Homeland Security and the Post-9/11 Era

February 6, 2013

ACS is pleased to distribute “Homeland Security and the Post-9/11 Era,” an Issue Brief by Philip J. (P.J.) Crowley, Fellow at the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication at The George Washington University.

In this Issue Brief, Crowley stresses that the Obama administration must reassess its national security agenda in its second term. Because of the imminent end to formal combat in Afghanistan, and due to the evolution of new forms of violent political extremism, Crowley explains that “homeland security, law enforcement, diplomacy and the intelligence community will take on greater significance, with the military playing a support role.” Using this frame, he contends “the best course is to expect the unexpected, learn from every disaster but respond effectively and respond as one.” In concluding, Crowley asserts, “the United States will remain a target for the foreseeable future and will experience periodic attacks. When that happens, there will be lessons learned that should be implemented to make us as safe as we can be. Thinking back to 9/11, the most important lesson we can apply going forward is not to overreact....”

Read the full Issue Brief here: Homeland Security and the Post-9/11 Era

“Toward a More Perfect Union: A Progressive Blueprint for the Second Term” is a series of ACS Issue Briefs offering ideas and proposals that we hope the administration will consider in its second term to advance a vision consistent with the progressive themes President Obama raised in his second Inaugural Address. The series should also be useful for those in and outside the ACS network – to help inform and spark discussion and debate on an array of pressing public policy concerns. The series covers a wide range of issue areas, including immigration reform, campaign finance, climate change, criminal justice reform, and judicial nominations.