America's War Within

Records show that communities across California had difficulty managing millions in anti-terrorism grants handed out by Congress after Sept. 11. Paperwork went missing and purchasing rules weren't followed. Is the state ready for more in stimulus funds if preparedness cash proved so difficult?
Sept. 11 hastened a booming homeland security industry. One southern California company still struggled to get ahead.
Reporter G.W. Schulz describes some of the equipment purchased by California agencies with anti-terrorism grants—a catalog of items that range from surveillance devices and Hazmat suits to bomb-diffusing robots.
An interactive map shows how much your community in California received from homeland security grants—and how they spent the money.
Intelligence-led policing played a starring role in last year’s Republican National Convention, and eight political activists stand accused of conspiracy today. But are new tactics for fighting domestic terrorism being used appropriately? CIR's G.W. Schulz reports for MinnPost.com. This story is part of a collaborative project by the Center for Public Integrity and CIR examining the effectiveness of America’s homeland security efforts.
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Despite calls for consolidation, more than 80 committees on Capitol Hill still have a say in how the Department of Homeland Security functions. The crazy quilt of oversight is making it difficult for Congress to provide cogent guidance on budgeting, organization, and priorities. This story is part of a collaborative project by the Center for Public Integrity and CIR examining the effectiveness of America’s homeland security efforts.
As Mexico's drug war shows no sign of slowing and corruption runs rampant south of the border, Homeland Security officials are bracing for infiltration within their own ranks. CIR's Andrew Becker writes for Mother Jones as part of a special report on the war on drugs.
Sarah Palin promotes the self-reliance of her state, but she doesn’t mention the mobile command communications vehicle, bought with federal dollars to help keep her home town of 7,028 safe from terrorism. Thanks in part to an anti-terrorism bonanza, Alaska is one of the greatest per-capita beneficiaries of federal funding among the 50 states.
Photo by Dirk Spennemann