Security and Domestic Terrorism Paper Example

What are the limits of power of the FBI in pursuing surveillance of potential terrorists within and without the U.S.?

The FBI is the primary domestic law enforcement and intelligence agency in the United States. Its top priority is domestic counterterrorism, and it has the mandate to execute its activities. The bureau has ample search and surveillance authority to pursue any individual suspected of having ties to extremism activities or elements. It continually monitors online chat rooms and social media platforms to track and identify individuals with any links to terror cells or activities. The FBI is independent and has faced minimal oversight over the years. It can open preliminary investigations on anyone at any time in the interests of protecting national security and preventing terror attacks. The FBI may employ any investigative technique apart from wiretaps or intercepting mail during a preliminary investigation (Bjelopera, 2013). When the bureau is certain of terrorist activity, it conducts a full investigation which may include wiretaps to eavesdrop on the unsuspecting individual.

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In today's globalized age, more Americans are working or visiting abroad than ever, and sometimes they fall victim to violent crimes or terrorist activities. American citizens in such problems abroad can expect the intervention of the FBI since it has the mandate for such an operation. The FBI's jurisdiction in dealing with crimes or attacks on Americans overseas dates back to the 1980's. Congress passed laws that authorized the FBI to investigate kidnappings and hostage situations of Americans as well as acts of terror against US nationals or interests abroad ("Protecting Americans Overseas," 2008). The bureau follows a strict protocol when operating overseas since international jurisdictions must be observed. The FBI gets an invitation to respond to terror attacks abroad from the host government, and it works hand-in-hand with the local law enforcement agencies. The bureau's mandate does not cover non-terror related cases like rapes and homicides of Americans abroad.

In your view, is the FBI adequately organized, staffed, and trained to perform the myriad of missions tasked?

The FBI has about 35,000 employees to help in its law enforcement activities. In 2015, more than 12,000 of them were working in counterintelligence and counterterrorism (Laub, 2017). It shows that the bureau is keen about thwarting terrorism by allocating such a massive workforce. There has been no significant act of terror within America since the September 11 bombings. It shows that the FBI is working hard to foil terrorist activities before they exacerbate. A sizeable number works on intelligence gathering alone, which is a crucial activity. The FBI has its training academy in Quantico, Virginia where all agents must graduate. I believe the FBI is adequately trained, staffed and organized to perform its numerous tasks. However, the increasing population, threats, and changing tactics are calling for an increased workforce to avoid stretching the bureau too thin.

How has the USA Patriot Act impacted America's counterterrorism efforts post-9/11 in balance with protecting civil liberties?

The Patriot Act was formed in the wake of the September 2001 attacks to give expanded investigative and surveillance powers to law enforcement agencies in tracking down terror suspects. The act gives the FBI and other law enforcement agencies sweeping powers to detain and interrogate anyone suspected of criminal activity. It also allowed the government to spy on Americans on the grounds of national security. The FBI can install wiretaps, computer surveillance, accessing medical and financial details, and secret searches of offices and homes (Bjelopera, 2013). However, there have been complaints about the eavesdropping techniques that the bureau employees since they infringe on civil liberties. It undermines the Fourth Amendments privacy protection, and hence it infringes upon the civil liberties and rights of the citizens it should protect.

Explain the Department of Homeland Security's role in combating domestic terrorism. What sub-agencies are involved? What are their missions?

The mandate of homeland security is to detect, prevent, respond to, and protect against terrorist attacks within America. The domestic antiterrorism efforts consist of the following roles:

• The leading role is the prevention of terrorist attacks.
• Homeland security is taxed with preparing and mitigating against the consequences of a terror attack.
• It identifies and prioritizes the collection and analysis of domestic terrorism information.
• DHS is also taxed with protecting critical US infrastructure in the event of a terrorist attack.
• Another role is responding and promoting the quick recovery from a terrorist attack.
• Developing legislative proposals to achieve antiterrorism objectives.
• Homeland security also advances public awareness programs to stay ahead of extremism.

The Department of Homeland Security is made up of other smaller agencies including ("Operational and Support Components," 2018):

United States Customs and Border Protection

Its mission is to prevent terrorists and their weapons of mass destruction from entering into the country.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Its mission is to adjudicate the request for immigration benefits and to preserve the integrity of the system

Federal Emergency Management Agency

It supports emergency first responders and builds the nation's capacity to sustain, respond, build, and recover from all types of hazards.

United States Coast Guard

Its mission is to protect the maritime environment and economy and to defend the maritime borders.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

It promotes the DHS via the civil and criminal enforcement of laws governing customs, border control, and immigration.

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

It offers career-long training facilities to law enforcement officers.

US Secret Service

Its mission is to preserve the economy's integrity by safeguarding national payment systems and financial infrastructure. It also protects national leaders.

Transport Security Administration

It protects the country's transport systems to ensure there is a free an uninterrupted movement of goods and people.

In your opinion, what vulnerabilities would a terrorist see based on your answers to the above four questions?

A terrorist could see vulnerabilities in American assets and interests overseas. It takes time for the FBI to mobilize and get sent to overseas hotspots. The process of gaining permission from the host nation and back home gives terrorists sufficient time to launch an attack and disappear.

The other vulnerability lies in the FBI. The bureau is stretched thin with all the activities it conducts to thwart terror. The FBI could miss new faces in the terrorist scene since they do not have sufficient resources to observe everybody.

References

Bjelopera, J. (2013). The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Terrorism Investigations[pdf]. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/R41780.pdf

Laub, Z. (2017). What Is the FBI's Role in National Security?. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/fbis-role-national-security

Operational and Support Components. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/operational-and-support-components

Protecting Americans Overseas. (2008). Retrieved from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2008/june/international_060308