Essay on Communication Strategies

You have cause for concern based on what the video just demonstrated. The US military is shown in the video shooting unarmed civilians. It’s made even more complicated by the fact that two Reuters employees—a chauffeur named Saeed Chmagh and a writer named Namir Noor-Eldeen—were among the innocent victims. Children suffer serious injuries as a result of the shooting. It would have been more serious if they had died. From this video, the military step seems to be an intentional one as none of them appears to be threatened to apply the rules of engagement (WikiLeaks, 2010). The innocent people seem, from the video, to be going around doing their work of collecting news of the attacks in the town. They do not show any sign of suspicion, neither do they show any suspicious activity. They concentrate on collecting news unaware that they are targets. Even in their shooting, no one is seen trying to resist by shooting back. The military then asks for permission to engage, and without further ado, they are allowed. From the video, you for sure have a reason to fear being thrown under the bus if this video leaks.

I understand that you are in a dilemma on whether to report the video to the relevant authority or not. If I were in your position, I would not hesitate to say. The video shows the murder of innocent lives, including a severe injury to children who go to help rescue the shot innocent lives by the US military. Then instead of taking the children for a better US medical facility, they are made to healthcare with inadequate health care services, thus risking their lives for yet another time. Also, the shot and killed journalists were only performing their responsibility of collecting news. Killing journalists mean killing the truth. Keeping quiet with such information, on your side, according to the codes of ethics, would be making a mistake over an already grave mistake (CFA Institute, 2014). Reporting to your team leader may bring you out as a traitor to the team hence I recommend that you report it to a higher person in the rank. Alternatively, you might choose to use me to communicate it so that it does not seem that you are the one that did it. I will then take it to my boss, of whom we are friends and believe in doing right rather than doing the necessary.

Failure to resolve this dilemma will only make you worry more. If you do not report the matter, as a parent, it will keep haunting you for knowing the truth about what happened but deciding to keep quiet to save the US military. Also, the answer to this dilemma only requires that you do the right thing to avoid the occurrence of any wrong in future. Probably as we speak now, someone else is already planning to leak the video to the public (WikiLeaks, 2010). That person may not necessarily be an analyst as you are. If the video leaks out later on, and that you did not report it as an analyst, you risk not only losing your job but also imprisonment on ethical grounds and personal duties and responsibilities. Remember that you are talking about this video, not because you want the military behind the actions to get arrested and charged but because it is the correct thing to do to yourself, to the family of the deceased and the people of America at large. It is the people of America that have employed you. The code of ethics requires that you maintain your level of integrity to them while serving them and that you place the integrity of the Americans above your own. Keeping quiet about it will be a means of betraying those that put you in this position (Adams, 2001). Douglas Adams once said, ‘‘to give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.’’ It is the sincerity of your heart that has made you come to me for advice on the issue. Therefore, do not disappoint your heart because of your evaluation. You must do the right thing.

You can be sure that within a few days the whole world will know the truth about the death of the journalist and his driver together with other innocent people that were killed by our soldiers. I have a good rapport with my head supervisor, and if you decide to give me the video, I will hand it to him, but he will never know that you are the one that gave it to me. In case he refuses to take any action about it, I will go ahead and hand it to a friend in the White House who is so close to the president. If the president refuses to take any action about it, then I will have no option but to disseminate it myself to the media houses. In all these, I promise you that your name shall not appear anywhere around this video for your safety.

Module 3: The U.S. Intelligence Community Relationships with Law Enforcement Agencies

Houston Security Department

MEMO

From: (Name of Student), Terrorism Liaison Officer

To: The Mayor, Houston

Date: 17th March 2017

Subject: The U.S. National Counterterrorism Centre

The United States Counterterrorism Centre is a well-structured organization with more than sixteen different departments and agencies, both from within the US and foreign nations. Some of these agencies include the Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, The Department of State, Defence, and Homeland Security among other departments. According to the NCTC website, the organization has also partnered with other relevant agencies that offer a unique kind of expertise. Such include the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Human Services, Health, Treasury as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The organization most importantly partners with the United States Capitol Patrol.

The mission of NCTC is to, ‘‘Lead our nation’s effort to combat terrorism at home and abroad by analysing the threat, sharing information with our partners, and integrating all instruments of national power to ensure unity of effort.’’ The Centre, therefore, in a wider perspective, shares vital intelligence with three leading agencies among which include; The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), The Enforcement Directorate and the Economic Intelligence Agency. The head of NCTC is a director who reports to two individuals, that is, the president of the United States (on counterterrorism planning) and the Director of National Intelligence (on intelligence matters). In its organization, it also has a Principal Deputy Director whose duties are to supervise and lead the firm’s intelligence. The Principal Deputy Director also plays a role in the strategic operations planning missions. He merges sources from different agencies. In addition to the two heads, the NCTC has a Director of National Intelligence and importantly, a joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team. The four are the key players in the NCTC (NCTC, n.d.).

The creation of the NCTC came as a result of the 9-11 investigation findings that there was an urgent need for an intelligence coordinating mechanism. Since its inception, the world has witnessed both its successes and failures. However, arguably, the NCTC has neither been effective nor reluctant in implementing its functions. Some of its failures include two recent incidences one on November 5th, 2009, which involved multiple killings in Fort Hood Army Base located in Texas. The other in December 25th, 2009, where a Nigerian traveler who tried to set off an explosive device onboard an approaching Detroit (Reinwald, 2007). Whereas the Nigerian citizen incidence may have been partly a major failure of the foreign intelligence, the many killings are straightforward failures of the NCTC. To date, whether the NCTC had intelligence information before the occurrence of both failures is unknown. There are, instead, blame games from each agency. On both events, both the CIA and the NCTC personnel responsible for watch-listing failed to search all the databases for more information about the attacker Mr. Abdulmutallab. Also, there was delayed information dissemination to wherever it was needed, a series of confusions that led to the loss of lives of American citizens. ‘‘The extent to which the failure could have generated more from the NCTC is, however, not yet clear’’ According to Reinwald, one of the intelligence officers (Reinwald, 2007). There have also been many successes by the NCTC that has never been made public. The elimination of the world’s terrorist, Osama Bin Laden was majorly a success by this intelligence team. Besides, the US soil and boundaries have for a long time remained safe because of the commendable work that the NCTC and other intelligence agencies has cumulatively played hence a need for congratulating them.

The success or failure of an attack, however, not only depends on the Intelligence Community (IC), but also the Law Enforcers (LE) within and outside the US. Timely intelligence information without rapid action necessary measures by the law enforcers would be a waste of time and resources and a risk to the whole of the American people (Best, 2010). The Intelligence Community and the Law Enforcers need to work together to take the security of the US to the next level. Information needs to be shared efficiently between the two institutions. Dilly darling needs to stop from either of the two sides. Till then will the people of Houston City and the US be sure of their safety within the boundaries of the US.

Efficient use of the Intelligence Community can also help solve the insecurity issues witnessed especially during the major sports events in Houston. Using the IC, information on attacks can always be shared between the IC and the police as soon as such information is received. IC can play a significant role in eliminating the number of cases that residents report in Houston City (KTRK-TV, 2017). The only limitation to the practical working of the Intelligence community in Houston is when the Law Enforcers fail to appreciate the information being supplied by the IC and instead decide to carry the operations in their way. Otherwise, the Intelligence Community if well run can be the best agency in providing intelligence information right in time thus avoiding many security issues that people witness in the US.

Module 4: Intelligence Issues in Border Security, Human Trafficking, and Narcotics Trafficking

TO: Joint Terrorism Task Commander: (Name)

FROM: Terrorism Liaison Officer: (Name)

DATE:

SUBJECT: Human trafficking in our area-Houston

There is an assumption that human trafficking only happens in other countries and does not happen in our country. The view of human trafficking is a misconception since human trafficking is happening in large numbers in our country. Polaris Project which is a nongovernmental organization has come up with the following facts based on this issue. Our nation acts as a destination for trafficking networks which bring non-citizens into the country for either sexual purposes or for exploitation in labour. The trafficked victims are mostly from Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The cases involved are both undocumented and documented and can take place in both underground and legitimate industries. It is also sorrowful to know that, victims of this unethical issue also comprehend our citizens. Just like other countries, we have many domestic human trafficking in both labour exploitation and sexual purposes (NYC, 2017).

Human trafficking is the worst crime that can be committed to fellow human being. It is illegal and completely unethical. People are being smuggled and sold only for animals to use them. Smuggling of individuals can be termed as modern day slavery because the victims are starved, beaten and forced to engage in prostitution or work in factories, restaurants and domestic jobs with no pay or petite pay. The operators target the most vulnerable group of people. These are children and poor women who neither know their constitutional rights nor are they learned. The victims are first promised good life and better pay before they leave their country. The children are either stolen or purchased from their poor parents (FBI, n.d.)

Houston: the city I am working for as Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) has the largest number of human trafficking cases in U.S. It ranks number one town in human trafficking based on ranking by National Human Trafficking Resource Centre (NHTRC) (Larson, 2014). As there TLO I have to work day and night to stop this inhuman. It is my duty to prevent human trafficking by any means. People who live in my city should know that they have constitutional rights that prevent them from adult domestic sex trafficking that includes the act of forcing people to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking of children (Arnold, 2017). Sex trafficking involves forcing children to participate in sex, forced labour that includes working in the industry through coercion or force for both juveniles, and adults. Lastly, domestic servitude where a person is compelled to do household work for little or no pay. The fact that slavery exists in America today is embarrassing. It’s frustrating, frightening and tragic,“ it is unbelievable and should be dealt with immediate effect.

Human trafficking cases in Houston are performed underground with no one reporting. The few reported cases include, two men were reported to have forced a woman to engage in prostitution. Dorran Gilliespie 42 and Delanny Malveaux 41 promised the female a well-paying job before they forced her into prostitution. The woman was rescued by the police from Boron and placed the two men in custody (Remo, 2017). Another case is that of Antony Gardener a 27-year-old who headed a ring of prostitution which victims were threatened with their lives and beaten to engage in prostitution (Lewis 2017). I believe there are more people involved in this crime. That is why my office is doing all it can to put this to an end.

The most efficient way of stopping this is through collaboration with other stakeholders and community of Houston. We will partner with federal, local, tribal, and state to fight back those who are involved in human trafficking. A team, by the name anti-trafficking coordination, will be formed as a multi- agency initiative that will aim at enforcing and leading the authority to the place the act is taking place. The team will be doing an investigation on this matter. Another step that my office will take in putting human trafficking into an end is by forming a TLO task force for human trafficking. This task force will operate in different field offices. The aim of this working group is to work with both local agencies and state in stopping human trafficking through collaborate and proactive practices. The core objective of this task force is to investigate the movements of the traffickers and to rescue victims. My office is committed to making sure that the victims who are involved in human trafficking will receive rights and assistance they deserve. We focus on treating the victims with love, respect, and gentleness.

Human trafficking is unethical and unconstitutional. Every person is entitled to fair treatment, and it is beyond my imagination that there is slavery in the 21st century. The victim passes through torture and some end up committing suicide. Let everybody know throughout Houston that I will aggressively pursue the exploiters and pimps who prey with minors and think that they will go unpunished. The beneficiaries of my decision will be the victim of human trafficking, their families, our country and other nations.

Finally, since this is a matter of humanity, I would like to request for your support and cooperation from your office. Let us join forces and fight this dehumanizing act that selfish people perpetuate in our country. Let us cooperate and unite for the sake of the population of Houston and humanity race at large.

References

Adams, D. (2001, May 11). Douglas Adams Quotes - Brainy Quote. Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/douglas_adams.html

Arnold, R. (2017, January 30). Several trafficking, prostitution arrests made in Houston. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://www.click2houston.com/news/2-arrested-in-human-trafficking-bust-charged-in-court-monday

Best, R. A. (2010). The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) - Responsibilities and Potential Congressional Concerns (R41022). Ft. Belvoir: Defense Technical Information Center.

CFA Institute. (2014, July 1). Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.cfainstitute.org/ethics/codes/ethics/pages/index.aspx

FBI.gov. (n.d.). Human Trafficking/Involuntary Servitude — FBI. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/human-trafficking

KTRK-TV. (2017, January 23). Security tight ahead of Super Bowl LI in Houston | KSN-TV. Retrieved from http://ksn.com/2017/01/23/security-tight-ahead-of-super-bowl-li-in-houston/

Larson, J. (2014, June 3). Several trafficking, prostitution arrests made in Houston. Retrieved from http://www.click2houston.com/news/2-arrested-in-human-trafficking-bust-charged-in-court-monday

Lewis, A. B. (2017, March 3). Houston man faces rare human trafficking charge - Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Houston-man-charged-for-human-trafficking-eight-10975568.php

NCTC. (n.d.). National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). Retrieved from https://www.nctc.gov/whoweare.html

NCTC. (n.d.). National Counterterrorism Center. Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/index.php/about/organization/national-counterterrorism-center-what-we-do

Reinwald, B. R. (2007). Assessing The National Counterterrorism Center’s Effectiveness In The Global War On Terror.

Remo, S. (2017, January 29). EXCLUSIVE: Men allegedly lured human trafficking victim to Houston with job offer | abc13.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://abc13.com/news/men-allegedly-lured-human-trafficking-victim-with-job-offer/1727415/

WikiLeaks. (2010, April 3). Collateral Murder - WikiLeaks - Iraq [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/5rXPrfnU3G0

WikiLeaks. (2010, April 5). Collateral Murder. Retrieved from https://collateralmurder.wikileaks.org/