Description
Discussion Requirements
Active participation in all discussions is required.
Post comments at least 3 times during each module.
Before writing your comments:
Review the Discussion grading rubric to see what is expected for an excellent discussion, in order to earn full credit.
Review some resources to help you synthesize, such as the following:
Sullivan, J. (2011). Strategies for Synthesis Writing. Retrieved from
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/edu/Strategies-for-Synthesis-Writing.html
Second post for each module discussion:
A substantive comment should be approximately
300 words or more for all responses.
Read the initial comments posted by your classmates and reflect upon them.
Formulate one new comment of your own. It must be a logical and thoughtful response that synthesizes the comments of at least 3 classmates into one comment. Be sure to synthesize; do not simply reply to each of the 3 classmates or restate their comments
NOTE: You are required to cite sources and include a reference list for the second post if it is simply your opinion. However, if your opinion is based on facts (as it should be), it is good practice to strengthen your position by citing sources.
Be sure to meet all of the criteria in the rubric, as noted in the instructions above.
Third post for each module discussion:
Read the initial and secondary comments posted by your classmates and reflect upon them.
Directly respond to at least one classmate in a way that extends meaningful discussions, adds new information, and/or offers alternative perspectives.
MY DISCUSSION
Classmates and Professor,
Compared to others, the threat to physical border security is seen as the most clinical and challenging one to the United States government. The United States Border Patrol is the body mandated to be responsible for any activities in the borders. The body serves as the mobile and uniformed law enforcement that is situated in different points of entry. In recent times, the issue of physical border patrol and security has been the most important to the United States nation currently (Finklea, 2013). The idea of protecting the physical borders is very key and strategic as it helps control what and who is coming in and out of the country and what their intentions are. Generally, physical border security is currently more important and strategic in helping the nation protect itself.
The other two threats, human trafficking and narcotics trafficking impacts in different ways in which important intelligence is collected and combat different threats. Intelligence would comprise of several features that would critically have an impact on the demand of the trafficking cycle. In terms of human trafficking, the choice of trafficking only females would only help investigate the trafficking of only female victims. Different demands of several features of human trafficking would be critical in looking at several intelligence protocols that would be used to counter the developing crisis. Narcotics trafficking would also have an impact on how to collect intelligence as detectives would have to devise various means that would be used to collect information. These two threats have hence created the urge to combat them and look for possible means to stop their existence.
Ideally, the United States of America is spending enough on a collection of data and analysis. The important information collected proves to be very significant in the quest to allow for more solid evidence to be presented that would help fight these crimes. Enough allocation from the United States government has also proved to be very effective as it has boosted the process of administering justice and putting those caught breaking rules in terms of practicing these threats (Van Cleave, 2007). It would be fair to say that the United States of America has spent enough on various methods of data collection and analysis in terms of the three threats it currently faces. To effectively put offenders to book, the government has allocated more resources and money that would aid in the administration of justice and allocation of troops in specified areas to combat the threats it faces as a nation. All in all, these threats, physical border security, human trafficking, and narcotics trafficking are seen to be the greatest hurdles the USA is facing.
Pedro
References:
Finklea, K.M. (2013). Southwest border violence: Issues in identifying and measuring spillover violence. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf
Van Cleave, M. K. (2007, April 1). Counterintelligence and National Strategy. Retrieved from School for National Security Executive Education National Defense University:
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a471485….
_____
__________________________________________________________________________________
RESPONSE 1
Class,
I truly believe human trafficking is most important to the nation at this time. Physical border security is less important because we have non-physical security procedures. Building a wall “is complex in some areas,†including Big Bend National Park and along the river, which twists through nearly half of the 2,000-mile border (Zinke, 2017). Border security is a medium on going issue compared to human trafficking which is a grave issue within itself.
I see narcotics trafficking as a world-wide issue instead of a nation issue. In 2007 and 2008, cocaine was used by some 16 to 17 million people worldwide, similar to the number of global opiate users. North America accounted for more than 40 per cent of global cocaine consumption (the total was estimated at around 470 tons),while the 27 European Union and four European Free Trade Association countries accounted for more than a quarter of total consumption (UNODC, 2010).
According to Homeland Security human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. There are millions of men, women, and children that are trafficked worldwide – including United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
The other threats impact the way the way we collect intelligence tremendously. The threat of domestic radicalization has not gained the kind of traction some thought it might five years ago, when authorities became aware of a number of Somali-Americans who were returning to Mogadishu to fight alongside al Qaeda affiliate al Shaba’ab (Caldwell. A, 2021). There is an increase in Jihadist groups plotting terrorist attacks in the United States, few homegrown operatives have proven to be determined or very skillful. Authorities continue to interrupt local terrorist conspiracies but there is still a surge of terrorist plots on the home front, although success rate of the authorities has been good.
The U.S. spends nearly $1 trillion on national security programs and agencies annually, more than any other nation in the world (German. M, 2015). Contrary to this big investment, there is still not enough evidence to show the public that these programs are keeping Americans any safer.
MEKCOS
Reference
Caldwell, A (2021). Here are some of the physical challenges the border wall faces
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/physical-challenges-border-wall-faces
United Nations, 2017. Office on Drugs and Crime; Drug trafficking.
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html
Homeland Security, (2021). Blue Campaign. What Is Human Trafficking?
https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-traff…
RESPONSE 2
Classmates and Professor,
I believe the most important threat the nation is facing right now is border security. I don’t mean border security as it pertains to a physical border. I am referencing all international travel into the United States. Due to the high volume of people traveling into the U.S. every year, it is increasingly difficult ensure that every is properly screened. According to the statistics from the United States Department of Transportation, the U.S. had more than 233 million passengers traveling internationally in 2018 (USDT, 2019). There are even television shows that highlight the important role the Transportation Security Administration has, and the large number of people that try to bring illegal material into the country.
The Council on Foreign Relations has provided additional safety measures that it recommends for the U.S. that will “These steps will help the United States and its allies reduce human trafficking in conflict and terrorism-affected contexts while promoting broader peace and stability†(CFR, 2021). I addition, Robert Ackerman with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association reported, “The transnational threats of drug trafficking, money laundering and narcoterrorism have increased the value of international intelligence to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration†(AFCEA, 2010). Since protecting our national security is high priority issue, I always feel like we could always be doing more towards our intelligence collection and analysis. For example, the budget for Homeland Security was recently estimated to be around 69 billion dollars in 2019 (Smithberger, 2019).
ASHLEY
REFERENCES
AFCEA (Oct 2010) Intelligence Key to Counterdrug Efforts. Retrieved from
https://www.afcea.org/content/intelligence-key-counterdrug-efforts
.
Smithberger, M. (07 May 2019). State Budget. Retrieved from
https://www.pogo.org/analysis/2019/05/making-sense-of-the-1-25-trillion-national-security-state-budget/
United States Department of Transportation (30 Apr 2019) Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bts.dot.gov/newsroom/2018-traffic-data-us-airlines-and-foreign-airlines-us-flights#:~:text=The%20233.6%20million%20passengers%20on,1B%2C%205%2C%209).
RESPONSE 3
Hello class.
Which threat is the most important to our Nation at this time? I think it all depends on who you talk to since we all have different views. Physical border security would limit human and narcotics trafficking. According to Finklea (2013), there is elevated levels of drug trafficking and violence from the drug trafficking that is drawing attention of U.S. policy makers. If physical security was enforced, maybe the other two issues would dwindle or in a perfect world disappear. Currently, at the United States and Mexico border, there is a human trafficking issue because smugglers are “dangling a false promise that if they bring their children, they will get to stay in the U.S.†(Department of Homeland Security, n.d.).
Other threats teach us a lot. They teach us how to get the intelligence to reflect or eliminate the threat, they teach us how to process the intelligence and to whom the intelligence needs to go to. The Air Force has an issue with processing intelligence because of the growing need, stressing the analytics capacity. By utilizing technology and artificial intelligence, they are able to gather, process and disseminate intelligence to be more effective in combating threats (Methe, 2021).
The U.S. Intelligence budget for 2020 was $85.8 Billon, according to (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2019). This included both National Intelligence Program (NIP) and the Military Intelligence Program (MIP). These are the Intelligence Community’s budget of the Director of National Intelligence agencies and MIP which refers to the Department of Defense and the U.S. military. I cannot for sure say whether $85 Billion was enough, but the cost of intelligence should go down the more and more we integrate technology into our processes. What we used to do with people, we now can do with technology.
TACK
References:
Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.).
Border Crisis: CBP’s Response
. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
https://www.cbp.gov/frontline/border-crisis-cbp-s-…
Finklea, K. (2013). S
outhwest border violence: Issues in identifying and measuring spillover violence
. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from Congressional Research Service:
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf
Methe, L. (2021).
Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis, Volume 1.
Retrieved February 02, 2021, from
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA341-…
Office of the Director of National Intelligence. (2019, March 18).
U.S. Intelligence Community Budget
. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from Office of the Director of National Intelligence:
https://www.dni.gov/index.php/what-we-do/ic-budget
RESPONSE 4
Good Evening Class,
This is a very tough question for me to answer because all three are invariably linked to one another, in most situations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Mexico-based cartels are directly tied to human trafficking at, or near, the US border (DHS, 2020). Obviously, cartels are also linked to narcotic smuggling and pose a profound threat to physical border security. If forced to choose, I believe human trafficking is one of the most prolific concerns of the 21
st
Century. The Polaris Project is designed to look at human trafficking statistics by year. Last year approximately 22,000 cases were identified; however, the vast majority go un-reported. I will admit, the number is relatively small compared to those impacted by illicit drug use; however, these victims often have no way out of their enslavement. Further, there is profound help for individuals impacted by illicit drug use; because the majority of human trafficking cases go un-reported, help is minimal.
This does not mean that the other two threats are not impactful. Intelligence has historically focused on routine trade routes for drug smuggling operations. Operational/strategic collection efforts, focused against these routes, could have a profound impact on preventing human trafficking, especially along the southwest border region. It is logical to believe these same routes may be utilized by human traffickers for a distinctly different cargo. Passive and active collection along the US border, targeting illegal crossings could also has a profound impact on smuggling operations. Technological advances in remote sensing, along with national focus has likely caused smugglers to identify different avenues and hopefully mitigated some of these threats.
In 2019, the US spent approximately $60 billion for National Intelligence Programs and $23 billion on Military Intelligence Programs. These figures equate to approximately 11% of our national defense budget. While this may seem like a profound amount to spend on information, it is likely not enough. The multi-faceted threats to our homeland and overseas interests are growing. In order to attain and retain the best and brightest individuals, fund research and development for new collection strategies and methods, and help inform important policy decisions with the most accurate and timely information, we must continue to invest in our intelligence community. Unfortunately, defense and intelligence spending seem to ebb and flow with changing administrations. If we decide to cut spending on items of importance, such as law enforcement, intelligence, or the military, it is almost guaranteed those that wish us harm will face little deterrence. As normal, I feel like I could keep typing on this subject for quite some time, but will avoid an incredibly long read (I really hope someone may respond this time 😊).
Kyle
References
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (2020, October).
Homeland Threat Assessment.
Retrieved February 1, 2021
https://rb.gy/ihprcx
DeVine, M. (2019, November 6).
Intelligence Community Spending: Trends and Issues
. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved February 2, 2021
https://rb.gy/onngpn
Polaris Project. (2019).
2019 US Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics
. Retrieved February 1, 2021
https://rb.gy/ngxcxz
_
____________________________________________________________________________
Module 4 – Background
INTELLIGENCE ISSUES IN BORDER SECURITY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING
Andreas, P. (2003). Redrawing the line: Borders and security in the twenty-first century. International security, 28(2), 78-111. Available via the Trident Online Library.
Finklea, K.M. (2013).
Southwest border violence: Issues in identifying and measuring spillover violence
. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf
[Read pages 1-12].
Memorandum of understanding between the United States’ Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police on the dissemination and exchange of information
(2012). DHS. Retrieved from
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/opa/mou-hstc-rc…
Van Cleave, M.K. (2007). Counterintelligence and national strategy. Washington, D.C.: National Defense University. Retrieved from
https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-o…
Running Head: DISCUSSIONS
1
Classmates and Professor,
Compared to others, the threat to physical border security is seen as the most clinical
and challenging one to the United States government. The United States Border Patrol is the
body mandated to be responsible for any activities in the borders. The body serves as the mobile
and uniformed law enforcement that is situated in different points of entry. In recent times, the
issue of physical border patrol and security has been the most important to the United States
nation currently (Finklea, 2013). The idea of protecting the physical borders is very key and
strategic as it helps control what and who is coming in and out of the country and what their
intentions are. Generally, physical border security is currently more important and strategic in
helping the nation protect itself.
The other two threats, human trafficking and narcotics trafficking impacts in different
ways in which important intelligence is collected and combat different threats. Intelligence
would comprise of several features that would critically have an impact on the demand of the
trafficking cycle. In terms of human trafficking, the choice of trafficking only females would
only help investigate the trafficking of only female victims. Different demands of several
features of human trafficking would be critical in looking at several intelligence protocols that
would be used to counter the developing crisis. Narcotics trafficking would also have an impact
on how to collect intelligence as detectives would have to devise various means that would be
used to collect information. These two threats have hence created the urge to combat them and
look for possible means to stop their existence.
Ideally, the United States of America is spending enough on a collection of data and
analysis. The important information collected proves to be very significant in the quest to allow
for more solid evidence to be presented that would help fight these crimes. Enough allocation
from the United States government has also proved to be very effective as it has boosted the
process of administering justice and putting those caught breaking rules in terms of practicing
these threats (Van Cleave, 2007). It would be fair to say that the United States of America has
spent enough on various methods of data collection and analysis in terms of the three threats it
currently faces. To effectively put offenders to book, the government has allocated more
resources and money that would aid in the administration of justice and allocation of troops in
specified areas to combat the threats it faces as a nation. All in all, these threats, physical border
security, human trafficking, and narcotics trafficking are seen to be the greatest hurdles the
USA is facing.
Pedro
References:
Finklea, K.M. (2013). Southwest border violence: Issues in identifying and measuring
spillover violence. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved
from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf
DISCUSSIONS
2
Van Cleave, M. K. (2007, April 1). Counterintelligence and National Strategy. Retrieved
from School for National Security Executive Education National Defense University:
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a471485.pdf
Module 4 – Background
INTELLIGENCE ISSUES IN BORDER SECURITY, HUMAN
TRAFFICKING, AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING
Andreas, P. (2003). Redrawing the line: Borders and security in the
twenty-first century. International security, 28(2), 78-111. Available
via the Trident Online Library.
Finklea, K.M. (2013). Southwest border violence: Issues in
identifying and measuring spillover violence. Congressional
Research Service. Retrieved
from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf [Read pages
1-12].
Memorandum of understanding between the United States’ Human
Smuggling and Trafficking Center and The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police on the dissemination and exchange of
information (2012). DHS. Retrieved
from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/opa/mou-hstc-rcmpexchange-of-information.pdf
Van Cleave, M.K. (2007). Counterintelligence and national strategy.
Washington, D.C.: National Defense University. Retrieved
from https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-ofintelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol51no2/strategiccounterintelligence.html
RESPONSE 1
Class,
I truly believe human trafficking is most important to the nation at this time. Physical border
security is less important because we have non-physical security procedures. Building a wall
“is complex in some areas,†including Big Bend National Park and along the river, which
twists through nearly half of the 2,000-mile border (Zinke, 2017). Border security is a
medium on going issue compared to human trafficking which is a grave issue within itself.
I see narcotics trafficking as a world-wide issue instead of a nation issue. In 2007 and 2008,
cocaine was used by some 16 to 17 million people worldwide, similar to the number of global
opiate users. North America accounted for more than 40 per cent of global cocaine
consumption (the total was estimated at around 470 tons),while the 27 European Union and
four European Free Trade Association countries accounted for more than a quarter of total
consumption (UNODC, 2010).
According to Homeland Security human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or
coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. There are millions of men,
women, and children that are trafficked worldwide – including United States. It can happen in
any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
The other threats impact the way the way we collect intelligence tremendously. The threat of
domestic radicalization has not gained the kind of traction some thought it might five years
ago, when authorities became aware of a number of Somali-Americans who were returning to
Mogadishu to fight alongside al Qaeda affiliate al Shaba’ab (Caldwell. A, 2021). There is an
increase in Jihadist groups plotting terrorist attacks in the United States, few homegrown
operatives have proven to be determined or very skillful. Authorities continue to interrupt
local terrorist conspiracies but there is still a surge of terrorist plots on the home front,
although success rate of the authorities has been good.
The U.S. spends nearly $1 trillion on national security programs and agencies annually, more
than any other nation in the world (German. M, 2015). Contrary to this big investment, there
is still not enough evidence to show the public that these programs are keeping Americans any
safer.
MEKCOS
Reference
Caldwell, A (2021). Here are some of the physical challenges the border wall
faces https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/physical-challenges-border-wall-faces
United Nations, 2017. Office on Drugs and Crime; Drug trafficking.
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html
Homeland Security, (2021). Blue Campaign. What Is Human
Trafficking? https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
RESPONSE 2
Classmates and Professor,
I believe the most important threat the nation is facing right now is border security. I
don’t mean border security as it pertains to a physical border. I am referencing all
international travel into the United States. Due to the high volume of people traveling into the
U.S. every year, it is increasingly difficult ensure that every is properly screened. According
to the statistics from the United States Department of Transportation, the U.S. had more than
233 million passengers traveling internationally in 2018 (USDT, 2019). There are even
television shows that highlight the important role the Transportation Security Administration
has, and the large number of people that try to bring illegal material into the country.
The Council on Foreign Relations has provided additional safety measures that it
recommends for the U.S. that will “These steps will help the United States and its allies
reduce human trafficking in conflict and terrorism-affected contexts while promoting broader
peace and stability†(CFR, 2021). I addition, Robert Ackerman with the Armed Forces
Communications and Electronics Association reported, “The transnational threats of drug
trafficking, money laundering and narcoterrorism have increased the value of
international intelligence to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration†(AFCEA, 2010).
Since protecting our national security is high priority issue, I always feel like we could always
be doing more towards our intelligence collection and analysis. For example, the budget for
Homeland Security was recently estimated to be around 69 billion dollars in 2019
(Smithberger, 2019).
ASHLEY
REFERENCES
AFCEA (Oct 2010) Intelligence Key to Counterdrug Efforts. Retrieved from
https://www.afcea.org/content/intelligence-key-counterdrug-efforts.
Smithberger, M. (07 May 2019). State Budget. Retrieved from
https://www.pogo.org/analysis/2019/05/making-sense-of-the-1-25-trillion-national-securitystate-budget/
United States Department of Transportation (30 Apr 2019) Bureau of Transportation
Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bts.dot.gov/newsroom/2018-traffic-data-us-airlinesand-foreign-airlines-usflights#:~:text=The%20233.6%20million%20passengers%20on,1B%2C%205%2C%209).
RESPONSE 3
Hello class.
Which threat is the most important to our Nation at this time? I think it all
depends on who you talk to since we all have different views. Physical border
security would limit human and narcotics trafficking. According to Finklea
(2013), there is elevated levels of drug trafficking and violence from the drug
trafficking that is drawing attention of U.S. policy makers. If physical security
was enforced, maybe the other two issues would dwindle or in a perfect world
disappear. Currently, at the United States and Mexico border, there is a human
trafficking issue because smugglers are “dangling a false promise that if they
bring their children, they will get to stay in the U.S.†(Department of Homeland
Security, n.d.).
Other threats teach us a lot. They teach us how to get the intelligence to
reflect or eliminate the threat, they teach us how to process the intelligence and
to whom the intelligence needs to go to. The Air Force has an issue with
processing intelligence because of the growing need, stressing the analytics
capacity. By utilizing technology and artificial intelligence, they are able to
gather, process and disseminate intelligence to be more effective in combating
threats (Methe, 2021).
The U.S. Intelligence budget for 2020 was $85.8 Billon, according to
(Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2019). This included both
National Intelligence Program (NIP) and the Military Intelligence Program
(MIP). These are the Intelligence Community’s budget of the Director of
National Intelligence agencies and MIP which refers to the Department of
Defense and the U.S. military. I cannot for sure say whether $85 Billion was
enough, but the cost of intelligence should go down the more and more we
integrate technology into our processes. What we used to do with people, we
now can do with technology.
TACK
References:
Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Border Crisis: CBP’s Response.
Retrieved February 02, 2021, from U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
https://www.cbp.gov/frontline/border-crisis-cbp-s-response
Finklea, K. (2013). Southwest border violence: Issues in identifying and
measuring spillover violence. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from
Congressional Research Service:
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41075.pdf
Methe, L. (2021). Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force
Intelligence Analysis, Volume 1. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA341-1.html
Office of the Director of National Intelligence. (2019, March 18). U.S.
Intelligence Community Budget. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from Office
of the Director of National Intelligence:
https://www.dni.gov/index.php/what-we-do/ic-budget
RESPONSE 4
Good Evening Class,
This is a very tough question for me to answer because all three are invariably linked to one
another, in most situations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Mexico-based
cartels are directly tied to human trafficking at, or near, the US border (DHS, 2020). Obviously,
cartels are also linked to narcotic smuggling and pose a profound threat to physical border security. If
forced to choose, I believe human trafficking is one of the most prolific concerns of the 21st Century.
The Polaris Project is designed to look at human trafficking statistics by year. Last year approximately
22,000 cases were identified; however, the vast majority go un-reported. I will admit, the number is
relatively small compared to those impacted by illicit drug use; however, these victims often have no
way out of their enslavement. Further, there is profound help for individuals impacted by illicit drug
use; because the majority of human trafficking cases go un-reported, help is minimal.
This does not mean that the other two threats are not impactful. Intelligence has historically
focused on routine trade routes for drug smuggling operations. Operational/strategic collection efforts,
focused against these routes, could have a profound impact on preventing human trafficking,
especially along the southwest border region. It is logical to believe these same routes may be utilized
by human traffickers for a distinctly different cargo. Passive and active collection along the US
border, targeting illegal crossings could also has a profound impact on smuggling operations.
Technological advances in remote sensing, along with national focus has likely caused smugglers to
identify different avenues and hopefully mitigated some of these threats.
In 2019, the US spent approximately $60 billion for National Intelligence Programs and $23
billion on Military Intelligence Programs. These figures equate to approximately 11% of our national
defense budget. While this may seem like a profound amount to spend on information, it is likely not
enough. The multi-faceted threats to our homeland and overseas interests are growing. In order to
attain and retain the best and brightest individuals, fund research and development for new collection
strategies and methods, and help inform important policy decisions with the most accurate and timely
information, we must continue to invest in our intelligence community. Unfortunately, defense and
intelligence spending seem to ebb and flow with changing administrations. If we decide to cut
spending on items of importance, such as law enforcement, intelligence, or the military, it is almost
guaranteed those that wish us harm will face little deterrence. As normal, I feel like I could keep
typing on this subject for quite some time, but will avoid an incredibly long read (I really hope
someone may respond this time 😊).
Kyle
References
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (2020, October). Homeland Threat
Assessment. Retrieved February 1, 2021 https://rb.gy/ihprcx
DeVine, M. (2019, November 6). Intelligence Community Spending: Trends and Issues.
Congressional Research Service. Retrieved February 2, 2021 https://rb.gy/onngpn
Polaris Project. (2019). 2019 US Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics. Retrieved February 1,
2021 https://rb.gy/ngxcxz
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