Section One examines natural and man-made threats, including terrorist threats, to the United States. It is vital that the origins, forms and potential consequences of threats to the nation be understood before effective policies to thwart them can be developed and implemented.

Section Two examines homeland security from the political and coordination perspectives. Homeland security policy, planning and operations require information sharing, communication and coordination at local, state, federal and international levels of governance; difficult undertakings in a democracy. Also, effective homeland security policy must balance the need for public security with the protection of civil liberties. Therefore, the Patriot Act is covered in detail in Section Two.

Section Three suggests policies to counter threats -- particularly terrorist threats -- to the United States. In Section Three the six critical mission components of the National Homeland Security Strategy are analyzed and critiqued in detail with a view to suggesting more effective national policies.