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Description

Before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. defense forces were principally oriented toward deterrence, overseas stability operations, and traditional warfighting missions, and homeland defense was largely the responsibility of civilian law enforcement agencies. The shock of 9/11 and the emergence of transnational terrorist and bioterror threats prompted a strategic reassessment of the Department of Defense’s role in securing the American homeland. This paper examines how the Department of Defense has adapted to this changing security environment by reaffirming its constitutional role in protecting the United States against foreign aggression, expanding its mission set to include homeland defense, and collaborating more closely with federal, state, and local authorities. It analyzes the implications of this shift for force posture, interagency cooperation, and long-term national security strategy, and discusses the challenges and opportunities inherent in integrating homeland security considerations into defense planning.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

United States

Topic(s)

National Security, Defense Policy, Homeland Security

Publication Date

2-2002

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

homeland security, U.S. defense policy, Department of Defense, terrorism, national security, defense transformation, interagency cooperation, domestic protection, post-9/11 security

Homeland Security: The New Role for Defense

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