Reflect on the 9/11 attack and its influence on the homeland security function. Continuing with the scenario introduced in the Week 2 Project, assume that your Senate-candidate client intends to make homeland security a focus of his efforts and has commissioned a report to highlight key areas of need.
Prepare a report in Microsoft Word that covers the following points:
Explain the influence of faulty intelligence sharing on the 9/11 attack. Compare and contrast law enforcement information sharing before 9/11 and today.
Describe and evaluate the value of Joint Terrorism Task Forces. Select one particular JTTF to serve as an example.
Describe the individual components of the selected JTTF and provide an example of a successful operation.
Analyze the threats posed to U.S. security by illegal immigration and the challenges of border protection. Specify the several ways that insecure borders may present a threat to security, keeping in mind that terrorism may only be part of the overall picture.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Influence of 9/11 on Homeland Security
Introduction
The 9/11 terrorist attacks had a profound impact on the United States, particularly in the realm of homeland security. This report aims to highlight key areas of need in homeland security and analyze the influence of faulty intelligence sharing on the attacks. Additionally, it explores the value of Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and examines the threats posed to U.S. security by illegal immigration and the challenges of border protection.
Influence of Faulty Intelligence Sharing on 9/11
The 9/11 attacks exposed significant flaws in intelligence sharing among U.S. government agencies. Prior to 9/11, information sharing was limited due to a lack of coordination, interagency rivalries, and legal restrictions. The failure to connect the dots and share critical intelligence allowed the attackers to exploit weaknesses in the system. Today, post-9/11 reforms such as the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the implementation of information-sharing protocols have significantly improved collaboration and communication among law enforcement agencies. The creation of fusion centers and the implementation of information-sharing platforms have enhanced the flow of intelligence and facilitated a more comprehensive approach to counterterrorism efforts.
Value of Joint Terrorism Task Forces
Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) play a crucial role in combating terrorism by bringing together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to work collaboratively on counterterrorism investigations. These task forces serve as a force multiplier, leveraging the expertise and resources of various agencies to enhance national security. One notable example is the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (NY JTTF), which was established in 1980 and has become one of the most effective JTTFs in the country.
The NY JTTF consists of over 50 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, NYPD, and various federal intelligence agencies. This collaborative approach allows for seamless sharing of information, expertise, and resources, resulting in more effective investigations and intelligence gathering. The NY JTTF has been involved in numerous successful operations, including the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the foiling of several major terrorist plots.
Components and Successful Operation of NY JTTF
The NY JTTF comprises various components that contribute to its success:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI serves as a key component of the NY JTTF, providing investigative expertise, intelligence analysis, and legal support. Their agents work closely with other agencies to identify and disrupt terrorist activities.
New York Police Department (NYPD): The NYPD brings its local law enforcement capabilities to the JTTF, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities. The NYPD’s close relationship with local communities enables them to gather valuable information on potential threats.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS contributes resources, expertise, and coordination to the NY JTTF. Through agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the DHS enhances border security and protects critical infrastructure.
One example of a successful operation conducted by the NY JTTF is the arrest and conviction of Najibullah Zazi in 2009. Zazi was planning a suicide bombing attack on the New York City subway system. Through the collaborative efforts of various agencies within the NY JTTF, including the FBI, NYPD, and DHS, Zazi’s plot was disrupted before it could be carried out. This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in preventing a major terrorist attack.
Threats Posed by Illegal Immigration and Border Protection Challenges
Insecure borders present multifaceted threats to U.S. security, with terrorism being just one aspect. Some ways in which insecure borders can endanger security include:
Terrorism: Insufficient border security allows potential terrorists to enter the country undetected or transport weapons and explosives across borders.
Criminal Activities: Insecure borders facilitate drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities that pose a threat to public safety.
Economic Impact: Uncontrolled immigration can strain public resources, impact job markets, and lead to economic instability.
Public Health Concerns: Inadequate border control can allow infectious diseases to spread across borders, posing public health risks.
To mitigate these threats, it is essential to strengthen border protection through various means:
Enhanced Surveillance: Utilizing advanced technology such as drones, sensors, and surveillance systems can bolster border monitoring capabilities.
Increased Personnel: Deploying additional border patrol agents and immigration officers can help secure vulnerable areas.
Improved Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure enhancements such as fences, barriers, and checkpoints can deter unauthorized border crossings.
International Cooperation: Collaborating with neighboring countries to share intelligence, coordinate efforts, and address common challenges can strengthen border security.
Conclusion
The 9/11 attacks had a transformative impact on homeland security in the United States. The influence of faulty intelligence sharing was evident in the vulnerabilities that were exploited by the attackers. However, significant improvements have been made since then through enhanced information sharing and collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
Joint Terrorism Task Forces have proven to be invaluable in combating terrorism by fostering interagency cooperation and leveraging resources effectively. The New York Joint Terrorism Task Force serves as an exemplary model for successful collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.
Insecure borders present multifaceted threats to U.S. security, ranging from terrorism to criminal activities and public health concerns. Strengthening border protection through enhanced surveillance, increased personnel, improved infrastructure, and international cooperation is crucial for safeguarding national security.
