Softer Measures in Homeland Security Strategy

The recent increase in transnational terrorist movements forces many nations to implement strategies to combat the threats posed on their citizens by the movements. The United States of America has several law enforcement agencies including the Homeland Security, which is the primary discussion of the exposition. Combating terror threats requires advanced strategies enforced by security agencies in a nation. The terrorist movements are a result of the increased oppressions, murders, and hatred directed towards a particular group of individuals forcing them to fight back. In the 9/11 terror attack, many nationals of the United States lost their lives and other incurred life-changing injuries such as disabilities. Since then, America has heightened the level of security in the country; some of the achievements include the publishing of the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism in 2003 February.

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Americas approach and measures in countering terror attacks and securing the homeland took a different turn after the terror attacks on its soil in the morning of September 11, 2001. The nation beefed up security in all key outlets such as airports and train stations to avoid a repeat of a similar scenario in the future. Additionally, the government enacted laws that governed the approaches in handling future terror threats or other forms of attack. Law enforcement agencies such as the Homeland Security were created following the 9/11 terror attack with the chief mandate of ensuring American soil was secure, resilient, and safe from any form of attacks, not necessarily terror attacks. The measures and approach of the United States in combating terror threats and other forms of threats on its soil can be characterized as timely due to the recent rise in such attacks globally.

Critics of security and military measures suggest similar methods applied by the United States to combat terror threats. Security critics suggest that nations should be ready for any forms of attacks or threats on their soil; being always ready enables a nation to rise vehemently against such threats neutralizing them before harm occurs on its citizens or infrastructure. Military measures include regular training and exercises that prepare the military forces for any arising threats on a nation. Threats to a nation can vary, and they do not necessarily encompass terrorism acts; an attack can emanate from internal or external forces in a country. The adoption of stringent measures by the United States to combat any form of threats directed towards its soil are in line with what most critics propose and the measures the military observes.

Balancing between individual liberties and security is a difficult task for any country combating terror threats and other forms of threats on its soil. Individual liberties offer freedom to individuals, and the presence of freedom creates a suitable environment for acts of terror to thrive thus hindering the objectives of the security measures in place. A country facing terror threats limits the individual liberties citizens enjoy such as freedom of expression, association, and movement. Additionally, imprisonment of terror suspects without facing trial is a common occurrence in most nations; however, America tries to balance the individual liberties and security by putting terror suspects on trial before imprisonment.

Options to reduce the encroachment of civil liberties while enhancing security exist; adoption of the United States Patriot Act ensures citizens understand the reasons the government encroaches the civil liberties. The Act states that civilized nations should ensure there is a balance between order and freedom. However, whenever a nation faces a threat, the government should use all means possible to eradicate or minimize the threat. The ability of the government to use all possible means prioritizes in order thus reducing the freedom of the citizens. When enhancing security, citizens should understand there are limited or no options at times to minimize the encroachment of the civil liberties.

Ways to develop adaptive approaches to security including the Patriot Act and optimizing the security measures abroad and in the homeland are numerous. The citizens of a nation understand that they have various freedoms; however, whenever threats occur, the government should ensure the residents are aware of the limitations in individual liberties to curb the rise and spread of the threats, which rely on freedom to thrive. Additionally, the use of appropriate force when dealing with civilians should be adopted by the law agencies to maintain a balance between security and individual liberties.

Conclusively, the recent increase in transnational terrorist movements makes many nations implement strategies to combat the threats posed on their citizens by the movements. Americas approach and measures in countering terror attacks and securing the homeland took a different turn after the terror attacks on its soil in the morning of September 11, 2001. Critics of security and military measures suggest similar methods applied by the United States to combat terror threats. Balancing between individual liberties and security is a difficult task for any country combating terror threats and other forms of threats on its soil. Options to reduce the encroachment of civil liberties while enhancing security exist; adoption of the United States Patriot Act ensures citizens understand the reasons the government encroaches the civil liberties.