Inaugural Security and National Security Policy

Among the most pressing issues facing Obama on Day One will be homeland and international security, starting with the safety of the inaugural events.

University of Maryland experts in terrorism and national security issues and are available to comment. A complete alphabetic list, including contact information and bios follows below.

Here's a sample of their thoughts:

WILLIAM NOLTE (U.S. Intelligence) Community): "The current issues -- and even some measure of current confusion -- around inaugural planning epitomize the dilemma of 'security' in a free society. We could do more than seal off the bridges between Virginia and the District by placing police or National Guard personnel at every street crossing between Maryland and the District. We would still not have perfect security for the President-elect, his family, and the city as a whole. There is no such thing. But the balance comes when we must decide: How much are we willing to pay for security that will always be imperfect? No liquids on airplanes? The permanent closing of Pennsylvania Avenue? Security officials will always press for more -- that's their job. It's imperative that others press back. Not because the security officials are wrong, but because the price we pay -- beyond inconvenience and traffic jams -- can be very high. At some point, we're doing the terrorists' work for them."

ELISA HARRIS (Bio/Chem attacks): "The risks of a bio-incident, either deliberate or accidental, are higher today than at the beginning of the Bush Administration, given the proliferation of laboratories and scientists with access to dangerous pathogens. The FBI has proven that the spores used in the 2001 anthrax letters originated in a U.S. biodefense lab. There is an urgent need to enhance oversight over all laboratories working with dangerous pathogens, irrespective of whether they are government, private, or academic facilities."

ARIE KRUGLANSKI (terrorist organization and psychology of terror): "A major question/dilemma for the new administration will involve balancing efforts to thwart terrorist plots with long-term policies that will reduce the motivation to carry out attacks on the US."

I.M. "Mac" DESTLER (international security policy): "Our new president faces a daunting challenge. On the one hand, the world and many Americans expect him to deliver on promises to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and reverse the stands of his predecessor regarding torture and broad presidential authority to detain persons labeled 'enemy.' On the other, he must show himself ready and able to protect the nation against future attacks. He can do both, but it won't be easy."

AARON MANNES (terrorism analyst): Closely follows greater Middle East (including Pakistan) and Latin America. "One key issue, as the administration begins focusing on Afghanistan is that the road to Kabul begins in Karachi; progress in Afghanistan requires working closely with the very problematic Pakistan."

JACQUES GANSLER (Pentagon/national security): To meet changing security needs, he says in an op-ed, "we will need an integrated national security strategy, combining the capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of State, director of national intelligence and other key agencies...led directly by the president, with a significant strengthening and restructuring at the national security adviser level."

For a list of UM technology experts assisting security officials, see here.

For a list of political, policy and political communication experts, see here.

Number of experts found: 11

		I .M. Destler Professor School of Public Policy
Expertise Key Words: International security and U.S. foreign policy; homeland security agency reorganization; National Security Council; International trade.
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     Home phone     Cell phone           E-mail(s)     301 405 6357 202-328-9000 703 759 0588 703.408.3447 mdestler@umd.edu
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		Jacques S. Gansler Professor; Vice President for Research Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise
Expertise Key Words: Advanced homeland security and defense technology; defense supply-chain; defense industries; government acquisition
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     E-mail(s)     301 405 4794 jgansler@umd.edu
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		Elisa D. Harris Res Assoc Ctr for Intl Security Studies at Maryland
Expertise Key Words: managing bioterror risk to keep advanced technology out of terrorists' hands; military uses and control of chemical and biological weapons
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     E-mail(s)     301 405 8676 harrise@umd.edu
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		Arie W. Kruglanski Distinguished University Professor Psychology
Expertise Key Words: Co-directs National Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (U.S. Department of Homeland Security-sponsored center of excellence based at Maryland). The psychology of terrorism; terrorist motivations; terror group dynamics; suicide terrorists; decision to use violence.
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     Home phone     E-mail(s)     301 405 5918 301 984 1130 arie@psyc.umd.edu
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		Gary D. LaFree Dir. and Prof. START (Natl. Consortium Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism)
Expertise Key Words: Trends in terrorism; terror statistics; using behavioral science to combat terror; national and international crime trends; directs National Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security-sponsored center of excellence based at Maryland); Webcam.
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     Cell phone           E-mail(s)     301 405 6655 301 518 2491 glafree@msn.com glafree@start.umd.edu
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		Donald K. Milton Prof and Director Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health
Expertise Key Words: Influenza transmission, endotoxin, hygiene hypothesis, allergy, asthma, occupational health, environmental public health, bioaerosols, exposure assessment, microbial exposures, airborne infection transmission, biomarkers, exhaled breath analysis.
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     E-mail(s)     301 405 5509 dmilton@umd.edu
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		David M. Mosser Prof/Institute Dir. Maryland Pathogen Research Institute;Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
Expertise Key Words: Parasites, Biodefense, Bioterrorism, immunity, vaccines, infectious diseases, pathogen detection, Leishmania spp
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     E-mail(s)     301 314 2594 dmosser@umd.edu
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		William M. Nolte Research Professor School of Public Policy
Expertise Key Words: Intelligence and National Security; Intelligence and Homeland Security; The Ethics of Intelligence; Congress and the American Intelligence Community
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     E-mail(s)     301 405 3331 wnolte@umd.edu
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		John D. Steinbruner Director, Center for International Security Studies at Maryland School of Public Policy
Expertise Key Words: Iraq violence:International security, arms control, nuclear weapons proliferation, managing bioterror risk, Russia, Soviet Union, Boris Yeltsin.
Contact Information:
Work phone(s)     Home phone     E-mail(s)     301-405-4578 202-244-9142 jsteinbr@umd.edu
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