"Homeland Security explores the nature of the terrorist threat to the United States and examines the policies and systems responsible for protecting America, using source documents and real-life examples." "Homeland Security is the definitive guide to understanding, preventing, and surviving terrorism. From hands-on security tips to insights on the vital balance between liberty and security, it is designed to help every American - from the front lines to the voting booth - play his or her role in the war against terrorism."--Jacket.

Introduction. Every American has a role in homeland security ; Part 1. How We Got Here from There : the Emergence of Modern Homeland Security -- 1. Homeland security : the American tradition -- 2. The rise of modern terrorism : the Road to 9/11 -- 3. The birth of modern homeland security : the national response to the 9/11 attacks ; Part 2. Understanding Terrorism : 4. The mind of the terrorist : why they hate us -- 5. Al-Qaida and other Islamic extremist groups : understanding fanaticism in the name of religion -- 6. The transnational dimensions of terrorism : the unique dangers of the twenty-first century -- 7. Domestic terrorist groups : the forgotten threat -- 8. Terrorist operations and tactics : how attacks are planned and executed -- 9. Weapons of mass destruction : understanding the great terrorist threats and getting beyond the hype -- 10. The digital battlefield : cyberterrorism and cybersecurity ; Part 3. Homeland Security : Organization, Strategies, Programs, and Principles : 11. Homeland security roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictions : federal, state, and local government responsibilities -- 12. America's national strategies : the plans driving the war on global terrorism and what they mean -- 13. Domestic antiterrorism and counterterrorism : the new role for states and localities and supporting law enforcement agencies -- 14. Critical infrastructure protection and key assets : protecting America's most important targets -- 15. Incident management and emergency management : preparing for when prevention fails -- 16. Business preparedness, continuity, and recovery : private-sector responses to terrorism -- 17. Public awareness and personal and family preparedness : simple solutions, serious challenges -- 18. The future of homeland security : adapting and responding to the evolving terrorist threat while balancing safety and civil liberties -- Appendix 1. Profile of significant Islamic extremist and international terrorist groups and state sponsors -- Appendix 2. Volunteer services -- Appendix 3. The media and issues for homeland security -- Appendix 4. Medical and public health services emergency and disaster planning and response : public health and medical organizations have unique and demanding responsibilities for preparing and responding to terrorist attacks -- Appendix 5. Preparing and responding to threats against the agriculture sector.