Support to Civil Authorities: Protecting the Homeland Newsletter, Number 10-52, July 2010

摘要

The task of protecting borders and ports of entry from transnational and other threats to the security of the United States is a colossal undertaking, requiring the coordination and cooperation of many U.S. government agencies. This newsletter is a collection of articles, some previously published and other specifically written for this publication, that describe the critical nature of the homeland security mission, highlight some of the key agencies and organizations involved, and clarify the Department of Defense (DOD) role in providing support to this important task. The line separating homeland defense from homeland security can be fine, but it is important to understand the differences between the two functions when examining the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in detecting and deterring transnational threats. DOD is normally the lead agency for homeland defense, which is the protection of U.S. sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggressions and other threats as directed by the President. Homeland security, which is the focus of this newsletter, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist acts within the United States, reduce America's vulnerabilities to terrorism, minimize the damage from terrorism, and assist the population in recovering from attacks that do occur. While homeland security is primarily the responsibility of civilian organizations and the National Guard working for the state governors, the military must be prepared to provide specific capabilities and make up for any shortfalls in extreme circumstances. The first section of this newsletter provides a review of events since 9/11 that have shaped how the military prepares for and responds to homeland security events. It also discusses authorities and limitations and takes a look at the recently released 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) as it applies to supporting civil authorities at home.