Domestic Security Cooperation: A Unified Approach to Homeland Security and Defense

Abstract

Abstract : The terrorist attacks on 9/11 horrified the world and served as the catalyst for two major wars in the first decade of the 21st Century. In addition, because of its porous borders and open society, the attacks underscored the vulnerability of U.S. homeland security. To counter the threats against the nation, U.S. policy-makers created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for homeland security, and its military counterpart, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), responsible for homeland defense. Working in coordination, these two organizations represented a whole-of-government approach to providing for the security and defense of the U.S. DHS and the U.S. military differ on the definition of homeland security. This study uses the U.S. military doctrinal definition found in Department of Defense (DoD), Joint Publication (JP) 1-0, Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, which describes homeland security as a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce America s vulnerability to terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies; and minimize the damage and recover from attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies that occur. The definition serves as a foundation for framing problems associated with homeland security by clearly delineating that the focus of effort is within the borders of the U.S.; whereas the DoD definition focuses on support of civil authorities. DoD defines homeland defense as the protection of United States sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggression or other threats as directed by the President. Homeland defense serves as one layer in the multi-layered defense of the nation and is a vital part of national defense strategy. This layer, unlike homeland security, is the responsibility of the DoD and focuses on threats outside the nation's borders.