National Policy
- National Cybersecurity Strategy - March 2023 The White House 02 Mar 2023
- National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan for Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Security 18 Oct 2022
- NSM-15 - National Security Memorandum on Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Security The White House 18 Oct 2022
- National Strategy for Combating Terrorist and Other Illicit Financing US Dept. of the Treasury Released 13 May 2022 -- Combating the pernicious impact of illicit finance upon our financial system, economy, and society is integral to strengthening U.S. national security and prosperity. While there has been substantial progress in the United States and globally in addressing this challenge, the U.S. anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime must adapt to an evolving threat environment, along with structural and technological changes in financial services and markets, for continued success in this critical fight.
- National Drug Control Strategy 2022 The White House Released 21 Apr 2022
- Memorandum on Improving the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems The White House 19 Jan 2022
- Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade The White House 15 Dec 2021
- Executive Order on Establishing the United States Council on Transnational Organized Crime The White House 15 Dec 2021
- U.S. COVID-19 Global Response and Recovery Framework The White House 01 Jul 2021
- National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism Released 15 Jun 2021
- Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- The Arctic’s expanded relevance, coupled with the Department’s significant regional investments, requires DHS to have a unified, deliberate, and forward-looking approach. The Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security fully leverages the broad range of DHS authorities, capabilities, capacity and partnerships to achieve the goals laid out in this document.
- DHS Strategic Action Plan to Counter the Threat Posed by the People’s Republic of China - Defending the Homeland in the Era of Great Power Competition DHS 12 Jan 2021 -- The DHS Strategic Action Plan to Counter the Threat Posed by the People’s Republic of China describes how the Department will continue to leverage the entire Homeland Security Enterprise to respond to the myriad threats posed by the Beijing regime to the American people.
- National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan to the National Strategy for Maritime Security The White House Dec 2020, Released 05 Jan 2021
- National Interdiction Command and Control Plan The White House 20 Feb 2020
- Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy The White House 20 Feb 2020
- Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy The White House 20 Feb 2020
- National Drug Control Strategy The White House 03 Feb 2020
- Strategy for Protecting and Preparing the Homeland Against Threats of Electromagnetic Pulse and Geomagnetic Disturbances DHS 09 Oct 2018
- National Strategy for Counterterrorism The White House Released 04 Oct 2018
- National Cyber Strategy The White House Released 20 Sep 2018
- National Biodefense Strategy The White House Released 18 Sep 2018
- Presidential Policy Directive 29 - Hostage Recovery Activities The White House Released 24 Jun 2015
- National Biosurveillance Science & Technology Roadmap office of Science and Technology, The White House 25 Oct 2013
- Administration White Paper: Bulk Collection Of Telephony Metadata Under Section 215 Of The USA Patriot Act US Dept. of Justice Released 9 Aug 2013 -- "This white paper explains the Government’s legal basis for an intelligence collection program under which the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtains court orders directing certain telecommunications service providers to produce telephony metadata in bulk. The bulk metadata is stored, queried and analyzed by the National Security Agency (NSA) for counterterrorism purposes. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (“the FISC” or “the Court”) authorizes this program under the “business records” provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), 50 U.S.C. § 1861, enacted as section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act (Section 215)."
- Countering Improvised Explosive Devices The White House Released 26 Feb 2013 -- "We have no greater responsibility than providing for the safety and security for our citizens, allies, and partners, while providing an economic environment that promotes opportunity and prosperity. The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) threatens these interests by killing, injuring, and intimidating citizens and political leaders around the world, inflicting damage on u.s. forces on the battlefield, and disrupting transportation and the flow of commerce."
- National Strategy for Biosurveillance The White House Released 31 Jul 2012 -- "There is no higher priority than the security and safety of the American people. As a Nation, we must be prepared for the full range of threats, including a terrorist attack involving a biological agent, the spread of infectious diseases, and food-borne illnesses. The effective dissemination of a lethal biological agent, for instance, could endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and result in untold economic, societal, and political consequences."
- Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime The White House Released Jul 2011 -- "Criminal networks are not only expanding their operations, but they are also diversifying their activities, resulting in a convergence of transnational threats that has evolved to become more complex, volatile, and destabilizing. These networks also threaten U.S. interests by forging alliances with corrupt elements of national governments and using the power and influence of those elements to further their criminal activities. In some cases, national governments exploit these relationships to further their interests to the detriment of the United States."
- National Strategy for Counterterrorism The White House Released 29 Jun 2011 -- "As the President affirmed in his 2010 National Security Strategy, he bears no greater responsibility than ensuring the safety and security of the American people. This National Strategy for Counterterrorism sets out our approach to one of the President’s top national security priorities: disrupting, dismantling, and eventually defeating al-Qa‘ida and its affiliates and adherents to ensure the security of our citizens and interests."
- International Strategy for Cyberspace The White House Released May 2011
- The Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative White House - National Security Council Mar 2010 -- President Obama has identified cybersecurity as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation, but one that we as a government or as a country are not adequately prepared to counter. Shortly after taking office, the President therefore ordered a thorough review of federal efforts to defend the U.S. information and communications infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive approach to securing America's digital infrastructure.
- Cyberspace Policy Review The White House May 2009 -- The President directed a 60-day, comprehensive, "clean-slate" review to assess U.S. policies and structures for cybersecurity. Cybersecurity policy includes strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace, and encompasses the full range of threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery policies and activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, law enforcement, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure.
- National Drug Control Strategy 2009 Annual Report -- "The most recent NSDUH data show over two million people misused prescription drugs for the first time in the past year. (...) The National Drug Control Strategy has produced significant results over the course of this Administration. By building upon the tools that proved most effective in generating those results, we will sustain the progress we have made and rise to meet new challenges. This effort will continue to be guided by three national priorities: stopping initiation; reducing drug abuse and addiction; and disrupting the market for illegal drugs."[PDF 1.6MB]
- National Strategy for Combating Terrorism September 2006 Update -- "America is at war with a transnational terrorist movement fueled by a radical ideology of hatred, oppression, and murder. Our National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, first published in February 2003, recognizes that we are at war and that protecting and defending the Homeland, the American people, and their livelihoods remains our first and most solemn obligation. (...) This updated strategy sets the course for winning the War on Terror. It builds directly from the National Security Strategy issued in March 2006 as well as the February 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, and incorporates our increased understanding of the enemy."[PDF Version [1.64MB]]
- Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Homeland Security Council May 2006 -- "This Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza further clarifies the roles and responsibilities of governmental and non-governmental entities, including Federal, State, local, and tribal authorities and regional, national, and international stakeholders, and provides preparedness guidance for all segments of society." [PDF 2.49MB]
- National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza National Security Council 01 Nov 2005 -- The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza guides our preparedness and response to an influenza pandemic, with the intent of (1) topping, slowing or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States; (2) limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic, and mitigating disease, suffering and death; and (3) sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society. [PDF Version]
- The National Response Plan December 2004 -- In Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, the President directed the development of a new National Response Plan (NRP) to align Federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, alldiscipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management. This approach is unique and far reaching in that it, for the first time, eliminates critical seams and ties together a complete spectrum of incident management activities to include the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from terrorism, major natural disasters, and other major emergencies. The end result is vastly improved coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations to help save lives and protect America's communities by increasing the speed, effectiveness, and efficiency of incident management. [PDF 4.24 Mb]
- The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets February 2003 -- This document defines the road ahead for a core mission area identified in the President's National Strategy for Homeland Security-reducing the Nation's vulnerability to acts of terrorism by protecting our critical infrastructures and key assets from physical attack. This document, the National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets, the Strategy, identifies a clear set of national goals and objectives and outlines the guiding principles that will underpin our efforts to secure the infrastructures and assets vital to our national security, governance, public health and safety, economy, and public confidence. [PDF 1.74 Mb]
- The National Strategy to Secure CyberSpace February 2003 -- Our Nation's critical infrastructures are composed of public and private institutions in the sectors of agriculture, food, water, public health, emergency services, government, defense industrial base, information and telecommunications, energy, transportation, banking and finance, chemicals and hazardous materials, and postal and shipping. Cyberspace is their nervous system-the control system of our country. Cyberspace is composed of hundreds of thousands of interconnected computers, servers, routers, switches, and fiber optic cables that allow our critical infrastructures to work. Thus, the healthy functioning of cyberspace is essential to our economy and our national security. This National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace is part of our overall effort to protect the Nation. [PDF 981 Kb]
- National Strategy for Combating Terrorism February 2003 -- Combating terrorism and securing the U.S. homeland from future attacks are our top priorities. But they will not be our only priorities. This strategy supports the National Security Strategy of the United States. As the National Security Strategy highlights, we live in an age with tremendous opportunities to foster a world consistent with interests and values embraced by the United States and freedom-loving people around the world. And we will seize these opportunities. This combating terrorism strategy further elaborates on Section III of the the National Security Strategy by expounding on our need to destroy terrorist organizations, win the "war of ideas," and strengthen America's security at home and abroad. [PDF 263 Kb]
- National Strategy for Homeland Security July 2002 -- This document is the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. The purpose of the Strategy is to mobilize and organize our Nation to secure the U.S. homeland from terrorist attacks. This is an exceedingly complex mission that requires coordinated and focused effort from our entire society-the federal government, state and local governments, the private sector, and the American people. [PDF 2.63 Mb]
Homeland Security Presidential Directives
- HSPD-12 - Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors August 27, 2004
- HSPD-11 - Comprehensive Terrorist-Related Screening Procedures August 27, 2004
- Fact Sheet: Biodefense for the 21st Century April 28, 2004
- Biodefense for the 21st Century April 28, 2004
- HSPD-9 - Defense of United States Agriculture and Food January 30, 2004
- Hspd-8 - National Preparedness December 17, 2003
- Hspd-7 - Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection December 17, 2003
- Hspd-6 - Integration and Use of Screening Information September 16, 2003
- HSPD-5 - Management of Domestic Incidents February 28, 2003
- NSPD-17 / HSPD-4 [unclassified version]- National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction December 2002
- HSPD-3 - Homeland Security Advisory System
- HSPD-2 - Combating Terrorism Through Immigration Policies October 29, 2001
- HSPD-1 - Organization and Operation of the Homeland Security Council October 29, 2001
Executive Orders
- Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity 12 May 2021
- Executive Order: Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States 06 Mar 2017
- Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements 25 Jan 2017
- Executive Order: Periodic Review Of Individuals Detained At Guantánamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant To The Authorization For Use Of Military Force 07 Mar 2011
- Executive Order Ensuring Lawful Interrogations Jan. 22, 2009
- Executive Order Review of Detention Policy Options Jan. 22, 2009
- Executive Order Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities Jan. 22, 2009
- Executive Order Strengthening the Sharing of Terrorism Information to Protect Americans Aug. 27, 2004
- Executive Order Establishing the President's Board on Safeguarding Americans' Civil Liberties Aug. 27, 2004
- Executive Order National Counterterrorism Center Aug. 27, 2004
U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Legal Counsel Opinions
- US Attorney General Eric H. Holder letter to Senator Patrick J. Leahy 22 May 2013 -- "You and other Members of your Committee have on numerous occasions expressed a particular interest in the Administration's use of lethal force against U.S. citizens. In light of this fact, I am writing to disclose to you certain information about the number of U.S. citizens who have been killed by U.S. counterterrorism operations outside of areas of active hostilities. Since 2009, the United States, in the conduct of U.S. countererrorism operations against al-Qa'ida and its associated forces outside of areas of active hostilies, has specifically targeted and killed one U.S. citizen, Anwar al-Aulaqi. The United States is further aware of three other U.S. citizens who have been killed in such U.S. countererrorism operations over that same time period: Samir Khan, 'Abd al-Rahman Anwar al-Aulaqi, and Jude Kenan Mohammed. These individuals were not specifically targeted by the United States."
- MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILES - Re: Status of Certain OLC Opinions Issued in the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 15 Jan 2009 -- The purpose of this memorandum is to confirm that certain propositions stated in several opinions issued by the Office of Legal Counsel in 2001-2003 respecting the allocation of authorities between the President and Congress in matters of war and national security do not reflect the current views of this Office. We have previously withdrawn or superseded a number of opinions that depended upon one or more of these propositions. For reasons discussed herein, today we explain why these propositions are not consistent with the current views of OLC, and we advise that caution should be exercised before relying in other respects on the remaining opinions identified below [PDF Version]
- MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILES - Re: October 23, 2001 OLC Opinion Addressing the Domestic Use of Military Force to Combat Terrorist Activities October 6, 2008 [PDF Version]
- MEMORANDUM TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THROUGH THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL - SUBJECT: DETERMINATION OF ENEMY BELLIGERENCY AND MILITARY DETENTION 08 Jun 2002, Released 2 Mar 2009 [PDF Version]
- Memorandum for James B. Comey, Deputy Attorney General - Re: Legal Standards Applicable under 18 U.S.C §§ 2340-2340A Office of Legal Counsel, US Department of Justice 30 Dec 2004 -- "Torture is abohorrent both to American Law and values and to international norms. This universal repudiation of torture in our criminal law, for example, 18 U.S.C §§ 2340-2340a; international agreements, exemplified by the United Nations Convention Against Torture (the "CATT"); customay international law; centuries of Anglo-American law; and the longstanding policy of the United States, repeatedly and recently reaffirmed by the President." [PDF 1 MB]
The Opinions below are no longer United States Policy
- MEMORANDUM FOR ALBERTO R. GONZALES, COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT - RE: Authority for Use of Military Force To Combat Terrorist Activities Within the United States October 23, 2001, Released March 2, 2009 [PDF Version]
- MEMORANDUM FOR DANIEL J. BRYANT, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS - Re: Swift Justice Authorization Act 08 Apr 2002, Released 02 Mar 2009 [PDF Version 5.94MB]
- Memorandum for William J. Haynes, II, General Counsel, Department of Defense - Re: The President's power as Commander in Chief to transfer captured terrorists to the control and custody of foreign nations 13 Mar 2002, Released 02 Mar 2009 [PDF Version 10.1MB]
- Memorandum for Daniel J. Bryant, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs - Re: Applicability of 18 U.S C. § 4001(a) to Military Detention of United States Citizens 27 Jun 2002, Released 2 Mar 2009 [PDF Version 3.84MB]
- Memorandum for John Rizzo, Acting General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency: Interrogation of al Qaeda Operative 01 Aug 2002, Released April 2009 [PDF Version 1.95MB]
- Memorandum for John Rizzo, Acting General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency: Re: Application of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2340-2340A to the Combined Use of Certain Techniques in the Interrogation of High Value al Qaeda Detainees 10 May 2005, Released April 2009 [PDF Version 1.22MB]
- Memorandum for John Rizzo, Senior Deputy General Counsel, Central Intelligence Agency: Re: Application of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2340-2340A to Certain Techniques That May Be Used in the Interrogation of a High Value al Qaeda Detainee 10 May 2005, Released April 2009 [PDF Version 3.16MB]
- Memorandum for John Rizzo, Senior Deputy General Counsel, Central Intelligence Agency: Re: Application of United States Obligations Undert Article 16 of the Convention Against Torture to Certain Techniques That May Be Used in the Interrogation of High Value al Qaeda Detainees 30 May 2005, Released April 2009 [PDF Version 1.22MB]
U.S. Dept. of Justice
- Draft White Paper: Lawfulness of a Lethal Operation Directed Against a U.S. Citizen Who Is a Senior Operational Leader of Al-Qa'ida or An Associated Force 08 Nov 2011 Released 08 Feb 2013
- MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENT COMPONENTS - Subject: The Attorney General's Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations 29 Sep 2008
US Supreme Court Opinions
- 06-1195: Boumediene v. Bush 12 Jun 2008 [PDF 640KB]
- 05-184: Hamdan v. Rumsfeld 29 Jun 2006 [PDF 1.31 MB]
- 03-6696: Hamdi v. Rumsfeld 28 Jun 2004 [PDF 822 KB]
- 03-334: Rasul v. Bush 28 Jun 2004 [PDF 520 KB]
- 03-1027: Rumsfeld v. Padilla 28 Jun 2004 [PDF 516 KB]
US District Court for the District of Columbia Opinions
- Civil Action No. 02-299, etc.: Guantanamo Detainee Cases -- Amended Protective Order Issued November 8, 2004 by Judge Joyce H. Green [PDF 157 Kb]
- Civil Action No. 04-1519: Salim Ahmed Hamdan v. Donald H. Rumsfeld -- Memorandum Opinion & Order Issued November 8, 2004 by Judge James Robertson [PDF 156 Kb]
- Civil Action No. 04-1258: Omar Abu Ali v. John Ashcroft -- Memorandum Opinion issued December 16, 2004 by Judge John D. Bates [PDF 279 Kb]
- Civil Action No. 04-1258: Omar Abu Ali v. John Ashcroft -- Order issued December 16, 2004 by Judge John D. Bates [PDF 40.5 Kb]
- Civil Action No. 04-1142: Khalid v. George W. Bush -- Memorandum Opinion & Order issued January 19, 2005 by Judge Richard J. Leon [PDF 1.48 Mb]
- Civil Action No. 02-299, etc.: In Re: Guantanamo Detainee Cases -- Memorandum Opinion Issued January 31, 2005 by Judge Joyce H. Green [PDF 3.12Mb]
- Civil Action No. 02-299, etc.: In Re: Guantanamo Detainee Cases -- Order Issued January 31, 2005 by Judge Joyce H. Green
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- Hamdan, Salim Ahmed vs. Rumsfeld, Donald H. July 15, 2005 [PDF]
US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- 06-10204: American Civil Liberties Union et al., v. National Security Aagency / Central et al. Memorandum and Order by Judge Anna Diggs Taylor issued 17 Aug 2006. [PDF]
- 06-10204: American Civil Liberties Union et al., v. National Security Aagency / Central et al. Judgment and Order for Permanent Injunction by Judge Anna Diggs Taylor issued 17 Aug 2006. [PDF]
United States Court of Appeals for the Six Circuit
- Court Order Filed in ACLU v. Nat'l Security Agency United States Court of Appeals for the Six Circuit 04 Oct 2006 [PDF]
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
- 98Cr1023: US v. Usama bin Laden, et al. -- Opinion and Order by Judge Kevin Thomas Duffy issued Nov 3, 2005 [PDF]
- 04cv04151: ACLU vs. Dept. of Defense, et al. -- Opinion and Order by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein issued Sep 29, 2005 Granting in part and denying in part motions for partial summary judgment[PDF]
- 04cv04151: ACLU v. Dept. of Defense, et al. -- Opinion and Order by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein issued Feb 2, 2005 Denying Application by CIA for Stay of FOIA Obligation to Search and Review [PDF]
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