Capabilities and Limitations of Domestic Intelligence Efforts

Domestic Intelligence
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What are the capabilities and limitations of domestic intelligence efforts in supporting the homeland security enterprise? The intelligence community has been very effective in keeping the homeland safe. Every day they avert different types of crimes (cyber, terrorist, gang, economic, etc.). They also continually develop tools and procedures and conduct research to find new ways to detect, monitor, and avert threats to homeland security (Wray, 2021). Over the years, domestic intelligence has led to the arrest of gang members and other high-profile criminals, some of whom are in the government. It has also averted many cyber-related attacks that can pose a significant threat to the American public. Therefore, they have managed to keep the homeland relatively safe. The intelligence community has also continually developed tools to help them fight crime. While some of these tools have been contentious, it is undeniable that they have been effective in helping find people of interest and monitoring their activities till they are apprehended. The mass surveillance programs have effectively collected data points and aroused interest in certain individuals. However, though these technological tools have been largely condemned for infringing on people's rights, they have helped the intelligence community to find people of interest, monitor their activities and communication, and foil their plans before they pose a danger to the American public. However, it is important to note that all the mass surveillance tools developed have been effective in fighting crime, albeit not being constitutional, according to different legal scholars (German, 2014). The challenge of deploying and using these tools are the fundamental principles that this nation was built upon. The challenge is finding a balance between this complex and evolving domestic terrorism threat landscape with an approach that honors and protects both America’s security and America’s values, especially civil rights and civil liberties (National Security Council, 2021).  The efficacy of these tools and procedures employed by the domestic intelligence community to fight crime cannot be understated. Since 9/11, the government has remained relatively safe despite many lone and group actors who purposed to threaten public safety. Many actors (individual, group, and governmental) have sought to threaten the safety of the American public, and they have not been successful. The efficacy of the intelligent community foiled their plans before they could threaten public safety. Therefore, this shows that the current domestic intelligence efforts are capable and effective. On the other hand, homeland security matters have run into a new problem mainly emanating from the evolving nature of crime and things that threaten the security of people and property within the borders. One of the major failures of the domestic intelligence efforts has been the politics that come with the subject. Privacy is a contentious issue, and politicians have politicized the subject making it difficult to pass enabling laws to help intelligence officers use it to avert danger (German, 2014). The Achilles heel o...