Discuss Jakub Grygiel's proposed measure to deal with networked decentralized terrorist groups. What example does he use to bolster his point?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Homeland security strategies should involve defensive measures based on the assumption that a WMD attack will be successful.
• He suggests that the infrastructure needs to be decentralized as a central system can be disrupted when its control structure is destabilized and is vulnerable to attack.
• A segmented, dispersed infrastructure might be less efficient that a central system, but it is more likely to survive an attack on one of its control structures.
• Grygiel illustrates this by pointing to the electrical grid – if it is dependent on a few critical transfer stations, it is vulnerable.
• On the other hand, if its nodes are dispersed in regional networks, it is difficult to take the entire system off line by destroying a few critical targets.
• In addition, it is difficult for stateless groups to launch complicated simultaneous attacks against multiple targets.
• Grygiel says an effective homeland security policy should be based on the ability to maintain social, political, and economic functions after a major attack.
• Massed forces are of little value because they cannot protect all possible targets and they cannot be launched to destroy an identifiable political entity.
• He believes that creating regional counterterrorism centers in major cities like Los Angeles and New York City is a good beginning.
• Segments of the United States need to maintain their functions if one of its major cities suffers a devastating attack.