Document created: 1 December 03
Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2003

Protecting the American Homeland: A Preliminary Analysis by Michael E. O’Hanlon et al. Brookings Institution Press (http://www.brook.edu/ press/press_hp.htm), 1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-2188, 2002, 188 pages, $17.95 (softcover).

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, many books have appeared, purporting to tell the story. Some are personal accounts meant to inspire; some are pictorials meant to chronicle the day; and almost all are insignificant. Protecting the American Homeland, however, is different. Produced by scholars at the Brookings Institution, it offers an analysis of what needs to be done to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Despite the authors’ admission that their analysis is preliminary, the discussion is both important and worthwhile. Also acknowledging that the book is neither a battle plan for the defeat of terrorism nor a political analysis, they target four areas: (1) perimeter defense, including ideas for strengthening US defenses and fixing the responsibility of pertinent agencies; (2) detection of potential terrorists in the United States and protection of hazardous materials they might use; (3) identification of key sites by criticality and expenditure of limited resources on them rather than attempting to provide total protection; and (4) consequence management.

O’Hanlon and his coauthors compare their proposals to the program offered by President George W. Bush. They have no quarrel with the president but feel that his ideas do not go far enough, suggesting additional expenditures that would raise the bill from $38 billion to $45 billion annually. Their proposals broaden the focus of homeland defense and frame the discussion as we struggle with the weighty issues before us.

Protecting the American Homeland establishes a good foundation for understanding the challenges that lie before us. Military, political, and business leaders throughout our nation should read it.

Command Sgt Major James H. Clifford, USA
Fort Gillem, Georgia

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.