Final answer:
The Department of Homeland Security assesses national-level events based on the threat they pose to security, economy, public health or safety and whether they can overwhelm state capabilities. The systemic level of analysis helps in understanding international relations and policy decisions, illustrated by the nuclear developments of India and Pakistan.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), an event is considered of national-level importance based on certain criteria that determine its severity, potential impact, and the need for a coordinated federal response. While the exact threshold is not specified in the student's question, it generally includes whether the event poses a significant threat to the security, economy, public health, or safety of the United States, as well as the event's potential to overwhelm local and state capabilities. For example, the creation of the DHS after the 9/11 attacks signifies how federal response to national-level events has been centralized to mitigate widespread threats and coordinate efforts that transcend state borders.
An analysis of the global or systemic level assists in understanding how cooperation and conflict amongst states can lead to policy shifts, with considerations of both national and international repercussions. Such was the case with the nuclear developments in India and Pakistan, going against the expectations of the international community regarding non-proliferation. This demonstrates the complex interplay of internal and external pressures at the systemic level of analysis that informs policy decisions and shapes international relations.