The leadership of the ISI is changing hands at a critical time for both the U.S. and Pakistan.

The prospect of an attack on the Supreme Court and other institutions of government is sobering. The Continuity of Government Commission has identified recommendations to ensure that the presidential succession system functions to produce a legitimate president in a timely fashion and that Congress can continue to operate even shortly after a catastrophic terrorist attack.

2012 looks to be an interesting year for the already complex political triangle among the United States, Taiwan and China, what with each country undergoing political transitions. Should we expect policy continuity from President Ma Ying-jeou and the likely new Chinese leader Xi Jinping? What about continuity in the United States?

Neither the framers nor subsequent political leaders had built in to the constitutional framework any plans to reconstitute Congress in the event of a catastrophe like 9/11. I called for Congressional leaders to at least create a commission to study the problem and potential solutions.

This report delves into the issues surrounding succession to the presidency and provides seven specific recommendations for how the flaws in the current succession process may be fixed.

Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, the Continuity of Government Commission will discuss the continuity of Congress, the lack of progress we have made, and where we might go from here.