Department of Homeland Security

  Introduction 

Department of h omeland security basically refers to the national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the borders of the United States; it also reduces the vulnerability of terrorist attacks and minimizes the damage that may result from any terrorist attack (DHS., 2014). The term homeland security arose when all United States government agencies were reorganized in 2003; this is when the department of homeland security was formed. The contributing factor that led to the formation of homeland security was the September 11 attacks. The mission and vision of the department of homeland security are to ensure that homeland (within the borders of the united states) is safe. Homeland security has several concepts that it has strategized in order to ensure homeland safety. These concepts include security, Resilience and customs and exchange. The missions of homeland security are not limited to the department of homeland security alone but the entire security departments of the country (Sageman, 2014). This paper will look at how effective homeland security is at protecting the country against terrorism both internal terrorism and external.

Key Issues Facing Homeland 

The top priority of Homeland security is counter-terrorism, however, terrorism is not static, but rather dynamic it changes gradually, in recent years terrorism has changed in two significant ways, ever since the Iraq war al Qaeda the once biggest terrorism threat has reduced, but the cancer of terrorism has metastasized. Today there are replicas of al-Qaida which are very aggressive these replicas include AQAP, ISIL the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Fulghum, 2016). These groups have now become the focus of homeland security (Brians, 2011). Homeland security also has the tough job of dealing with online terrorism propaganda. Unlike the years before social media where radicals from overseas countries came to the United States to recruit today, it has become very easy for them since all need is a computer and internet, with this, they have more than a million audience where they can recruit several (Fulghum, 2016). These terrorist radicals encourage recruits to travel and meet them for more training, and if they cannot travel, they are advised to act at home. These recruits are very dangerous, and it’s the work of homeland security to monitor them and prevent them from acting.

This is a very tough job on the side of Homeland security, identifying radicals who wish to join the Muslims abroad and the radicals who wish to commit acts of terror within the borders, these threats are the most priorities not only by homeland security but also by intelligence communities (Fulghum, 2016). The current conflict in Syria and some parts of Iraq acts as theaters for the homegrown extremist who wish to engage in violent acts. Since the war in Syria started, it is approximated that more than 300 American citizens have traveled overseas to join the war (Fulghum, 2016). This numbers may seem lower in comparison to other western countries, but homeland security does not ignore any form of threat, they usually analyze and assess any form of influence generated by these extremist groups. Whether or not a person is willing to join foreign terrorist to fights abroad or to pick up arms and defend their ideology homeland security considers this individual to be very dangerous and are therefore monitored as persons of interest.

The Islamic State of Iraq has proved to be a ruthless sect that will do anything in order to rule; their extremist behavior has attracted like-minded people all over the United States especially people from the Muslim religion. According to homeland officials, the most concerning issues about ISIL terrorist is their use of internet and social media to promote their propaganda. These terrorists have used a blend of traditional media platforms, glamorous photos and in-depth articles that can go viral and further recruit more people into their campaign. The reason why homeland security has majorly focused on the ISIL is that of the success that it has achieved in a very short time, in less than two years ISIS has occupied nearly the entire country of Syria and some part of Iraq and has gathered a lot of followers during its quest (START, 2015).

Unlike other terrorist groups, ISIL has a narrative that has touched all Facets of life; these facets include marriage, career, and community. Many of the people who are usually easily radicalized see radical Islam as a place they can belong, and terrorist welcomed. ISIL terrorist usually has a very convincing message calling unto believers to seek paradise and that all their dreams and wishes will be fulfilled once they reach heaven (START, 2015).

Where better to pass their message if not the most effective medium of communication social media. Recently there was one individual who was arrested by homeland security officials for providing material support to ISIL fighters and organizing the transportation of an American citizen to join fighters in Syria; this was all organized through social media (Kahan, 2013). The good thing about social media is that it is a two-sided sword it cuts both ways, the homeland security officials were able to track the culprit using social media.

There is no specific profile for the radicalized people. there are several types of research that have been conducted and concluded that the radicals do not feet any profile, either mentally ill or childhood tremor. However, there is a profile that has been on the rise that is the young adults and school children (Fulghum, 2016). This demography is easily radicalized since they are young and seek adventure and more than that they have no responsibilities that may hold them back. People from this demography use social media a lot, and it’s their preferred mode of communication.

Another threat that is faced by Homeland security is the lone attacker; Isis has been advocating their followers for lone committee attacks. These attacks are very dangerous since they are hard to predict and identify. In 2016 there were several videos released by ISIS members encouraging their followers to carry out lone attacks in western countries mostly targeting security officials, government buildings, and the intelligence community members. Ever since the messages were passed through social media, there have been several attacks carried out in the United States a clear indication that the call to arms has been resonated among some radicals and sympathizers (Fulghum, 2016). There were several mass shootings in the US caused by those videos and another radical in New York used his car to ran over pedestrians (Fulghum, 2016). Another radical was arrested in New York after he expressed his support for the terrorist group online, the Homeland security feared that the individual might act on the call to arms and cause a lot of damage. U.S military personnel have been targeted ever since the terrorists released video giving names of US military officials. The names of these dates are still being posted on social media and spread so quickly, indicating that the group has a wide audience.

Two Hypotheses Regarding The Research Problem 

One hypothesis that the research will look into is why hasn’t there been another major attack like the September 11 attack. There have been several analysis conducted however there has never been any comprehensive effort made to assess the validity of the hypothesis concerning the lack of another major attack on United States soil (Brians, 2011). The ultimate objective of this study is to prove that with the current state of homeland security it is nearly impossible for the terrorist to committee another attack with the same magnitude as the September 11 attack. Henry Kissinger, The former Secretary of State, said that “it is impossible to know why something has not happened.“ By looking at the past decade and critically looking for explanations as to why there have been no major attacks in the country one can easily come to one conclusion, the state of the counter-terrorism department has drastically improved. Another reason as to why the United States has not been attacked has to do with the current stand the United States has on terrorism and its strategies for dealing with global Terror.

The second hypotheses that the research came up with are the assimilation of the United States Muslims into the American society and its effects on the limitation of homegrown radicals (Fulghum, 2016). This form of assimilation is the greatest strength that the United States has on the global war on terror. A lot of people look up to the united states as the bigger brother because of the influence it has on other countries, it is not had to find Muslims in war-torn Syria loving the American culture and idolizing American celebrities, this effectively reduces the hate that Muslims may have for America (Fulghum, 2016). Despite the fact that most Muslims in America are assimilated and consider themselves as American citizens there are instances of mutual suspicions between the Muslims and other religions ever since the September 11 attacks. However, the religious divide in the United States is not as bad in European countries (). As much as most of the terrorist in the United States are usually Muslims the department of homeland security does not focus on Muslims they majorly focus on converts since they have a higher chance of being radicalized.

Variables 

The variables of the hypotheses were mostly collected from interviews from security personnel and focus groups encompassed of people from the general public (Brians, 2011). The focus groups came up with very interesting findings, an example being that these terrorist groups are refraining from attacking the united states with the same magnitude that the 9 11 attackers had not unless they can achieve a Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear capability. The interview also concluded that it is impossible that the terrorist is refraining from conducting attacks o American civilians because of the fear of backlash. The focus group, therefore, concluded that the reason as to why there has been no attack is as a result of the unification of all United States government agencies into one tough security force the department of homeland security.

Literature review 

The trending topic for the last two decades now has been terrorisms and the security threat that comes with it; terrorism has affected all facets of our society. Both policymakers and citizens have been debating on the rot course of terrorism and the impact that it has on the nation. However, there has been a lot of research conducted on terrorism from as early as 1970 to the 1980’s (DHS., 2014). The September 11 attack was the catalyst that intensified more research on terrorism (). Many researchers mostly in the fields of humanities and social sciences from universities all around the country having gathering data and patterns relating to terrorism and the violence that comes with it (DHS., 2014). The University of Mary land has been playing a very important role in the study of terrorism and the first responders. The study a year before the 9 11 terrorist attack, they have been collecting data and analyzing the data as provided by the global terrorism database (Kemp, 2012). The university found out that the year 2015 was the worst year ever recorded there were over 30,376 deaths as a result of terrorism and economic loss amounting to $89.6 billion (Kahan, 2013).

There are several factors that lead to the spread of terrorism, the major one is the emergence of ISIL in Syria, and this terrorist group has become an international network since it has capitalized on social media promoting the spread of violence through lone attackers (Fulghum, 2016). The militarized engagement of Boko Haram has led to the retreating of Boko Haram to other countries and hence spread their ideology to that side of the terrorist; this has promoted the spread of terrorism to countries like Chad, Cameron and other West African countries (START, 2015). The death of Muammar Gaddafi has led to the spread of ISIL in North Africa; if Muammar Gaddafi would still be alive, there wouldn’t have a been a vacuum for the spread of radical Islam (Fulghum, 2016).

In East Africa, on the other hand, Alshabab continues to carry out deadly attacks in Somalia and Kenya, this terrorist group is well connected with other terrorist networks that it makes it hard for the global war on terror very hard. The war on terror by the United States and their allies’ has further increased terrorism in countries like Afghanistan, the problem with these terrorists is that they change and learn from their mistakes. After nearly two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq the United States and the allies have not been able to defeat the terrorist, and on the contrary, they have come even stronger than before (Kahan, 2013).

Conclusion 

The department of homeland security has a huge responsibility of keeping this great nation safe secure and resilient against all forms of terrorism. now since accomplishing this hard task, the department has to employ over 300,000 people, these employees will be spread through various departments like cybersecurity and border security. Homeland security has come up with five priorities to ensure the security of the homeland; these priorities include identifying, investigating, countering the threats as early as possible, expanding the risk-based security, focus on prevention of mass casualty. It’s nearly two decades now since the Department of Homeland security was established and there has never been a repeat of such a terror attack like the 911 attack this goes to show that the department is doing something right.

Other than keeping the United States of America safe, the Department of Homeland Security is also responsible for the management of customs and emergency issues in the USA as well as border security. In order to perform its mandate, the DHS consists of 22 separate agencies that help in the management of terror attacks on U.S soil. When the DHS was formed it absorbed other government agencies and departments such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the customs service, the secret service, the border patrol and the coast guard who were initially independent government departments. Under one body which is the Department of Homeland Security, all these independent bodies work together in uniformity so that they could better address and respond to any terrorist threats and actions against the United States as well as its allies by formulating better and new methods of gathering intelligence so that they can acted upon before the perpetrators even think of implementing any of the strategies. The USA has made considerable strides in various aspects of homeland security, but some efforts have fallen short of the bare minimum that was required and there is a need for these efforts to be redirected or discontinued.

For the Department of Homeland Security to be effective, there is a need to employ a more decentralized and federalist approach of working with both the state and local governments as well as the private sector so as to protect economic vitality of the United States of America as well as individual freedoms at the highest levels possible.

References 

Brians, C.L., Willnat, L., Manheim, J., & Rich, R. (2011). Empirical political analysis: Quantitative and qualitative research methods (8th ed.) . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

DHS. (2014). Fiscal Years 2014-2018 Strategic Plan . Retrieved on January 12, 2018, from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/FY14-18%20Strategic%20Plan_0_0.PDF 

DHS. (2014). The 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. on January 12, 2018, from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/2014-qhsr-final-508.pdf 

Fulghum, C. (2016). Securing the resources that secure the homeland . Armed Forces Comptroller , 61 (3), 6-9.

Kahan, J. H. (2013). What's in a name? the meaning of homeland security. Journal of Homeland Security Education , 2 (1), 18.

Kemp, R. L. (2012). Homeland security in America past, present, and future. World Future Review , 4 (1), 28-33 .

Mccauley, C. and Moskalenko, S. (2014). Toward a profile of lone wolf terrorists: What moves an individual from radical opinion to radical action. Terrorism and Political Violence, 26 , pp. 69–85. DOI: 10.1080/09546553.2014.849916.

Sageman, M. (2014).  The stagnation in terrorism research.  Terrorism and Political Violence, 26 , pp. 565–580, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

START. (2015). Boko Haram: An assessment of strengths, vulnerabilities, and policy options. College Park, MD: Maryland University