CBP Ditches Predator in the Pacific Ocean
News reports are trickling out about a decision by a Customs and Border Patrol Predator operator to send a multi-million dollar unmanned aerial vehicle into the Pacific Ocean when it became clear it could not make it back to...
DetailsCongressional DHS Oversight is Overkill
Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the many leadership vacancies at DHS and Congress' overlapping, uncoordinated legislative oversight. His testimony is absolutely right.
DetailsJohnson Nominated for DHS Secretary – What Does That Tell Us?
The anticipated nomination of Jeh Johnson to become the fourth DHS Secretary is welcomed news almost any way you look at it. Johnson’s prodigious resume and professional history is being chronicled by the homeland security, defense and legal establishment...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself – A Ray of Hope from the Senate
At Wednesday’s Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee confirmation hearing for Stevan Bunnell as DHS General Counsel and Suzanne Spaulding as Under Secretary of NPPD, both Chairman Tom Carper and Ranking Member Tom Coburn decried the number of...
DetailsCongress, Heal Thyself – Hamilton and Kean Weigh In Again
Another 9/11 anniversary is upon us. Looking back over the last 12 years, the United States has made a lot of progress in securing the country, and much of this progress grew out of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Yet,...
DetailsOn the Cusp of Another 9/11 Anniversary
The Department of Homeland Security has been at the mercy of the White House, and nowhere has there been a greater concern than in the seeming lack of urgency in filling vacant positions. What else (other than incompetence) could...
DetailsThree Additional Names for Consideration as New DHS Secretary
For those homeland security soothsayers who have burned up the traditional and social media wires since the announcement that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano is leaving, most have regurgitated the same short list of qualified candidates to assume the position....
DetailsCongressional Oversight Done Right – Why Can’t DHS Communicate Better With America?
This morning, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency held a hearing to explore the question, “Why Can’t DHS Communicate Better With the American People?” It is a worthy topic and one that has been begging...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself – An In-Depth Analysis of Dysfunctionality
Yesterday, the House Homeland Security Committee held the first in what will likely be a series of hearings on the Boston Marathon bombing. Other congressional committees will want to hold separate (and probably duplicative) hearings on the tragic event...
DetailsAnalyzing CBP's UAV Surveillance Program
The Center for International Policy recently released a report entitled "Drones Over the Homeland," which provides an excellent analysis of CBP's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program from inception to the present. It adds significantly to the debate Congress should be...
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