Cross Domain Strategies for Homeland Security Planning

Section 8: International Factors

Key Assignment Draft Section

Cross-Domain Strategies Examine the potential for public or private partnerships and interagency efficiencies in addressing All-Domain Awareness (ADA) challenges and coordinated efforts in the land, air, maritime, and cyber domains in the unique homeland security environment of the Southwest border (SWB). Although this strategy has a counternarcotics focus, the SWB represents a multithreat, multidomain, multiagency challenge that poses significant challenges for homeland security planners because of the asymmetric and interconnected nature of regional crime networks and cross-border violence. For this assignment, complete the following: Prepare a 1-page quad chart and a 1-page supporting document that explains the planning variables associated with cross-domain strategies. Draw heavily from the relevant chapters of the NSWBCN Strategy, leveraging the substantive work that has been done by policymakers at the national level. Section 8: International Factors This week, you will identify and detail the potential international players, including the role of the Department of State, President Obama’s SWB Security Bill, the Merida Initiative, and support by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), along with counterparts in Mexico. Scenario Your boss is attending a planning conference in Mexico City where ideas are being requested to improve cooperation with Mexico. Prepare a 2-page thought piece to help her prepare her remarks.

In this piece, address the following: What diplomatic, informational, military, and economic variables will enable improved theater security cooperation (TSC), building partner capacity (BPC) and international engagement? Incorporate relevant information from the case study, empirical data regarding SWB security statistics, and useful material from the NSWBCN Strategy document. Include useful and appropriate bibliographic references. Review the Key Assignment description in the Week 1 Individual Project. For assistance, listen to the Cross-Domain Strategies Webinar that is available in this Phase's MUSE. Section 9: Interagency Process This week, you will outline the potential for improved whole-of-government, interagency coordination among domestic and international partners. In this section of your Key Assignment, you will identify the framework for a possible policy planning effort that would serve as a catalyst for improved multiagency, cross-governmental cooperation and collaboration at the SWB. Draft a 2-page road map, similar to the plan of action and milestones (POA&M) or concept of operations (CONOPS).

Be sure to include the following: Propose steps to significantly raise the level of coordination among the constellation of interagency players at the SWB. Draw from your case study, NSWBCN Strategy, and the Patriot Act to formulate a plan of action that leverages existing capabilities and introduces new ideas. Identify at least 3 specific examples of potential for improvement versus transformation. For example, there are several coordination centers with overlapping missions that are colocated at the SWB that appear redundant. Include useful and appropriate bibliographic references. Review the Key Assignment description in the Week 1 Individual Project. Key Assignment Draft Requirements Update your previous assignment formats to create a cohesive case study analysis and include all appropriate bibliographic references. Your Key Assignment Draft and case study analysis should include the following: You should have an introduction to the project that highlights the strategic purpose for the NSWBCN Strategy and outlines your case study on the threat of WMD being smuggled across the Southwest Border. You should highlight the all-threat environment that exists on the SWB for the key stakeholders of the Interagency Police Committee (ICP) within the interagency. You should include a graphic diagram of the rules and policies that apply to the region, along with a list of overarching themes that summarize the challenges. You should write a point paper that emphasizes the need for better multiagency coordination on the SWB. You must include an executive outline of the specific chapters of the NSWBCN Strategy, and describe how they might support the state-level objectives of governors of the border states with homeland security equities on the SWB. You should write a policy proposal, explaining how SWB-related critical infrastructure protection (CIP), response, and resilience imperatives should be fully integrated into future versions of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategies and policies, with general recommendations that would be appropriate for DHS planners to consider. You should include a quad chart with supporting information that explains the planning variables associated with cross-domain strategies. You should write a thought piece on improving cooperation with Mexico. You will create a road map with proposed steps to significantly raise the level of coordination among the constellation of interagency players.