Recent orders
Future of Homeland Security
Future of Homeland Security
Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security has been put to task to increasingly offer vigilant services to the nation, in the wake of continued aggression against the US and our allies. The risks of attack by terror groups on the American soil has never been so potent and our resources are now concentrated for the sake of averting such threats on home soil (Zarate 2009). To this end, our leadership has been tremendously awake to the task ahead and the input made towards this course from all our leaders is commendable. It is perhaps important to trace the origin of the level of homeland security threats originating from terrorist activities both outside and inside the American boundaries. The level of the threat potency has increased significantly from 2010 since the coalition forces completed their mandate to actively purse terrorist organizations from their hideouts in the Middle East. A brief timeline of acceleration of the threat can be traced as follows.
Changes in the Overseas Situation
Eight years ago, the Al Qaeda was regrouping and changing strategies to sustain their aggression against the United States and our allies. The volatility of the region from the apparent vacuum left by our defense forces created a virtual proliferation condition for the various sects associated with the illegal group. Some of the most affected areas include Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of North Africa. Despite spirited efforts of the coalition forces to equip and empower the local security agencies in Afghanistan, there were many loopholes in coordination of the program (DHS 4). Lack of a powerful political willingness to denounce illegal groups has been a chronic challenge to international peace in the region and the whole of Middle East. Sympathizers of the illegal groupings in the region have exposed the government to lack of the necessary support. In view of the lack of cooperation to enable the political leadership to avert potential proliferation of terrorist organizations, the weaknesses of the government after the withdrawal of our defense forces were further exposed. The general willingness levels of the religious leaders in the region to assist political leadership in averting extremist ideologies was also lacking in the wake of removal of our direct military support.
Just before the completion of the withdrawal of our defense and coalition forces from active operations in the Afghanistan, the nature of attacks had changed to target airline safety. Spirited international intelligence cooperation identified the new trends of attacks such as 7th of April 2012 successfully thwarted attack on a Yemeni airplane destined to the USA in nature of a non-metallic improvised explosive device. Earlier on, a Nigerian national had been apprehended for attempting to execute a terrorist attack using an underwear bomb. Since then, it clearly emerged that the nature of future threats would be targeting execution of terrorist activities inside the US.
Homeland Security Changes
The legal mechanisms proposed and enacted prior to the 2010s for purposes of elimination of the terrorist threat faced a lot of public resentment on claims of infringement of private rights. Following close cooperation by the Department of Homeland Security and all American leadership, the number of laws in support of homeland security measures against terrorist attacks on American soil significantly increased since the trend was evident. Before a successful civil campaign to rally support for unpopular homeland security laws such as SAFETY Act of 2002, several hurdles were to be overcome. The success of the campaign however was late in the day before the 2018 terrorist attack in Los Angeles where Al Qaeda used the loopholes in our civilian cooperation (Picarelli para.2). The government continues to urge the various human rights groups to offer the appropriate support and advice to civilians with regard to the safety mechanisms requiring their cooperation.
Two years after the Los Angeles attack, the Department of Homeland Security has made several comprehensive interventions in terms of handling risks and threats posed by terrorist groups. In view of the specific steps that the government has taken, airline security mechanisms that suddenly rose to unprecedented compromise levels have experienced dramatic changes. Cooperation at the international level has been increased to facilitate a network of intelligence sharing and capacity building has significantly been improved. Whereas homeland security issues fall within our internal issues for us to handle, the external threat and potential risks involved puts the government of the US to rally all resources within and outside our country (Hoffman 133). In this regard, the capacity enhancement of our homeland security mechanisms goes beyond our borders and is the reason why continued cooperation with our international allies forms the basis of our success in warding off danger. America will continue to be safe at home and our people will continue to be safe outside home when we formulate appropriate cooperation as seen from the Los Angeles attack to this day.
The use of technology in nearly every section of life never thought before makes it possible for our homeland security interventions to be modernized and better than they were yesterday. However, the advancement of technological capacity also raises expertise for terrorist activities and we cannot be lenient for a second against such attacks. To this end, anti-terrorism laws covering cyber attacks and other online threats to our national security form part of our spirited fight against attacks of this nature (Kaplan para.1). On the preparedness and resilience that our national security systems have acquired against a backdrop of all sorts of terrorist attacks, I take this opportunity to report to the people of the United States about a serious cyber attack on the Department of Defense. On 17 January 2020, there was a hack attack attempt on the Department of Defense database, which was successfully countered. The best part of our continued growth in strength to protect our people in regard to this scare is that our online security agents not only identified the source of the threat but also apprehended the masterminds notoriously known as the Anonymous Hackers. The success that we have acquired to this end in termination of other related threats posed by hack networks promises to be one of the best success stories in our homeland security (Katz and Kern para.3). In the near future, the government shall be making official statements on the nature and extent of threats that the cyber crime and terrorism attacks posed to our homeland security and further issue specific successes and future expectations.
Incident management within our country is a fundamental mandate of our homeland security agencies. Disaster response as well as critical infrastructure to assist in rescue has been facilitated across the nation and world-class services of this category are now available in all our major cities. In view of the protection of our critical facilities and infrastructure against terrorist attacks, measures have been taken to ensure that terrorism has no clear targets. These measures not only improve our internal capacity to ward off danger but also act as deterrent to possible attacks from our enemies. Apart from enhanced interoperable communications that improve our emergency response mechanisms, the Department of Homeland Security continues to create networking and cooperation capacity among all government agencies (Hoffman, B. & Sageman 166). The United States Secret Service is a vital body offering protection to our national leaders including the President and Vice President and continues to offer special service to the American public in more ways than it did before. In redefinition of the expertise of our esteemed agencies towards a common threat proves to be an important decision by our government and America can rest assured of competent protection against aggression from any source.
Works Cited
DHS “Report of the Future of Terrorism Task Force,” 2007, Web. HYPERLINK “http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac-future-terrorism-010107.pdf” http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac-future-terrorism-010107.pdf (Accessed 10 May 2012)
Hoffman, B. & Sageman, M., “Does Osama Still Call the Shots? Debating the Containment of al Qaeda’s Leadership,” Foreign Affairs 87(2008): 163-166
Hoffman, B., “The Myth of Grass-Roots Terrorism: Why Osama bin Laden Still Matters,” Foreign Affairs, 87(2008): 133-138
Kaplan, Eben “Terrorists and the Internet,” 2009, Web. HYPERLINK “http://www.cfr.org/terrorism-and-technology/terrorists-internet/p10005” http://www.cfr.org/terrorism-and-technology/terrorists-internet/p10005 (Accessed 10 May 2012)
Katz, Rita. & Kern, Michael. “WashPost: Terrorist 007, Exposed,” 26 March 2006, Web. HYPERLINK “http://www.cfr.org/terrorism-and-technology/washpost-terrorist-007-exposed/p10836” http://www.cfr.org/terrorism-and-technology/washpost-terrorist-007-exposed/p10836 (Accessed 10 May 2012)
Picarelli, T. John “The Future of Terrorism,” NIJ Journal, 264(2009)
Zarate, C. Juan, “Current and Future Terror Threats and Challenges Facing the United States,” 1 March 2009, Web. HYPERLINK “http://csis.org/event/current-and-future-terror-threats-and-challenges-facing-united-states” http://csis.org/event/current-and-future-terror-threats-and-challenges-facing-united-states (Accessed 10 March 2012)
The Dallas Holocaust Museum
Students Name
Institution of Affiliation
Course Title
Date
The Dallas Holocaust Museum
The Dallas Holocaust Museum is rich in historical events in Europe dating back from the year 193 to 1945. Most of the historical events and experiences regarding the horror of World War II where the Nazis exterminated the Jews, killing millions and displacing them from their original habitats where they called their place of residence. The Holocaust was the period in which the Jews faced persecution in the hands of the brutal German rule in the attempt to clean the German race.
My visit to the museum was abrupt as I had not planned to visit soon, and thus was prompted due to the assignment. However, the museum was full of amazing facts, some of which I never thought existed, as on some occasions, we do assume that history does not contain facts, and most of it is based on assumptions. However, it seems that my theory was proved wrong. I got a chance to see some of the shocking events which can be considered as evil during World War II lead by Hitler. Symbols of the Nazis are filled on the walls implying that they were the main perpetrators of the war. I was also impressed by the museum due to its arrangement, each section is placed according to the topic, and this makes it easy for the new visitor to identify without confusion what they want with less guidance.
One of the exhibitions that I can say that I liked though it is not a replication of positivity, is “The Massacre in Babi Yar.” The exhibition explains the Babi Yar massacre in the year 1941, whereby the killing operations of the Nazis assumed a massive scale, which is one of the largest mass executions of the Jews in the history of the Holocaust that took place in Kiev, Ukraine. The exhibition cites that on September 28-29, 1941, Einsatzgruppen units and collaborators systematically rounded up the Jewish residents and marched them to a ravine called Babi Yar on the outskirts of Kiev. In just two days, the Nazis shot and killed 33,771 men, women, and children and buried their bodies in the ravine, a depiction of the inhumane nature of the Nazis and the oppression of an inferior race.
Future Impacts of AI
Future Impacts of AI Name
Institution
Year
The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the fastest growing sectors across the world. Modern tech giants like Space X and even government-run agencies are competing to dominate this multi-billion-dollar market. With a fast-growing technology and the demand for AI, the growth of this industry is projected to increase even in the future. Robust efforts are being laid by both private and public firms dealing with AI both in research and development seen as a change to revolutionize the global governance, economy, and social life. Studies have shown that by the year 2050, AI will become the epicenter in running all aspects of human life including trade and commerce. The impacts of AI cannot be underestimated as the sector is already affecting business, learning, health, and even governance. The biggest questions in peoples mind is the effectiveness and safety that comes with AI before it is even globally applied. The answer to this question can only be found on the ground by looking at how AI is revolutionizing trade, business, and even governance in areas like the U.S. and Hing Kong.
One of the key strengths of a government is its hold on to the cash flow and control of the economy. The AI has unshared in a new outlook and perspective in cash flow and trade within the onset of ashless systems. Today, cashless systems and the cryptocurrencies are some of the fastest growing trends in the whole field of money and business (Manyika, 2017). Tax collection and revenue generation under the AI is expected to grow even further as the government is able to keep track of the cash flow and spendings among individuals, traders, and companies. The cashless systems and the whole field of Artificial Intelligence in money flow has ensured that the government can keep track of how the money is being spent. The idea of having a centralized government and trade under AI is feared to even take place in the next twenty years thus creating a system of unified and centralized governance and commerce (Wallach & Marchant, 2019). AI is already making great contributions in the many fields like health, governance, and even trade. Today, developed counties like China and the U.S. are already applying AI in the field of business as a pilot project to evaluate the practicality of the whole affair. Online intelligence and cashless transactions are just some of the few areas AI will be applied as the world moves into the future of robotics.
Moreover, the flow of cash and inclusive some spendings among traders is better traced by using Artificial Intelligence. For example, through the AI, individuals are required to have at least a bank account that will help in creating a unified system that can show how the money is flowing in and out of the economy (Cihon, 2019). It is usually hard for the governed to keep track of the money that is being exchanged in trade as some traders prefer to use liquid cash other than bank transactions. Billions of dollars are lost in tax evasion as traders prefer to engage in hand to had money exchange. These issues will be fully addressed when the government makes it mandatory for people, to operate a bank account under the Artificial Intelligence (Manyika, 2017). Moreover, the money flow will be closely assessed and thus the issues of shady deals that often deny the government millions in taxes and revenues will be addressed.
In terms of governance and affective in economy and society control, AI will usher in a new force that will center the government close to the people (Wallach & Marchant, 2019). One thing that cannot be ignored is the concern over the privacy of the people as the government will be able to keep track of their day to day life. However, positively, the closer control over the people will help get rid of shady dealings like in drug and human trafficking that has already ravaged the lives of many innocent people (Cihon, 2019). The need to have a bank account and money accountability under the AI will give the government an upper hand in money regulation where it will be able to track down cash exchanged through illegal businesses like drugs and human trafficking.
The other positive outlook of the AI is that it will create a platform where all persons even the poor can participate in the economy (Wallach & Marchant, 2019). Over the years, the economy building is always seen as the role of the government and the wealthy individual and traders. This notion is likely to change as the Artificial Intelligence will create a system where even the smallest traders and poor individuals will have a role to play. For this to happen, the money flow and exchange must occur on one platform that will well centralized and managed under the government. The other positive outlook is that AI will create a system where the liquid cash will be eradicated that has remained one of the loopholes used by individuals to evade tax (Manyika, 2017). The cash flow will therefore be closely assessed and controlled by the local and national government thus bringing everyone on board in the area of economic participation.
The questions about equity and fairness in the economy is also raised in the area of cashless systems and the AI (Wallach & Marchant, 2019). The major debate surrounding cash exchange mainly among the business people is that there is a lot of disparity in tax payment where the poor are taxed more than the rich. The AI will allow for the government to keep track of the money exchanged and thus come up with tangible tax rates that are fair to all (Cihon, 2019). Through this approach, the AI will facilitate an all-inclusive economy where all individual play their fair role and thus build an all-inclusive system, the other outlook is the balance in spending and the role played by the government in the building of economy.
Contrary to the past, the flow of cash will be better analyzed and therefore build a tangible system that is friendly and fair to all. The flow of cash will therefore be kept at a close analysis thus reduce wastage and theft. It is true that one of the major obstacles to economic growth is theft in the government through corruption. The Artificial Intelligence will create a system where all money collected though taxes and other revenue generating channels will be accounted for and channeled to the right accounts. The approach will go far in building a strong economic pillar that brings all on board for the building of a country. The delivery of government services will also be better done and tis will ensure equity and growth that is vital for the economy.
References
Cihon, P. (2019). Standards for AI governance: international standards to enable global coordination in AI research & development. Future of Humanity Institute. University of Oxford.
Manyika, J. (2017). A future that works: AI, automation, employment, and productivity. McKinsey Global Institute Research, Tech. Rep, 60.
Wallach, W., & Marchant, G. (2019). Toward the Agile and Comprehensive International Governance of AI and Robotics [point of view]. Proceedings of the IEEE, 107(3), 505-508.