Comments on: Homeland Security Secretary in Middle East http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/03/26/homeland-security-secretary-in-middle-east/ News and analysis of critical issues in homeland security today. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:54:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Jason http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/03/26/homeland-security-secretary-in-middle-east/#comment-99984 Jason Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:57:09 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/03/26/homeland-security-secretary-in-middle-east/#comment-99984 Re: The focus of his meetings appears to be on border security and what he called “security cooperation.” You know, I seem to remember that there is a government agency responsible for topics like this, especially when dealing with a foreign nation. It's called "The State Dept." I know, it's crazy to think that the State Dept should actually do its job, but there it is. Re: The focus of his meetings appears to be on border security and what he called “security cooperation.”

You know, I seem to remember that there is a government agency responsible for topics like this, especially when dealing with a foreign nation. It’s called “The State Dept.” I know, it’s crazy to think that the State Dept should actually do its job, but there it is.

]]> By: William R. Cumming http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/03/26/homeland-security-secretary-in-middle-east/#comment-99371 William R. Cumming Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:21:21 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/03/26/homeland-security-secretary-in-middle-east/#comment-99371 Like all major departments and agencies of the Executive Branch, DHS has important international relations and can even learn from foreign governments and their advisors, especially Israel, to upgrade our Homeland Security. It is interesting to me, however, to see that the International section of the DHS organization is essentially a step-child, handed around periodically, and without formal delegations of authority or really precise organizational arrangements. In this case, actions (or non-actions) speak louder than words. Interesting question would be what languages DHS staff are fully qualified in, even FEMA and Border Security types have some Spanish capability, but I am referring to more exotic languages, particularly those of the Islamic world. Like all major departments and agencies of the Executive Branch, DHS has important international relations and can even learn from foreign governments and their advisors, especially Israel, to upgrade our Homeland Security. It is interesting to me, however, to see that the International section of the DHS organization is essentially a step-child, handed around periodically, and without formal delegations of authority or really precise organizational arrangements. In this case, actions (or non-actions) speak louder than words. Interesting question would be what languages DHS staff are fully qualified in, even FEMA and Border Security types have some Spanish capability, but I am referring to more exotic languages, particularly those of the Islamic world.

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