Joan Neuhaus Schaan – Baker Institute Blog

What does it take to get Washington’s attention on the border?

January 9, 2012admin

Across the country, citizens now scratch their heads and wring their hands wondering what it takes to get Washington’s attention focused on the U.S.-Mexico border. During this election cycle, border security has received some attention, but not what it deserves.

The violence continues, the middle class is fleeing Mexico, and evidence mounts that criminal organizations are increasingly active and influential in the United States. Time has proved that boots on the ground provide a powerful deterrent, and, similar to the surge of troops in Iraq, it can change the dynamics of the situation markedly. Continue Reading →

Yes, there is a homegrown terrorism threat

November 21, 2011admin

Earlier this year U.S. Rep. Peter T. King, R-N.Y., chaired three hearings on Islamic radicalization in the United States. One challenge was the lack of data in the public debate, which made it easy for critics to dismiss the hearings or the need to investigate this issue.

The Baker Institute Homeland Security and Terrorism Program recognized this deficiency, so I began the task of gathering the data on persons associated with Islamic extremist activities in the United States and on U.S. persons associated with Islamic extremist activities abroad from 2009 to the spring of 2011. After nine months of research on 104 individuals, questions posed by the hearings on radicalization can be answered in my paper, “Analyzing the Islamic Extremist Phenomenon in the United States: A Study of Recent Activity.” Continue Reading →

Silenced Mexican press works to cartels’ benefit

November 3, 2011admin

What happens when Mexican journalists are too afraid to do their jobs because of cartel violence? Joan Neuhaus Schaan, the Baker Institute’s fellow in homeland security and terrorism, discusses this issue in her most recent Houston Chronicle op-ed. She writes… Continue Reading →

Security experts question U.S. support of NATO strikes against Gadhafi

October 14, 2011admin

NATO launched a campaign against Col. Moammar Gadhafi in support of the rebels, while many in the security field were in disbelief. Members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), an Al Qaeda affiliate, led the rebel forces. How ironic… Continue Reading →

The threat to New York and Washington: What does it mean?

September 9, 2011admin

Last night the news broke on a possible threat to New York and/or Washington involving vehicle bombs.

Understanding the significance of the threat is partly dependent on understanding the terminology. The alert cited “specific, credible, but unconfirmed“ information. Credible information was developed overseas, however independent corroborations of the information has not been possible. The credibility of the source is an assessment made by the intelligence community, and it involves not only the reliability of the source, but the likelihood the source would have been given or obtained accurate information. Continue Reading →

A victory for rural Texas landowners

May 26, 2011admin

As of May 20, 2011, Texans — particularly rural Texans — can breathe easier. No, the severe drought and wildfires have not ended. Instead, Texans no longer have to fear lawsuits and huge financial losses after law enforcement officers have… Continue Reading →

Acknowledging Mexico’s border communities as crime victims

February 22, 2011admin

Lawlessness is by far the gravest concern of communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. The criminal class operates indiscriminately and with impunity. It has supplanted the legitimate government in some regions and has caused the citizens to flee, similar to other… Continue Reading →