We track important developments in homeland security policies and programs in the United States National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the United States Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and Civil Air Patrol.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Homeland Security

Mohsen Sazegara helped found the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and says the group was originally intended to be a popular force like the Swiss army, the National Guard in the United States or Vietnam's Viet Cong.

NPR: The Evolution of Iran's Revolutionary Guard

But close to half of all National Guard troops in the United States have now served in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

NPR: Additional National Guard Troops Set for Iraq

"The hard truth is that our president has made serious mistakes in taking us to war with Iraq, " Kerry told members of the National Guard Association of the United States meeting in Las Vegas.

CNN: Kerry: Bush lives in 'world of spin' on Iraq

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 16 through September 22, 2012, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

" Attorney General Eric Holder called the drug cartels a "national security threat" to the United States and said Americans "simply can't afford to let down our guard.

CNN: Commentary: What Mexico's drug war means for U.S.

Andrew McClure of the New York Army National Guard told police that a man behind him in line began to yell derogatory comments about the United States and his service to the nation.

WSJ: Police: NY man attacked Army officer at Wal-Mart