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• Destroying Excess Small Arms: U.S. Policy and Programs

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  "While robust export controls and enforcement are critical elements in the effort to curb illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), the simplest and most reliable way to prevent proliferation of illicit arms is through proper stockpile management and expeditious destruction of excess," says C. Edward Peartree, Policy Officer, Office of Policy, Plans & Analysis, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State. "Taking up this global problem, the State Department, working with the Department of Defense, has dedicated funding and expertise to assisting countries in improving stockpile management practices and destroying excess SA/LW." The principal source of destabilizing accumulations of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) in many regions of the world is not new production but re-circulated stocks of surplus military weapons. Cold War stocks the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, often poorly secured and susceptible to theft or illegal transfer, have been a source of arms for regional criminal organizations and violent terrorist groups. Ex-Warsaw Pact militaries eager to upgrade to NATO standards have dumped large numbers of infantry rifles, machine guns, and light weapons such as rocket propelled grenade launchers (RPGs) onto the global market. Sales of surplus arms, often to undesirable end-users such as insurgent groups or warring governments under international embargo, have proven a ready source of revenue for cash-poor developing countries. The United States continues to expand its small arms destruction program. Projects are currently under discussion in the Balkans, Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. In addition to an ongoing partnership with Norway and Germany in Albania, the United States seeks joint ventures with other interested donor countries and organizations. U.S. support for destruction of surplus and illicit small arms and light weapons are intended to promote regional security, peace, and reconciliation in regions of conflict. The unchecked proliferation of these arms threatens civilians, peacekeepers, and law enforcement officials, and complicates the work of rebuilding war torn societies and regions. Given that destruction is relatively inexpensive (costing generally between $1-5 per weapon destroyed) and can generally be accomplished using locally available infrastructure (a variety of cheap methods are viable) and personnel, the program offers large dividends in threat reduction for a modest initial investment.

  United States. Department of State

  Peartree, C. Edward

  2001-06
• Review of the Department of Justice's and ATF's Implementation of Recommendations Contained in the OIG's Report on Operations Fast and Furious and Wide Receiver

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  "In September 2012, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a 471-page report that described the findings of our review of two Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) firearms trafficking investigations, one code named 'Operation Fast and Furious' and the other 'Operation Wide Receiver.' Our review identified serious management flaws in both investigations and we made six recommendations to address the deficiencies we found. We requested that the Department of Justice (Department or DOJ) examine ATF's law enforcement policies to ensure that they comply with the Department's guidelines and policies, and evaluate the sufficiency of ATF's case review procedures for matters that present heightened risk to the public or agents. We also believed that ATF should institute training; we requested the Department work with ATF to develop guidance on how agents should investigate gun trafficking organizations. [...] In this follow-up review we evaluated the Department's efforts to implement our recommendations. We determined that four of the six recommendations can be closed. The two remaining recommendations have been resolved, but additional work needs to be completed in order for them to be closed."

  United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General

  2016-02
• Solutions for Safer Communities: FY 2011 Annual Report to Congress

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  "The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) strengthens the nation's criminal justice system and helps America's local, state, and tribal governments reduce and prevent crime and violence. In fiscal year (FY) 2011, BJA focused its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address emerging and chronic crime challenges nationwide. BJA delivers resources to state, local, and tribal communities and justice agencies with an emphasis on partnerships and promoting data-driven and evidence-based practices and policies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system. At the same time, BJA encourages innovation and testing of new strategies to meet the unique needs of the communities it serves. In FY 2011, BJA focused on several key justice priorities facing America's communities. These priorities addressed the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) strategic goals and objectives and included: [1] Improving state and local efforts to reduce and prevent violent crime--including gang, gun, and drug crime-- through data-driven and evidence-based strategies. [2] Addressing economic and financial crime, including mortgage fraud and intellectual property crime. [3] Supporting state and local law enforcement in identifying and preventing terrorist incidents. [4] Promoting interoperability and information sharing to improve the ability of state and local law enforcement and justice agencies to share criminal intelligence, while ensuring respect for privacy rights and civil liberties. [5] Ensuring fairness and access to justice by improving the capacity of America's courts. [6] Supporting smart and effective approaches to offender reentry and justice reinvestment. [7] Helping improve the functioning of criminal justice systems in tribal communities."

  United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance

  2012?
• Serial No. 110-173: U.S. Assistance to the Middle East: Old Tools for New Tasks? Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Gary L. Ackerman: "At the top of the list of problems in the Middle East is the question of governance and freedoms, from which many of the region's troubling phenomena flow. The U.N.'s Arab Human Development reports, which describe in painful detail the extent to which the Middle East has fallen behind other regions in terms of education, health, technology and other significant measures of quality of life, has cited the lack of freedom as the key factor in these deficits. Over the long term it is hard to see how the Middle East can thrive without a substantial evolution in governance. It is neither the right, nor the duty, of the United States to pick the form of government for any people but ourselves. But that does not mean that we have to watch impassively as people in the region struggle for their liberty, and demand respect for their civil and human rights. Neither are we bound to watch in silence as governments with which we cooperate endanger themselves, and by extension our common policy goals, by alienating their own populations. […] Some of our partners in the region face challenges that are more direct and brutal. […] They need arms and, often, the proper training to deploy them. But they are ready and willing to defend themselves. Helping them to do so is not only morally right, but is prudent policy. [...] Wise investments by ourselves and increased access to the U.S. economy can make a big difference in helping our friends in the region to grow and to thrive. Very simply, we need to send more lawyers, guns and money, but we need to know which to send where." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Gary L. Ackerman, C. David Welch, and George A. Laudato.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Open Government Partnership: Second Open Governement National Action Plan for the United States of America

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  "'In support of these principles domestically, the Obama Administration in 2011 launched the first U.S. Open Government National Action Plan (NAP) -- a set of 26 commitments that have increased public integrity, enhanced public access to information, improved management of public resources, and given the public a more active voice in the U.S. Government's policymaking process. The Administration continues to make progress in all 26 areas, with 24 of the initial commitments already completed. A notable example of the progress made since the release of the first NAP is the successful launch of 'We the People,' the White House petitions platform that gives Americans a direct line to voice their concerns to the Administration via online petitions. In two years, more than 10 million users have generated over 270,000 petitions on a diverse range of topics , including gun violence , which received a video response from the President, and unlocking cell phones for use across provider networks, which led directly to policy action. […] This document will serve as a roadmap for the next two years as the Administration work s in partnership with the public and civil society organizations to carry forth these Open Government efforts. This report, however, is not representative of all U.S. Government efforts to further openness. The process of opening government is a continuing work-in-progress. Under the President's leadership, the Administration will continue to generate and implement Open Government policies and reforms, as well as continue to seek input from outside groups and citizens about how to create a more Open Government."

  United States. White House Office

  2013-12-03
• COVID-19 in Indonesia and the Pacific: Tips on Surviving Isolation [audio]

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  From the Webpage: "In this episode of Policy, Guns and Money, Lisa Sharland, head of ASPI's [Australian Strategic Policy Institute] International Program speaks to Dr Anna Powles, senior lecturer in security studies at Massey University for an update on the impact of Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] on the Pacific. Kelly Smith catches up with Colonel Ned Holt, ASPI's US Army War College Fellow to get some tips on looking after yourself while in isolation in difficult circumstances. Dr Huong Le Thu, Senior Analyst at ASPI speaks with Dr Donald Greenlees of Melbourne Universities Asialink on the impact Covid-19 is having in Indonesia."

  Australian Strategic Policy Institute

  2020-04-17?
• COVID-19 the Corona Virus [audio]

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  From the Website: "In this episode of Policy, Guns & Money we look at COVID-19, the Corona Virus. We speak with three prominent experts to help understand the current situation and consider where we are heading. You'll hear from Professor Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales. Professor MacIntyre heads the Biosecurity Program at the Kirby Institute, which conducts research in epidemiology, vaccinology, bioterrorism prevention, mathematical modelling, genetic epidemiology, public health and clinical trials in infectious diseases. We also speak with Dr Robert Glasser, Visiting Fellow at ASPI [Australian Strategic Policy Institute] and former head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). Finally, we speak with Dr Anna Powles, Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at Massey University on the impact of the virus on the South Pacific." The duration of this audio is 40 minutes and 59 seconds.

  Australian Strategic Policy Institute

  2020-04
• Politics and Covid-19 in Timor-Leste, Protests in Hong Kong and USA, Police Reform in the USA [audio]

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  From the Audio Description: "In this episode of Policy, Guns & Money, ASPI [Australian Strategic Policy Institute] researcher Genevieve Feely speaks to Robert Baird, English Editor at Tatoli News, about recent political developments in Timor-Leste, including the challenge of a failed state budget, and the country's Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response. Senior Analyst Kelsey Munro speaks to the Director of ASPI's Defence, Strategy and National Security Program, Michael Shoebridge about the protests in Hong Kong and the United States, the parallels and differences between the two protests and what this means in the context of the global contest between authoritarianism and democracy. And Leanne Close, head of ASPI's Counter-terrorism Program, speaks to Steven Casstevens, President of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police about police reform in the United States in light of the current protests and how the systemic issues can be addressed to rebuild trust and support between police and their communities." The duration of this audio is 40 minutes and 17 seconds.

  Australian Strategic Policy Institute

  2020-06-11
• US-China Relationship, and Atrocities & Climate Impacts in the Time of Covid-19 [audio]

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  From the Audio Description: "In this episode of Policy, Guns and Money Kelsey Munro, ASPI [Australian Strategic Policy Institute] Senior Analyst, speaks to Charles Edel, Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, about the current tensions between Australia and China and the US-China relationship in the Covid [coronavirus disease] era. Then, ASPI Researcher Geneveieve Feely speaks to Nikki Marczak from the University of Queensland's Asia Pacific Centre for The Responsibility to Protect about the impact of Covid-19 in conflict-affected areas and the risk of atrocity crimes. Finally, research interns Alexandra Pascoe, Albert Zhang and Hal Crichton-Standish talk about climate change and Covid-19 and how the crisis provides an opportunity for climate action going forward." The duration of this audio is 39 minutes and 33 seconds.

  Australian Strategic Policy Institute

  2020-05-14
• Small Arms Use and Proliferation: Strategies for a Global Dilemma

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  Small arms proliferation is a symptom of increased intrastate conflicts and is "a problem that is not amenable to simple or quick solution and will be with us for the long term," says Newsom, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. "The United States and the international community must therefore address the root causes of intrastate conflict and, at the same time, try to stem the supply of these weapons and contain the devastation that they cause." While most arms control efforts focus on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and heavy conventional weapons, small arms and light weapons designed for military use are responsible for most of the killing and injuries, especially of civilians, in the increasing number of intrastate conflicts that have occurred since the end of the Cold War. These weapons include assault rifles, light and heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and individually portable mortars and missiles. The focus of U.S. policy is to achieve agreement by next year on a Protocol on Illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking to the UN Transnational Organized Crime Convention. This protocol is modeled on the InterAmerican Convention Against the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, and Other Related Materials initiated by the OAS. Seven OAS member states have ratified the convention (Mexico, Belize, Bahamas, Bolivia, El Salvador, Peru, and Ecuador), and all but four OAS members have signed it. In June 1998 the President transmitted the convention to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent. In a larger sense, small arms proliferation is one of many symptoms of increased intrastate conflicts since the end of the Cold War. The proliferation and use of these weapons in such conflicts is a problem that is not amenable to simple or quick solution, and it will be with us for the long term. The United States and the international community must therefore address the root causes of intrastate conflict and, at the same time, try to stem the supply of these weapons and contain the devastation that they cause. This will require us to begin to integrate small arms concerns into the fabric of our diplomatic relations, as we now do with democracy and human rights. Without sustained, creative attention to both aspects of the problem of intrastate conflict, many of the other problems that we strive to mitigate will become worse.

  United States. Department of State

  Newsom, Eric David

  1999-09
• Emerging External Influences in the Western Hemisphere, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 10, 2017

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  This testimony compilation is from the May 10, 2017 hearing on "Emerging External Influences in the Western Hemisphere," before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Dr. Ottolenghi: "Across the Western Hemisphere, Islamic terror networks are expanding their influence by increasingly cooperating with violent drug cartels, often with the assistance of corrupt political elites. This toxic nexus is fueling both the rising threat of global jihadism and the collapse of law and order across Latin America that is helping to drive drugs and people northward into the United States. Developing a strategy to combat this growing risk to the American homeland needs to be a U.S. policy priority. One of its primary targets should be Iran's most deadly proxy, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. Thanks to a vast network of support in key areas of Latin America, Hezbollah plays a central role in a new landscape where drug and human trafficking, gun running, illicit cigarette trade, trade-based money laundering, and terror financing can no longer be treated as distinct phenomena. [...] Iran's and Hezbollah's operations in Latin America thus intersect and mutually reinforce one another. Both pursue goals that are not only diametrically opposed to U.S. interests but also clearly pose a direct threat to American national security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi and Eric Farnsworth.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-05-10
• Secretary Napolitano Issues Immigration and Border Security Action Directive [January 30, 2009]

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  This press releases provides details on an immigration and border security action directive issued by DHS Secretary Napolitano on January 30, 2009. "The directive requires specific department offices and components to work together and with state and local partners to review and assess the plans and policies to address: criminal and fugitive aliens; legal immigration benefit backlogs; southbound gun smuggling; cooperation with the National Guard; widows and widowers of U.S. citizens; immigration detention centers; and electronic employee verification."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2009-01-30
• Juvenile Justice Reform Initiatives in the States: 1994-1996

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  This report "identifies and analyzes issues and trends associated with state juvenile justice reform initiatives that took place between 1994 and 1996; issues examined include juvenile violence, street gangs, delinquency prevention, boot camps, and juvenile transfer. [...] [This report] is designed to provide timely information to policymakers on the mechanisms that States are using to respond to increased youth violence and delinquency. The report is broken down into four chapters that discuss in detail the juvenile crime and delinquency problem and highlight State responses to that challenge. Chapter I provides an overview of the incidence of youth crime in the Nation, discusses trends in violent juvenile crimes, considers how and why youth crimes are being committed, and gives a prognosis for the future. [...] Chapter II highlights major issues and trends associated with recent State responses to youth crime in this country. This chapter addresses the following policy initiatives: crime prevention; curfews; parental responsibility; gang activities, including drug trafficking; graduated sanctions; juvenile boot camps; youth and guns; juvenile records; juvenile waivers; and expanded sentencing authority. Chapter III discusses in depth the reform initiatives in four States--Colorado, Connecticut, Ohio, and Oregon. [...] Finally, chapter IV summarizes in general terms the juvenile justice reform trends that have been taking place around the country and includes observations and recommendations based on the experiences of States undertaking both single-issue and comprehensive juvenile justice reform."

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  National Criminal Justice Association

  1997-10
• Geopolitical Implications of Rising Oil Dependence and Global Warming, Hearing Before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, April 18, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Edward J. Markey: "Our energy policy has compromised our economic freedom, and the American people want action because they know that the price has become much too high. We know that we cannot simply drill our way to energy independence. [...] I have introduced a bill, H.R. 1506, which would require the combined car and light truck fleet to achieve 35 miles per gallon by 2018, which amounts to an average of 4 percent per year improvement, an increase that is mandatory over this first 10 years by ensuring that fuel economy standards keep pace with technological development. By 2022, it would be an increase to 40 miles per gallon. [...] At the beginning of February, the world's top scientists, as part of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, provided a scientific smoking gun that human activities were unequivocally responsible for global warming. Two weeks ago, their second report told us what happens when the climatic bullet hits; the developed world will bear the brunt--the developing world, rather, will bear the brunt of the collateral damage from our historic global warming emissions, but the United States will experience its own self-inflicted wounds, including threats to our national security and military readiness. Today we will hear the first congressional testimony on this critical issue. Generals and admirals who have spent a lifetime on battlefields are telling us that global warming is a major strategic weakness. So today I am introducing the Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act which authorizes a national intelligence estimate to assess the security implications of global warming to the United States and its military." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Edward J. Markey, F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Jay Inslee, John Shadegg, John Larson, Greg Walden, Emanuel Cleaver II, john Hall, Candice Miller, Jerry McNerney, John Sullivan, Hilda Solis, Marsha Blackburn, Gordon R. Sullivan, Richard N. Haass, Carl Pope, Dennis McGinn, and R. James Woolsey.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2010
• NNSA Monthly News [February 2005]

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  "In this issue: U.S. and U.K. Cooperate on Ridding Russian of Weapons Grade Plutonium; Samuel Bodman Becomes New DOE Secretary; Y-12 Lends Equipment to South Carolina State's Nuclear Engineering Program; Dan Glenn Enjoys Leading Pantex Site Office; 2004 A Banner Year for the Jasper Gun; Pantex Exceeds 2004 FIRP [Facilities and Infrastructure Recapitalization Program] Goals; Virtual Reality Lets Engineers Go Inside Designs; Sandia, NYU Co-Host First-Ever 'Big Picture Summit'; Highly Enriched Uranium Repatriated from Czech Republic; Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources; Livermore, Sandia Team for Math, Science Program; DOE Extends Acceptance Policy for Spent Nuclear Fuel; Los Alamos Wizardry to Aid New Mars Science Lab; and LANL [Los Alamos National Laboratory] Camera Will Probe Edge of Solar System."

  United States. National Nuclear Security Administration

  2005-02
• Global Progress on Biosecurity: U.S. Vision and International Efforts

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  Dr. Marc L. Ostfield, Senior Advisor of Bioterrorism, Biodefense, and Health Security, remarks to the Partnership for Global Security, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, DC, March 9, 2007: "It's probably worth beginning with a brief mention of terminology - and some of the concerns about the term 'biosecurity' that bring us together today. As many know, this term often translates very poorly into other languages; in Spanish, French, Arabic, and Mandarin, for example, the terms 'biosecurity' and 'biosafety' (and their shades of meaning) conflate into only one word in translation. To add another level of complexity to the linguistic confusion, 'biosecurity' has many different meanings in different areas of specialization. For instance, to an agricultural specialist, biosecurity could mean measures to reduce transmission of disease among animals. For some scientists, biosecurity could refer to the challenge of 'dual use' technology or research. In the corporate world, biosecurity can mean prevention of intellectual property theft. In other contexts, some define it broadly to refer to any measures taken to prevent the malicious use of pathogens against humans, animals, and plants. And for others, the term biosecurity is a specific reference to pathogen security, attempts to keep dangerous pathogens out of terrorist hands. Pathogen security is a part of U.S. and international efforts in this arena and has been useful in opening dialogues with other governments and the scientific community regarding the importance of working together to counter bioterrorism. However, pathogen security is sometimes seen as the only strategy needed to combat bioterrorism. Asserting that materials, technologies, and expertise for bioterrorism are available worldwide, and that terrorist groups are increasingly able to obtain and disseminate infectious disease agents, pathogen security advocates contend that such systems and practices (often "guns, guards, and gates" - typically derived from several decades of work as part of nuclear nonproliferation strategies) are central to reducing bioterrorism's threat. Despite the ability to accomplish enhanced security for particular pathogen facilities and stimulate international engagement, there are also limits because virtually all pathogens exist in nature, technology is readily accessible, and scientific expertise is broadly distributed. As such, effective international policy strategies to combat bioterrorism must be substantially broader, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral - with pathogen security as one of many components which I shall now describe."

  United States. Department of State

  Ostfield, Marc

  2007-03-09
• Closest Alligator to the Boat: Mexico's Drug-Fueled Violence

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  From the thesis abstract: "Mexico's drug-fueled and undeclared war is spiraling out of control, and has a real and growing ability to threaten the Mexican government and affect the American southwest. There have been many Americans killed as a result of this heated conflict, yet the policies that should protect American interests are not doing enough to either minimize the effects of this war on the United States or stop the fight altogether. The drug cartels involved are starting to resemble a paramilitary insurgency, using beheadings, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) and Special Forces type raids. The Mexican government seems underequipped to do anything about this fight and it routinely gives the appearance that it is out gunned and out maneuvered. These new tactics, coupled with the cartels' transnational ties to the Columbian FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo)], Venezuela, and other U.S. adversaries, pose a credible and strategic threat to the United States. The latest developments in this fight, along with convincing intelligence that our enemies have the ability to open an irregular warfare front on our southern border, demand the United States' full attention in changing the war to our south."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Ardese, Tray J.

  2011
• Oversight Hearing - National Science Foundation and Youth Violence Research: Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, March 19, 2013

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  This testimony compilation is from the March 19, 2013 hearing, "Oversight Hearing - National Science Foundation and Youth Violence Research," before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. From the opening statement of Brad J. Bushman: "Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Fattah, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, my name is Brad J. Bushman. I am a professor of communication, a professor of psychology, and the endowed chair of mass communication at The Ohio State University. In the summer, I am a professor of communication science at the Vrije Universiteit (Free University), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I have been doing research on the causes of aggressive and violent behavior for almost 30 years. I have published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including in the top scientific journals such as Science and Nature. I have conducted over 50 studies on violent media effects. In the wake of the Newtown shooting, Chairman Wolf asked the National Science Foundation (NSF) to find out what researchers know and don't know about the connection between exposure to media violence and youth violence, and other factors that contribute to these devastating event s. NSF approached Katherine Newman, Dean of the Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins and an expert in rampage shootings, and I to assemble a committee with relevant expertise (e.g., communication, law, sociology, computer science, adolescent development, natural language analysis, gun policy, data analysis) to address this urgent and important topic. The committee gathered at NSF headquarters on February 1st and 2nd to write a report titled 'Youth violence: What we need to know.' My purpose today is to summarize the results from that report." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Subra Suresh and Brad J. Bushman.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations

  2013-03-19
• Economic Activity and the Value of Medical Innovation During a Pandemic

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  From the Executive Summary: "We are currently fighting a war against the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] virus. The war presents an obvious and massive tradeoff between 'guns' - activities whose primary purpose is war production - and 'butter,' which refers to the normal activities of households and businesses. Without any improvement in our techniques for fighting the war, the sacrifices by households and businesses will be staggering and historically unprecedented. This document enumerates and quantifies the sacrifices, showing why 'negative 60 percent' is an optimistic projection for the annualized growth rate of U.S. GDP [gross domestic product] in 2020 Q2 [quarter 2] if the nonessential businesses were not allowed to operate during that quarter. The lost surplus from market activity, while massive, nonetheless understates the true costs of the sacrifices that households and businesses are making, which I estimate to total almost $15,000 per household per quarter before counting any health costs or monetizing any intrinsic costs of forgone civil liberties. This is why better techniques for fighting the war are incredibly valuable. Medical innovation can reduce the intensity and duration of the war, yet Federal policy continues to be a major barrier to that innovation."

  Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics

  Mulligan, Casey B.

  2020-04-16
• DHS Components Have Not Fully Complied with the Department's Guidelines for Implementing the Lautenberg Amendment

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  From the Document: "In 1996, Congress amended the 'Gun Control Act of 1968' (Lautenberg Amendment) to prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from possessing firearms. [...] U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Secret Service (Secret Service), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have not fully complied with DHS' guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment. To illustrate, CBP and Secret Service did not ensure law enforcement officers completed annual Lautenberg Amendment certifications as required. CBP and ICE also did not use available resources to monitor the arrests and convictions of law enforcement officers subject to the Lautenberg Amendment. None of the four components provided domestic violence awareness training to law enforcement officers as required by the implementing guidelines. The DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans should ensure components are uniformly applying and enforcing the Department's guidelines for implementing the Lautenberg Amendment."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2020-11-13
• Conflicts and COVID-19: US Election Interference and More Cyber Security Strategy [audio]

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  From the Description: "In this episode of Policy, Guns & Money, Lisa Sharland speaks to Rob Malley, President and CEO [Chief Operating Officer] of International Crisis Group, about conflicts during Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] and prospects for peace in Afghanistan. They also discuss Crisis Group's annual '10 Conflicts to Watch', including what's changed since the last edition, and what might feature in the next edition later this year. The Strategist's Brendan Nicholson and Anastasia Kapetas discuss the recently released US Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Russian Interference in the 2016 Election and foreign interference in the US. (Hint - there was plenty) Finally, Tom Uren and John Coyne continue the conversation on Australia's Cyber Security Strategy 2020, where it falls short, and the challenges for policing cyber criminals."

  Australian Strategic Policy Institute

  2020-08-20