Educators must equip the next generation with the skills to fight a long war against terrorism, say homeland security experts.
"We need a new generation of strategists thinking about this struggle against al-Qaida," said Scott Bates, senior fellow for national security with the Center of National Policy.
The liberal-leaning center and their opposite numbers on the other side of the ideological aisle, the Heritage Foundation, last week honored two schools they believe are doing a good job.
"What we're doing today is highlighting some institutions that are thinking outside the box, being creative, and really focusing on how we can best protect America," Bates said.
The Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., headed by Col. Michael Meese, is working to equip current and future leaders with the intellectual tools to understand and fight global terrorism. The academy trains students in research and policy analysis, looking at terrorism, counter-terrorism, homeland security and weapons of mass destruction.
"We want to develop cadets who have confidence and competence in military skills and knowledge of the world to deal with the uncertain and dangerous environments they will be in when they graduate," Meese told United Press International. "We're concerned because our graduates are going to leave and we know they are going to be on the front lines in the global war of terror."
The academy has developed its first comprehensive textbook on terrorism and its first minor in terrorism studies.
The academy is also currently working on three programs: to gain a better understanding of jihadi ideology by studying the works of influential Islamic extremists; to improve the military's inter-agency relationships with partners such as the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. intelligence agencies; and to give cadets practical experience through internship programs overseas.
Meanwhile, the University of Denver's Institute on Globalization and Security, headed by David Goldfischer, offers a practical program featuring courses on terrorism prevention, response and recovery, as well as courses on inter-governmental relations and homeland security laws.
"We also wanted values integrated, so we have a required course in the program on homeland security, civil society, and human rights and the dilemmas in the trade-off of security and freedom," Goldfischer said.
They are currently working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expand a model called the classroom-to-workplace program, in which students participate in paid internships to do terrorist-related training and exercises that not only build their skill set, but also makes them potential employees.
The institute is part of the Homeland Security/Defense Consortium, a group of schools launching or running homeland security programs who get together twice a year.
Carafano said that since Vietnam, there had been too much mutual suspicion between the military and other institutions of U.S. national security on the one hand and the universities on the other.
"I don't think that's very healthy," Carafano said. "Academia is an important part of our society and a part of (how we create) thought leaders. It's not healthy that they aren't involved in one of America's major activities -- defending itself."
Today there are over 250 universities that have programs featuring homeland security and counter-terrorism, according to both Goldfischer and Carafono.
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