Security News
The Daily Signal covers the latest threats, from cyber to national defense, and examines policies designed to protect American communities.
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6 Takeaways From Mayorkas’ Shameful Senate Panel Testimony on Border Security
The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week on “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security” was another subpar performance from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, to say the least. What became clear during the hearing was the lack of transparency and leadership that is needed to tackle the biggest border security crisis the U.S. has ever…Chad Wolf -
Rise in Kidnappings and Lawlessness in Haiti Highlights Need for Security Response
The recent kidnapping of 17 missionaries—16 American, one Canadian, and five of them children—and a local driver in Haiti has drawn international attention to the epidemic of escalating violence and lawlessness the Haitian people have been suffering for years. Coming on the heels of the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the intensifying criminal activity is undermining what little…Mateo Haydar -
Biden Wants to Cut Funding for ‘Border Security Assets and Infrastructure’ by 96%
President Joe Biden has now revealed there is at least one area in which he is a fiscal conservative: When it comes to providing the infrastructure needed to secure the border, he wants to spend far less than the government currently spends. His administration has presented Congress with a Department of Homeland Security budget proposal…Terence Jeffrey -
Do Steel and Aluminum From Europe Still Threaten US National Security?
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced a deal May 17 that many are calling a “cease-fire” on the multiyear dispute over U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The European Union was set to double retaliatory tariffs next month on several American products, including whiskey and wine,…Tori K. Smith -
Is China’s Digital Currency a National Security Threat? What You Need to Know
Imagine a currency that can expire, or that the government can require citizens to use only for specific purchases. Imagine no further because that is the power the Chinese government holds through its newly tested digital currency. China’s digital currency is backed by China’s central bank, but unlike traditional bank accounts, users cannot withdraw physical…Virginia Allen -
3 Seas Initiative Matters to America’s Security and Economy
In a recent forum between the U.S. and European Union, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appealed for greater U.S. support for the Three Seas Initiative, commonly known internationally as the 3SI. Morawiecki underscored the importance of the 3SI in the context of further enhancing the transatlantic and strategic relationship: [T]his new dimension, which we have…Anthony B. Kim -
Biden Summit With Japan’s Suga to Address Asian Regional Security Challenges
In the past month, the United States and Japan held a whirlwind of senior meetings, including a virtual summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India, aka “the Quad”) and bilateral meetings among senior officials for defense, foreign affairs, and national security. But despite the plethora of policy coordination conferences, President…Bruce Klingner -
Rare Earth Elements Aren’t That Rare, but They’re Vital to National Security
For one-third of the price of one F-35 Lightning II, the Pentagon made a key investment to ensure its supply of rare earth elements. The Department of Defense earlier this month announced that Lynas USA LLC was awarded a $30.4 million technology investment agreement under Title III of the Defense Production Act. With that award,…Maiya Clark -
Better Election Security Preparation Meant No ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ in 2020 Vote
As ballot counting continues in states across the country and potential election fraud is being flagged and litigated, we are thankfully not hearing about another form of election meddling; namely, foreign interference. Such interference, particularly from Russia, was a frequent claim in the 2016 presidential election. Government at the federal, state, and local levels have…Lora Ries -
Work Conditions in Army Ammunition Plants Pose Dangers to Employees—and National Security
In 2017, Lawrence Bass died at an Army ammunition plant when the ammunition components he was handling exploded. He and one other man have died in the last 10 years due to improper working conditions at government-owned ammunition manufacturing facilities. These avoidable accidents are at the top of a long list of issues at our nation’s ammunition plants—issues that threaten both employees’…Maiya Clark -
Economic Freedom Is the Key Ingredient in Enhancing Food Security
The Norwegian Nobel Committee recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 to the World Food Program, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, for its work combating hunger and enhancing food security. The award is timely, as enhanced efforts to advance food security are critically needed in response to the COVID-19 slowdown in world economic growth….Anthony B. Kim -
Election Politics Aren’t Slowing Down Border Security Efforts
A year ago, it looked like there was no stopping the administration’s plan to secure the border and stem the tide of illegal immigration. Today, that prediction looks about right. Just a few days ago, a caravan aiming at the U.S. border to coincide with the election campaign was broken up in Guatemala in cooperation…James Carafano -
Coast Guard Icebreaker Fire Dramatizes US Polar Security Gap Years in Making
A fire aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy on its way to a research mission in the Arctic late last month forced the Coast Guard to cancel all Arctic operations at a time when the United States can least afford it. It pointed out again that the Coast Guard’s motto, Semper Paratus—“Always Ready”—is not being fulfilled in the…Janae Diaz -
For More Security at Less Cost, Buy More F-35s
Since its conceptual inception, the F-35 fighter jet has been known as an extremely expensive aircraft that can fill multiple roles. This high-priced “Swiss Army knife” of fifth-generation fighters is intended to replace fighters in the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The down side always has been the cost. As good as the F-35…Steven Bucci -
‘Severe, Fundamental Security Failures’ in This Federal Agency Need to Be Investigated
A strongly worded press release by Michael Pack, the new chief executive officer of the U.S. Global Media Agency, dropped quite a bombshell July 23. The Global Media Agency is a federal agency that operates various state-run media outlets, and Pack has headed it since June 4. In his press release, Pack said he plans…Helle Dale -
Here’s How China’s New National Security Crackdown Is Changing Hong Kong
On June 30, China imposed a so-called national security law that sparked protests across Hong Kong. How is this “national security law” impacting Hong Kong’s relationship with the U.S.? As a global financial center, how is this law hampering Hong Kong’s influence? Mike Gonzalez, author of the forthcoming “The Plot to Change America: How Identity Politics…Rachel del Guidice -
Canadian Aluminum is Not a Threat to US National Security
The Trump administration is considering applying tariffs or quotas to aluminum imports from Canada over concerns about a recent spike in imports from the country. The administration points to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, a trade law that allows the president to impose tariffs on imports that impair or threaten to impair U.S….Tori K. Smith -
All-Mail Voting Threatens Election Security, Study Finds
Mandatory voting by mail would undermine election security and endanger Americans’ right to have their votes counted, according to a report released Tuesday by the Honest Elections Project, a voter integrity group. The report comes on the heels of a vote-by-mail scandal in Paterson, New Jersey, where 1 in 5 votes were disqualified. Liberal politicians…Fred Lucas -
Basing Troops in Europe Is About US Security. A Pullout Would Be Unwise.
Unconfirmed news reports say the Trump administration is considering the withdrawal of 9,500 troops from Germany. If true, that would not be a prudent decision, and ultimately would harm U.S. security interests. The Trump administration has done much since 2017 to improve security in Europe. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has increased funding for…Daniel Kochis -
Too Often, Trump Critics Rely on False, Dangerous Ideas About National Security
No question, President Donald Trump is an unconventional statesman. On the global stage he looks like a fullback at a field hockey match. Different doesn’t always mean wrong—except to the critics who have gone to absurd lengths to weaponize policy differences to undermine the legitimacy of the president’s decisions. One of the most extreme and…James Carafano