HSI Journal of Homeland Security

Strengthening the Nonprofit Community's Response to the National Capital Region's Next Disaster
By Multiple authors
Published 7/1/2008

summary -When disaster strikes the National Capital Region, the success of the response depends largely on the ability of the organizations and the people of these jurisdictions to coordinate their efforts and resources. They rely in turn on an extensive array of nonprofit organizations to deliver critical services. Yet until fairly recently, not much had been done to help the region's nonprofits improve their preparedness, either as individual organizations or as a community. With a unique corporate-nonprofit partnership taking shape, the situation is beginning to change.

Soft Systems Methodology Applied to Systematic Screening at U.S. Airports
By Multiple authors
Published 6/3/2008

summary -Philip R. Hammar, Brian Sauser, and John Boardman apply soft systems methodology to the problem of passenger screening at airport checkpoints, using systemigrams to represent the relationships between the stakeholders in providing security and value to the commercial air transportation system.

The Changing Role of Physicians in Disaster Management and Hospital Incident Command
By Multiple authors
Published 5/13/2008

summary -The multidisciplinary position of medical/technical specialist for disaster medicine and hospital incident command will assist the incident commander in disaster-related decision making. Multiple functions of this position will increasingly be performed by physicians who are expert in the field. As physician training and certification in disaster medicine develop, physicians will become increasingly responsible for hospital disaster response.

Articles last updated Thu May 3, 2007 2:40 PM

Book Reviews

Image of Allah's Bomb: The Islamic Quest for Nuclear Weapons

Allah's Bomb: The Islamic Quest for Nuclear Weapons
By Al J. Venter

summary - Veteran war correspondent Al Venter looks at the ample evidence that Islamic countries and al-Qaeda are seeking atomic weapons and are likely to use them. He reckons the likelihood of nuclear weapons use as high. Analytic Services senior editor Steve Dunham reviews the book.

Bioviolence
By Barry Kellman

summary - In Bioviolence: Preventing Biological Terror and Crime, Barry Kellman describes the underestimated danger of biological agents falling into the hands of those who would be inclined to use them, and provides a wide-ranging and detailed policy analysis on how to prevent this from happening.

Image of The Atomic Bazaar: The Rise of the Nuclear Poor

The Atomic Bazaar: The Rise of the Nuclear Poor
By William Langewiesche

summary - In The Atomic Bazaar: The Rise of the Nuclear Poor, William Langewiesche describes how we are entering a “world in which many countries have acquired atomic bombs, and some may use them.” Poor countries, he says, “for a host of reasons, are more likely to use their nuclear weapons than the great powers have been … At the extreme is the possibility, entirely real, that one or two nuclear weapons will pass into the hands of the new stateless guerillas, the jihadists, who offer none of the retaliatory targets that have so far underlain the nuclear peace.” Langewiesche, however, gives solid reasons why acquiring a nuclear weapon or the means to manufacture one would be very difficult (though not impossible). Analytic Services senior editor Steve Dunham reviews the book.

Book Reviews last updated Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:36 PM

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Arlington, VA 22209

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Commentaries

Using Cold War Tactics to Meet the Challenge of Suicide Jihad
By Nigel West
Published 4/8/2008

Summary - Nigel West discusses whether Cold War tactics would be useful against suicide terrorists who make no effort to conceal their identities.

The Swiss–U.S. Counterterrorism Partnership
By Urs Ziswiler
Published 4/27/2007 1:56:00 PM

Summary - In “The Swiss–U.S. Counterterrorism Partnership,” Urs Ziswiler, Swiss Ambassador to the United States, discusses joint activity in combating the financing of terrorism and exchanging information, along with two new areas of cooperation: responding to bioterrorism and threat convergence.

100% Container Inspection is Not Necessary and Would Halt World Trade
By Peter Dedic
Published 3/16/2007

Summary - In “100% Container Inspection Is Not Necessary and Would Halt World Trade,” Scott Dedic, Chairman of the International Cargo Security Council, says that 100% cargo container inspections would break the back of global commerce. The council says that government initiatives since 9/11 have addressed the vulnerabilities in transporting containerized cargo to better target and inspect suspect containers before they are loaded onto ships.

Commentaries last updated Fri 4/27/2007 1:56:00 PM

Interviews

Interview with Thad Allen
10/16/2006

Introduction -The Journal of Homeland Security interviews Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, who discusses the challenges facing the Coast Guard today.

Interview with Rob Quartel
5/24/2006

Introduction -Quartel discusses the Dubai Ports World sale, cargo security, and international trade.

Interview with Parney Albright
6/1/2004

Introduction -Dr. Penrose C. Albright of Virginia was confirmed to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Plans, Programs and Budgets) on October 3, 2003. On June 26, 2003, President Bush nominated Dr. Albright On June 26, 2003. Previously Dr. Albright served as the Senior Advisor to the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security.

Interviews last updated Tue February 1, 2007 11:36 AM