Keeping Us Safe: Secret Intelligence and Homeland Security

How can democracies guard against a clever unknown enemy while still preserving the freedoms they seek to defend? Hulnick explains the need to revamp U.S. intelligence operations from a system focused on a single Cold War enemy to one offering more a flexible approach in combating as range of threats, including terrorists, spies, and criminals, such as those responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Offering possible solutions not to be found in the U.S. federal commission’s official report, Hulnick’s groundbreaking work examines what is really necessary to make intelligence and homeland security more efficient and competent, both in the U.S. and abroad. The U.S. government’s progress in establishing a system for homeland security is considerable, yet, besides shifts in alert status, most people are unaware of the work being done to keep them safe. Describing the system already in place, Hulnick adds further ideas about what more is needed to protect Americans in the ever-changing world of intelligence. To create a truly valuable program, we should consider not only new strategies and tactics, but also the need to break down the barriers between intelligence agencies and law enforcement.