The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy released the National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy in January 2012. The press release states,

"The Strategy outlines new actions that seek to reduce the two-way flow of illicit drugs between the United States and Canada by increasing coordination among Federal, state, local, and tribal enforcement authorities, enhancing intelligence-sharing among counterdrug agencies, and strengthening our Nation's ongoing counterdrug partnerships and initiatives with the Government of Canada and Canadian law enforcement agencies."

Edward Alden and Liam Schwartz explain how a safe and simple visa process can help the U.S. tourism industry.

Edward Alden and Liam Schwartz recommend a visa screening system that will benefit U.S. security and the economy by focusing scrutiny on high-risk travelers and speeding approval for low-risk ones.

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, says the U.S. Coast Guard can help ensure that disasters like the Costa Concordia accident do not happen again.

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, argues that cruise ship disasters should not be happening in the 21st century, and the the U.S. Coast Guard can help ensure they don't.

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, says the Costa Concordia disaster provides an opportunity for a thorough reexamination of international safety regulations for passenger vessels.

Edward Alden says that as the United States has for the past two decades pursued securing the nation's borders against illegal immigration, the more serious threat to U.S. national security is that ill-conceived or poorly implemented border controls will do lasting damage to the U.S. economy.

Edward Alden says recent progress in the use of biometrics in border control is impressive, but the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department need to tell travelers what is in store.

As you stand in endless lines this holiday season, here's a comforting thought: all those security measures accomplish nothing, at enormous cost. That's the conclusion of Charles C. Mann, who put the T.S.A. to the test with the help of one of America's top security experts.

Will Oremus discusses the failure of the U.S. high-speed rail system to materialize, despite Obama's commitment in 2010 to spend $8 billion in fiscal stimulus on transportation infrastructure.

This U.S.-Canada "Beyond the Border" action plan was released in December 2011. The White House press release states,

"The BTB Action Plan sets out joint priorities for achieving a new long-term security partnership in four key areas, guided by mutual respect for sovereignty and our separate constitutional and legal frameworks that protect individual privacy:

• addressing threats early;
• promoting trade facilitation, economic growth, and jobs;
• strengthening cross-border law enforcement; and
• protecting shared critical infrastructure, including enhancing continental and global cybersecurity."

Retired Admiral Thad W. Allen discusses major events, such as Hurricane Katrina, that shaped his experience as admiral of the United States Coast Guard.

This meeting is part of the HBO History Makers series.

Retired Admiral Thad W. Allen discusses major events, such as Hurricane Katrina, that shaped his experience as admiral of the United States Coast Guard.

This meeting is part of the HBO History Makers series.

Retired Admiral Thad W. Allen discusses major events, such as Hurricane Katrina, that shaped his experience as admiral of the United States Coast Guard.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office recommends the Transportation Security Association strengthen its foreign airport assessment program and use its results to improve U.S. aviation security.

Rob Quartel, chairman and CEO of NTELX, discusses the need for investment in U.S. infrastructure with CFR's James M. Lindsay. "We really have to focus on alternative means for paying for infrastructure," argues Quartel.

Edward Alden says the Department of Homeland Security has developed a sensible and effective way to track visa overstays, but the question now is whether Congress will embrace it.

Escalating hostilities between China and its neighbors over competing claims to the South China Sea is a test of China's growing strength and a diplomatic challenge for the United States, which insists that the waterway should be open, says CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Tim Lister, a writer for CNN, looks at the significance of the change to Israel's border after the Six Day War in 1967.

Yanzhong Huang, Senior Fellow for Global Health and the Council on Foreign Relations and Lawrence Gostin, Professor of Global Health at Georgetown University Law Center, discusses what the upcoming World Health Assembly in Geneva will likely address and possible reforms to the World Health Organization.