Obama Reactive, Not Proactive On Terror

   

Photo: Heritage.org

  President Obama and his administration are not being proactive, but reactive once again in foreign policy issues such as international terrorism.  The US received intelligence on potential terror attacks at U.S. embassies, tourist locations, or on infrastructure in the Middle East.  The US government issued a travel alert on August 2 in response to credible threats by terrorist groups, which will remain in effect until August 31.  In addition to the alert, multiple embassies are to close August 4.  The closed embassies focus around the Middle East and northern Africa.  While the Obama administration is taking genuine precautions with the alerts and closures, Obama’s continuous downplaying of the stranglehold that extremist groups still have in the region has put American lives in constant danger.

  The attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 is still being investigated as a failure of response on part of both the White House and State Department with the subsequent cover-up of the event as a terror attack.  The President, former US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all cited a video as the cause of protests that became violent.  We now know that was a complete fallacy conjured up by the administration.  

Photo: NPR.org

CNN recently confirmed that there were CIA agents on the ground at the time of the attack.  This raises more questions, and verifies that the motives for a cover-up may be even worse than the initial reelection strategy theory.  Even after President Obama proclaimed the demise of Al-Qaeda, American civilians and soldiers alike are still being killed by this gross negligence of foreign enemies. 

  Almost one year after the Benghazi terror attack, the most recent alerts were issued at a time when Secretary of State John Kerry is in the preliminary stages of Middle East peace talks.  One could find it quite ironic Secretary Kerry is beginning peace talks for a region where the State Department issued alerts and embassy closures.   One must contemplate how the Obama administration plans to use US influence to continue peace talks and see progress when the government is closing embassies and issuing severe alerts.  While it is important to protect the safety of Americans both abroad and at home, especially with credible threats, it seems Obama is abandoning American power in the region.  With fledgling democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan, a possible nuclear Iran, and civil unrest in Egypt, Syria, and many other Middle Eastern nations, decreasing American influence may increase the impact extremists have. 

  The Obama administration may have ‘learned’ not to abandon Americans in need of assistance with the Benghazi attack.  However, President Obama, as usual, may be taking this lesson to a whole new level.  With credible threats, it would seem plausible to increase visible security forces at our embassies; and should a situation occur, to protect and defend the lives of Americans.  Obama has no plans to do so.  He had led from behind on many previous issues in the region, and this is no exception.  Obama is simply being reactive to terrorist threats, not proactively providing increased security and tracking down the actual terrorists accordingly. 

  The administration may believe they are taking necessary steps to provide safety to Americans abroad; however, closing embassies for one day will not simply eradicate the threat of terrorism, especially when the closures are broadcasted to the whole world.  It is this mindset of a diminished threat from Al-Qaeda of which may have been the root cause of Benghazi as well as the lies that followed, the Boston Marathon bombing, and countless other situations. 

Boston Herald Cover - Obama knows 'nothing.'

The President needs to be more proactive with American influence throughout the world; particularly in the Middle East, not reactive to potentialities.  Closing embassies may give the terrorists ammunition in recruitment, saying Americans are scared of them.  That’s precisely what extremists want –a weak or even non-existent American influence.  Downplaying the strength extremist groups still have is ultimately dangerous to the safety of Americans.  It is unsettling the country reelected a leader without a backbone, who time and time again seems to have no clue about what’s going on in the world, much less in his own administration.   However, Americans should remain strong, and continue to proactively defend and promote ideals like liberty, justice, and freedom; even if our president won’t. 


Published: Freedom Weekly, August 7, 2013, Vol. 003 Issue 016

 

Terrorism And The Threat To Milwaukee

 

Photo Credit: Dan Lampariello

  On April 15, the United States of America suffered the first successful terrorist attack on innocent civilians in the homeland since 9/11. The gruesome images from the Boston Marathon bombing will be forever engrained in the minds of Americans. As the investigation into the suspected terrorists moves forward, one thing is clear; the bombers were radicalized Muslims who blended into American society. FBI sources say that the bombers’ methods, techniques, and training are sophisticated enough to suggest they may be part of a larger sleeper cell organization, with possible ties to Al-Qaeda. Sleeper cells can go undetected or overlooked in any American city, including right here in Milwaukee. If terrorist sleeper cells that have blended into society become active, is Milwaukee safe? 

  To answer that question, one must look at factors of metropolitan preparedness, risk analysis, and Milwaukee’s methods of risk mitigation. Emergency preparedness for a terrorist event, accident, or natural hazard is the first line of defense in minimizing potential for loss of life and property. Emergency management officials say that every citizen should have basic items on hand in the event of an emergency, such as water, food, and first aid kits. In extreme emergencies, Milwaukee metropolitan counties would operate under an incident command system to coordinate efforts. Mutual aid agreements, protocols, and standardized operations exist to mobilize local, state, and federal resources as needed. First responders of every county have training in responding to any emergency event, including a terrorist attack, and participate in drills to recreate the chaos following a terrorist event. 

  Most wouldn’t think of Wisconsin as a potential Al-Qaeda target; however the marathon bombings show us that any event in any city is a potential target for people who are indiscriminant in killing. Wisconsin Homeland Security has dealt with droughts, floods, and hazardous accidents in the past, and recognizes the risk of terrorism in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a reputation as an agricultural center, and proximity to Chicago and Minneapolis add additional risk to Wisconsin population centers. Because 5 of the 10 largest cities in Wisconsin are in the Milwaukee metro area, these population centers put Southeast Wisconsin at a greater risk for a terrorist attack. Risks include Wisconsin’s critical infrastructure, public gathering sites, large water systems, utilities, agriculture industry, and critical manufacturing sites. A Wisconsin Hazards Vulnerability Report uses factors such as probability, preparedness, and impact to create a relative threat risk. The relative threat risk to Milwaukee metro for a radiological attack is 63%, which is lower than the multiple vehicle highway accident relative threat of 52%. An influenza pandemic received the highest relative threat score of 81%. Officials maintain that the largest threats to the Milwaukee metro are influenza pandemics, rail accidents, and extreme weather. 

  Terrorism and sleeper cell potential has prompted authorities to take a proactive stance on risk mitigation. Waukesha County Emergency Management Coordinator William Stolte explains that Waukesha County trains first responders to maintain situational awareness in a terrorist event, including awareness on secondary devices and hazards. Sheboygan County conducts frequent drills and exercises under county Director of Emergency Management Steven Steinhardt. One exercise included the annual NASCAR Nationwide event hosted in the county. 

  Event planning is key in minimizing security risks at public gatherings. Steve Fronk, Milwaukee Director of Emergency Management helps event organizers with security. Fronk also leads a group called Urban Area Security Initiative, a federal grant program for 5 metro counties to assess security risks and potential regional impacts. Any response to a terrorist attack would be event dependent. Specifics of response plans were not given to protect first responders. However, the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department doesn’t believe security and event planning were the issues in Boston. The Sheriff’s Department is concerned with the lack of intelligence coming out of local fusion centers, which relay information to authorities. Sheriff David Clarke believes there are mounting counterterror intelligence issues. This comes after the grant program designated to Milwaukee for terrorism response was cut due to federal risk analysis. With decreased federal funding for local intelligence gathering, authorities must rely on a vigilant and aware public. WI Watch is a local program where citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity to counter terrorist threats. WI Watch, in conjunction with federal programs like the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign urges the public to report suspicious activities and behavior to authorities. An aware public is the best way to minimize terror related risks. 

  The Milwaukee metropolitan area uses preparedness, risk assessments, and first responder training to prepare for emergency situations. The cooperation between metro counties ensures Milwaukee is a generally safe city. However, after the terrorist attack in Boston and ensuing manhunt which shut the city down, officials are not willing to downplay terrorist risks to the Milwaukee area. Increased security measures in neighboring Chicago may make the Milwaukee area a more attractive target for terrorist sleeper cells. A vigilant and aware public may just be the deterrent needed to avoid terrorism in Milwaukee. If you see any suspicious activities or behavior, report it to 1-877-WIWATCH. Together, we can minimize the risk of terrorism and keep the Milwaukee metro area safe.

Freedom Weekly, April 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 009