Harvard University Wk 2 The Challenges in Homeland Security Discussion

Discuss the challenges in Homeland Security and beyond listed in the National Security Strategy (2017). Are there other challenges that the US should address that are not included? If so, what are they?

Required Readings:

National Security Strategy: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017…

Instructions: Fully utilize the materials that have been provided to you in order to support yourresponse. Please respond to at least two other students and provide substantive commentsthat contribute something new and important to the discussion. You may challenge, support orsupplement another student’s answer using the terms, concepts and theories from therequired readings. Also, do not be afraid to respectfully disagree where you feel appropriate; asthis should be part of your analysis process at this academic level

Student Responses

Student #1 Alexander

Hello professor, class, within this document there are many things discussed, and I have responded to similar questions in other classes. My issue with it is consistently that there is too much weight placed on military intervention as a counter terrorism measure, and not enough focus placed on socioeconomic measures. I understand completely the length and classification restrictions on the document and that it is not meant to be an end all be all document, but I also believe that the glossing over of non-military means of countering extremism and radicalization is just another example of eagerness to treat the symptoms instead of the cause of the issue. The fact that this document is supposed to be an overarching reference point for policy means that the lack of creative solutions in this document is reflective of the actual policy and intentions.

One thing that I do like about the document is how much emphasis is placed on curbing Iranian aggression. The more that I study Shia extremism and specifically militia groups in Iraq and Hezbollah, the more I see the need for taking measures against Iran as a necessity that should have been dealt with much sooner. I’m not sure that I would have exited the nuclear deal in the way that he did or assassinated Muhandis and Soleimani in the same way he did, but I think these are good steps towards a policy of less tolerance. As I pointed out in the previous paragraph, however, I would have liked to have seen more content related to how we will dissuade the general populations from choosing the side of our adversaries.

Thanks, Alex

Student #2 Stephen

Good morning everyone,

In our week two lesson we were to read about the challenges the United States faces according to the 2017 National Security Strategy.

Anti-Western actors like China, Russia, and North Korea represent continual threats that pose significant challenges to the American way of life. The American people’s security is also challenged by those bad actors such as transnational criminal organizations and Islamic jihadists who have vowed to hurt American citizens. (National Security Strategy of the United States of America, 2017, p. 2-3) These are long-term challenges that demand our sustained national attention and commitment. In addition, Dr. Benton brought up a very good point last week about the spread of infectious diseases and how they will take a significant toll on a global scale in the coming years.

The United States also faces challenges in the protection of its critical infrastructure. As the world becomes more interconnected, the networks the United States utilizes to conduct day to day business are increasingly vital, and that that includes the protection of the data on those networks. (National Security Strategy of the United States of America, 2017, p. 22)

Two additional challenges that the United States must face is the sustained dominance in Space and cyberspace. As alluded to in the previous paragraph, cyberspace must be dominated. That will be a challenge well into the future as malicious countries make up ground in this arena.

The aforementioned malicious actors will try to poison the minds of the rest of the world against the United States. Our diplomats will face an uphill battle in the coming years to maintain and forge new international relationships that will be crucial to our dominance and American interests. (National Security Strategy of the United States of America, 2017, p. 33)

After going through the National Security Strategy, I was unable to think of anything outside the box that had not been addressed.

Mac

Reference

The National Security Strategy of the United States of America. (2017). United States. Executive Office of the President. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017…