The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Jan 29 new security enhancements for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Among the recommendations were enhanced screening for individuals from “high-risk” countries, executing the program “in a more risk-based manner when considering the overall refugee admissions ceiling, regional allocations, and the groups of applicants considered for resettlement,” […]
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Global Cybersecurity Centre Launched at Davos Forum
Amid the fanfare at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, last week, organizers announced the launch of the Global Centre for Cybersecurity beginning in March. Located in Geneva, Switzerland, the public-private partnership will address the ever-growing threat of cyber-crime that it says costs the world about $445 billion each year. “Cyber-attackers are constantly […]
Trump Plan Requires Wall, Includes DACA Path
The White House released its immigration reform framework Jan. 25, emphasizing border security, but also would allow a path to citizenship for nearly two million Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-eligible illegal immigrants. Border security provisions in the framework include a $25 billion border wall trust fund, increased Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, and […]
Hobbesian Philosophy Shapes National Security Strategy
The new National Security Strategy (NSS), unveiled by the White House in December 2017, is based on the acceptance of a global dynamic defined by competition. This NSS reflects the approach of English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes—intentional or not—who viewed the sacrifice of individual liberty as an acceptable trade off for increased security and the […]
AEI Analyst: Border Walls are a Secure Solution Worldwide
Well-traveled American Enterprise Institute resident scholar Michael Rubin describes himself as an analyst, not an advocate, and has covered a lot of miles in the Middle East and South Asia. Compiling information and talking to people in these regions is part of his job. Despite members of Congress, President Trump, and opinion makers haggling over […]
CIA Director Offers Unapologetic First-Year Reflection
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) welcomed CIA Director Mike Pompeo to a forum Jan. 23, where the director reflected on the CIA’s mission, the ongoing fight against counterterrorism, and his working relationship with President Trump. “CIA is a central part of making sure that policymakers understand the threat and how best to attack [the counterterrorism […]
DHS Waiver Expedites N.M. Border Barrier Construction
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a waiver Jan. 23 to expedite barrier construction in a 20-mile stretch near the Santa Teresa, N.M., port of entry in the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector. “To begin to meet the need for additional border infrastructure in this area, DHS will replace legacy vehicle barrier that no […]
Triple-i Providing Proactive Cybersecurity Solutions for VA
Salient CRGT subsidiary Information Innovators Inc. (Triple-i) recently received a subcontract from AbleVets LLC to provide vital cybersecurity support and expertise to the Veterans Affairs (VA) Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC). An offshoot of Triple-i’s current Network Engineering Design Infrastructure Implementation and Support program, CSOC will be a proactive component focused on policy and controls […]
Las Vegas Shooter Motive Elusive, Acted Alone
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) preliminary report on the Oct. 1 shooting that killed 58 at a Vegas open-air concert is long on evidentiary details, but the “why” remains a mystery. Released Jan 19, the report details the events of Oct. 1, provides some background on shooter Stephen Paddock, and irons out early […]
Mercatus: Growth-Based Immigration Key to 21st Century Economy
As lawmakers haggle over immigration specifics and a looming government shutdown, Daniel Griswold, senior research fellow and co-director of the Program on the American Economy and Globalization at the Mercatus Center, suggests that increasing the number of skilled immigrants to the United States is the key to 21st century economic growth. In Reforming the U.S. […]