's designation in June as a Major Non NATO Ally (MNNA). In return for U.S. aid, Pakistan committed itself to a three-pronged counter-terrorism program consisting of efforts to (1) suppress militant Islamic extremist activity within Pakistan; (2) stabilize the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan; and (3) end infiltration by militant separatists across the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. In spite of deepening collaboration between the United States and Pakistan, substantial differences remained over the war on terrorism,nuclear proliferation, and democratic reform. However, the most likely source of severe discord between the United States and Pakistan remained unchanged--differences in each side's strategic assessments of neighboring India. For U.S.-Pakistan relations to retain a reasonable prospect of surviving past the immediate task of fighting terrorism, Washington and Islamabad will have to forge a vision of regional security and order that more fully accommodates their respective mutual interests."
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Wirsing, Robert G.
2005-02
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Mongolia's Counter-Terrorism Architecture: Implications for Domestic Development and Foreign Partnership
"At first glance, Mongolia's decade-long attempt to develop a domestic counter-terrorism capacity seems counter-intuitive. The country has not experienced a terrorist attack nor does it face any immediate pressure from terrorist groups within or on its borders. Mongolia's small and diffuse population, its geographic isolation, and its neutral foreign policy also suggest a relative insulation from terrorist threats. Through closer consideration of Mongolia's counter-terrorism architecture, however, one can discern a clear logic in the state's approach. For Mongolia, counter-terrorism is as much about fostering inter-agency cooperation and facilitating foreign cooperation as it is about securing the country from a largely theoretical threat. The state's multiple-use of its domestic counter-terrorism architecture becomes clear when one examines the country's primary counter-terror institutions: the 2004 Law of Combating Terrorism and the National Counter-Terrorism Coordinative Council (NCTCC)."
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Reeves, Jeffrey
2014-10
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Optimists Have the Lead, for Now: Russia's China Debate
"Despite their differing approaches to post communist transition, Russia and China have established close political, military and economic relations. The two countries basically share the same views on principles governing international relations, emphasizing in particular their preference for a multipolar world.However, for Russia, China represents not only an opportunity for retaining global and regional influence but also a potential security threat as a rising great power, undergoing impressive military modernization and economic expansion, overpopulated and sitting astride the wide expanses of Russia's underpopulated Far East,where energy and other natural resources abound. The dissonance between the positive that has been achieved between Moscow and Beijing and the unpredictability of what lies ahead in the relationship between the two has triggered a lively debate in Russia's political, diplomatic, military and academic circles. There are several schools of thought in Russia regarding its relations with China. The optimists see China as a strategic ally against the West, while the pessimists believe China is Russia's largest threat. The differences of opinion on China can be drawn along ideological lines, strategic perspectives, geographic location or practical gains or losses of particular actors. The most controversial areas of Russo-Chinese relations are border issues, migration, arms sales, and energy cooperation. The intensity of Russia's China debate depends on the evolving correlation of national power between Russia and China, the fluctuating level of understanding between Moscow and the Russian Far East but also on the state of Russia's and China's uneasy relations with the United States. At the moment, the optimists prevail in the debate, which can be explained by the huge commercial benefits of cooperation with China as well as Beijing's reluctance to challenge Russia's global and regional interests, in contrast to the United States' more ambitious role in the world including the former Soviet republics."
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Azizian, Rouben
2003-12
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Commercial Multimodal Cargo Procedures in Dubai Were Generally Effective, but Contract Oversight Could Be Improved
"This is one in a series of reports regarding U.S. Transportation Command's (USTRANSCOM's) support of the Afghanistan drawdown. Our objective was to determine whether effective procedures were in place to process equipment at transfer locations in Southwest Asia. We evaluated whether the security, accountability, and timeliness of commercial multimodal procedures in Dubai were effective and whether controls were in place to provide oversight of the process. STRANSCOM generally used effective procedures for processing commercial multimodal cargo in Dubai. However, U.S. Central Command's Customs and Border Clearance Agents (CBCAs) did not always apply U.S.-compliant seals because they followed outdated guidance. As a result, unauthorized individuals could gain access to, and potentially steal, Government cargo during transit. When notified, U.S. Central Command officials promptly took action to fix the deficiency. In addition, USTRANSCOM contracting officials did not provide sufficient oversight because they structured the contract to minimize Government involvement. Specifically, USTRANSCOM contracting officials did not appoint a contracting officer's representative (COR) in Dubai to oversee contractor operations because the contract structure allowed oversight from headquarters, instead of Dubai. In addition, contracting officials did not test contractor-submitted electronic data interchange transactions used to verify contractor performance because they did not develop internal control procedures to validate the in-transit visibility (ITV) data. Additionally, they did not maintain records of all subcontractors performing under the contract because the contract did not require the prime contractors to submit the names of their subcontractors."
United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General
2014-04-11
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Two-Headed Eagle: Faces of Russian Foreign Policy
"The former Soviet states in Central and Eastern Europe comprise a prominent portion of the Russian Federation's 'Near Abroad.' During and since World War II, these countries have alternately served as an adversary avenue of approach and a security zone for the Soviet Union. Since the end of the Cold War, these countries have remained a zone of competition and contestation between Russia and Western Europe. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, just over 25 million Soviet citizens of Russian cultural and linguistic descent were displaced beyond the Russian Federation's border in newly independent states. In addition, the Soviet Union's superpower status disappeared virtually overnight. Since then, President Boris Yeltsin and President Vladimir Putin have steadily attempted to restore Russia's regional credibility in an attempt to revive Russia's status as a great global power. The primary method for achieving this is through reconstitution of regional, multilateral institutions while remaining active in international institutions such as the United Nations. After Putin's election as President in 2000, the Kremlin diverged from the erratic foreign policy dealings with the Near Abroad in 1990s through attempts to strengthen the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russia's conflict with Georgia in 2008, occupation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and continuing military involvement in Eastern Ukraine have damaged relations between the West and Russia. This discussion argues that Putin's recent actions in the Near Abroad are consistent with past Soviet and Russian leaders' desire to manage the securitization of these countries as a matter of honor and prestige as a precursor to restoring regional hegemony."
Air University (U.S.). School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
Bemish, Brad
2015-06
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Outsourcing Strategic Services in the Colombian Defense Sector: Analysis of a Naval Aviation Case
From the thesis abstract: "The Colombian Navy (COLNAV) has been outsourcing flight services from a private company since 2003 in order to provide transportation for troops and military cargo as well as general logistical support. The Colombian Naval Aviation's (AVNA) lack of proper equipment to perform these types of missions in a cost-efficient manner has required the senior naval command to sign iterative contracts, over four years, with a private contractor, one of the two companies with such capacity in the country, and the only one with the available resources to accomplish the contracts' terms. Such limitations have developed a highly-dependent relationship with one supplier, resulting in a non-beneficial agreement for COLNAV, especially with sensitive security implications, considering the internal Colombian context generated by the Narco-terrorist Organizations (ONT) within the national borders. This situation will be analyzed from a managerial perspective, and using a Game Theory approach, present four possible alternatives in order to strengthen COLNAV's bargaining position when dealing with a sole source of aviation services and, thus, improve the Naval Aviation's capabilities in the long run."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Godoy, Alberto E.
2007-12
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Coalition Operations in Afghanistan Post 2014
From the thesis abstract: "On 21 November 1878, the British invaded Afghanistan, defeated the Afghan Army, and installed a new government. [...] As the Coalition enters its thirteenth year in Afghanistan, there are questions about our objectives, the approach, and chances for success. This paper seeks to answer these questions. It argues that Afghan stability will only be achieved through a long-term approach using a single, small, civil-military command, supporting civilian-led efforts to improve governmental capacity, linking the central government to rural Afghans. It does so by explaining why continued Coalition efforts in Afghanistan are so important, in light of an unstable region with violent extremists, and nuclear weapons. This work then describes the current situation in Afghanistan and bordering Pakistan; both countries having inept, corrupt governments, Islamic fundamentalists, and ungoverned areas. This paper continues by describing previous attempts at stabilizing the region by the Soviets. This includes their approach to security, military advisory missions, developmental efforts, educational programs, and governmental reform. The ongoing conflict, spanning multiple decades, is examined, describing the numerous factors which have torn the fabric of Afghan society, leaving a fractured state in its wake. This paper compares Soviet methods and results to those of the current coalition, showing they mirror one another in many ways. Finally, recommendations are made for an alternative approach with a single, smaller, civil-military command focused on improving governmental capacity and positive influence on rural Afghans."
Air University (U.S.). Air War College
Klawunder, Shawn
2013-02-14
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DHS' Joint Task Forces
"In 2014, DHS created three pilot Joint Task Forces (JTF) to address challenges along the Southern Border. We initiated an audit in September 2016 to determine the Department's progress in implementing the JTFs. In December 2016, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) granting the Secretary additional authorities to establish JTFs headed by a presidentially appointed Director. This report provides our views of successes and some challenges the JTFs face in achieving their mission."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2017-08-10
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Russia and NATO Enlargement: The Assurances in 1990 and Their Implications
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the alleged assurances made to Moscow during German unification discussions in 1989-1990. Specifically, Moscow alleges that Western governments offered assurances to the Soviet Union that NATO would not expand beyond its then current borders if Moscow agreed to allow a unified Germany to join NATO as a full member. Since the first post-Cold War round of NATO expansion in 1997-1999, Moscow has raised the issue of broken promises made to the Soviet Union several times. While it can be argued that the Soviet Union had little choice but to yield to Western pressures, it appears that in 1990 some U.S. and West German officials gave informal assurances with respect to Soviet security concerns, including potential NATO expansion eastward. This thesis examines the hypothesis that the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, and other NATO countries did not make - and did not intend to make - a commitment ruling out future NATO enlargement, but that Soviet officials got the mistaken impression that such a commitment was made. The thesis investigates whether this hypothesis is supported by the evidence and considers how the Soviets received this."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Heller, Adam R.
2009-06
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Soldiers, Scholars, Diplomats: Educating Strategic Leaders at Foreign Staff Colleges
"This monograph examines the value added to the US Army by sending officers to foreign staff colleges. It argues that the US Army should educate more of its best field grade officers abroad to gain worldly, contextual intelligence. Ultimately, a foreign staff college experience, preceded by the US Army's Command and General Staff College (CGSC) resident course, will develop better strategic thinkers and leaders. In this research, General Albert C. Wedemeyer's personal archives at Stanford University provide keen insight into the strategic contribution officers educated abroad can have on national security. Next, a survey ofUS Army officers who graduated from a foreign staff college in the last ten years confirms several valuable aspects of an overseas education, and identifies areas of the program to improve. Finally, this monograph recommends increasing the available opportunities for US Army officers to attend foreign staff colleges, with a weighted priority in Asia and Europe. It also recommends sending the top 10% of each year's graduating CGSC class, approximately 100 officers, to foreign language training followed by a foreign staff college education. This benefits the US Army by growing the pool of organizational leaders who can readily contextualize the challenges of a complex world beyond American borders."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Gin, Christopher M.
2016
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Knowing Your Partner: The Evolution of Brazilian Special Operations Forces
"If combined special operations are to be conducted effectively in the complex strategic environment of a post 9/11 world, then it is necessary to have a sound understanding of each nation's interests, defense policies, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) capabilities and practices. This monograph contributes to that goal by exploring avenues for U.S.-Brazilian SOF interaction and cooperation. It provides on an overview of Brazil, its national security and defense policy, and current relations with the United States. This monograph describes the history and present organization of Brazilian SOF and considers its future. To this end, the purpose of this monograph is to offer the U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) community a portrait of Brazilian SOF in areas such as the Tri-Border Area of the Southern Cone, and other operational environments."
Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)
de Souza Pinheiro, Alvaro
2012-08
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Spring 2009 Industry Study: Electronics Industry
From the abstract: "The semiconductor industry is under pressure, thus accelerating the industry evolution from vertical integration to specialization and collaboration. Speed-to-market, function integration, low power, and customer focus are increasingly important. Clustering and collaborative efforts are needed to offset the high costs of new development and are necessary for knowledge fusion and cross-disciplinary research. The US currently lacks a comprehensive plan to fully capitalize on opportunities presented by the new environment and ensure continued leadership. The US needs strategies to retain top intellectual talent, bolster industry-leading R&D, set conditions for success within American borders, and secure the supply chain for DoD requirements."
National Defense University
2009
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2007 Posture Statement: A Campaign Quality Army with Joint and Expeditionary Capabilities
"Soldiers are serving today in one of the most dangerous periods in our history. They are making enormous contributions and sacrifices at the forefront of the Global War on Terror. Their 'boots on the ground' have enabled historic elections in Afghanistan and Iraq and will be required for democratic institutions to take hold. Operating as part of the Joint Team, our Soldiers are preventing attacks on the Nation, responding to natural disasters at home and abroad, helping to secure our borders, and underwriting our nation's commitment to defend its interests. In light of the growing threats to the Nation posed by states and non-state movements and organizations, the environment in which our Soldiers will operate will remain extraordinarily dangerous for the foreseeable future. Our mission within this environment will remain largely unchanged. The Army, as a vital ground component of the Joint Team, will be required to conduct prompt, sustained combat and stability operations. We will continue to provide the forces and capabilities to the Combatant Commanders needed to sustain the full range of U.S. global commitments in the face of growing challenges."
United States. Department of the Army. Office of the Chief of Public Affairs
2007
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United States Attorneys' Bulletin: Fentanyl and Related Threats, Volume 66 Number 4, July 2018
This edition of the United States Attorneys' Bulletin covers Fentanyl and Related Threats. The following articles are included: "Danger in Milligrams and Micrograms: United States Attorneys' Offices Confront Illicit Fentanyls"; "A Primer on Investigating Doctors Who Illegally Prescribe Opioids"; "Investigating and Prosecuting 'Pill Press' Manufacturing Schemes"; "New Amendments to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Concerning Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues"; "The Medical Examiner's Role in Addressing the Opioid Crisis"; "Fentanyl Trafficking Trends in the United States"; "Homeland Security Investigations, Border Search Authority, and Investigative Approaches to Fentanyl Smuggling"; "Hunting in the Dark: A Prosecutor's Guide to the Dark Net and Cryptocurrencies"; "The Role of Community Outreach in the Opioid Crisis: Maintaining Hope in the Face of Rising Overdose Deaths"; "Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Substance Use: A Crisis in Indian Country"; "Public Safety and Public Health Efforts to Combat the Opioid Epidemic"; and the book review of "Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic."
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys
2018-07
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Ukraine and U.S. Security
From the thesis abstract: "Ukraine is strategically located in Europe, bordering both Russia and the NATO countries of Hungary and Poland. it possesses a great deal of potential for developing into a European power. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, U.S. strategy toward Ukraine has lacked a broad, strategic foundation; rather, it has been narrowly focused and short-sighted. Future U.S. policy should focus on assisting Ukraine to become more westernized. American diplomats should seek the support of two key multi-national institutions - the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - to achieve the desired end state of integrating Ukraine with Western Europe. While the United States must use the entire spectrum of elements of power, these two multinational institutions can further U.S. efforts to establish democratic capitalism and privatization in Ukraine and in setting the security framework for the region."
Army War College (U.S.)
Grey, Daniel G.
2002-03-22
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S. Hrg. 114-741: Russian Violations of Borders, Treaties, and Human Rights, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 7, 2016
This is a testimony compilation of the June 7, 2016 hearing on "Russian Violations of Borders, Treaties, and Human Rights," held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Victoria Nuland: "Our approach to Russia today seeks, first, to deter further aggression through the projection of strength and unity with our allies; second, to build resilience and reduce vulnerability among friends and allies that are facing Russian pressure and coercion; third, to cooperate on core security priorities when our interests and Russia's do align; and, fourth, to sustain ties to the Russian people to preserve the potential for a more constructive relationship in the future." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Victoria Nuland, Michael Carpenter, David Satter, and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Fiscal Year 2016 Audit of the DHS Bankcard Program Indicates Moderate Risk Remains
"During fiscal year 2016, DHS reported spending approximately $1.2 billion in purchase, travel, and fleet card transactions. Although the Department has established internal controls for its charge card programs, the components we reviewed did not always follow DHS' procedures. Our testing results of purchase, travel, and fleet card transactions revealed internal control weaknesses. Specifically, we found major internal control weaknesses that persisted at the United States Coast Guard and some control weaknesses within CBP's [U.S. Customs and Border Patrol] Fleet Card Program. As a result, there is moderate risk that DHS' internal controls over its charge card programs may not prevent illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2018-03-06
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Independent Review of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Reporting of FY 2007 Drug Control Performance Summary
"This report presents the results of the review of the Performance Summary of the DHS' Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the year ended September 30, 2007, for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). We contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP to perform the review. CBP's Management prepared the Performance Summary and Management Assertions to comply with the requirements of the ONDCP Circular, Drug Control Accounting, and dated May 1, 2007. The report is intended solely for the information and use of the management of DHS and CBP, the Inspector General, the ONDCP, and the U.S. Congress, and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2008-04
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Information Technology Management Letter for the FY 2007 Customs and Border Protection Financial Statement Audit (Redacted)
"The overall objective of our audit was to evaluate the effectiveness of IT general controls of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) financial processing environment and related IT infrastructure as necessary to support the engagement. The Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM), issued by the Government Accountability Office, formed the basis of our audit. The scope of the IT general controls assessment included testing at CBP's Office of Information Technology (OIT) and other offices related to the IT general controls portion of the financial statement audit. FISCAM was designed to inform financial auditors about IT controls and related audit concerns to assist them in planning their audit work and to integrate the work of auditors with other aspects of the financial audit. FISCAM also provides guidance to IT auditors when considering the scope and extent of review that generally should be performed when evaluating general controls and the IT environment of a federal agency. FISCAM defines the following six control functions to be essential to the effective operation of the general IT controls environment."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2008-05
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Independent Auditors' Report On CBP's FY 2005 Balance Sheet (Excerpts from the CBP Performance and Accountability Report)
"We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as of September 30, 2005. The objective of out audit was to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheet. In connection with our audit, we also considered CBP' internal control over financial reporting and tested CBP's compliance with certain provisions of applicable laws, regulations, and contract agreements that could have a direct and material effect on the consolidated balance sheet."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2005-12
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Ideology Has No Borders: Why We Need a Containment-Plus Strategy for the Islamic State
From the introduction: "Communism is based on a Marxist-Leninism political ideology that is anti-capitalist. It is a competing ideology to U.S. democracy. Ideology essentially drives national security strategies and strategy influences policy. The containment policy towards communism became an 'us versus them' mentality. But, if we had really stopped to consider communism as a belief, we would have realized that no matter how much military force we applied to fighting against it, we could not destroy it. If we were to conceptualize ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] in the same way that Kennan did the Soviets, there are striking similarities and it appears that the U.S. has also taken a containment policy towards fighting against ISIS. However, the Islamic State is another ideology that cannot be destroyed by bombs alone. If it is not entirely a military threat, then it cannot effectively be met by military means only. You can kill a human being, but you cannot kill a belief and ideology has no borders; therefore, it cannot be contained. Even if the U.S. and its allies were able to kill every single ISIS fighter, there would be others that would attempt to carry out that ideology or a new group would emerge. Therefore, containment alone will not meet President Barak Obama's strategy of 'degrade and destroy' ISIS. A 'containment-plus' strategy is needed to push ISIS out of Iraq, contain in Syria, and deter recruitment and support."
Air University (U.S.). Air Command and Staff College
Moon, Kelli R.
2015-04
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Operational Diplomacy: Rebuilding the Diplomatic Warrior
From the thesis abstract: "Operational Commanders are charged with directing military operations in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Traditional borders are yielding to the networking effects of globalization, greatly expanding the movement and reach of people. Citizens of the proletariat are empowered to influence both markets and nation-states to a degree unparalleled in history. Therefore, commanders at the operational level of war are challenged with building and understanding relationships with individual members of foreign societies, rather than focusing merely on their governing or military elite. In turn, the U.S. Navy must actively develop tools to integrate the diplomatic and military sources of national power at the operational level; it must develop the skills of Operational Diplomacy. The Navy Officer corps enjoys a rich tradition of diplomacy. However, this skill set has been assumed away, replacing engagement as envisioned in the National Security Strategy with mere presence. With an increasing reliance of foreign powers in both peace and combat operations, the Navy must rebuild the diplomatic warrior. Modern technology may link interagency and coalition systems, but personal relationships are required more than ever to truly integrate coalition partners. Three immediately actionable recommendations are presented for the Navy's consideration: 1) Expand State Department integration in naval training and exercises. 2) Develop public diplomacy as a core competency of Commanding Officers. 3) Mature Foreign Area Officers into a separate restricted line community."
Naval War College (U.S.). Joint Military Operations Department
Pilewski, Jerry "Swotivator"
2004-02-09
