Homeland Security

Homeland security measure Community Threat Assessment Jesse Anderson capital of Massachusetts University Abstract The purpose of this brief is to provide Homeland Security with a terrorist threat assessment of the local community. It is surmise that an eco-terrorist governing body is forming in the commonwealth. The organizations structure, typology and ferocity multipliers are analyzed. The primary close of Homeland Security as listed in the National Strategy for Homeland Security is the taproom and disruption of terrorist ravishs (Department of Homeland Security, 2007, p. ). Despite the fact that the largest terrorist threat comes from Islamic extremist separates, other organizations that pose a threat to the Homeland must be monitored by federal, state and local governments as well. As a nation, we stage an ongoing threat posed by municipal terrorists based and in operation(p) strictly within the United States. Often referred to as single-issue groups, they include tweed supremacist groups, animal rights extremists, and eco-terrorist groups, among others (Department of Homeland Security, 2007, p. 10).Since September 11th, radical environmental groups engaged in eco-terrorism have been identified as the leading municipal terrorist threat (Vanderheiden, 2005, p. 425). It is my cerebration that this type of organization is forming in the local community. Their actions thus far get under the FBIs definition of domestic terrorism, and their organization can be categorize under a domestic geographical typology and a cause-based mood of attack typology. The organization utilizes a pyramidal structure with command, support, intelligence and tactical divisions.Technological and media force multipliers may be apply to increase the striking military force of the sm wholly organization. The FBI defines domestic terrorism as the unlawful use, or imperil use, of force or vehemence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the Un ited States or Puerto Rico without foreign direction move against persons or property to cumber or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any piece thereof in furtherance of political or genial objectives (Federal delegacy of Investigations, 2005, p. v).Recently, vandalism and arson were perpetrate at a local look site in which trees needed to be cut down to hasten room for a new housing development. This unlawful use of violence in the name of an environmental cause meant to intimidate the company sustenance the housing development falls under the FBIs definition of domestic terrorism. According to Ash (as cited in Kegley, Jr. , 2003), there are quadruplet things to look at when deciding whether someone is a terrorist biography, goals, methods, and context (p. 62). graffito at the scene suggests that the offenders are associated with the Earth Liberation Front.In the past, this organization has had akin incidents of violence and vandalism to intimidate anti-env ironmental companies all over the nation. The goal of E. L. F is to cause targeted economic harm to anti-environmental offenders in order to remove the hit motive from killing the earth and all life on it (Vanderheiden, 2005, p. 426). This goal is achieved through property attacks using methods of vandalism, arson, and bombings. Members are non oppressed, and have the big businessman to air their grievances and make their cause known peacefully.Thus, instilling fear in the public through violent property attacks with the aim of achieving political and social objectives can not be justified. Therefore, using the FBI definition and through psychometric test of biography, goals, methods and context, it is determined that the local E. L. F. group is a terrorist organization. This organization can be classified through geographical or modes of attack typologies. Since the attack was committed within this country by residents of this country, the organization is classified as domestic (Goldstein, 2008, Typologies of terrorism section).Under the modes of attack typology, this organization is classified as cause-based. This is because the group is abandoned to an environmental social cause, and is using violence and vandalism to address their grievances (Goldstein, 2008, Typologies of Terrorism section). As the case with around terrorist organizations, the groups structure is most kindredly pyramidal with command, support, tactical and intelligence subsections (Goldstein, 2008, Organization of a Terrorist assemblage section). The person in command is at the tip of the pyramid and oversees all aspects of the operation.The support section is responsible for the materials necessary for the attacks. Surveillance, planning, and target assessment is the certificate of indebtedness of the intelligence section. Finally, the tactical section carries out the actual terrorist action. Although the local E. L. F. group is estimated to be small in number, force multipliers allow for the increase in striking power without increasing the strength of the unit (White, 2009, pp. 98-99). This organization testament most promising utilize technology and the media as force multipliers. Eco-terrorists like the E. L. F. re careful to cause damage only to property and not people. Therefore, the use of weapons of mass destruction is unlikely. Cyberterrorism, however, is a possibility. Cyberterrorism refers to the use of figurers to attack technical targets or physical attacks on computer networks (White, 2009, p. 101). Many companies in this area that could be targets for this local E. L. F. group rely heavily on computer networks. The use of computer viruses to attack the information structures of these companies would cause a considerable deal of harm, making it a very attractive option.Additionally, media reports on arsons and bombings committed by the organization gives recognition to their causes, grievances and demands and can also serve as a psychologi cal weapon (White, 2009, p. 205). As such, the use of cyberterrorism and the media as force multipliers should be anticipated. In conclusion, Homeland Securitys dedication to preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks in America has led to an analysis of suspected terrorist activity in the local community. Islamic extremist groups may pose the greatest terrorist threat to America, unless there are still domestic terrorist organizations that need to be confronted.It is suspected that an eco-terrorist organization affiliated with the Earth Liberation Front has formed in the local community. This local E. L. F. group can be determined as a terrorist organization through application of the FBIs definition of domestic terrorism and the examination of its biography, goals, context, and violent methods. The organization can be classified as domestic or cause-based under geographical or modes of attack typologies. Furthermore, a pyramid structure with command, support, intelligence and ta ctical subsections is most likely being used.Along with traditional modes of attack, media and technological force multipliers might be used by the organization to increase their striking power.