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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Why We Need a National Security Transition Plan for the Next Administration
In one year, a new president will move into the White House and be greeted with the consequences of President Barack Obama’s failed national security policies. To confront the likely chaos, the president must be armed with strategies and flanked by advisers who will enable the president to lead on day one. Though the first vote…Daniel Kaniewski -
5 National Security Problems You Won’t Hear From Obama’s State of the Union
President Barack Obama’s last State of the Union address will address a range of topics, and almost certainly include foreign policy and national security in some fashion. Unfortunately, the president seems set in his misguided ways on national defense. Here are five things that Obama should say in his State of the Union address, but…Justin Johnson -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
The European Parliament is Wrong on Edward Snowden and National Security
On Oct. 29, the European Parliament approved a resolution (passed by 285 votes to 281) calling “on European Union Member States to drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistleblower and international human rights defender.” The European…Nile Gardiner -
Does the Public’s Demand for Transparency Threaten America’s National Security? Gen. Michael Hayden Weighs In
Gen. Michael Hayden, former director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, says Edward Snowden has caused a huge trust gap between the American people and their government and between the U.S. and our allies. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Hayden also talks about the impact of social media…Genevieve Wood -
John Bolton on the Biggest National Security Crisis Facing the Next President
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, sat down with The Daily Signal Thursday to discuss national security, the Middle East, and what questions 2016 candidates should have to answer. 0:13—What Bolton thinks about President Barack Obama’s decision to leave troops in Afghanistan. 1:04—What question Bolton would ask presidential candidates about national security….Genevieve Wood -
Climate Change Is Not a National Security Issue
On Monday, Oct. 5, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change released its most recent draft of a global climate change agreement ahead of the 2015 Paris World Climate Summit to “support the global response to the urgent threat of climate change by further addressing its causes and by further increasing resilience and the ability…Aaron Strickland -
Obama Is Willing to Put Our National Security at Risk With a Veto
The Russians are bombing CIA-backed rebels in Syria and continuing to hold parts of Ukraine. ISIS continues to spread in the Middle East and inspire attacks around the world. Iran is receiving hundreds of billions in sanctions relief, some of which will likely go to destabilizing the Middle East. China is building illegal islands in…Justin Johnson -
‘Safest School in America’ Has $400K Security System. Should Other Schools Catch Up?
Monday’s incident at Delta State University marks the ninth time that one or more persons have died during a school shooting event in 2015, according to the website Everytown.org, which tracks school shootings in the United States. A high school in suburban Indiana is taking extra steps to steel itself against such tragedy and has been called…Madaline Donnelly -
Foreign Policy Experts Warn Against Iran Deal, Calling It ‘Threat’ to US Security
President Barack Obama has launched a sweeping campaign to sell his historic Iran deal to Congress, advertising the accord as the sole alternative to war with Tehran to convince skeptical lawmakers to buy in. Foreign policy experts and opponents of the deal pushed against the administration’s pitch during a Heritage Foundation panel Thursday, arguing that…Natalie Johnson -
Senate Committee Puts Ninth National Security Cutter on the Table
Congress took another major step in revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard recently when the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee voted to provide funding for a ninth national security cutter (NSC). While the official U.S. Coast Guard program of record remains at eight NSCs, a ninth hull in this fleet is merited for a number of…Ian Button -
“Enormous” Cyber Hack Threatens Federal Employees and National Security
Things went from bad to worse at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Thursday with the announcement that hackers stole the Social Security numbers and personal information of 21 million people in a massive cyber hack. This news comes on top of last month’s revelation that 4.2 million current and former federal employees had…Jocelyn Lamb -
Taliban Attack on Parliament Signifies Importance of Continued U.S.–Afghan Security Partnership
Six Taliban militants attacked the Afghan Parliament building on Monday, as lawmakers were considering the nomination of Masoom Stanekzai as the new defense minister. The attackers detonated a car bomb outside Parliament, stormed in, and reached a building next to the chamber before being killed in the firefight. No members of Parliament were injured, but…Siyao Li -
The World Isn’t Safer. So Why Has the National Security Budget Decreased By 15%?
No one would argue threats to America have decreased by 15 percent since 2011. So why has the budget for protecting ourselves decreased by that much? Congress needs to consider that question as it works in the next few months to iron out America’s national security budget for the next fiscal year. Right now, our…Justin Johnson -
Continued Iranian Missile Development Threatens Security
In spite of continued negotiations with the P5+1 (five permanent member countries of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany) over its nuclear program, Iran has quietly continued to develop its ballistic missile program, and the United States appears unconcerned about this growing threat. The current Iranian deal contains multiple shortcomings, including tacit acceptance of Iran’s…Cameron Swathwood