There are so many security threats impacting the United States.

Usually these threats are referred to or

fall under the umbrella term “national security.” National security is a fairly new term that entered our
lexicon in 1947 with the passage of the National Security Act (Heath, B. 2019). There have been all sorts
of threats to the United States national security since then; ranging from the Soviet Union, nuclear
deterrence, the balance of power between the several superpower nations on our planet, climate
change, various weapons proliferation, and disease. Also, gangs such as MS-13 or other transnational
gangs can be a threat but tend to be a little more random and localized and can be snuffed out by local
law enforcement. A prime example I have seen firsthand of that is the local Yakuza where I live. They
were everywhere when I first arrived here in 1997, though really not dangerous if you did not mess with
them, but now are very rarely seen due to a major law-enforcement crackdown.

An issue that can both exacerbate as well as improve national security is globalization. Globalization is
pretty easy to imagine. At its core it is the collaboration and or cooperation of different countries and
cultures working together towards a common goal. What we see most often are countries working
together to battle climate change, fight terrorism, and develop new technologies. Just do a quick search
of the internet and you will find many examples of how globalization is a good thing. However,
globalization can also exacerbate national security problems because it provides plenty of opportunities
for threats to spread globally. Think cyber-attacks, intercontinental ballistic missiles (being close
proximity to North Korea will get you thinking about one, trust me), disease and all types of other
nefarious technology.

We have reached a point where globalization is unstoppable and further globalization is inevitable. I
often link globalization with the internet, and sometimes wonder what would happen if the internet
were somehow turned off. It would be total chaos. Two probable solutions to the threats that
globalization creates for national security is two work closely with our allies and to try not to make
adversaries. Both are easier said than done but in today’s highly connected world it is important to not
fall behind in working together to make the world better.

Heath, B. J. (2019). National Security and Economic Globalization: Toward Collision or Reconciliation?
Fordham International Law Journal, 42(5), pg. 1434. Retrieved from
https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2757&context=ilj