Obama reorganizes homeland security staff

Obama reorganizes homeland security staff    The White House said Tuesday that President Barack Obama has reorganized his homeland security staff to give it equal billing with the national security staff.
   Obama’s decision to integrate the White House staff dealing with national security and homeland security policy is based on the notion that unconventional threats such as terrorism must be combated in a holistic manner instead of having separate international and domestic approaches. The combined staff will work under the direction of the National Security Advisor,
   Obama maintained the Homeland Security Council as the principal body for interagency deliberations on issues that directly effect domestic security, such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, natural disasters and pandemic flu. It will remain the counterpart to the National Security Council.
   The president also established new directorates and positions within the National Security staff to deal with cybersecurity, weapons of mass destruction terrorism, transborder security, information sharing and resilience policy.
   He created a Global Engagement Directorate to push policies to engage the public, industry, law enforcement and other nations in national security efforts through the use of diplomacy, international development, communications and outreach.
   Sen. Susan Collins, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, raised concerns in a statement ‘that the new structure may dilute the focus of the Homeland Security Advisor and create confusion among the merged staff who will now serve both the National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor. To coordinate homeland security matters across the federal government and with our partners in state and local governments and the private sector requires sustained and dedicated attention. Only time will tell whether this new structure can maintain the necessary focus and improve our nation’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the threats we confront.’