22WI_GENE29939-US National Security

January 4 (Tuesday) - Topics:

 (1) Course Orientation and Overview (Objectives,  Organization and flow of the course, Expectations, Grading, and Papers #1 and #2)

(2)  Meaning of the term National Security and how it has changed 

(3) "High Policy" 

(4) The Relationships - From "High Policy" to Tactical Actions 

(5) National Insecurity - Worldwide Threat Assessment and the  5 Major External Threats to U.S. National Security (will need to pick one for your research and Paper #2)

REQUIRED READINGS

Scan  the course summary and all session topics to get feel of how course flows. 

Forging A New Shield, pp 383 and 392-397 (Defining the term "National Security)

External Threat Choices for Paper #2:

(Will need to pick one on Thursday, January 6th) at end of Session 3)

1. North Korea

2. Iran

3. China

4. Russia

5. Terrorists with a Global Reach

6. Other?

Additional information

January 5 (Wednesday) - Topics:

 (1) The origin of the system

 (2) The Structure of the National Security System - components, levels and major organizations

(3) The National Security Council (the heart of the system), its organization, membership, and how decisions flow 

(4) The Interagency (what it is) and its role

Required reading:

Additional information:

Forging A New Shield: pp 21-37 (Components of National Security System)

The National Security Council:  A Legal History of the President's Most Powerful Advisors, pp. i-vi and 1-15.

External Threat Choices for Paper #2:

Reminder: Need to select at  next session (#3), Thursday, January 6th

1. North Korea

2. Iran

3. China

4. Russia

5. Terrorists with a Global Reach

6. Other

January 6 (Thursday) - Topics:

(1) U.S. National Security Strategy

(2) Einstein on how to solve a difficult problem and weighing pros and cons

(3) Evaluation of a crisis - Deciding If, Why, and How to Respond

(4) Response options for a crisis

(5) Review of the process that occurs within the National Security Council 

(6) A look at select interagency capabilities/resources

Required Readings:

Interagency Teaming to Counter Irregular Threats, Coordinating Draft, 19 October, 2009, Chapter 7, Partner Capabilities (Listing and overview of capabilities of Interagency members.

Additional information:

Decision Day: Pick External Threat Choices for Paper #2:

1. North Korea

2. Iran

3. China

4. Russia

5.  Terrorists with a Global Reach

6. Other

January 10 (Monday) - Topics:  

(1) Changes in the nature of war/conflict 

(2) Actions in the "Gray Zone" - All the major external threats are active here and require attention.

(3) Dealing with "Problem States"

(4) Review of Sessions 1, 2, and 3 material and requirements of Paper #1

Required Readings:

Review the terms in the Definitions of Select National Security Terms paper and read enough in the below documents to get an understanding, and similarities/overlaps for these new mission area terms, how they are conducted, and which government agencies must be involved (remember "interagency" and "whole of government approach"

Additional Information:

January 10 (Tuesday) - Topics:  

(1) History of terrorism and terrorist groups

(2) How terrorism is defined

(3) How terrorism has evolved

     Guest speaker will be Professor Randy Law, BSC, Department of History. 

             Professor Law's book, Terrorism: A History is a meticulous account of terrorism organizations, methods, and motives, from the ancient world to the present.

Required Reading

Additional Information

January  12  (Wednesday) - Topics:

(1) Analysis of Engagement Decision

     - Be prepared to present your initial thoughts on Paper #2, considering the Paper's requirements, material from assigned readings, and your own research.

     - Discussions on finalizing Paper #2

Topic: Crime and terrorism in the age of social media

       Guest speaker will be Gary Warner, Director for Information Assurance and Joint Forensics Research at UAB

       - Come to class with your questions.

From Dr Warner's Presentation 01/18/2022

Required Readings: 

Additional Information:

Required Readings: 

Our guest speaker today is Colonel Jim Reilly, USMC (Ret)

Required Reading:

Additional Information:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

January 26 (Tuesday) - Topics:

(1) The Role of the FBI - what they do

(2) Domestic National Security Issues

(3) Domestic Terrorism - FBI is lead Federal Agency

         Our guest speaker today is FBI Recruiter Alexis Sumner

Reminder:  Paper No. 2 is due Thursday, January 27th, Session 14

Required Reading:

Additional Information:

January 26 (Wednesday) - Topic:  The Role of Congress in the National Security System                                                                            

 Our guest speaker is Mr. William Smith, Chief of Staff, the Washington DC Office of Congressman Gary Palmer 

REMINDER:  PAPER  #2 IS DUE TOMORROW - TURN IN AT BEGINNING OF CLASS

Required Reading:

Additional Information: