The IEEE Systems Journal is a publication that provides a system-level forum for applied manuscripts addressing complex systems and their interrelations of national and global significance. It aims to encourage and facilitate collaboration and interaction among IEEE societies with an interest in systems and systems engineering, while attracting contributors and readers from around the world who are not affiliated with IEEE. Our IEEE Systems Committee works to address problems in innovative ways that existing IEEE or other associations and global organizations cannot resolve. These issues often transcend traditional hierarchical boundaries. For instance, disaster responses to events like Hurricane Katrina, tsunamis, or current volcanic eruptions cannot be addressed solely through pure engineering solutions. We need to reconsider and expand our paradigms to include systemic issues.