Coast Guard ponders future, delivers new mission statement.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs

Small boats and icebergs. As if the Coast Guard didn't have enough missions on its plate, these are two threats the service must keep its eye on, Commandant Adm. Thad Allen, said in a speech delivered shortly before the service released the Coast Guard maritime strategy on security, safety and stewardship.

Allen echoed what others in the maritime defense community have been saying during the past months. Small boats--defined as 300 gross tons and below--may pose a greater threat to port security than the "nuke in a container scenario."

"All of our threat and vulnerability assessments for the major ports around this country tell us that while containers are important, we may be thinking too container-centric since the events of 9/11, and the notion of a water-borne improvised explosive device needs to be dealt with," Allen said at a Surface Navy Association conference.

And while the White House has cast doubts on the prospects of global warming, Allen suggested that it's here, and the melting of the polar ice caps, along with large chucks of ice floating in the ocean, will be an emerging concern.

The maritime strategy document outlined six strategic priorities including: strengthening international agreements that regulate international waters; inter-agency cooperation; integrating Coast Guard...