{ "id": "RL30938", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL30938", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 100369, "date": "2003-01-27", "retrieved": "2016-05-24T19:59:33.220941", "title": "Terrorism and the Military's Role in Domestic Crisis Management: Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "The United States faces a number of significant national security threats, ranging in scope from\nintercontinental ballistic missiles to the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by terrorists. \nThe debate over the seriousness of the various threats intensified recently, even before the events of\nSeptember 11, 2001. Various studies and commissions recommended far reaching changes in the\nU.S. approach to domestic preparedness and response to threats to the homeland, many now being\nimplemented. Many experts believe the probable long term effects of a WMD attack by terrorists\non the population, environment, and the economy make it imperative that the U.S. be fully prepared\nto either deter or interdict an attempted terrorist attack.\n This paper reviews the current legislation and policies that govern the military's role when\nsupporting law enforcement in a domestic terrorism crisis and highlights some of the issues\nconfronting the U.S. government. To fully understand the military's role in domestic crisis response\nit is necessary to explore existing national-level structures and response options prior to the\ninvolvement of military forces. Crisis management is predominately a law enforcement function that\nmanages the resources necessary to prevent or resolve a terrorist incident, including one involving\nWMD. Current U.S. government terrorism response policy is contained in presidential directives. \nAmong other matters, these directives address National Security Council structure and federal\nagency crisis response roles when responding to a domestic terrorism incident. The creation of the\nDepartment of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command has not yet changed the basic roles\nand relationships described herein.\n Many federal agencies are available to assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in\ndealing with a terrorist threat or in the resolution of an actual terrorist incident. The Department of\nDefense (DoD), as a supporting agency in domestic law enforcement operations, has developed and\nmaintains plans and capabilities to respond to threats or acts of terrorism, including those involving\nthe use of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. In a domestic crisis, DoD may be called upon\nto assist in several different ways ranging from actual interdiction of the terrorists to the loaning of\nspecialized equipment for use by law enforcement agencies. DoD has published specific policy for\nassistance to civil law enforcement officials in emergencies involving terrorism and WMD. U.S.\nterrorism policy is an issue of growing policy debate. Most experts believe that a comprehensive\nnational strategy for domestic terrorism is a critical step in defeating the threat. Some say more\neffectively employing DoD's capabilities during domestic crisis response operations, or new\nrelationships based on the recent creation of the Department of Homeland Security are the best\nmethods to ensure success against domestic terrorism. Lastly, newly proposed congressional\noversight roles are seen by many as an important factor in a more effective response to domestic\nterrorism. This report will be updated should major changes occur to the relationships described.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL30938", "sha1": "3cc9d0753153db50fe9c33539bb1b04d1ccbf4b8", "filename": "files/20030127_RL30938_3cc9d0753153db50fe9c33539bb1b04d1ccbf4b8.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL30938", "sha1": "e991d7625db4955238f5f68dde1cc5993b5f7003", "filename": "files/20030127_RL30938_e991d7625db4955238f5f68dde1cc5993b5f7003.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1538/", "id": "RL30938 2001-04-19", "date": "2001-04-19", "retrieved": "2005-06-11T01:16:41", "title": "Terrorism and the Military's Role in Domestic Crisis Management: Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20010419_RL30938_54df86ce0a7a6d0454f486f26613e9482291f47b.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20010419_RL30938_54df86ce0a7a6d0454f486f26613e9482291f47b.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Criminal justice", "name": "Criminal justice" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military assistance", "name": "Military assistance" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Civil defense", "name": "Civil defense" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Terrorism", "name": "Terrorism" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "International affairs", "name": "International affairs" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Emergency management", "name": "Emergency management" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign aid", "name": "Foreign aid" } ] } ], "topics": [ "Foreign Affairs", "Intelligence and National Security" ] }