Discuss the challenges and progress made to date in intelligence support for Homeland Security. What is the plan(s) for improving intelligence support for Homeland Security at the DNI, FBI, DHS and the State and Local level? Evaluate how the FBI, DHS and

Improving Homeland Security : Challenges and Improvement

The United States of America had its share of enemies since it was considered as the new military superpower . But with regards to intelligence work and the ability to thwart an attack by an external army nothing was as dramatic as the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 . It was a painful lesson in intelligence failure and past presidents vowed it will never happen again . But when 9 /11 shook the nation , with an attack closer to home , many are wondering who dropped the ball in terms of

br intelligence work

This will look at the major challenges faced by the US intelligence community and the subsequent changes and transformation initiated by government officials to bring upon a marked improvement when it comes to information gathering and preventing future attacks in the US homeland . Before going any further it is important to examine the historical background of US intelligence and how it was shaped by global events especially during World War II and the Cold War with the former Union Soviet Socialists Republic of Russia . The discussion will then come in sharp focus to the events surrounding the infamous September 11 2001 attacks

Background

At the turn of the century , the American government , buoyed by the economic progress from the Industrial Age began to rise as a superpower It was considered by many in the global arena as a force to contend with . Yet it took an unprovoked attack from an Imperial Army of Japan to finally force into everyone 's consciousness that indeed America is both feared and respected

So , one Sunday morning , more than sixty years ago , Hawaii - part of the Union yet situated far away in the Pacific - was mercilessly bombed by Japanese planes . The former President Franklin D . Roosevelt was right in denouncing the surprise attack as a day of infamy . There was no doubt that it was a day of ill repute as America was rudely made aware of their fast rising status . And with it comes enemies who perceive America as a threat or a country guilty of exploiting others . Whatever the perception , the US government will have to defend itself from enemies both foreign and domestic

Intelligence Failure

In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack , the U .S . intelligence community was severely criticized for failing to warn the nation of an impending attack from the Japanese aggressors . It was found out late that there was enough intelligence gathered to have alerted the army base there , but it was largely ignored . This is a classic example of intelligence failure and the consequence of which lingers on for a long time

The Pearl Harbor incident was the catalyst that transformed the US Intelligence community . From then on the intelligence gathering capability of the United States of America was forced to improve . And then again , complacency is the predictable effect of success . When America 's chief nemesis the USSR was toppled down , America finds itself in unfamiliar territory , a world...