Paper Summary:

The paper argues that the lead domestic counter-terrorism agency is not properly structured for its role, the conduct of the war in Iraq undermined any hope of success in the pursuit of Osama bin Laden, there is no focus on the real risk of nuclear terrorism while the current efforts directed at securing commercial aviation represent a misallocation of resources and have not substantially eliminated the risks of terrorist threats against commercial aviation. The paper contends that much of the approach to national security and the so-called "War on Terror" lead by President George W. Bush is far better designed to fight America's last war than the most likely scenario of the nation's next war.

Outline:
Introduction
Fighting Past Wars Instead of Future Wars
Fundamental Conceptual Flaws in the Current Approach to American Security
Misallocation of Authority, Insufficient Interagency Coordination, and Politics
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The historic and tragic attacks of September 11, 2001 changed the course of American history for the foreseeable future. One of the most comprehensive changes was the immediate elevation of national security to the primary government concern at every level. It directly inspired the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the appointment of a cabinet-level director at its head, along with the complete reconfiguration of more than a dozen federal agencies and the establishment of joint terrorism task forces between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide. Unfortunately, despite the intense focus on homeland security, the role of lead in that effort was assigned to a domestic agency never designed, and therefore, largely unsuitable for that role in the first place (Larsen, 2007)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allison, G. (2004) Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe. New York: Henry Holt
• Cirincione, J. (2007) Bomb Scare: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons.New York: Columbia University Press
• Clarke, R. (2004) Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror.New York: Simon & Schuster
• Dershowitz, A. (2002) Shouting Fire: Civil Liberties in a Turbulent Age. New York: Little Brown & Co.
• Dershowitz, A. (2002) Why Terrorism Works: Understanding the Threat, Responding to the Challenge. New Haven: Yale University Press

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