Intelligence is any sort of threat information gathered that relates to national security. This information can pose a threat to American citizens, their properties and interests. Homeland intelligence relates to information gathered that threaten domestic security. Homeland intelligence can be derived from home-grown terrorists like lone wolfs or foreign based attackers who use their agents within the United States. Domestic intelligence is planned, collected, processed, analysed, produced and disseminated without interfering with the American citizen’s privacy, civil rights and liberties (DNI, 2016).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandate is to ensure the nation and its people is secure. The DHS since its inception following the 9/11 attack has been ensuring the Americans and their properties are safe. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) within DHS plays a critical role within the intelligence community. Being a unique member of IC, the I&A ensures all the information that threaten homeland security is collected, analysed and shared with homeland security clientele, that include, DHS, IC, private sector partners like critical infrastructure owners and operators, state, local and tribal governments (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2013).
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis within DHS cannot accomplish its mission of equipping the Department of Homeland Security with intelligence information while working alone. The I&A must partners and collaborate with other members of IC and other security agencies in order to help DHS in ensuring a safe, secure and resilient homeland. The partnership and collaboration with other IC and security agencies provides capabilities and expertise that one agency may be deficient with. This enhances security to the benefit of the whole nation (DNI, 2016).
DHS partners and collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD) in issues of homeland security. The DoD is skilled in dealing with terrorism activities. The DoD provides defense, that is, deterrence and response and civil support to DHS. But, the DHS remains as the lead agency in homeland security matters. The DoD plays its role in homeland security via U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) (Erckenbrack, 2004). The NORTHCOM defends United States air, land and sea. The NORTHCOM works closely with North America Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in protecting American citizens, freedom of action and national power (U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND, n.d.).
The DoD, apart from providing intelligence through its agencies in IC like, the Army, Defense Intelligence Agency, Navy, Space Force, the National Security Agency, Marine Corps and Air Force, it also deploys military forces when needed. The DoD has well trained and seasoned officers who can respond to terrorism attacks, WMD attacks, cyber-attacks, domestic disasters and emergencies (GAO, 2021).
The U.S. military authority in domestic matters should be limited to protecting the citizens and their properties. The Executive, Congress and Judiciary should not have powers to use the military in domestic matters. But, currently the Insurrection Act permits the president to call the military to enforce federal authority. This need to be restricted to prevent abuse of military forces by the Executive. The Posse Comitatus Act that authorize Congress to allow use of military use in domestic affairs also need to be checked as it can allow abuse of military forces (Congress Research Service, 2022). Intelligence Community should provide enough information as to why the military should be used in domestic matters. Also, IC should carry out intelligence of what the armed forces are doing while carrying out duties with domestic elements.
The National Guard Bureau and the State National Guard are important in supporting the domestic intelligence in that they provide a vital capability in the planning stage of the intelligence cycle as well as communicating from a local perspective. The standardization of intelligence training in the army gives these two agencies skills that are vital for DoD support to states and local agencies (Coble, 2009).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandate is to ensure the nation and its people is secure. The DHS since its inception following the 9/11 attack has been ensuring the Americans and their properties are safe. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) within DHS plays a critical role within the intelligence community. Being a unique member of IC, the I&A ensures all the information that threaten homeland security is collected, analysed and shared with homeland security clientele, that include, DHS, IC, private sector partners like critical infrastructure owners and operators, state, local and tribal governments (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2013).
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis within DHS cannot accomplish its mission of equipping the Department of Homeland Security with intelligence information while working alone. The I&A must partners and collaborate with other members of IC and other security agencies in order to help DHS in ensuring a safe, secure and resilient homeland. The partnership and collaboration with other IC and security agencies provides capabilities and expertise that one agency may be deficient with. This enhances security to the benefit of the whole nation (DNI, 2016).
DHS partners and collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD) in issues of homeland security. The DoD is skilled in dealing with terrorism activities. The DoD provides defense, that is, deterrence and response and civil support to DHS. But, the DHS remains as the lead agency in homeland security matters. The DoD plays its role in homeland security via U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) (Erckenbrack, 2004). The NORTHCOM defends United States air, land and sea. The NORTHCOM works closely with North America Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in protecting American citizens, freedom of action and national power (U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND, n.d.).
The DoD, apart from providing intelligence through its agencies in IC like, the Army, Defense Intelligence Agency, Navy, Space Force, the National Security Agency, Marine Corps and Air Force, it also deploys military forces when needed. The DoD has well trained and seasoned officers who can respond to terrorism attacks, WMD attacks, cyber-attacks, domestic disasters and emergencies (GAO, 2021).
The U.S. military authority in domestic matters should be limited to protecting the citizens and their properties. The Executive, Congress and Judiciary should not have powers to use the military in domestic matters. But, currently the Insurrection Act permits the president to call the military to enforce federal authority. This need to be restricted to prevent abuse of military forces by the Executive. The Posse Comitatus Act that authorize Congress to allow use of military use in domestic affairs also need to be checked as it can allow abuse of military forces (Congress Research Service, 2022). Intelligence Community should provide enough information as to why the military should be used in domestic matters. Also, IC should carry out intelligence of what the armed forces are doing while carrying out duties with domestic elements.
The National Guard Bureau and the State National Guard are important in supporting the domestic intelligence in that they provide a vital capability in the planning stage of the intelligence cycle as well as communicating from a local perspective. The standardization of intelligence training in the army gives these two agencies skills that are vital for DoD support to states and local agencies (Coble, 2009).
