Category: On the Homefront – the HSDL Blog
According to a recently department of defense report, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agancy (DARPA) did not taken into account privacy concerns when developing its Terrorism Information Awareness program. To read more go to http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1229/web-dodig-12-30-03.asp Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/s_212
On December 30th, the Defense Department announced the selection of key personnel associated with military commissions and the issuance of a new instruction that creates a Military Commission Review Panel. The creation of the Panel indicates another step toward the trials of detainees accused of terrorist acts. View the full...
A review by the Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) describes how the FBI has improved its ability to share information about terrorist threats with other parts of government. It also describes obstacles in the form of technological challenges and quality of Bureau information. View the full review at http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/oig/fbi-info.pdf...
The new weapon against terrorism will not likely be large weapons systems but small sensors capable of detecting explosive and biological weapons according to Mark Ratner in his new book “Nanotechnology and Homeland Security: New Weapons for New Wars”. To read more, go to http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/ZDM/nanotech_security_pcmag_031229.html Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/s_209
Twelve new members of the TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Team are on their way to eight airports around the country. The twelve dogs and their handlers, all recent graduates from the Lackland Air Force Base will report to duty just before the holidays. To read more, go to http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=106-12242003...
For al-Qaeda, airplanes still present the best weapon to commit terrorists acts, according to the intelligence chatter recently gathered. Information on aviation security has been carefully scrutinized for lapses and weaknesses that could provide an opportunity to the terrorist organization. To read more go to http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20031223_112.html Article formerly posted at...
Beginning January 5, 2004, all 115 U.S. airports that take international flights will begin tracking foreigners who enter and leave the United States. Officials will track foreigners by taking their fingerprints and photographs as part of a tracking program known as the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT)....
The Congressional Research Service is concerned about pending legislative proposals to permit broad public dissemination of Congressional Research Service reports and the possible adverse effects on efficiency and dialog on policy issues. View the CRS memo at http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2003/12/crs.html Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/s_205
A recent Congressional Research Service report provides background to the current controversy over how to deal with individuals who are American citizens but who are suspected of being members, agents, or associates of terrorist organizations. View the CRS report at http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RL31724.pdf Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/s_204
A recent study by the foreign policy association assesses the contributions of think tanks and their influence or lack of influence on terrorism policy. To read more go to http://www.fpa.org/newsletter_info2489/newsletter_info.htm Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/s_203