When Terrorism Strikes Home: Defending the United States focuses on the impact of the war on terrorism upon individuals, society, and government. It examines how the war on terrorism has affected first responders such as police and fire departments, how it has transformed local and state government planning and how it has defined a new relationship between state and federal government.

The author focuses on three specific areas: changes in the operation of government agencies-especially those first responders that are part of the criminal justice system; changes in Americans’ perspective on constitutional rights; and the capacity of the government and criminal justice system to respond to international acts of terrorism and keep Americans safe.  The text addresses the response of the government to challenges of immigration control, the threat of a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction, the threats to aviation and cyberterrorism, and the need for intelligence reform.