History Assignment Help
Instructions:
Answer these questions. Provide citations and reference those citations.
– To what extent does the Army\’s role in the homeland security of the United States blur the lines of authority between strictly military and civil authorities in domestic affairs?
– What are some of the dangers of greater military involvement in such matters?
– Is there a threat of demoralization among both civilian and enlisted attitudes toward the military as a result of these actions? Explain
Solution
History Assignment Help.
Introduction
To what extent does the Army’s role in the homeland security in the United States blur the lines of authority between strictly military and civil authorities in domestic affairs?
The unprecedented nature of the current terrorist threats to the US has led to the change in the traditional role of the military in the American society. Accordingly, the involvement of the military in the domestic affairs has blurred the lines of their responsibilities within the American society. As such, challenges have been prevalent for the Homeland Defense (HLD) and Homeland Security Planning (HLS) (Head & Mann, 2016). The military planning within the United States Northern Command and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been facing an environment whereby blurred lines prevail in two ways (Hall, & Coyne, 2013).
Deciphering the specific threats that call for the military’s involvement in local affairs
The US military has specific roles in defending the nation against terrorist attacks. Nonetheless, the terrorist attacks emanate from the foreign nations and enter into the domestic environment, therefore, leading to the need to comprehend the logistics in the involvement of the military.
Secondly, from the research by Hall & Coyne, (2013) it is clear that there is the prospect of determining the specific threats that can be deemed as national security or foreign aggression. The differentiation of the two aspects is daunting due to the changes of the terrorists once they enter the US jurisdiction.
What are some of the dangers of greater military involvement in such matters?
The complexity and uncertainty in differentiating foreign aggression from domestic terrorism is an issue of concern that has been raising debates about the implications of the greater involvement of the military (Head & Mann, 2016). As such, the involvement of the military can lead to an environment whereby many nations will deem the US at war. Accordingly, the involvement of the military in the domestic affairs translates into war in the international environment. Hall & Coyne, (2013) believe that military involvement will lead to cutting bilateral or multilateral ties with various nations since the military will be involved in both domestic and foreign combat. As a clear example, transnational groups like the Al-Qaeda with roots in Iraq will have to be eliminated through military action in Iraq and in the US through tracking the known members. The form of aggressive involvement by the military may send messages to the Iraqi government that the US is at war with her people.
Is there a threat of demoralization among both civilian and enlisted attitudes towards the military as a result of these actions? Explain
The involvement of the military in the war against terrorism will lead to the public being conflicted between what entails “war” and “crime” in the American society. As such, the act of terrorism on the domestic soil has previously been deemed as a criminal act (Head & Mann, 2016). The involvement of the military will send out mixed reactions to the public with some viewing the military involvement as an act of war. With the increasing prospect of nationalist and extremist groups growing in the USA focused on fighting terrorism, demoralization and increase in radicalization are bound to prevail. Hence, the American public will have a negative perception or attitude towards the involvement of the military.
Conclusion
Accordingly,
from the above analysis, there are conflicts in the definition of what entails
foreign aggression and domestic terrorism. Without steadfast and effective
policies to establish the jurisdiction of the military and local enforcement
officers, further conflicts and uncertainty are bound to prevail.
References
Hall, A. R., & Coyne, C. J. (2013). The Militarization of US Domestic Policing. The Independent Review, 17(4), 485-504.
Head, M., & Mann, S. (2016). Domestic Deployment of the Armed Forces: Military Powers, Law, and Human Rights. Routledge.