	Introduction

The United States faces a wide range of national security threats, from intercontinentalballistic missiles to the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (1) by terrorists. The debate overthe seriousness of the various threats has intensified recently. Various studies and commissions haverecommended far reaching changes in the approach to domestic preparedness and response to threatsto the homeland. (2) 
This paper (3) outlines current legislation and policies that govern the military's role when supporting lawenforcement in a domestic terrorism crisis. It also highlights some of the issues confronting the U.S.government. Many expertssay the probable long term affects of such an attack on the population, environment, and theeconomy make it imperative that the U.S. be fully prepared to either deter or interdict an attemptedattack by force if necessary. The Lead Federal Agency for combating terrorismoverseas is the Department of State (DOS) and the agency designated to respond to terrorist attackson U.S. soil is the Department of Justice (DoJ) through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Crisis Management of Domestic Terrorism Events

To understand fully the military's role in domestic crisis response it is necessary to explorethe national-level structures and response options prior to the involvement of military forces. Crisis management is predominatelya law enforcement function that manages the resources necessary to prevent or resolve a terroristincident including intelligence gathering, surveillance, tactical operations, negotiations, forensics,and follow-on investigations. The National Security Council. The Military's Role in Domestic Crisis Management

PDD 39 and assorted legislation permits DoD to develop and maintain plans and capabilitiesto respond to threats or acts of terrorism, including use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. In a domestic crisis involving WMD, DoD may be called upon to assist in several different waysranging from actual interdiction of the terrorists to the loaning of specialized equipment for use bylaw enforcement agencies in the crisis. The Department of Defense has published directivesestablishing policy and assigning responsibility for providing military assistance to civil authoritiesincluding specific policy for assistance to civil law enforcement officials in emergencies involvingterrorism and WMD. 10 U.S.C. Section 382, may extend technical advice and assessment to law enforcement personnelincluding:
1) Providing expert advice on all matters pertaining tothe search, location, identification, seizure, render safe/disarm/disable procedures, handling and /ortransport of a suspected WMD;
2) Check an area, such as a room, when trained lawenforcement personnel are unavailable and there is reason to suspect that the area contains bobbytraps or improvised explosive devices and render such devices safe by monitoring, containing,disabling, or disposing of them or their components or elements before a law enforcement searchof the area is conducted;
3) Undertake appropriate rendering-safe and disposalactions, including monitoring, containing, disabling and/or disposing of or otherwise rendering safea suspected biological, chemical, or nuclear material or device that is notweaponized;
4) Upon approval of the National CommandAuthority, (41) undertakeappropriate rendering-safe and disposal actions, including the monitoring, containing, disabling and/or disposing of or otherwise rendering safe a suspected WMD, to include its components orelements;
5) Participate in the questioning of suspects by lawenforcement personnel, only when necessary to determine the characteristics of the suspected WMDdevice, its components or elements for the purpose of rendering itsafe;
6) Provide and operate specialized equipment orvehicles;
7) Provide other assistance as requested by the AttorneyGeneral or lawfully delegated representative and approved by the Secretary of Defense. There are many critical issues concerning U.S. terrorism policy overall and domesticterrorism specifically. Most experts believe that acomprehensive national strategy coherently linking national policy with the capabilities of the manyagencies charged with domestic terrorism responsibilities is a critical step in defeating the threat. Many experts also contend that the United States would be better served by employing the full rangeof DoD's capabilities during domestic crisis response operations. (51) Lastly, newly proposed congressional oversight roles are seenby many as an important factor in a more effective response to domestic terrorism.
The United States faces a number of significant national security threats, ranging in scopefrom intercontinental ballistic missiles to the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) byterrorists. The debate over the seriousness of the various threats intensified recently, even before theevents of September 11, 2001. Various studies and commissions recommended far reaching changesin the U.S. approach to domestic preparedness and response to threats to the homeland, many nowbeing implemented. Many experts believe the probable long term effects of a WMD attack byterrorists on the population, environment, and the economy make it imperative that the U.S. be fullyprepared to either deter or interdict an attempted terrorist attack.
This paper reviews the current legislation and policies that govern the military's role whensupporting law enforcement in a domestic terrorism crisis and highlights some of the issuesconfronting the U.S. government. To fully understand the military's role in domestic crisis responseit is necessary to explore existing national-level structures and response options prior to theinvolvement of military forces. Crisis management is predominately a law enforcement function thatmanages the resources necessary to prevent or resolve a terrorist incident, including one involvingWMD. Current U.S. government terrorism response policy is contained in presidential directives. Among other matters, these directives address National Security Council structure and federalagency crisis response roles when responding to a domestic terrorism incident. The creation of theDepartment of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command has not yet changed the basic rolesand relationships described herein.
Many federal agencies are available to assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indealing with a terrorist threat or in the resolution of an actual terrorist incident. The Department ofDefense (DoD), as a supporting agency in domestic law enforcement operations, has developed andmaintains plans and capabilities to respond to threats or acts of terrorism, including those involvingthe use of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. In a domestic crisis, DoD may be called uponto assist in several different ways ranging from actual interdiction of the terrorists to the loaning ofspecialized equipment for use by law enforcement agencies. DoD has published specific policy forassistance to civil law enforcement officials in emergencies involving terrorism and WMD. U.S.terrorism policy is an issue of growing policy debate. Most experts believe that a comprehensivenational strategy for domestic terrorism is a critical step in defeating the threat. Some say moreeffectively employing DoD's capabilities during domestic crisis response operations, or newrelationships based on the recent creation of the Department of Homeland Security are the bestmethods to ensure success against domestic terrorism. Lastly, newly proposed congressionaloversight roles are seen by many as an important factor in a more effective response to domesticterrorism. This report will be updated should major changes occur to the relationships described.