National Security News

The Daily Signal provides reports on national and homeland security issues, including military readiness, intelligence operations, border protection, and global conflicts. Featuring news, analysis, and commentary, this section explores how security policy decisions affect America’s national defense and freedom.
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  • news

    Is the ‘Fiancé Visa’ a Security Risk? A Look at Screening Procedures for Visa Used by San Bernardino Terrorist
    In a time of anxiety over border security, the so-called fiancé visa is one avenue into the United States that has generated little attention. But the normally low-drama visa that facilitates marriage is now under scrutiny after it became known that one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attack used the visa to…
    Josh Siegel
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  • opinion

    After Hearing Oral Arguments, Legal Expert Thinks Abigail Fisher Should Win in Racial Discrimation Case
    The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in what is likely to be one of the most controversial cases of the current term: Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. At issue is whether universities should be allowed to use racial preferences in their admissions programs. It’s the second time this case has made its way…
    Genevieve Wood
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  • opinion

    Supreme Court Hears Case on Racial Preferences in College Admissions. Again.
    It was “déjà vu all over again” as Yogi Berra would have said, at the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday, with protesters outside the court and race agitators like Al Sharpton leading the crowd, as the justices heard the case of Abigail Fisher for a second time. Two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in Fisher’s…
    Elizabeth Slattery | Hans von Spakovsky
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  • opinion

    Sending Special Forces Into Iraq Without a Strategy to Defeat ISIS Is Irresponsible
    Last week, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the U.S. will send between 100 and 150 special operations forces to Iraq to conduct targeted ground raids against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. The announcement follows closely on the heels of President Obama’s October decision to send approximately 50 special operations forces to Syria. While…
    Rachel Zissimos
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  • opinion

    How to Combat Cyber-Attacks in the 21st Century
    The barrage of cyber-attacks against U.S. companies continued in 2015. Some were spectacularly successful, costing the victimized companies—as well as their workers and customers—millions. Americans can expect more of the same in 2016. The bad guys still want to steal commercial secrets, as well as your Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses, financial records,…
    Riley Walters
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  • opinion

    Leading Muslim Voice Speaks Out Against Islamic Extremism
    In the aftermath of the massacre in Paris and the shooting this week in San Bernardino, Calif., the debate over the threat of Islamic terrorism is again front and center. Many political leaders, including President Barack Obama, refuse to make the connection between the terrorist acts of groups like ISIS and the religion of Islam….
    Genevieve Wood
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  • news

    The IRS Wants Organizations to Collect Donors’ Social Security Numbers. This Tea Party Group Is Fighting Back.
    A Tea Party organization is mobilizing its supporters nationwide in an attempt to stymie a proposed regulation from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the disclosures of donor information. Tea Party Patriots is launching an email and social media campaign—using #IRSPowerGrab—today, encouraging supporters and conservative leaders nationwide to push back against a rule proposed by the…
    Melissa Quinn
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  • opinion

    What Acquistion Reform for the Pentagon Should Look Like
    Not since the heady days of the “revolution in military affairs” over a decade ago has reforming the Pentagon been such a central focus of Washington musings. Recently, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., kicked off a series of hearings looking at the roles and missions of the armed forces with an eye toward reducing…
    James Carafano
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  • opinion

    Energy and Security in Japan
    In October, a delegation of researchers from The Heritage Foundation had the opportunity to travel to Japan for a week. It is clear from their time there that Japan has a keen interest in increasing its energy diversity and making sure that experts are knowledgeable about the security changes and challenges in the region. Through…
    Riley Walters
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  • opinion

    EMP Attack Should Be a Larger National Security Concern
    Many Americans have never heard of EMP (which is short for electromagnetic pulse), much less would they consider it a national security issue worth worrying about. Unfortunately, an EMP attack poses a threat that is both real and also quite serious. An electromagnetic pulse within the United States could cause serious harm to our nation’s…
    David Poortinga
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  • opinion

    Some States Talk About Border Security. Arizona Is Taking Action.
    While the presidential candidates clash over how to handle illegal immigration and border security, Arizona is doing something about it. When Doug Ducey ran for governor, he made doing something about all the illegal activity on the border with Mexico a cornerstone of his campaign. Since taking office, he has made a high-profiled effort to deliver. His latest…
    James Carafano
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  • opinion

    When It Comes to Security Preparedness, the TSA Needs Improvements From Congress
    As we approach the holiday season, one thing that many Americans will have in common is travel. In light of recent high-profile mistakes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) needs to make some serious changes to security methodology. The TSA has already taken some steps to better manage risks at airports. It cut back on the…
    Angelica Hickerson
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  • opinion

    PBGC’s 2015 $14.6 Billion Jump in Deficits: More Bad News for Beneficiaries of Troubled Private Pensions
    The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)—the government entity that insures private pension plans—released its 2015 annual report, showing a $14.6 billion jump in PBGC’s deficit, to $76.3 billion. This is bad news for millions of workers and retirees with financially strapped private-sector defined-benefit pension plans. When private-sector pension plans fail and can’t pay promised pension…
    Rachel Greszler
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  • opinion

    Death of Paris Attack Ringleader Underscores Security Flaws in Europe
    The world can breathe a little easier knowing that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of the Paris terror attacks, was killed in a firefight with French authorities yesterday. Abaaoud’s terror attacks, which claimed 129 innocent lives last Friday, highlight the continued risk posed by the terrorist group known as the Islamic State—especially to western European nations who…
    Daniel Kochis
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  • opinion

    No, Suspending the Visa Waiver Program Will Not Increase National Security
    The Visa Waiver Program, or VWP, has recently been questioned in its ability weed-out terrorists attempting to travel to the U.S. This program requires member countries to meet certain security measures, including an increase in airport security, an increased sharing of intelligence on known suspected terrorists, and an exchange of biometric, biographic, and criminal data…
    Chris Caprarese
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  • news

    GOP Lawmakers, National Security Experts Debate Risks, Syrian Refugee Programs’ Vetting Process
    As Republicans push for the Syrian refugee program to be halted, former defense and national security officials today sought to reassure lawmakers that while risks cannot be fully eliminated, they can be mitigated to ensure terrorists do not enter the United States. During a joint hearing of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees…
    Melissa Quinn
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  • opinion

    Hawaii Is Holding an Election That Only Allows People of Certain Racial Background to Vote
    It’s bad enough having a state hold an election that is racially discriminatory. Now we have a judge willing to allow it to move forward. That would be federal district court Judge J. Michael Seabright (a George W. Bush appointee, surprisingly enough). He’s refused to issue an injunction to stop an election in Hawaii to…
    Hans von Spakovsky
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  • news

    This Veterans Video Went Viral. Now It’s on the Big Screen in Times Square.
    Veterans gathered in Times Square on a wet, rainy morning the day before Veterans Day to watch a video.   Producer Stephen Clouse was present as a video tribute played to a crowd of a couple dozen veterans, who turned out in New York City despite pouring rain. The video, featuring the poem “Just a…
    Leah Jessen
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  • news

    Is This the Next Mizzou? As Racial Tensions Rise, Ithaca College President Faces Mounting Criticism
    Around a thousand miles northeast of the University of Missouri, where racial tensions and protests led to the resignation of the university president, students and faculty at Ithaca College have mounted a challenge to their own leader following protests over alleged incidents of racism at the small private college. For months, the college of just…
    Melissa Quinn
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  • opinion

    For Many Vets, Military Career First Step in Service to US, Followed by Serving in Law Enforcement
    As Americans, Veterans Day allows us to reflect upon the gratitude we feel for the men and women who have taken it upon themselves, through their service, to protect the freedoms we enjoy here at home. To those special individuals we call veterans, patriotism and service to country embody more than mere rhetoric; they encompass a…
    Scott Erickson
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