The concept of Open Markets and Closed Borders. HLSs311 Forum 2 - Assignment Example

Logistics Affiliation Question one Since the 9/11 attacks, the United s has established some interventions aimed at protecting the general population from terrorism among other threats. The departments of homeland security (DHS) as well as the department of defense (DOD) are among the bodies charged with the responsibility of securing the country (Department of Homeland Security, 2011). One of their functions is to protect the country’s borders. The United States seeks to secure its borders while maintaining them open.

If the country decides to close the borders while maintaining them secure, it may lose huge amounts of revenue generated from legitimate trade. Keeping the borders closed would also cause huge inconveniences from people travelling in and out of the country. Such interventions may have far-reaching effects on the country’s economy. Even if the borders present an opportunity for terrorists and other illegal activities, such as illegal immigration, the country cannot afford to keep the borders closed.

This may explain the reason the DHS has increased its presence along the border to secure legitimate travel and trade (Department of Homeland Security, 2011). Business organizations in the United States target numerous foreign markets that may require constant travels across border. If such activities are restrained, such organizations may incur huge losses. Therefore, the government should continue with its efforts aimed at securing the border without necessarily closing it.Question two The ‘need to share’ should replace the ‘need to know’ as reflected in the 9/11 commission report.

According to the report, the United States may have been attacked owing to policy issues. Before 9/11, the United States did not consider terrorism as an overriding national security issue (The 9/11 Commission, 2004). This ideology is a reflection that even if the country understood that terrorism was a threat to security, it underestimated the potential consequences. If information regarding the growth of Islamic extremism was available to security agencies. In fact, the commission asserted that the 9/11 attack was more of a shock than a surprise.

The FBI also manifested its weaknesses in terms of its capability to link information collected by its agents to identify threats to the national security (The 9/11 commission, 2004). The commission also revealed that the country’s security agencies failed to manage information from the unique challenges of the 21st century. This is an indication that, the country’s security agencies could have identified terrorist threats with improved management. Improvements in the intelligence community may play a leading role toward elimination of other threats against the United States.

Question threeThe department of defense (DOD) plays an important role in enhancing coastal security. The DOD may also conduct military operations using coast guard to augment the country’s security. In addition, the DOD can also be used during a time of war to protect the United States coast. The DOD has a good working relationship with the DHS. For example, in the recent years, the two bodies have announced their continued partnership to mitigate security along the border (Department of Homeland Security, 2011).

The two organizations are critical in the realization of secure border to facilitate legitimate activities. The DOD assists civil authorities by providing them with essential information. The DOD may also benefit from the information shared by the DHS. In the recent years, the DHS has made additional steps toward attaining augmented information sharing to boost the security of the United States (Government Accountability Office, 2012). ReferencesDepartment of Homeland Security. (2011, December 20).

DHS and DOD Announce Continued Partnership in Strengthening Southwest Border Security. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/news/2011/12/20/dhs-and-dod-announce-continued-partnership-strengthening-southwest-border-securityGovernment Accountability Office. (2012, September). Information Sharing. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/648475.pdfThe 9/11 commission. (2004, September 7). Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Retrieved from http://govinfo.library.unt.

edu/911/report/911Report_Exec.pdf