Are We There Yet. Anyone Have a Map

摘要

During the last 8 years substantial discussion has been conducted on whether or not the United States Government is organized to utilize all aspects of National Power to reach the National Security Objectives of the United States. One of the most commonly discussed disconnects is the formation of the Homeland Security Council to focus on the domestic component of national security. Think tanks from every political leaning have posited multiple reasons and solutions for the perceived failures leading up to and since 9/11. The distillation of the writing focuses on the organizational wire diagram and authorities that have evolved since 9/11. President Obama and his National Security Advisor have made changes to mitigate some of these perceived shortfalls. This paper concludes that while organizational structure can contribute to success or failure of the national security policy it is the process of holding those involved accountable, providing resources in the appropriate time and place and ultimately leadership from the top down that will yield success or failure.