Homeland Security and International Relation

1 There is an old truism around the world that holds that “all disasters are local.” Do you believe this is true or not true? Why? Responses to disasters may involve efforts at local, regional, and national level. Which level should have primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your choice?

2 The Department of Homeland Security was created by combining 22 separate government agencies into one. What are the advantages of this concept? What have been the disadvantages? Give examples of each.

3 We have discussed the creation of DHS which combined 22 agencies into one. Similarly, after 9/11, the position of Director, National Intelligence was created to provide oversight of the Intelligence Community. Yet there are still 17 separate intelligence agencies in US government:

Director, National Intelligence

Central Intelligence Agency

Department of Energy

Department of Homeland Security

Department of State

Department of Treasury

Defense Intelligence Agency

Drug Enforcement Agency

Federal Bureau of Investigation

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

National Reconnaissance Office

National Security Agency

Air Force Intelligence

Army Intelligence

Naval Intelligence

Marine Corps Intelligence

Coast Guard Intelligence

Of these, which do you feel would be most effective in accomplishing homeland security goals in the international arena? Select and discuss a program in this agency to support your view. Which agency do you feel would be least effective in these endeavors? Why?

4. Included in the State Department budget is funding for “Contributions to International Organizations (CIO).” CIO provides the US contribution to the operating budgets of many international organizations. For example, the US provides 22% of funding for the United Nations. There is a belief in some circles that the US should withhold funding for organizations that adopt policies contrary to US values. Is this a legitimate view? Why or why not?

5. A theory has been advanced for what is called “Disaster Diplomacy.” Its premise is that international disaster response can be a form of diplomacy. Its primary feature is that disaster aid can serve to overcome political differences and create an atmosphere of cooperation between countries that previously were adamantly opposed on most issues. Do you feel this is a realistic concept? Or is it idealistic wishful thinking that, at best, produces only temporary, transitory benefits?

6. A derivative of the "Disaster Diplomacy" concept holds that debt forgiveness is an increasingly important element in US foreign assistance policy that can influence foreign government behavior. The theory is that countries facing an “unsustainable debt burden which cannot be managed with traditional means” should either have their debt forgiven or be given low-interest loans to reduce their debt payment levels. Critics assert that this rewards poor and/or corrupt management and provides an incentive for countries to default. What do you think?

7. In a sense, then, our leaders today have become risk managers. Risk management involves identifying risk and determining acceptable risk and non-acceptable risk levels. This should be a self-evident concept, right? For example, it has been stated that “on average, cigarettes kill as many people as would die if three passenger-laden jumbo jets crashed every day, month after month, year after year.” Knowing the risk, why do people continue to smoke? How do we explain this in terms of risk management?

8. We have agreed that the concept of globalization has provided both benefits and risks to the world of nations. Module 2 identifies a number of "transnational risks." It goes on to assert that one of the factors contributing to these risks is the “widespread use of information technology communication (e.g., Internet, cell phones, social media) to mobilize individuals and groups, acquire resources, and in some cases garner external attention and support.” Can social media constitute a risk to our national security? Explain your position

9. The US National Flood Insurance Program resulted from recognition that private insurance companies can’t provide coverage at affordable rates that would allow them to be profitable. In order to receive coverage, however, communities that benefit must adopt and enforce floodplain management policies to mitigate threats to life and property damage in flood-prone areas. Critics assert that taxpayers should not be required to subsidize those who choose to build in known floodplains – they know the risk, they should accept the risk. Is this “donor fatigue?” What do you think? Explain your position.

10. A risk assessment had accurately forecast the level of damage that would result in the event of a major earthquake. It was known that engineering technology existed that would involve the use of extensive pilings to shore up the seabed in the port. It was also known how expensive such a process would be. In the end, the decision turned on how likely they believed that a major earthquake would occur. In essence, they rolled the dice and lost. The cost to restore the port was exponentially greater than it would have cost to reinforce the seabed.

Using the risk management formula above, where did the planners at Kobe go wrong? Were they incompetent? Irresponsible? Or just unlucky?

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