The 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 had ramifications that reverberated across the United States. The government structure of United States was not left untouched as a result of the attacks that sent shocking waves to millions of American within and without America. Because of the humongous effect the attack had on the image of the United States, it was common knowledge that restructuring the internal security system of the country was a priority and that preemptive actions would be taken to avoid such an attack to happen again. Given the urgency of the need to improve the internal security system of the United States, a new subdivision (Department of Homeland Security) was created in 2002. Its objective was to streamline the United States’ emergency preparedness. This new department brought together twenty two agencies that were united for a sole purpose of ensuring the safety of American citizens home and abroad. The new department’s role would include protecting from and responding to terrorist attacks as well ensuring that America was well prepared to counter the effects of natural disaster such as hurricanes, floods, fires, earth quakes amongst others (Abbott, 2005).
Included in the DHS is a central agency called the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA). The role of FEMA is to ensure that all disasters and catastrophes are managed from a single organ. FEMA has grown to be one of the most powerful Agencies in the United States. While the United States had escaped a terrorist attack since the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security in November 25, 2002, the country has not remained unscathed from natural catastrophes. Indeed, the United States was attacked by one hurricane after another from the year 2005. The United States has sought to defend itself from terrorist attacks by the use of CBRN through the implementation of different methods. These methods include reforms at the executive arm of the government on department directly involved with infrastructure and security, cooperation with the international community to ensure that terrorist are not a threat to international trade as well as use of force in the pursuit of terrorists in the country’s that play host to terrorist. The United States has also adopted a tough stand against the acquisition of nuclear technology by irresponsible countries such as Iran and North Korea. The United States has undertaken massive reforms at home in the area of security. These reforms are aimed at alleviating the risk of a terrorist threat at home through structural adjustment of its infrastructure capacity.
Michael Chertoff (2009) asserts that, in light of the aftermath of 9/11, the national priorities have to incorporate stopping catastrophic loss of life and managing disruptive impacts on the U.S. and global economies across various threat scenarios. To achieve this goal, a strategy that includes resiliency with focused, and risk informed prevention and security as well as preparedness activities concerning the infrastructure of the United States (p iii). From the year 2001, Transport Security act has realized progress in its pursuit of the congressional mandate that is aimed at increasing aviation security. The agency has been active in increasing personnel as well as changing the manner in which transport operations are carried out to limit the chances of terrorist attacks. The agency embarked on hiring people skilled to screen baggage, federal air marshals and other areas to defend itself from perceived terrorist threats. In addition, the department made use of explosive detection equipment in almost 90 percent of the baggage’s that were screened at airports. TSA also implemented the use of technology and information to advance security checks. They have employed the use of Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System that has the capacity to single out passenger who risk for further screening. However, the implementation of this program has been hindered by concerns over privacy. TSA has also ensured that bombs are not carried into the planes by passengers on their luggage. This was possible thorough security checks employed at airport security checks (Aviation security, 2003).
The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (2009) document that the protection of critical infrastructure in the United States is essential to the nation’s security, public health and safety. Not only is the protection of infrastructure vital for the economy, but it is also vital for the vitality and the way of life in the United States. NIPP assert that the disruption of key infrastructure in the United States would be harmful to functioning of government business. This will be detrimental to the nation at large. Because of the importance of infrastructures, it is the country’s responsibility to protect itself. This would help in order to avoid effects of terrorist attacks that may try to injure the infrastructure of the United States. The terrorists (NIPP, 2009, p.1) may employ it paramount the NIPP also consider the protection of the country’s infrastructure from possible nuclear weapons that.
The United States has also bolstered the security of its cyber infrastructure. Some of the tools used in this endeavor include national Cybersecurity Protection system that uses cyber intrusion components. The National Cyber security and Communications Integration Center serves as the main agency charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the country’s cyber networks are secure. In the year 2010, there was an agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense that reinforced the need to protect civilians as well as military systems from possible terrorist attacks. In addition, President Obama has initiated a nationwide Wireless Innovation and interoperable wireless network. These policies did not exist before 9/11 (US Department of Homeland Security Report, 2011, p. 6).
Technology is also used to detect potential terrorists that are aiming to enter the United States. The use of mobile and fixed site technologies and voice radio systems has been influential in enhancing communication capabilities. This has made it possible for the National Emergency Communications Plan and Incident Command systems to have standardized plans that facilitate communications when required. In addition, DHS partners with the Terrorist Screening Center and the National Counterrorism Center to better understand the travel plans of terrorists with modern day traveling databases.
I believe that setting an international regime to solve the world’s political problems is the only way to solve problems arising from international relations. This is because an international regime will ensure fairness in trade, arms race and even political disputes created by alignments and cooperation. According to Joshua Goldstein, international regime constitutes of both realism and idealism principles. This makes it to have the power to check irrationalism of aggressive states and individuals. History has it that The United Nations as a body aimed to foster world peace has failed; the reason for the failure of the UN is attributed to the powers bestowed on the big nations like USA, China, UK and others. For instance, during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, The USA, Australia and UK sent troops even without the consent of the United Nations. Similarly, The League of Nations failed because it was toothless. The League of Nations failed to protect Ethiopia’s integrity when Italy invaded her in 1938.These are just but small examples of how big world bodies created to protect the world in times of strife have failed. International regimes will work because it will not look at the interests of the big states but it will look for a peaceful resolution of the matter at hand.
In the modern world issues such as war on terrorism, rebellions, climate change and HIV threaten the peaceful existence of humanity. According to me, all these are collective goods, because there consequences affect the whole world and their causes are either individuals or nations with different ideologies. There is need to create uniformity either by using hegemonic states to form international regimes or balancing power for the sake of common good. States should act with transparency considering that their actions not only affect their citizens but also the whole world. Strict environmental laws should be upheld and closely monitored because they will to lowering of the degree of pollution and release of carbon dioxide hence protecting the world from climate negative climate change. Concerning terrorism, I tend to believe that dialogue can work better than military aggression because nobody decides to be a terrorist but there is certainly a reason for this. This is what the world should look for.
Collective security is the system aspiring to the maintenance of peace, in which participants agree that any breach is to be declared to be of concern to all the participating members and will result into collective response. Tenets of collective security continue to be behind much famous current and historical and military realignment among great nations. Most notable of all, is the Allied forces in the World War 2 and the current NATO. The term has also been cited as a principle of the UNO. By employing collective security, the UN hopes to any member state from acting in a manner likely to threaten peace, thereby avoiding conflict. Collective security is seen as a compromise between world leaders and a balance of power.
Conclusion
The post September 11 requires a reconsideration of emergency management. Accordingly, the new changes in the manner that emergency management is carried out is in response to the 9/11 attacks. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security is one of the results of structural changes that the new policy laid out as hallmarks towards a more responsive and prompts emergency management system. While this policy has been successful in its ability to defend the United States from a terrorist attack in the last ten years, it has not escaped criticism for its one-way approach. Everyone knows the consequences of an international community that is not united for the good of the all the stakeholders. It has been US’ continuous position that the United Nations has to remain the best place for action and collective security, for which this country had several goals ranging from poverty eradication, fighting terrorism and restoration of democracy in the whole world. Iran’s nuclear program is therefore not an exception from our pursuit of peace in the world and we will use the international Community to put a stoppage on the program.
Work Cited
Abbott, E. B. (2005). A legal guide to Homeland Security and Emergency Management for State and Local Governments (O. J. Hetzel, Trans.). Chicago, IL: American Bar Association.
Bumgarner, J. B. (2008). Emergency Management: a Reference Handbook. Santa Barbar, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc.
Donahue, A. K., & Joyce, P. G. (2001, November/December). A Framework for Analyzing Emergency Management with an Application to Federal Budgeting. Public Administration Review, Vol. 61, (No. 6,), Page 735 of 728-740.
Evans, J., & Drabek, T. E. (2004, June). THEORIES RELEVANT TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VERSUS A THEORY OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT* (Monograph No. 80208-2948). Denver, Colorado: University of Denver.
Hansen, R., & Schramm, D. (1993). Aim & Scope of Disaster Management.
Holdeman, E. (2012, February 10). Emergency Management Is a Complicated Profession [(Opinion)]. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from Emergency Management Strategy and Leadership website: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/training/Emergency-Management-Complicated-Profession-Opinion.html
