AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare recently released two new publications."The U.S. Army in Europe: A Pillar of America’s Defense Strategy" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, December 2011) highlights the strategic importance of Europe-based landpower to the Army as a global force."U.S. Army North/Fifth Army: Building Relationships for a Secure Homeland" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, December 2011) discusses Army efforts to secure the U.S. homeland and assist civil authorities during crises.U.S. Army Europe is a critical part of the Army’s global force, one that forms the foundation of American strategic strength and flexibility.Over the past seven decades it has shifted from a unilateral defensive force to one that is built for coalition-centric multinational security cooperation.The United States is able to prevail in places like Afghanistan and Libya in part because of the relationships built over time with European allies.U.S. Army Europe’s extensive training system not only prepares multinational partners for operational theaters but also acts as a deterrent to any would-be regional aggressors.The Joint Multinational Readiness Center, the only combat training center outside of the United States, has included multinational partners in every mission rehearsal exercise since 2005; the breadth, fidelity and complexity of training exercises ensures that U.S. and coalition forces can operate side-by-side on any battlefield with minimal friction and maximum effect.Further, the geographic location of U.S. Army Europe forces has significant strategic benefits. U.S. forces are in a central position to respond to or support operations on three continents – emergency responses cannot wait for long-distance deployments. U.S. Army Europe is a critical formation that prepares U.S. and multinational formations for combined, full-spectrum operations.An enduring U.S. presence in Europe is a signal of investment in global stability.The future is uncertain, but America’s commitment to its partners, the world and itself should not be.An unpredictable world and the convergence of natural and man-made threats require the United States to prepare for contingencies on its own soil. U.S. Army North/Fifth Army is focused on defending the homeland through a balance of activities and missions.Theater security cooperation missions with Canada and, especially, Mexico are improving military-to-military ties and advancing the capabilities used to combat transnational threats.Inside the U.S., Army North has the responsibility to "set the theater" – emplace the logistical and control systems used by federal and state response forces in the event of a catastrophe.In support of civil response, U.S. Army North has operational control of two joint task forces. Joint Task Force – Civil Support provides chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incident response capability and expertise; Joint Task Force – North provides technology, intelligence and interagency synchronization to the nation’s drug-law enforcement agencies.Rapidly deployable command and control elements are also available to assist civil authorities with situational awareness, asset requests and vectoring of additional resources. Threats to the homeland are likely to grow more expansive and numerous in the coming decades.U.S. Army North requires the appropriate resources to meet these new challenges in-depth, especially in the realm of theater cooperation with Mexico. The homeland is arguably the most important theater; it must be treated as such.Protecting Americans at home is a non-negotiable mission.