By Steve  Hammons
If some unidentified flying objects (UFOs)  are related to intelligent visitors from elsewhere, what is the impact on  national security and global security? This is a question that may have faced  U.S. and international officials at least since the World War II era.  
Wartime security and secrecy procedures  probably would have been implemented in such a case. The alleged Roswell  incident reportedly occurred in that climate when “Loose lips sink ships” was  one of the mottos to remind Americans to keep information about sensitive  military activities secret so it would not fall into the hands of enemies.  
Many elements of American society  including industries, scientists, journalists and others understood the reason  for this kind of security related to defense matters and gladly cooperated.  American lives were at stake and the outcome of WWII hung in the  balance.
And, the “need-to-know” guideline used to  maintain security was (and is today) widely accepted as reasonable and necessary  in many cases.
During and after WWII, loyal Americans  were helping make sure that necessary secrecy was maintained to protect the  country and our friends around the world. Most people probably assumed that this  was a united group effort that benefited everyone in the long  run.
GRASSROOTS INTELLIGENCE  
Today, concerns exist about finding the  balance between certain security situations, including UFOs and other anomalous  phenomena, and making sure that this balance is a united group effort that  benefits everyone. Is secrecy at the appropriate levels? Do Americans have a  need to know about certain developments?
Many researchers and others have weighed  in on these kinds of questions. In fact, there may be different kinds of views  within the defense, intelligence and scientific communities about how much and  what kind of information and awareness should be made available to the American  people. 
Additionally, how the information is made  available may be a key factor.
It’s hard to make a judgment without  knowing more about what we might be facing. Is there a threat from hostile  adversaries from elsewhere? Are there friends and allies who want to help the  human race? Are there just explorers, visitors and those passing through who are  neutral and unconcerned one way or other about the human condition on  Earth?
Managing relationships with our  international human friends, allies, “frenemies,” competitors, adversaries and  flat-out enemies is quite challenging. Maybe we can think about how more complex  it would be when dealing with unusual visitors from  elsewhere.
Gathering intelligence might be a lot more  difficult. As in dealing with other human groups, communication and cultural  differences could also play a part. In the case of certain extraterrestrials or  other anomalous beings, actual physical and biological differences could also be  an element. Gaps between humans and others in technology and/or deeper knowledge  might be significant.
If unusual visitors are actually  interacting with Earth and humans, who are friends, allies, frenemies,  adversaries and flat-out enemies?
And, what if some visitors want to “save  us from ourselves?” That is, they look down on the Earth, gather intelligence  about how it is functioning and being run, and note that there is vast poverty,  hunger, suffering, disease, ignorance, injustice and  overpopulation.
What if they note that the Earth’s  ecosystem and climate are in grave danger? Or, maybe they know that Earth may  face some other threats that we do not fully understand at this  time.
And, they may see that the human race has  the potential to rise to a higher consciousness and deeper understanding, but is  not there yet.
TEAM EFFORT
These are quite complex dynamics that  could actually be facing us now, if you believe the many credible researchers  looking into these topics. 
Maybe we can understand how difficult it  would be for insiders in the defense, intelligence and scientific communities to  sort it all out and make sound decisions. Their missions include protecting and  helping the American (and other countries’) people in various ways. Maintaining  appropriate security is part of this.
And standard intelligence tasks do not  just include gathering information and keeping it secret. They also include  interpreting and organizing the information, then disseminating it to the right  people in the right way. 
In the case of the UFO subject, providing  information to the people about what they need to know may be a legitimate and  important part of this intelligence mission.
The people, for their part, probably must  take the responsibility for being open to new information, including that which  is subtle, complex, “between the lines” or presented in relatively general ways.  We might also need to use our own judgment, perception and gut feelings about  what we are told.
We might need to find understanding within  ourselves about what is going on. Human consciousness is undoubtedly a key  factor that is part of the overall situation.
As we move forward, there will be more  research into UFOs and what is going on. Many people will learn more, one way or  the other. This ongoing educational process can contribute to national and  global security, as well as enhance the development of the human  race.
 
 
