ooBdoo Government and Politics News

Security Debrief - a blog of homeland security news and analysis Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:25:42 +0200 Taliban Using Mosque Controversy to Recruit – Newsweek Taliban Using Mosque Controversy to Recruit – Newsweek Taliban officials know it’s sacrilegious to hope a mosque will not be built, but that’s exactly what they’re wishing for: the success of the fiery campaign to block the proposed Islamic cultural center and prayer room near the site of the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan. “By preventing [...] Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:25:39 +0000 Iraq in Focus: Experts Comment on the Withdrawal Homeland Security Policy Institute After more than seven years of war, the US mission in Iraq will transition from combat to stability operations. HSPI’s recent Commentary Baghdad Surprise?– coupled with the President’s address on the future of the US mission in Iraq – led us to pose three questions to key foreign policy and counterterrorism [...] Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:00 +0000 Five Years Later, Gulf Coast Reflections – Part Four In a state as disaster prone as Louisiana has been over the past few years, it's hard to remember that when something bad does occur, it doesn't impact everyone. I was reminded of this when I sat down for lunch with two friends in Lake Charles, LA. Southwest Louisiana is truly a world away from the rest of Louisiana. Whether it is the fact that they have a higher elevation from the southeastern part of the state or they are just closer to Texas, this section of the state has always impressed me as having more of its act together than other portions of Louisiana. Back in 2005, I met Lakes Charles Mayor Randy Roach who introduced me to a saying that has stuck with me ever since. He said, "Just hand me a piece of plywood, and we'll take it from there." Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:18:20 +0000 Questions to Secretary Napolitano About Using Predator UAVs for Border Enforcement The announcement Monday afternoon by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano that Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles will begin patrolling the skies over American's Southwest border, funded in part by the latest $600 million infusion of cash from Congress, ought to raise some very serious questions about the manner in which increasingly limited homeland security funds are being spent. If DHS wants to deploy Predator B UAVs, then at least admit that Predators are far more expensive than almost every other alternative - or make the case why this is a better choice. Thus far, the explanations are lacking, and this should not be allowed to continue. When Congress returns, or whenever GAO gets around to it, Secretary Napolitano should be required publicly to address some of the following questions. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:01:38 +0000 Nation’s nuclear power plants prepare for cyberattacks Nation's nuclear power plants prepare for cyberattacks - NextGov The threat to digital systems at the country's nuclear power plants is considerable, but the sector is better prepared to defend against potentially devastating cyberattacks than most other utilities, according to government and industry officials and experts. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:19:54 +0000