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October 6, 2009
Exclusive: Will Successful Efforts to Stamp Out Homeland Terrorist Attacks Continue?
James Carafano, PhD, Presidential Policy: Does It Make the Grade?
Let’s start with the good news for a change. Jena Baker McNeill at the Heritage Foundation notes that with the three recent terrorist conspiracies thwarted, U.S. law enforcement has frustrated 26 efforts since 9/11 to kill Americans on American soil. She also notes that new law enforcement powers granted to fight terrorism after the attacks on New York and Washington are a big part of the reason these attacks were stopped before they started. She concludes that fact has important implications for Congress and the White House. “Reauthorization of key provisions of the PATRIOT Act and FISA will require congressional support. FISA authorizes electronic surveillance within certain legal limits, while the PATRIOT Act facilitates cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies in information sharing and terrorism investigations. It also establishes mechanisms for conducting surveillance with modern technologies. But key provisions of the PATRIOT Act expire this year, and Congress will need to demonstrate its support by providing prompt reauthorization.”
To its credit, the White House defended Patriot Act authorities during a recent hearing in the Senate. That did not stop some in Congress from introducing legislation to gut the Patriot Act. We’ll see if the White House weighs in to derail these misguided efforts.
The White House also spent a lot of time last week doing what it likes to do best-talk. Both Iran and Russia were the subjects of the U.S. charm offensive. The administration claims to be making progress, but recent revelations of a new secret Iranian nuclear facility lead many analysts to believe that Tehran is just stringing the U.S. along while it continues its quest for long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, the White House continues to debate its next step in Afghanistan. Indecision undoubtedly is having a negative affect. It emboldens the Taliban and al Qaeda and leads our allies to question the U.S. resolve. For many reasons, the U.S. ought to move to add more forces. We’ll see.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., is a leading expert in defense affaires, intelligence, military operations and strategy, and homeland security at the Heritage Foundation. Feedback: editorialdirector@familysecuritymatters.org.
Reader Comments: Submit Your Comment (2)
What is not said in this article is that the FBI has incited people into committing terrorist acts. Government agents went out and found unhappy but stupid people, gave them money and fake bombs, and incited them to want to commit violence, then when some took the agents bait, they made the arrest.
That's an interesting charge, John - where's the proof to back it up? Don't worry, I won't hold my breath waiting.
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