A citizenry kept in the dark about the actual scope and perimeters of homeland security measures will be unable to evaluate the programs and make principled opinions as to the efficacy of these programs. The United States largely began its modern campaign against terrorism after the horrific attacks occurring on September 11, 2001. However, countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and Germany, have been dealing with the plague of terrorism for decades. All countries have also expanded the police power of the state in one way or another in the effort to protect the homeland against terrorism and the rights of citizens have become generally more restricted. The United States would do well to cast their glance outside the US mindset and learn from these other countries in their practices and experiences in the war on terrorism, in how these countries have approached the issue of homeland security through both their domestic laws and international actions.