Protecting the territory of the United States and its citizens from all enemies both foreign and domestic is the principal task of government. The primary reason for the increased emphasis on homeland defense is the change, both in type and degree, in the threats to the United States. Besides the enduring need to deter a strategic nuclear attack, the United States must defend against terrorism, information warfare, weapons of mass destruction, ballistic and cruise missiles, and other transnational threats to the sovereign territory of the nation. In many of these mission areas, the military will necessarily play the leading role; however, many other threats exist which will require Defense to support local law enforcement agencies, as well as a host of other federal, state, and local entities. (National Defense Panel, DOD, Transforming Defense: National Security in the 21st Century, Dec 1997, p. 25). Note: This is the earliest usage of the term Homeland Defense we are aware of. It is probable that there are earlier usages