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Office of Homeland Security
Nearly a month after the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania, was sworn in as an adviser to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security, and thus director of the new Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President. He will head a staff that is tentatively projected to grow to 186 (see chart below).
Ridge's office was directed to "develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks." Ridge was given a coordination and facilitation role in the U.S. anti-terrorist effort, specifically not a controlling or budgetary function. With this somewhat limited mandate, he has been instructed to:
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Develop a National Strategy for Homeland Security
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Identify priorities and coordinate efforts for collection and analysis of information regarding activities of terrorists within, and threats of terrorists against, the United States.
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Coordinate national efforts to prepare for and mitigate the consequences of terrorist threats or attacks.
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Coordinate efforts to protect the United States and its critical infrastructure from the consequences of terrorist attacks.
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Coordinate efforts to respond to and promote recovery from terrorist threats or attacks.
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Coordinate the domestic response efforts of all departments and agencies in the event of an imminent terrorist threat [or attack].
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Review continuity of government plans, coordinate a public affairs strategy, cooperate with other government entities, and review legislative and budgetary proposals on homeland security.
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Media reporting of Ridge's new role has concentrated upon the difficulties he will face in attempting to harmonize the activities of the myriad offices that have homeland security responsibilities. There are more than 40 federal offices involved, as well as hundreds of state, local, and private organizations. Recognizing these difficulties, both the Hart-Rudman U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century and Virginia Gov. James Gilmore's Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction recommended a stronger organization. In the case of the Hart-Rudman Commission, a National Homeland Security Agency was advocated, which would have gained several forces, including the Customs Department and the Coast Guard, from other federal offices.
Instead, Bush decided to set up an office similar to that of the 'drug czar,' the Office for National Drugs Control Policy. A former incumbent of that office, retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, argued strongly for greater powers for Ridge, warning that if not addressed, there was a danger that he might "turn into little more than the speakers' bureau for homeland defense" (Washington Post, Nov.18, 2001). Many commentators have said much the same thing.
On the other hand, Ridge is apparently "comfortable that his role is not to micromanage but to bring people together," according to EPA Administrator Christine Whitman (Washington Post, Nov.18, 2001). Only time will tell whether the new post will work as hoped.
Terrorism and Cyber-security Appointments
On Oct. 9, 2001, two new White House appointments were announced. Retired Gen. Wayne Downing was named as the White House's principal advisor on combating terrorism, and Richard Clarke was appointed to coordinate protection efforts for computers and information networks.
Downing's formal title was given as national director and deputy national security adviser for combating terrorism, and Clarke's title as special adviser to the president for cyber-space security.
Downing was previously an Army officer and a former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He also commanded the unified U.S. Special Operations Command. After the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996, Downing, who was called out of retirement, headed an assessment that severely criticized the U.S. military leadership for giving counter-terrorism too low a priority. Later he served as an advisor to the congressionally inspired National Commission on Terrorism. News reports indicate he is widely respected by former military and civilian colleagues. He has avoided publicity, refusing requests for interviews after his appointment. What is known is that since his appointment he has resurrected a long-held plan to topple the Iraqi regime in conjunction with the Iraqi National Congress (INC). The plan, which would see the Iraqi army lured out to be destroyed by U.S. air power, has received a mixed reception, with a former U.S. commander in the Middle East, Gen. Anthony Zinni (who now serves as a CDI distinguished military fellow) deriding it as a disastrous plan reminiscent of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs Cuba invasion attempt. (The Guardian, Dec.28, 2001)
Clarke, before his appointment on the National Security Council staff as coordinator for security, was infrastructure protection, and counter-terrorism. He served in the Reagan administration as deputy assistant secretary of state for intelligence, and in the first Bush administration as assistant secretary of state for politico-military affairs. He has been charged with coordinating interagency efforts to secure information systems and coordinating efforts to restore critical systems in the event of disruption.
Both men report to both Ridge's office and U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. The two-chief reporting chain of the new officers poses potential management problems, but no clearer structure has been outlined. With Ridge and both new subordinates trying to settle down and start operating at the same time, it will take time before the new arrangements are working at full efficiency.
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