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Joint Chiefs of Staff issue new guidance on combatting WMDs

From Secrecy News:

The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued new doctrinal guidance on combating weapons of mass destruction, including the three pillars of nonproliferation, counterproliferations, and WMD consequence management.  See "Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction" (pdf), Joint Publication 3-40, June 10, 2009.

• Download the guidance as a 173-page PDF

DHS launches new weblog to communicate directly with Americans

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday launched The Blog @ Homeland Security, a new addition to the department’s web presence designed to increase transparency and facilitate the dialogue between DHS and the American public.

“The Blog reflects our ongoing commitment to communicate directly with the American people about the department’s efforts across the country and around the world,” DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a news release.

The Blog will include frequent updates on the department’s activities, including breaking news, public events and new initiatives.

The inaugural post, found at http://www.dhs.gov/theblog, features a video message from Secretary Napolitano outlining the Department’s five overarching responsibilities and an invitation for visitors to comment on and provide suggestions for The Blog.

New report: 'Identify Theft: Trends and Issues'

The Congressional Researech Service has issued a new report, "Identify Theft: Trends and Issues."

From the introduction:

In the wake of the economic downturn, policymakers are increasingly concerned with securing the economic health of the United States—including combating those crimes that threaten to further undermine the nation’s financial stability. Identity theft is one such crime. It is the fastest growing type of fraud in the United States; in 2008 about 9.9 million Americans were reportedly victims of identity theft, an increase of 22% from the number of cases in 2007. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that it costs consumers about $50 billion annually. Identity theft is often committed to facilitate other crimes such as credit card fraud, document fraud, or employment fraud, which in turn can affect not only the nation’s economy but its security. Consequently, in securing the nation and it’s economic health, policymakers are also tasked with reducing identity theft and its impact. More details on the link exchange directory.

Download the report as a 31-page PDF.

New report: 'The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise'

From Secrecy News:

The Department of Homeland Security's intelligence mission is to collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence to reduce the threat of domestic terrorism.  The somewhat complex structure of DHS intelligence, at DHS headquarters and in six operational components, is illuminated in a new report (pdf) from the Congressional Research Service.

The new report usefully examines how DHS intelligence is organized to address threat warnings, border security, critical infrastructure protection, and information sharing.  It also considers congressional oversight of DHS intelligence.  See "The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise: Operational Overview and Oversight Challenges for Congress," May 27, 2009.

Download the report as a 60-page PDF

TSA places 10 bomb-sniffing puppies with Bryan-College Station foster homes

An ICHS campaign has helped the Transportation Security Administration to place 10 puppies with foster families in Bryan-College Station. The families received their puppies during a two-hour orientation on June 6.

TSA's Puppy Program selectively breeds, raises, and prepares puppies to be future explosives-detection dogs within the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. Dogs who graduate from training are assigned to airports and mass transit systems nationwide. The program is located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

The program depends on volunteer families in Texas to raise the puppies between the ages of 9 weeks and 12 months before they can enter explosives detection training. During this time they are responsible for providing the pups with a well-rounded, socialized and nurturing environment.

The ICHS campaign generated news stories in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, on KBTX Channel 3, ABC 40 and WTAW-AM. The campaign attracted 800 unique visitors to a special web site that offered details about the TSA program as well as an application. Thirty households applied to become foster homes for the pups.

Photos by Jean Wulfson, imaging coordinator, Division of Research and Graduate Studies, Texas A&M University