Hearing – Homeland Security: The Next Five Years

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing entitled Homeland Security: The Next Five Years. As explained in her opening statement, Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) wants to assess the homeland security challenges the next five years will bring. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, discussed those challenges, including port and maritime security. He noted that not every risk can be eliminated, so the goal is to prioritize the threats and address those of highest importance. Among the various witnesses, Richard A. Falkenrath, Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department, stated that the threat of a weapon of mass destruction in a shipping container has been exaggerated. He believes that the most significant port security threat is an improvised explosive device borne by a small boat – such as was used in the attack on the USS COLE in Yemen in October, 2000. Source: HK Law