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• Saudi Arabia [Updated June 18, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large oil reserves. Saudi leaders' domestic and foreign policy decisions are fueling calls from some U.S. leaders for a reassessment of longstanding bilateral ties. The Al Saud have sought protection, advice, technology, and armaments from the United States, along with support in developing their country's natural and human resources and in facing national security threats. U.S. leaders have valued Saudi cooperation in security and counterterrorism matters and have sought to preserve the secure, apolitical flow of the kingdom's energy resources and capital to global markets. The Trump Administration seeks to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while some in Congress call for change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Christopher M.

  2019-06-18
• Saudi Arabia [Updated February 11, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large oil reserves. Saudi leaders' domestic and foreign policy decisions are fueling calls from some U.S. leaders for a reassessment of longstanding bilateral ties. The Al Saud have sought protection, advice, technology, and armaments from the United States, along with support in developing their country's natural and human resources and in facing national security threats. U.S. leaders have valued Saudi cooperation in security and counterterrorism matters and have sought to preserve the secure, apolitical flow of the kingdom's energy resources and capital to global markets. The Trump Administration seeks to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while some in Congress call for change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Christopher M.

  2020-02-11
• Saudi Arabia [Updated March 11, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large oil reserves. Saudi leaders' domestic and foreign policy decisions are fueling calls from some U.S. leaders for a reassessment of longstanding bilateral ties. The Al Saud have sought protection, advice, technology, and armaments from the United States, along with support in developing their country's natural and human resources and in facing national security threats. U.S. leaders have valued Saudi cooperation in security and counterterrorism matters and have sought to preserve the secure, apolitical flow of the kingdom's energy resources and capital to global markets. The Trump Administration seeks to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while some in Congress call for change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Christopher M.

  2020-03-11
• Saudi Arabia [Updated April 9, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large oil reserves. Saudi leaders' domestic and foreign policy decisions are fueling calls from some U.S. leaders for a reassessment of longstanding bilateral ties. The Al Saud have sought protection, advice, technology, and armaments from the United States, along with support in developing their country's natural and human resources and in facing national security threats. U.S. leaders have valued Saudi cooperation in security and counterterrorism matters and have sought to preserve the secure, apolitical flow of the kingdom's energy resources and capital to global markets. The Trump Administration seeks to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while some in Congress call for change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Christopher M.

  2019-04-09
• Saudi Arabia [Updated August 19, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant global influence through its administration of the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large oil reserves. Saudi leaders' domestic and foreign policy decisions have been fueling calls from some U.S. leaders for a reassessment of long-standing bilateral ties. The Al Saud have sought protection, advice, technology, and armaments from the United States, along with support in developing their country's natural and human resources and in facing national security threats. U.S. leaders have valued Saudi cooperation in security and counterterrorism matters and have sought to preserve the secure, apolitical flow of the kingdom's energy resources and capital to global markets. The Trump Administration seeks to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while some in Congress call for change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Christopher M.

  2020-08-19
• United States-Israeli Relations: The Impact on U.S. National Interests

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  From the thesis abstract: "This thesis assesses the effect of the United States' relationship with Israel on U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. I conduct an analysis of U.S. interests and relations in the Middle East, separate from considerations of domestic politics, to determine whether U.S. foreign policies in fact further national interests. I analyze three U.S. national interests in the Middle East: (1) nonproliferation of WMD [Weapons of Mass Destruction], (2) spreading democracy, and (3) combating terrorism respective to Iran, Syria, and Egypt to conclude whether the national interest is positively, negatively, or negligibly affected by the U.S.--Israeli relationship. While the thesis highlights possible interests and areas where U.S. national interests are not well-served by the U.S.--Israeli relationship, the thesis does not conclude that the U.S. should withdraw support of Israel. It is in U.S. interests to support the existence of its allies. However, the thesis does conclude that greater objective debate should take place to assess the U.S.--Israeli relationship with respect to other U.S. national interests in the Middle East to ensure U.S. national security is best served by current policies."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Walzer, Lawrence M.

  2007-06
• Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief [December 4, 2015]

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  "Given its role as a close U.S. ally and partner, developments in Spain and its relations with the United States are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress. This report provides an overview and assessment of some of the main dimensions of these topics." These four topics include: "[1] Domestic Political and Economic Issues. The government of Spain is led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the center-right Popular Party (PP). The PP won an absolute majority in the general election of November 2011. […] [2] Regional Issues. The Spanish government is firmly opposed to a long-standing independence movement in Catalonia, a region of northeast Spain that includes Barcelona. In November 2015, Spain's constitutional court blocked an attempt by the regional Catalan parliament to begin the process of forming an independent state. […] [3] Counterterrorism. The United States and Spain cooperate closely on counterterrorism issues. An estimated 50 to 100 Spanish citizens and approximately 1,200 Moroccan nationals with Spanish residency cards are thought to have joined jihadist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. […] [4] U.S.-Spain Defense Relations. Spain plays an important role in U.S. defense strategy for Europe and Africa. Four U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system are stationed at the Rota naval base as part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense in Europe. Additionally, Morón air base is the headquarters for a rapid reaction force of 2,200 U.S. Marines that protects U.S. interests and personnel in North Africa. […] [5] U.S.-Spain Economic Relations. Investment flows between the United States and Spain totaled nearly $80 billion in 2013, and the trade relationship totaled nearly $25 billion in 2014. Approximately 1,200 U.S. firms operate subsidiaries and branches in Spain."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mix, Derek E.

  2015-12-04
• Utilizing Current Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Facial-Recognition and Public Live Streaming to Enhance National Security

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  From the thesis abstract: "The nation's security depends in part on proactive approaches and methods to evolving technologies for identifying persons of interest, enemies of state (foreign and domestic), potential acts of terrorism, and foreign intelligence. Currently, state and federal entities operate passive surveillance technologies with biometrics to identify and curtail national security threats, so as to act within the confines of the Act for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. However, such surveillance technologies are implemented independently by state and federal agencies, which cause a significant delay in the identification of persons of interest. Consequently, acts of terrorism on U.S. soil as well as U.S. assets abroad that could have otherwise been prevented may occur. This thesis proposes a generic interoperability technology approach that considers the networking of public live video streaming with state and federal surveillance technologies (including traffic cameras integrated with facial recognition technologies) interlinked with the National Criminal Information Center and Federal Terrorist Screening Database. Requirements surrounding data format and transmission protocols were studied, and concerns regarding existing 'need to know' requirements are addressed. The interoperability, or systems of systems approach, and concept of operation is applied to further the enhancement of and fill a capability gap by providing actionable intelligence in real-time using biometrics technologies."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Cruz, Victor F.

  2014-09
• Serial No. 115-37: Combating Homegrown Terrorism, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, July 27, 2017

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  This is the July 27, 2017 hearing on "Combating Homegrown Terrorism" held before the Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. From the opening statement of Ron DeSantis: "In the words of DHS Secretary John Kelly, the United States is experiencing a, quote, 'unprecedented spike in homegrown terrorism.' Currently, the FBI has open terrorism investigations in all 50 States. As of June 2017, the U.S. Government has charged 128 individuals with offenses related to the Islamic State over the last three years. Radical Islamic extremism is the primary driver of this problem and deserves the government's immediate attention. In recent years, the Federal Government has sought to combat this problem under the guise of a program called Countering Violent Extremism, or CVE. Three cities were used to conduct pilot programs: Los Angeles, Boston, and Minneapolis. Minneapolis is a particularly troublesome area, as it is a major center of Islamic terrorist activity. The region is home to the largest concentration of Somali refugees and has been the epicenter for domestic radicalization. [...] Today, the subcommittee seeks to understand what this administration's policy is for countering violent extremism. According to DHS, this policy is currently under review, and DHS has declined to share any details about this process, including when this review is supposed to be complete and which organizations are participating. For Congress' immediate purposes, we must determine what is driving DHS's agenda: the assumptions of the Obama era about countering this threat or the President's pledge to put political correctness aside and defeat the Islamic State at home and abroad." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kerry Sleeper, George Selim, Raheel Raza, Adnan Kifayat, and Seamus Hughes.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• 'Global' Homeland: International Perspectives on Counterterrorism and Homeland Security

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  "Given the immediacy in both time and space of the terrorist threat, it is easy to become overly focused on the issue as regards only the United States and the U.S. homeland. Yet, we are not in this alone. Other nations, international organizations such as NATO and the European Union, and transnational law enforcement agencies such as Europol and Interpol are deeply committed to the counter terror effort. Seeing the Global War on Terror from their perspective provides both greater insight and greater opportunities for crushing the enemies of civilized peoples throughout the world. A venue towards a better understanding of international perspectives on issues of domestic security and counterterrorism was recently held in London, at a Homeland Security Conference sponsored by the SMi group. Held from 23-24 February, the forum featured presentations depicting perspectives ranging from the private sector through local, national and international law enforcement agencies; to disparate national governmental efforts; on through regional and international alliances. Functional issues including port security, stemming the flow of terrorist financing defense against chemical, biological and radiological attacks and more were presented by subject matter experts from six different countries, the European Union, and NATO."

  Army War College (U.S.). Center for Strategic Leadership

  Tussing, Bert B.

  2004-05
• Medical Management of Biologic Casualties Handbook; Fourth Edition

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  "Medical defense against biological warfare or terrorism is an area of study unfamiliar to most military and civilian health care providers during peacetime. In the aftermath of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, it became obvious that the threat of biological attacks against our soldiers was real. Increased incidents and threats of domestic terrorism (e.g., New York City World Trade Center bombing, Tokyo subway sarin release, Oklahoma City federal building bombing, Atlanta Centennial Park bombing) as well as numerous anthrax hoaxes around the country have brought the issue home to civilians as well. Other issues, including the disclosure of a sophisticated offensive biological warfare program in the Former Soviet Union (FSU), have reinforced the need for increased training and education of health care professionals on how to prevent and treat biological warfare casualties. Numerous measures to improve preparedness for and response to biological warfare or terrorism are ongoing at local, state, and federal levels. Training efforts have increased both in the military and civilian sectors. The Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Course taught at both USAMRIID [U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases] and USAMRICD [U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense] trains over 560 military medical professionals each year on both biological and chemical medical defense. The highly successful 3-day USAMRIID satellite course on the Medical Management of Biological Casualties has reached over 40,000 medical personnel over the last three years. Through this handbook and the training courses noted above, medical professionals will learn that effective medical countermeasures are available against many of the bacteria, viruses, and toxins, which might be, used as biological weapons against our military forces or civilian communities."

  United States. Department of Defense; U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

  Kortepeter, Mark; Christopher, George W.; Cieslak, Ted

  2001-02
• Delineating the Boundary Between Permitted Biodefense and Prohibited Offensive Biological Research, Volume I

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  "The increased threat of bioterrorism has resulted in an unprecedented increase in efforts to enhance national biodefense capabilities. In the past ten years, the class of potential BW [Biological Weapons] users has expanded to include not only a growing number of developing nations but also non- state actors such as terrorist groups. The biological threat has changed to include the use of BW not only on the battlefield but also as agents of terror. The emergence of this threat has far reaching implications for US policy makers. Public perception of the dramatic increase in BW defense spending and the expansion of facilities and sites capable of working with biohazardous materials has resulted in fears of reemergence of an offensive BW program among both domestic and international audiences. Complicating that situation is the emerging struggle between the need for open scientific research and enhanced biosecurity measures that may require classification of some research. The US unilaterally renounced offensive biological warfare in the late 1960s and early 1970's and is a signatory to both the Geneva Protocol and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). This project explores interpretations of these biowarfare treaty protocols and the criteria for distinguishing between offensive and defensive biological warfare programs (Convention on the Prohibition). The objective of this project was to delineate how the boundary between permitted biodefense and prohibited offensive biological research has been established in the past and what criteria and processes are in place to make that determination today. We attempted to identify what the current filtering process is for designating biological research projects as either offensive or defensive in nature and to understand the historical path taken to establish said filters." Note: This document has been added to the Homeland Security Digital Library in agreement with the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) as part of the PASCC collection. Permission to download and/or retrieve this resource has been obtained through PASCC.

  United States. Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Advanced Systems and Concepts Office

  Westinghouse Safety Management Solution, LLC

  2004-07-23
• Algeria: Current Issues [April 24, 2006]

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  "The situation in Algeria is generally good. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was reelected in 2004 with some manipulation of the political process but without blatant fraud, suggesting modest progress toward democratization. The voice of the military, the most significant political force since independence, has been muted. Domestic terrorism has decreased after a decade of civil conflict, yet Algerians continue to be linked to terror abroad. The U.S. State Departments lists the two Algerian groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Terrorism provides a rationale for Algeria's uneven human rights record. Growing oil revenues have spurred economic growth and social investment. Bouteflika has energized foreign policy and broadened cooperation with the United States. This report will be updated if warranted. See also CRS Report RS20962, 'Western Sahara: The United Nations Shifts Course.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2006-04-24
• Information Operations

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  This Strategy Research Project proposes designation of a single entity within the federal government to provide strategic guidance across the breadth of the nation's elements of power. It would coordinate and improve the security of the nation's critical information infrastructure, which is essential for the survival and prosperity of the United States. A review of the recent terrorist activities in the United States and the declaration of war against global terrorism revealed U.S. weakness in its ability to protect itself internally against terrorist activities. Area shortfalls include a lack of structure and policy and, in some cases, organizational structure that is focused on Homeland Defense. The U.S. also revealed an inability to protect its citizens, its physical infrastructures, the nation's economic structure, and critical information infrastructures. Numerous policies regarding domestic terrorists have been written and debated, but shelved. On 11 September 2001, America witnessed terror firsthand in a well orchestrated attack that ripped and tore the economic and military fabric of its foundation. This event has prompted U.S. leaders to take a serious look internally at securing the liberty and prosperity of the nation's foundation. This paper will define Information Operations as it relates to securing the U.S. critical information infrastructure. It will review relevant Presidential Decision Directives, as well as regulatory and policy guidance and joint publications doctrine for guidance to Information Operations (IO); analyze challenges to the system; and discuss using the office of Homeland Defense to strategically organize IO. It concludes with recommendations to enhance the security of the nation's critical information infrastructure.

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Burnett, Peter L., Jr.

  2002-04-09
• Vulnerabilities of U.S. Strategic Ports to Acts of Sabotage

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  In an era where war is a 'come as you are' affair, the ramifications of arriving too late, or with insufficient forces could prove to be devastating. The recent bombings of the World Trade Center and in Oklahoma City shattered the myth that the United States is exempt from the effects of terrorism. The changing global security environment demands increase vigilance in guarding our vital institutions. The U.S. deterrent policy relies on power projection and the ability to get forces to areas of crisis in a timely manner. The U.S. deploys 95% of its supplies and equipment by sea. We can no longer assume that our domestic seaports are free from the effects of sabotage and terrorism. The U.S. seaports present an exposed target whose attack would serve to enhance the aims of any terrorist organization. It is conceivable that a single, violent act could shatter the balanced, time-sensitive U.S. deployment schedule. The vulnerabilities of our strategic seaports, which deploy and sustain our forces, demands a new sense of awareness on the part of the Department of Defense.

  Naval War College (U.S.)

  Grohoski, David C.

  1996-02-12
• Post 2014 Afghanistan: Challenges to India's Securitization

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  "This study comprises an analysis of the present security situation in Afghanistan. As US forces prepare for their drawdown at the end of 2014, the regional security environment could present huge challenges for India's securitization. The author assesses the importance of a stable Afghanistan in the regional security environment and uses Barry Buzan's Regional Security Complex (RSC) Theory as the basis of this analysis. Afghanistan is found to no longer be a weak insulator state, as many political scientists have classified it. Rather, as one of the largest producers of terrorism and narcotics, Afghanistan has the potential to impact the core security concerns of all the RSCs that surround it: the Persian Gulf Region, the CAR Region and the South Asian Region. Next, the author uses Buzan's Security Constellation to analyze Afghanistan's impact on India's securitization at the domestic, regional, inter-regional and global levels. Afghanistan is critical to India's security at all levels, and as a rising regional power, India needs to exercise greater control over its regional security environment. Since 2001 Afghanistan has risen from the ashes, under the US security umbrella and with tireless support from the international community. In the last twelve years, India has made remarkable contributions to the resurrection process of Afghanistan; the bilateral strategic agreement signed between India and Afghanistan in 2011 is an indication of India's long- term commitment to Afghanistan. As US forces move closer to their withdrawal at the end of 2014, India is mulling over its options vis-a-vis Afghanistan to ensure its security. Apprehensive over its western adversary, Pakistan, which relies on terrorism to further its anti-India policy, India is skeptical of increasing its engagement in Afghanistan. The author believes it is in India's long-term interest to engage proactively in Afghanistan. India should engage bilaterally with Afghanistan, regionally with Pakistan and Iran, and globally with the US to continue its Afghan policy. The US foresees greater engagement with India and it is in India's interests to increase its engagement with Afghanistan's neighbors to secure its interests in the region. As India currently stands at the cusp of greatness, it is time to take a leap of faith."

  Air University (U.S.). School of Advanced Air and Space Studies

  Sharma, Anurag

  2014-06
• Crisis in Strategic Communication: A Combatant Command Solution

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  "When the United States became the world's sole super power, the events of September 11, 2001, were not foreseeable, and the hatred that many people currently have for America was not easily predictable. Today Islamic terrorists want to destroy the U.S. way of life and eliminate Western influence in the world. The threat we face today is as serious as the one we faced more than fifty years ago at the beginning of the Cold War. The Cold War taught us many lessons about dealing with dis-information campaigns and the time is right to remember those lessons. The U.S. inability to positively promote an honorable image in the Global War on Terrorism has created a crisis in our Strategic Communication strategy. Our adversaries, both foreign and domestic, will continue to misrepresent U.S. goals and values in an effort to undermine our war aims. Strategic Communication is a difficult mission to get right every time but in order to win the battle for the hearts and minds of people around the world we must take this mission seriously and apply the right resources and talents to the solution. As part of the solution we need to build Combatant Command offices that are dedicated solely to the Strategic Communication mission. We should accept the fact that Strategic Communication is vital to our long term objectives and build and maintain organizations that can perform it. Fifty years from now our grandchildren will ask how we won (or lost) the Global War on Terrorism. Fifty years from now our grandchildren will ask why the Islamic world loves (or still hates) the United States."

  Joint Forces Staff College (U.S.)

  Stratton, Mark E., II

  2005-06
• Natural Gas and Energy Security in Trinidad and Tobago and their Impact on U.S. Energy Policy and Caribbean Stability

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  The current focus of the Global War on terror in the Middle East and in increased surveillance on U.S. borders has left a third border, the Caribbean, open to terrorist infiltration and attack. Large scale U.S. direct investment in the industrialized island nation of Trinidad and Tobago relative to the other islands in the region and Latin America, and the U.S. current dependence on it for the majority of its liquefied natural gas imports, makes it an attractive target for terror. While there has been reasonable research on the effects of a domestic terrorist attack on the American economy, there has been little research on the effects of an attack on one of the United States critical energy sources. This thesis will examine this subject and analyze the possibility of such an attack and the projected dire consequences for Trinidad and Tobago, the region and U.S. energy security initiatives. This thesis will also attempt to focus on some policy implications for improved security in this area.

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Kelshall, Jason R.

  2005-12
• Improving Security Ties with India

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  "India has entered a new era as a rising regional power in Asia. The sub-continent lies along one of the world's most dangerous flash-points: the Kashmir Border with Pakistan and China. The long-standing crisis in the Kashmir area has the potential to destabilize the entire region. This underscores the need for US mediation between Pakistan and India, as the consequences of either a nuclear or non-nuclear war there would be disastrous for the US Global War on Terrorism. India as a democracy with a large economic base is an increasingly important ally in the region, although rising Hindu fundamentalism does pose a danger to the secular framework of modern India. India sees itself as a dominant power in the region and shares many common goals with the United States in South Asia. These goals include: Managing the consequences of instability; Eliminating the ideological and financial sources of terrorism; Protecting the sea lanes of communication; Securing a stable and free access to energy sources/markets in the region; Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States must make a more concerted effort to enhance relations with India to foster peace and stability in South Asia, while maintaining a balance with its neighbor, Pakistan. The purpose of this paper is to examine common US-Indian goals, India's domestic concerns that shape its foreign policy, as well as explore India's role in the South Asian region vis-à-vis its neighbors, and the evolution of US-Indian relations since independence and their impact on today's relations. This paper will also recommend options for the United States to improve its security ties with India by increasing bilateral efforts through diplomatic, informational, military and economic means."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  McLaughlin, W. P.

  2003-04-07
• Improving Strategies to Prevent and Prepare for Radiological Attack

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  "The threat of radiological attack against the United States is viewed as credible, imminent, and capable of inflicting lasting negative impacts on domestic society. The United States is pursuing detection/denial and public preparedness strategies in order to prevent and minimize the effects of a possible radiological terrorist attack. This thesis surveys the prevalence of radiological material in society, as well as major U.S. programs to secure international trade, U.S. borders, and radiological material, and to prepare the public in order to determine their effectiveness against the threat of radiological attack. The research conducted indicates that U.S. government strategies against the radiological threat favor costly and problematic technological detection programs over public preparedness strategies, which are not optimized or resourced to address the general public's fear of radiation, fatalism toward terrorism preparedness, and skepticism of the government as a credible source of information on terrorism and radiation. This thesis concludes that the government should empower the Weapons of Mass Destruction czar with strategic oversight and technology funding-approval authority to de-conflict and streamline technological detection programs at the national level. It should also improve public education outreach resourcing and capabilities to increase public preparedness, thereby developing the public into a national security asset."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Dubay, Anthony R.

  2010-03
• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Instability in the Middle East

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  From the thesis abstract: "Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini formed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1979 to protect his regime against external and domestic threats. The IRGC has opposed US policies in the Middle East since the IRGC's founding in 1979. The IRGC controls the Iranian nuclear weapon program and their quest for nuclear weapons is a long-term challenge to US interests. Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology and enrichment capabilities also poses a serious challenge to the United States' strategic partners: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan. The Revolutionary Guard has sponsored insurgent groups such as Hezbollah, Muqtada Sadr's Jaysh al-Mahdi, and Hamas because the IRGC has a goal to spread a Shi'i version of totalitarian Islam. This paper is an analysis of the IRGC's nuclear weapon program and the IRGC's sponsorship of militant Islamic groups. This paper also assesses possible US government responses: multilateral sanctions, regional alliances, covert action, and overt military action. The United States must address the impacts of Iran's missile arsenal, the concern for Israel's safety, the integrity of the Persian Gulf shipping lanes within the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of Iranian coordination of terrorist attacks around the globe. The United States government must respond to the IRGC's sponsorship of terrorism and control of the Iranian nuclear program to reduce Iranian aggression, control nuclear weapons proliferation, contain totalitarian Islamism, and reduce terrorism."

  Marine Corps Command and Staff College (U.S.)

  Cunningham, Brian H.

  2009
• Citizens in the Crosshairs: Ready, Aim, Hold Your Fire?

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  From the thesis abstract: "The United States has increasingly relied on targeted killing as an important tactic in its war on terror, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Despite its increased use, targeted killing has proved a divisive practice and generated considerable controversy. Many criticized the lethal targeting of a U.S. citizen in 2011 as violative of U.S. law and a deprivation of due process. Still, international and domestic law appear to support the government's ability to lethally target U.S. citizens. To date, however, the government has demonstrated little transparency and no public accountability regarding this contentious and sensitive practice. While some degree of secrecy is warranted, the government must be more forthcoming if it wants to maintain the viability of an increasingly important tactic in the war on terror, especially where the targeting of U.S. citizens is involved."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Corey, Ian G.

  2012-03-21
• U.S.-India Security Relations [November 22, 2002]

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  "This report discusses the reasons behind the U.S.-India relationship, how the United States benefits from this new relationship, and the potential problems that may emerge, both as a result of India's domestic constraints as well as its perceived foreign policy objectives. In the past two years, the United States and India have moved away from the misperceptions of the Cold War that prevented a strong relationship between the world's strongest democracy and its largest one. Instead, there has been an emphasis on common security interests that are both short term as well as those encompassing future concerns. These interests include joint operations and patrolling, transfers of weapons technologies to ensure interoperability, sharing information on and countering international terrorism, and India playing a role in multilateral peacekeeping and peace enforcement efforts. Ethnic tensions and conflicts with Pakistan over Kashmir have also forced the Indian government to divert resources from international issues to the maintenance of internal security. At the external level, doubts remain in India about the value of a full-fledged security relationship with the United States because it would mean moving away from the country's traditional policy of non-alignment. From the United States' perspective, U.S. relations with India need to be balanced by relations with Pakistan, the needs of the war on terror, and China's behavior."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gupta, Amit Kumar

  2002-11-22
• U.S.-Kenya Relations: Current Political and Security Issues [September 23, 2013]

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  "The U.S. government views Kenya as a strategic partner and anchor state in East Africa, and as critical to counterterrorism efforts in the region. Kenya has repeatedly been a target of terrorist attacks, and, as the September 2013 attack on an upscale Nairobi shopping mall underscores, terrorist threats against international and domestic targets in Kenya remain a serious concern. Kenya's military plays a key role in regional operations against Al Shabaab in Somalia. The Al Qaeda-affiliated Somali insurgent group has claimed responsibility for the Westgate Mall attack ostensibly in response to Kenya's military offensive against the group across the Somali border. The incident is the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing and the group's first successful large-scale operation in the Kenyan capital. Kenya ranks among the top U.S. foreign aid recipients in the world, receiving significant development, humanitarian, and security assistance in recent years. The country, which is a top recipient of police and military counterterrorism assistance on the continent, hosts the largest U.S. diplomatic mission in Africa. Nairobi is home to one of four major United Nations offices worldwide."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blanchard, Lauren Ploch

  2013-09-23
• To Lose China's Support is to Lose Superpower Status

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  From the thesis abstract: "The United States has been the worlds leading superpower since the end of World War II. However, if history tells us anything, it surely tells us that superpowers, whether a superpower in the true sense of the word, a hegemonic power, imperial dynasty, or even an empire, do not last forever. Many journals often tout China as the next likely superpower. The United States has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world. However, the United States is also $12.25 trillion dollars in debt with China being the largest foreign holder of this debt. Additionally, the trade balance, or rather the trade imbalance, between the United States and China is very telling. While the United States receives 16.9% of its imports from China, Chinain turnonly imports 5.6% of its imports from the United States. Given Americas significant debt and trade imbalance with China, the U.S. must maintain good relations with China in order to retain its superpower status. As a communist country, China may never fit the mold to become a full ally with the United States, assisting all NATO countries in spreading democracy around the world. However, the United States must accept the fact that China does possess vital resources and capabilities that would be extremely helpful in assisting to solve world crisis. While the U.S. continues to fight a War on Terror, with no end in sight, and while continuing to honor its commitments to allied nations around the world for various reasons to include domestic, humanitarian, and military operations other than war, it is critical to gain (additional) support from countries able to assist. And China, with its vast economic resources, is a country able to assistthus affording the United States a better opportunity to remain a superpower."

  Joint Forces Staff College (U.S.). Joint Advanced Warfighting School

  Washington, Fletcher V.

  2010-04-02
• Evolving Roles and Missions for the Reserve Components in Responding to Incidents Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction

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  The U.S. received a wake-up call with the Oklahoma City, World Trade Center, and Khobar Towers bombing incidents. These seminal events spurred Congress and federal, state, and local government agencies to actively assess the nation's readiness to respond to an incident involving a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). The federal government has made WMD consequence management (CM) preparedness one of five major program thrusts associated with countering domestic threats, and the President's budget contains $1.5 billion towards defense against WMD in FY01. Almost 42% ($630M) is dedicated to preparing for and responding to a WMD incident. Within the $630M, $75M is targeted to Reserve Component (RC) integration into this vital area. Early on, the Deputy Secretary of Defense established that Reserve components needed to be fully integrated into the Department's WMD response capabilities. The "Tiger Team Report," Defense Reform Initiative #25, and two Defense Planning Guidance documents have identified roles and missions and funding responsibilities for the RC. Also in January 1998, Defense Reform Initiative #25 requested a DoD plan for integrating the Guard and Reserve into domestic WMD terrorism response. The approved plan leverages unique Guard and Reserve capabilities to improve DoD's ability to plan for and respond to the significant and growing threat posed to the U.S. by WMD. Concurrently, it created a new type of unit (WMD Civil Support Team [CST]) to help fill the existing gaps in civilian response capabilities. The Guard and Reserve share many of the same capabilities, which include aviation operations, search and rescue, engineer operations, transportation, maintenance, law enforcement, fire-fighting, mortuary affairs, explosive ordnance, bridging operations, communications, command and control, medical assets, and chemical capabilities. The WMD CSTs (formally known as Rapid Assessment and Initial Detection [RAID] Teams) were designed to be state assets, operating within federal doctrine, but under the command and control of the state governor and therefore, they are able to respond to a local/state disaster or emergency well before federal response assets could be brought to bear.

  Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute

  Embrey, Ellen

  2000-10
• U.S. Department of Justice FY2010 Performance Budget: National Drug Intelligence Center

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  "In FY 2010, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requests a total of $44,023,000, to provide domestic strategic counterdrug analysis in support of policy makers and resource planners and support to law enforcement authorities and the intelligence community by conducting document and computer exploitation of materials collected in Federal, State, and local law enforcement activity associated with counter-drug, counter-terrorism, and national security investigations and operations. This request includes a base adjustment of $23,000. NDIC supports national policymakers and law enforcement decision makers by providing strategic domestic drug intelligence; facilitating information sharing and liaison between intelligence and law enforcement agencies; providing timely operational support to law enforcement authorities by conducting document and media exploitation of evidence collected during Federal, state, and local law enforcement investigations; and providing training in support of the above efforts. NDIC has been a contributor to our nation's counternarcotics effort, the U.S. DOJ Strategic Plan and the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) National Drug Control Strategy. In FY2008 the NDIC intelligence analysis staff produced 39 major recurring intelligence assessments and updated two major topical assessments. In November 2007 NDIC published and disseminated the National Drug Threat Assessment 2008, a comprehensive account of the threat to the United States posed by the trafficking and abuse of illicit and pharmaceutical drugs. Since then NDIC has completed 29 planned drug market analyses for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and 9 regional drug threat assessments for the DOJ Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program."

  United States. Department of Justice. Justice Management Division

  2009-04-29
• Recent Amendments to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act: Strategic Tool, Cruel Hoax, or Untenable Impediment to Foreign Policy

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  Paper considers whether recently amended Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act constitutes viable strategic tool in combating terrorism, or whether it is domestic law giving plaintiffs judgments they might never recover on or, lastly, that it might be a strategic tool, but one too troublesome in terms of foreign policy to be useful to government strategists. Paper concludes with judgment that a better strategic mechanism would allow an international judicial body to hear cases based on an UN treaty, thereby reducing strains on comity and reciprocity resulting from having domestic law impact international relations. Conclusion is based on recent trends and developments in international law, as well as need for government to resolve inconsistency in terms of putting interests of U.S. citizens in opposition to national foreign policy concerns.

  Naval War College (U.S.)

  Ward, Brendan F.

  2000-02-08
• NPDO/DoD Criminal and Epidemiological Investigation Handbook

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  "In response to growing concerns about domestic terrorism, the 104th Congress enacted legislation in Public Law 104-201, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, to help prepare the United States for a potential terrorist incident. The legislation contained two principal provisions. First, it allocated funding to train first responders to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Additionally, the legislation required that the Secretary of Defense develop and execute a program for testing and improving federal, state and local agency responses to incidents involving biological, chemical, and radiological weapons. As a result, the US Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM) was designated the lead agent for Department of Defense and was charged with establishing and implementing these programs. In response to the latter element of the legislation, SBCCOM established the Biological Warfare (BW) Improved Response Program (IRP) in partnership with other federal agencies. The BW-IRP is a multi-year program designed to identify, evaluate, and demonstrate the best practical approaches to improving BW domestic preparedness. A multi-agency team consisting of over 60 experienced emergency responders, managers, and technical experts from federal, state, and local agencies from around the nation were assembled to execute the program."

  U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command

  2000-01-19
• Passenger Rail Security: Enhanced Federal Leadership Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts Statement of Cathleen A. Berrick, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate

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  "The July 2005 bombing attacks on London's subway system dramatically highlighted the vulnerability of passenger rail systems worldwide to terrorist attacks, and the need for an increased focus on security for these systems. This testimony provides information on how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), have assessed risks posed by terrorism to the U.S. passenger rail system using risk management principles; actions federal agencies have taken to enhance the security of U.S. rail systems; and rail security practices implemented by domestic and selected foreign passenger rail operators and differences among these practices. GAO's September 2005 report on passenger rail security recommended, among other things, that TSA develop a timeline for completing its methodology for conducting risk assessments, and develop rail security standards that reflect industry best practices and can be measured and enforced. GAO also recommended that the Secretary of DHS determine the feasibility of implementing certain security practices used by foreign rail operators. DHS, DOT, and Amtrak generally agreed with the reports recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2005-10-20