And Fusion Center Success Stories
Fusion Centers play an important role in the countering of terrorist threats in the United States. One thing that is worth noting is that the conceptualization of the security has changed since 9/11. Prior to 9/11, the United States security was dependent on the traditional notion of security as being between states to state. This was the fundamental principle upon which departments such as Civil Defense had been founded. However, the notion of security has changed after the 9/11. Aggressors to the state now also incorporate individuals who were initially protected by the state. As a result of this shift in the conceptualization of security, departments such as the Civil Defense were rendered obsolete and were subsequently replaced with departments such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which were more proactive.
As a result of this changing notion of security, the countering of terrorism is a matter that should not entirely be left to the federal government, but should involve governments at all levels. This means that Fusion Centers work towards making sure that there is a liaison between the federal and local governments in the process of countering terrorism in the United States. It is important to understand that different terrorist groups that have been causing terror both within and without the United States operate in high defined networks. Therefore, there is a need for Fusion Centers to work as networks so that various levels of governments can be able to share vital information regarding terrorist activities (Masse, Neil, and Rollins 1). In light of this, it is worthwhile to conclude that fusion centers play an important role in countering terrorism. This does not in any way represent the intrusion of federal government into state and local affairs.
Works Cited
Masse, Todd, Siobhan Neil, and John Rollins. Information and intelligence (including terrorism) fusion centers. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2008. Print.
