The US Department of Defence (DoD) has released the strategy for homeland defence and defence support for civil authorities. This policy establishes DoD’s priorities in the areas of homeland defence and defence support of civil authorities through 2020, consistent with the President’s National Security Strategy and the 2012 Defence strategic guidance.

It links with other DoD and national strategic documents related to missile defence, space, cyberspace, counterterrorism, and the Western Hemisphere. The strategy identifies two priority missions for the department in the homeland: defend US territory from direct attack by state and non-state actors; and provide assistance to domestic civil authorities in the event of natural or man-made disasters, potentially in response to a very significant or catastrophic event.

The strategy emphasises cost-effective policy mechanisms and innovative approaches to defend the homeland against direct attacks and to provide timely responses to routine and catastrophic events on US territory. It stresses the continuation of DoD capabilities to defend against conventional and emerging threats in the air and maritime domains, while expanding cooperation with federal, state, and local partners to defeat asymmetric threats – including, for example, home-grown violent extremists who may seek to use improvised explosive devices. Additionally, it addresses DoD preparations for responding to man-made and natural disasters.