DHS Forecasts 5-year Terror Threats

[unhappycamper]

DHS Forecasts 5-year Terror Threats
December 26, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The terrorism threat to the United States over the next five years will be driven by instability in the Middle East and Africa, persistent challenges to border security and increasing Internet savvy, says a new intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press.

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks are considered the most dangerous threats that could be carried out against the U.S. But those threats are also the most unlikely because it is so difficult for al-Qaida and similar groups to acquire the materials needed to carry out such plots, according to the internal Homeland Security Threat Assessment for the years 2008-2013.

The al-Qaida terrorist network continues to focus on U.S. attack targets vulnerable to massive economic losses, casualties and political "turmoil," the assessment said.

Earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction remains "the highest priority at the federal level." Speaking to reporters on Dec. 3, Chertoff explained that more people, such as terrorists, will learn how to make dirty bombs, biological and chemical weapons. "The other side is going to continue to learn more about doing things," he said.

Marked "for official use only," the report does not specify its audience, but the assessments typically go to law enforcement, intelligence officials and the private sector. When determining threats, intelligence officials consider loss of life, economic and psychological consequences.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/dhs-forecasts-5-year-terror-threats.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I wish I could trust DHS and its assessments without any skepticism.

But I don't.

1. The Department was created under #43's administration.

2. It is presently being administered by #43.

3. It's an agency like the EPA, Dept. of Education, etc. It needs to be funded. How does it get $? By attempting to prove it has projects that need to be funded. And what does DHS need to prove the projects that don't exist at this time need money? Future terror.

4. Five years? Hmmmm, that takes us through the first term of Obama at best, or into the first term of a new republican administration. First option: Cut back on funds and this agency will turn on Obama and claim his lackadaisical attitude toward terrorism and protecting The Homeland. Thus Obama is strong-armed into continuing to fund DHS. Second option: Of course a republican president will fund DHS like the Pentagon is funded? (What do you want, what do you need?)

[ixion]

2. cowards

I refuse to live my life in fear. And these creepy, small-minded, paranoid fascists at DHS can take a flying f**k at the moon, for all I care.

Oh, and just a salient point to drive it on home:

"The terrorism threat to the United States over the next five years will be driven by instability in the Middle East and Africa..."

And, of course, we're doing everything we can at the moment to promote that instability we claim to be terrified of.

What a load of crap.

[Zynx]

3. You know, this was probably conjured up by five people just thinking shit up.

I do not take this thing seriously for one moment.