HOMELAND SECURITY WATCH: Update HSPDs 5 and 8

As Secretary Napolitano undertakes a wide-ranging review of DHS operations, plans, and capabilities, no doubt she is either leading or informing a similar review of the two dozen Homeland Security Presidential Directives issued by President Bush since 9/11. All HSPDs are likely on the chopping block, but for different reasons. Some are inconsistent with President Obama’s philosophy and strategy. Some are simply outdated. We’ll take a look at a few of them here and in subsequent posts.

DHS: Jane Holl Lute to Be Nominated as Homeland Security Deputy Secretary

Release Date: January 23, 2009

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Today, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Jane Holl Lute as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the following appointments for her senior staff: Noah Kroloff, Chief of Staff for Policy to the Secretary; and Jan Lesher, Chief of Staff for Operations to the Secretary.

USA TODAY: U.N. exec picked for No. 2 at Homeland Security

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top United Nations official who once served on the White House National Security Council has been picked for deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department, a move that would place two women at the top of the department for the first time.

President Barack Obama's nomination of Jane Holl Lute, a retired Army major who worked on the NSC under President Bill Clinton, was announced Friday by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Three secretaries and five deputy secretaries — all men — have served at the agency since it launched in 2003.

At the U.N., Lute coordinates peace efforts among countries in conflict.

"Jane's experience leading large operations with broad and challenging missions lends itself to the undertaking we have before us at Homeland Security," Napolitano said in a statement.

ARIZONA DAILY STAR: Napolitano takes over Homeland Security

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has officially taken over as the third head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Just hours after Barack Obama was sworn in as president Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Napolitano as his pick to head the massive agency. Her appointment was approved on a voice vote. There was no roll call.

WSJ: Chertoff Sees No Credible Threat on Historic Day

WASHINGTON -- U.S. intelligence analysts reviewing secret data and electronic intercepts have found no credible evidence of plans to disrupt the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

"Everybody has been very focused on this for months," he said in an interview Thursday.

WASHINGTON POST: 'Homeland Security' Show An Incomplete Picture

The Eye and Almost Mrs. Eye spent part of their Tuesday evening watching the debut episode of ABC's "Homeland Security USA" in spite of poor reviews and strong online criticism of the program.

While the show provides a unique and informative look at the work of homeland security employees, very little distinguishes it from similar reality programs about law enforcement or government programs like "Cops" or the Discovery Channel specials. The show also leaves several questions unanswered, and may suggest to viewers that some of the department's rank and file are too eager for action.

AP: Ill. governor's federal security clearance revoked

CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information, officials said Friday.

USA TODAY: Napolitano backs security tech

Gov. Janet Napolitano — President-elect Barack Obama's pick to run the Homeland Security Department — has strongly advocated using advanced security technology as a law enforcement tool, drawing praise from police and raising concern among civil liberties groups that warn about privacy invasion.

ARS TECHNICA: DHS report surveys fusion center privacy concerns

In a Privacy Impact Assessment released publicly this week, the Department of Homeland Security's Privacy Office outlines the measures in place to ensure that "fusion centers" created to facilitate information sharing between law enforcement and intelligence agencies respect privacy rights. "Despite these efforts," the report concludes, "the Privacy Office has identified a number of risks to privacy presented by the fusion center program."

AP: Homeland Security forecasts 5-year threat picture

WASHINGTON – The terrorism threat to the United States over the next five years will be driven by instability in the Middle East and Africa, persistent challenges to border security and increasing Internet savvy, says a new intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press.

WASHINGTON POST FEDERAL EYE: Homeland Security Goes Hollywood

A new reality television show focused on the agencies and employees of the Department of Homeland Security is sure to find fans among bureaucrats and department observers, and also is likely to draw some criticism from those who wonder if a primetime television show is the best use of the agency's time.

BOSTON GLOBE: Homeland Security in disarray, officials warn

WASHINGTON - As the Department of Homeland Security prepares for its first transition, a series of major projects - including a communication network linking state and locals officials in a crisis, a system to scan shipping containers for terrorist weapons, and a massive border-control initiative - face serious technical delays or cost overruns.

AMVA: Homeland Security recommends Kansas site to replace Plum Island

The Department of Homeland Security is recommending Kansas State University as the site of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility for the study of foreign animal and zoonotic diseases that can affect livestock.

The AVMA is backing federal legislation to establish the NBAF. The high-security facility will replace Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Plum Island, N.Y., the only location in the United States for research on the live virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease. Homeland Security has oversight of Plum Island, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts the research there on foreign animal diseases.

AMERICA NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY: Ideas for Obama: Raid Homeland Security Budget

Over the next few days, we will throw out some policy ideas for the new Obama administration. Readers should send in their own proposals by posting a comment.

While the financial crisis permits Obama to spend almost unlimited amounts of money in his first year trying to jump start the economy, he still needs to find ways to re-direct government funds towards projects liberals care about. He can start by raiding the Pentagon and Homeland Security budgets for mass transportation.

Mass transportation? It’s called an evacuation plan.

MENS NEWS DAILY: Homeland Security Experts Offer President-Elect Obama Counseling

Jim Kouri, CPP

The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council and the Georgetown Public Policy Institute today held a transition briefing to discuss the historical context of the US Department of Homeland Security, the evolution of the homeland security mission, and recommendations to the Obama Administration for where the Department should go from here.

“Although we are certainly doing better, we are not there yet,” said Greg Pellegrino, Chair of the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council and Global Managing Director at consulting giant Deloitte. “Speed and openness is the enemy of security and after 9/11 we responded very rapidly. We are still navigating the balance between openness and protection.”

HOMELAND SECURITY WATCH: More Insight Into the Next Administration’s HLS Priorities

by Jonah Czerwinski on December 5, 2008

Readers will recall the dearth of attention given to homeland security during the presidential campaign. In part, this was a welcome absence. It reflected some level of consensus on the issues between the candidates, but it also indicated a lop-sided focus during the campaign on kinetic aspects of combating terrorism (notwithstanding the significant attention given by candidate Obama to soft power mechanisms). However, now that the election is over, there is an abundance of discussion about whither homeland security policy, the Department of Homeland Security as an organization, the future of certain of its component agencies, and the question of how the White House will be organized to lead the mission at a variety of levels.