It's been nearly five years since the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move was recognized as the most significant reorganization of the federal government in more than fifty years. It brought together 200,000 federal employees and two dozen other law enforcement agencies to protect the U.S. from terror attacks following 9/11.

DHS was recently criticized in a report by the Government Accountability Office for failing to achieve even half of what it was assigned to do, and leaving our country vulnerable to another major terror attack. But the fact is, there hasn't been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11.

 

Five years later, do you think the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is protective or ineffective?

 

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On 9/11, our nation was transformed by an extraordinary act of hatred. Six years later, after dozens of foiled terror plots, billions spent on homeland security and thousands of lives lost in the war on terror, the United States has avoided a repeat terror attack. Regardless, many officials believe the U.S. faces an evolving terrorist threat. What do you think?

In this post 9/11 world, are we safer or is the U.S. still vulnerable to a major attack?

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President Bush signed a new law expanding the power of the U.S. government to wiretap and eavesdrop without warrant. The controversial law, which was approved by the House and Senate just before Congress adjourned for its summer break, is designed to capture telephone, email and other communications that pass through the United States from other countries.

Civil liberties groups say the new law goes too far and allows the government to wiretap U.S. residents who are communicating overseas without adequate oversight. White House officials say it will give intelligence professionals the essential tools they need to protect our nation from terrorism.

What do you think?

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America at a Crossroads is a major public television event that explores the challenges confronting the post-9/11 world -- including the war on terrorism; the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan; the experience of American troops serving abroad; the struggle for balance within the Muslim world; and global perspectives on America's role overseas. The series aims to create a national dialogue.