An Introduction to National Security - Defining Threats To National Security

In general, threats to national security are distinguished from other common crimes by their scale and scope of action and because they:

• Have the potential to take more lives or cause much more damage and disruption
• Arise from a source in the international arena, usually as a reaction against a state's foreign policy
• Aim to make a political, ideological, or religious statement
• Are larger, more menacing, and perceived as a greater threats than those normally managed by local law enforcement authorities

National security threats may come from governments (also called "states"), subnational entities (such as terrorist groups, organized-crime networks, or companies practicing industrial espionage), external intelligencegathering agencies (private individuals or agencies hired to gather information), or even U.S. citizens. Prime targets for threats against U.S. national security include:

• U.S. citizens outside the country, including tourists traveling abroad, soldiers on active duty, and the diplomatic community
• U.S. property outside the country, including U.S. embassies, military facilities, naval ships, factories, and offices
• U.S. citizens, transportation centers, landmarks, ports, edifices and other physical structures within American borders

Throughout its history the U.S. government has not hesitated to take action to defend national security. Usually such actions, whether preemptive (to prevent or avert a potential threat) or defensive (in response to a real and present threat), are taken when there are significant risks to national interests. Risks to national interests are classified in response to the urgency and immediacy of the threat and its potential targets. The three broad classes of national security risks are:

1. Vital interests, or issues directly concerning the survival and safety of the country. These threats may involve physical territory, safety of citizens, or even danger to a close ally. A threat to a vital interest may well be met with military force.
2. Important national interests or risks in which national survival is not at stake. Such risks may imperil the world at large and could potentially escalate to threaten vital interests. Military mobilization and resource commitment vary depending on the situation.
3. Humanitarian or other interests, or those where the primary focus is on containing the problem and averting escalation rather than defending national security interests.