Commentary Archives

Balancing Risk – Understanding & Preparing for Catastrophes

Catherine L. Feinman June 22, 2016

Space weather, nuclear, and catastrophic natural disasters are just lying in wait for the right combination of conditions. Although it is not possible to plan specifically for every type of threat – imaginable and unimaginable – it is necessary to weigh the risks associated with various threats and take sufficient

Electrical Systems & 21st Century Threats

Benjamin Dancer June 18, 2016

One leading researcher shares his insights into the existential threats that the electrical infrastructure faces. He proposes that a superhighway with electrical systems protected at multiple points is not only feasible, but it could help reduce carbon emissions, build electromagnetic resilience, and address major space weather events that could threaten

Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East

Jerome H. Kahan June 1, 2016

Now that the Iran nuclear deal is in effect, it is worth exploring whether this agreement will in fact: (a) constrain Iran’s efforts to build nuclear weapons and inhibit nuclear proliferation in the region; or (b) have unintended negative consequences that the United States and its negotiating partners did not

Border Control Challenges – A Roundtable Discussion

Robert C. Hutchinson and Catherine L. Feinman May 25, 2016

The topic of borders – ports of entry, security, and public health concerns – has become politicized, and the focus on true border security has been somewhat lost. Educating politicians and instilling practicality in the public are necessary before any effective border security policy changes can be made. A recent

National Threats: Advice for the Next President

Mark-Jon Nichols May 18, 2016

Four key threats the nation faces will follow the next president of the United States into office. These threats are not new, but will increase if not effectively addressed. Whoever is elected for this leadership position must be equipped with the right information in order to prioritize and make tough

Plan D: A Bosnian Healthcare Worker’s Survival Guide

James Terbush May 11, 2016

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” —Mike Tyson, Boxing Heavyweight ChampionThis article derives from an extended interview with Dr. Rajko Anic. As a physician during the 1992-1995 Yugoslav war and an accomplished mixed martial arts fighter, Anic explained that – when in a fight and the opponent seems

Border Control: Always On Guard

Armin Cate May 11, 2016

Significant budgetary and political constraints should not keep people from fully exercising their authority and cause them to suffer the consequences should an attack take place. Working under budgetary-constrained environments is always difficult, but it takes on more urgency when there are clearly identified enemies that intend to harm the

DomPrep Journal: Preparing Communities

Domestic Preparedness May 4, 2016

The DomPrep Journal features original content written by practitioners in various emergency preparedness and resilience fields. Addressing the needs of professionals dedicated to preparing and protecting their communities, the first four issues of the 2016 volume have been downloaded a total of more than 200,000 times! To view these or

Improving the Grade for Critical Infrastructure

Catherine L. Feinman and Joe D. Manous Jr. April 27, 2016

All infrastructure is not the same. Across disciplinary sectors, agencies and organizations must identify the key elements necessary to ensure “a system” (e.g., community) has a minimum level of resilience, as a system is only as strong as the weakest link. DomPrep hosted a roundtable discussion to address “Critical Infrastructure

Five Myths – The Cost of Resilience

Dana A. Goward April 20, 2016

Roads crumble, bridges fall. It is not that the United States cannot maintain, improve, and build more infrastructure. It is that so many people believe it is too difficult because of these myths. The myths have to be debunked to allow new ways of thinking.

Rising Sea Level – A Stealth Threat

John Englander April 13, 2016

Sea-level rise is in the news with increasing frequency. Yet, the longer-term threat is largely underestimated. The risks in terms of economic impact, emergency preparedness, and national security have profound strategic importance. The latest news from Greenland and Antarctica strongly suggests that there is no time to waste when it

Breaking News & Getting It Right

Thomas J. Lockwood and Catherine L. Feinman March 30, 2016

Establishing mutual trust between opposing groups in a time-sensitive environment can be a huge challenge. Trust and communication gaps exist between news media and public information officers. It is important to understand the different operational procedures, the roles and responsibilities, and the effects that each stakeholder has during a large-scale

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