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The Business Forum Journal

 United States National Security & Homeland Security Strategies

By Robert T. Uda

 

In this paper, I analyzed the various strategy documents and compared their objectives and other major points to answer the question: Do the U.S. national security and homeland security strategies complement each other? To begin with, I defined the word “strategy.” Then, I explored the salient points of The National Security Strategy of the United States of America document. I did likewise with the National Strategy for Homeland Security document and identified important features. However, sandwiched between the national security strategy and homeland security strategy, I analyzed the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism document. It was interesting to note how these three documents worked synergistically together as an integrated strategy.

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What is Strategy?

Strategy Defined. Strategy is the science of planning and directing large-scale military operations, specifically (as distinguished from tactics) of maneuvering forces into the most advantageous position prior to actual engagement with the enemy. Strategy is a plan or action based on this. Strategy is skill in managing or planning, especially by using stratagems. Strategy is a stratagem or artful means to some end [1] As stated in the problem statement above, strategy provides a plan for action to combat a threat, and that threat today is the attacking terrorists and their weapons of mass destruction (WMDs [2] and cyber-warfare.[3] WMDs include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and enhanced effects (CBRNE) weapons. An example of an “enhanced effects weapon”[4] is when terrorists use commercial airliners[5] as missiles and crash them into large buildings as they did on 9/11.

Asymmetrical Warfare Strategy. In today’s Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), strategy using “large-scale military operations” is only large scale in the sense that the war is worldwide or global. However, in fighting terrorists, we do not marshal large-scale forces to meet at a battlefront as we did in conventional warfare in World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict. Unconventional or asymmetrical warfare uses a different kind of strategy. The enemy does not dress in a military uniform with insignia on it. The enemy does not respect national boundaries. The enemy does not abide by the tenets of the Geneva Convention. The enemy is not afraid of dying for his twisted cause. The enemy is brutal and vicious and will kill anyone they consider as infidels or who are non-believers of their special brand of fundamentalist Islamic beliefs. They are Islamo-fascists. We must possess a strategy that can effectively counter that kind of unconventional, asymmetrical warfare. We tried to fight an unconventional war in Vietnam with conventional weapons, strategies, and tactics … and we failed miserably at it. To win, we must fight the Islamo-fascist terrorists using unconventional weapons, strategies, and tactics.

National Security Strategy

National Security Policy. It is the policy of the United States to seek and support democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. In the world today, the fundamental character of regimes matters as much as the distribution of power among them. The goal of our statecraft is to help create a world of democratic, well-governed states that can meet the needs of their citizens and conduct themselves responsibly in the international arena. This is the best way to provide enduring security for the American people. [6]

There Will Always Be Wars. “Ending tyranny in our world” may be a lofty vision statement but an unachievable task. Since there is opposition in all things, there will always be protagonists and antagonists. Like Newton’s Third Law of Motion, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction [7] no force will ever go on forever without meeting an opposing force in due time. As long as this dichotomy exists, there will be disagreements and eventual conflicts. It is like ending poverty in the world. That will never happen because one defines the other. For a certain people to be considered as rich there must be another set of people considered as poor. One defines the other. From history, we see that there will always be wars. Yes, there may be short periods of world peace. However, a short period of peace usually ends with the start of ongoing wars somewhere throughout the world.

War on Islamo-fascist Terrorists. The war on poverty will never be solved because poverty is a concept, and you cannot triumph over a concept. Likewise, the war on drugs will never be solved because you cannot fight and triumph over drugs. Drugs are inanimate chemicals. Additionally, the war on terrorism or the war on terror will never be won because you cannot triumph over the concept of terrorism or terror. However, we are fighting a war against human beings (if you can call them that) … a war against Islamo-fascist terrorists. A war on terrorists can be won because all we need to do is to kill all terrorists, destroy their will to continue the fight, or persuade them that there are better alternatives … alternatives that are peaceful in nature in a co-existing world. If they cannot and will not accept the peaceful co-existence alternative, then we must either destroy their will to fight or eliminate them altogether.

The Goal of Our Statecraft. Achieving this goal is the work of generations. The United States is in the early years of a long struggle, similar to what our country faced in the early years of the Cold War (which lasted for about 45 years). The 20th Century witnessed the triumph of freedom over the threats of totalitarianism including fascism, Nazism, and communism. Yet a new totalitarian ideology now threatens, an ideology grounded not in secular philosophy but in the perversion of a proud religion (Islam). Its content may be different from the ideologies of the last century. However, its means are similar, i.e., intolerance, murder, terror, enslavement, and repression. National strategy provides the vision for all elements of power to combine to protect national interests.[8]

Our National Security Strategy. In a letter to the American people, President George W. Bush wrote [9] "Our national security strategy is founded upon two pillars":

• The first pillar is promoting freedom, justice, and human dignity – working to end tyranny, to promote effective democracies, and to extend prosperity through free and fair trade and wise development policies. Free governments are accountable to their people, govern their territory effectively, and pursue economic and political policies that benefit their citizens. Free governments do not oppress their people or attack other free nations. Peace and international stability are most reliably built on a foundation of freedom.

• The second pillar of our strategy is confronting the challenges of our time by leading a growing community of democracies. Many of the problems we face – from the threat of pandemic disease, to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to terrorism, to human trafficking, to natural disasters – reach across borders. Effective multinational efforts are essential to solve these problems. Yet, history has shown that only when we do our part will others do theirs. America must continue to lead.

• Hence, we have our work cut out for us. We must lead, follow, or get out of the way. But we have no choice. Either we lead to win or we lose. Given those two alternatives, we must lead.

Idealistic Goals and Realistic Means. The challenges America faces are great, yet we have enormous power and influence to address those challenges. The times require an ambitious national security strategy, yet one recognizing the limits that even a nation as powerful as the United States can achieve by itself. Our national security strategy is idealistic about goals, and realistic about means. There was a time when two oceans seemed to provide protection from problems in other lands, leaving America to lead by example alone. That time has long since passed. America cannot know peace, security, and prosperity by retreating from the world. America must lead by deed as well as by example. This is how we plan to lead, and this is the legacy we will leave to those who follow. [10]

Combating Terrorism Strategy

National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. America is at war with a transnational terrorist movement fueled by a radical ideology of hatred, oppression, and murder. Our September 2006 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, first published in February 2003, [11] recognizes that we are at war and that protecting and defending the Homeland, the American people, and their livelihoods remains our first and most solemn obligation. [12] In conjunction with The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, our National Strategy for Combating Terrorism focuses specifically on the terrorist threat.

A Different Kind of War. Our strategy also recognizes that the War on Terror is a different kind of war. From the beginning, it has been both a battle of arms and a battle of ideas. Not only do we fight our terrorist enemies on the battlefield, but we promote freedom and human dignity as alternatives to the terrorists’ perverse vision of oppression and totalitarian rule. The paradigm for combating terrorism now involves the application of all elements of our national power and influence. Not only do we employ military power, we use diplomatic, financial, intelligence, and law enforcement activities to protect the Homeland and extend our defenses, disrupt terrorist operations, and deprive our enemies of what they need to operate and survive. We have broken old orthodoxies that once confined our counterterrorism efforts primarily to the criminal justice domain. [13]

Winning the Battle of Ideas. From the beginning, the War on Terror has been both a battle of arms and a battle of ideas – a fight against the terrorists and their murderous ideology. In the short run, the fight involves the application of all instruments of national power and influence to kill or capture the terrorists, deny them safe haven and control of any nation, prevent them from gaining access to WMD, render potential terrorist targets less attractive by strengthening security, and cut off their sources of funding and other resources they need to operate and survive. In the long run, winning the War on Terror means winning the battle of ideas. Ideas can transform the embittered and disillusioned either into murderers willing to kill innocents or into free peoples living harmoniously in a diverse society. [14]

Two-pronged Vision. The battle of ideas helps to define the strategic intent of our National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. The United States will continue to lead an expansive international effort in pursuit of a two-pronged vision.[15]

• The defeat of violent extremism as a threat to our way of life as a free and open society
   

• The creation of a global environment inhospitable to violent extremists and all who support them

Safer but Not Yet Safe. Since the September 11 attacks, America is safer, but we are not yet safe. We have done much to degrade al-Qaeda and its affiliates and to undercut the perceived legitimacy of terrorism. Our Muslim partners are speaking out against those who seek to use their religion to justify violence and a totalitarian vision of the world. We have significantly expanded our counterterrorism coalition, transforming old adversaries into new and vital partners in the War on Terror. We have liberated more than 50 million Afghans and Iraqis from despotism, terrorism, and oppression, permitting the first free elections in recorded history for either nation. In addition, we have transformed our governmental institutions and framework to wage a generational struggle. Challenges will continue to exist, but along with our partners, we will attack terrorism and its twisted ideology and bring hope and freedom to the people of the world. This is how we will win the War on Terror. [16]

Homeland Security Strategy

Overview. America is at war with terrorist enemies who are intent on attacking our Homeland and destroying our way of life. The lives and livelihoods of the American people also remain at risk from natural catastrophes, including naturally occurring infectious diseases and hazards such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and man-made accidents. Our National Strategy for Homeland Security recognizes that while we must continue to focus on the persistent and evolving terrorist threat, we also must address the full range of potential catastrophic events, including man-made and natural disasters, due to their implications on homeland security. [17]

Purpose of Our Strategy. The purpose of our Homeland Security Strategy is to guide, organize, and unify our Nation’s homeland security efforts. It provides a common framework by which our entire Nation should focus its efforts on the following four goals. [18]

• Prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks

• Protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key resources [19] [20]

• Respond to and recover from incidents that do occur

• Continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure our long-term success

Our Borders are Unsecured. In accordance with the problem statement, Homeland security strategy should complement national security strategy and address specific requirements associated with defending the nation’s borders. Page 5 of the National Strategy for Homeland Security makes the following statement: “We have made our borders more secure and developed an effective system of layered defense by strengthening the screening of people and goods overseas and by tracking and disrupting the international travel of terrorists. [21] [22] The author of this paper takes total umbrage to this statement. It is blatantly false! We absolutely have not made our porous borders secure [23] from terrorist infiltrations, not to mention the millions of illegal aliens who have entered the United States.

Terrorists Infiltrate Our Borders. Texas Governor Rick Perry said, “Nationwide, 650 people from ‘special interest countries’ were caught last year [2005] entering the country illegally. This shows the potential of terrorist organizations to infiltrate our border is a real threat that must be taken seriously. [24] [25]  Since 1994, the Border Patrol has made more than 11.3 million apprehensions nationwide. In FY 2001, Border Patrol agents apprehended almost 1.2 million persons for illegally entering our country. [26] [27]

Port and Maritime Security. Along with border security, [28] we must be concerned about port and maritime security. [29] Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said that the threat of a USS Cole-type attack on US ports – where a small boat packed with explosives detonates in a harbor – is one of his top concerns. [30] [31] We historically know that terrorists like al Qaeda use small vessels to conduct attack operations. They attempted to do so with respect to the USS The Sullivans. They successfully did so with respect to the USS Cole. They did so with respect to the French tanker Limburg. Hence, this is certainly a threat with some historic legacy. [32] [33]

A Truly National Effort Needed. Homeland security requires a truly national effort, with shared goals and responsibilities for protecting and defending the Homeland. Our National Strategy for Homeland Security leverages the unique strengths and capabilities of all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, communities, and individual citizens. Mindful that many of the threats we face do not recognize geographic boundaries, we also continue to work closely with our international partners throughout the world. Our first and most solemn obligation is to protect the American people. The National Strategy for Homeland Security guides our Nation as we honor this commitment and achieve a more secure Homeland that sustains our way of life as a free, prosperous, and welcoming America. [34]

Our Work is far from Over. Since the turn of the millennium, our Nation has endured history’s deadliest attack of international terrorism and the most destructive natural disaster to strike American soil. In the face of these challenges, America has responded courageously, with focus and clarity of purpose. Today, we are safer, stronger, and better prepared to address the full range of catastrophic events that threaten us, including man-made accidents and natural disasters. Our work, however, is far from over. We remain resolute in our commitment to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks in the Homeland, protect the American people and the Nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources, [35] [36] and effectively respond to and recover from those incidents that do occur. Working together, our Nation will secure the Homeland in order to sustain our way of life – now and for generations to come. [37]

Are the Two Strategies Complementary?

Combating Terrorism Strategy Builds Directly from National Security Strategy. The updated September 2006 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism sets the course for winning the War on Terror. It builds directly from the March 2006 National Security Strategy as well as the February 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, and incorporates our increased understanding of the enemy. From the beginning, we understood that the War on Terror involved more than simply finding and bringing to justice those who had planned and executed the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Our strategy involved destroying the larger al-Qaeda network and also confronting the radical ideology that inspires others to join or support the terrorist movement. [38]

Homeland Security Strategy Complements Combating Terrorism Strategy. The updated October 2007 National Strategy for Homeland Security builds directly from the first July 2002 National Strategy for Homeland Security. [39] Additionally, it reflects increased understanding of the terrorist threats confronting the United States today. Furthermore, it incorporates lessons learned from exercises and real-world catastrophes – including Hurricane Katrina. Finally, it proposes new initiatives and approaches that enable the Nation to achieve our homeland security objectives. This National Strategy for Homeland Security also complements both the March 2006 National Security Strategy and the September 2006 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. [40]  As can be seen, the National Security Strategy not only complements the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, but it also complements the National Strategy for Homeland Security. In other words, all three strategies work in unison, in coordination, and in correlation with each other.

Conclusion

Strategy provides a plan for action to combat a threat. The US must possess a strategy that effectively counters unconventional or asymmetrical warfare. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is both a battle of arms and a battle of ideas. The battle of ideas helps to define the strategic intent of our National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, and National Strategy for Homeland Security work in unison, in coordination, and in correlation among each other. Because of that synergism and since the September 11 attacks, America is now safer but not yet safe.

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[1] Neufeldt, V. (Editor in Chief), & Guralnik, D. B. (Editor in Chief Emeritus), (Eds.). (1989). Webster’s New World Dictionary of American English (Third College Edition). New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

[2] The White House (2002, December). National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Washington, DC.

[3] The White House (2003, February). The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace. Washington, DC.

[4] Larsen, R., & McIntyre, D. (n.d.). A primer on homeland security: Strategic functions, threats, and mission areas. ANSER Institute for Homeland Security. Retrieved June 14, 2008, from http://www.homelanddefense.org/bulletin/strategic_functions.htm.

[5] DHS (2007, March 26). National Strategy for Aviation Security. Washington, DC: US Department of Homeland Security

[6] The White House (2006, March). The National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Washington, DC.

[7] Anonymous (n.d.). Newton’s Third Law: Applied to aerodynamics. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center website. Retrieved June 14, 2008, from http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/newton3.html.

[8] The White House (2006, March). The National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Washington, DC.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] The White House (2003, February). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Washington, DC.

[12] The White House (2006, September). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Washington, DC.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] HSC (2007, October). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Homeland Security Council (HSC).

[18] Ibid.

[19] The White House (2003, February). The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets. Washington, DC.

[20] DHS (2006). National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Washington, DC: US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

[21] HSC (2007, October). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Homeland Security Council (HSC).

[22] NCTC (2006, May 2). National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel. McLean, VA: National Counterterrorism Center

[23] Anonymous (2007). The Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Reform Act of 2007: Section 127, National Strategy for Border Security. The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://www.heritage.org/research/immigration/im62007.cfm?page=22.

[24] Anonymous (2006, October 20). High-intensity joint operations help Texas improve security at border. Crime Control Digest, 40(41), pp. 1-2.

[25] Uda, R. T. (2008). Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Victory Over Islamo-fascist Jihadists. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse

[26] Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., Coppola, D., Ergin, E., Westerman, L., & Yeletaysi, S. (2006). Introduction to Homeland Security, Second Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.

[27] Uda, R. T. (2008). Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Victory Over Islamo-fascist Jihadists. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse

[28] Anonymous (2007). The Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Reform Act of 2007: Section 127, National Strategy for Border Security. The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://www.heritage.org/research/immigration/im62007.cfm?page=22.

[29] The White House (2005, September). The National Strategy for Maritime Security. Washington, DC.

[30] Anonymous (2007, September 10). Chertoff: We’re preparing for nuclear attack. Newsfront. Retrieved June 15, 2008 from http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/chertoff_nuclear/2007/09/10/31560.html?s=al&promo_code=39CB-1.

[31] Uda, R. T. (2008). Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Victory Over Islamo-fascist Jihadists. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse

[32] Chertoff, M. (2007, July 20). Chertoff addresses port security & supply chain protection. News Room, Equity International, Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://www.worldinvest.us/details.asp?id=597.

[33] Uda, R. T. (2008). Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Victory Over Islamo-fascist Jihadists. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse

[34] HSC (2007, October). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Homeland Security Council (HSC).

[35] The White House (2003, February). The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets. Washington, DC.

[36] DHS (2006). National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Washington, DC: US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

[37] HSC (2007, October). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Homeland Security Council (HSC).

[38] The White House (2006, September). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Washington, DC.

[39] Anonymous (2002, July). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Office of Homeland Security.

[40] HSC (2007, October). National Strategy for Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Homeland Security Council (HSC).
 

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Robert T. (Bob) Uda, serves as vice president of the West Coast Division of SIG Homeland Security, LLC. Bob previously served as chairman, president, and CEO of Apollo Systems Technology, Inc., a system security engineering company in Canyon Country, California. He served in the USAF for over eight years and worked in the aerospace and defense industries for over a quarter century.  Bob earned BS degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Oklahoma and in general business from Regents College (now called Excelsior College) of Albany, New York. He further earned an MS degree in astronautics from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and an MBA from the University of La Verne, California. Additionally, he received a diploma in The Executive Program in Management from the UCLA Graduate School of Management. Bob has written/published four counterterrorism books including (1) Principles of Asymmetrical Warfare: How to Beat Islamo-fascists at Their Own Game, (2) Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Victory Over Islamo-fascist Jihadists, (3) Combating Terrorists in the USA: Protecting the CONUS from Terrorists, and (4) Cybercrime, Cyberterrorism, and Cyberwarfare: Crime, Terror, and War without Conventional Weapons. Currently, he is writing a book titled Those Blasted IEDs! Defeating the Deadly Improvised Explosive Device. Bob is certified in the Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT). He is a CERT member of the City of San Marcos, California and is a disaster service worker with the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization. He also holds the Certified Homeland Security Professional certification with specialization in Counter-Terrorism from SIG Homeland Security, LLC. Additionally, he received the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Homeland Security from NCU. Bob holds memberships in the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts, the International Counter Terrorism Officers Association, InfraGard San Diego Members Alliance, Orange County Private Sector Terrorism Response Team, Business Espionage Controls & Countermeasures Association, and National Defense Industrial Association. Bob also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Board of Regents of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers headquartered at the James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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