An Overview of USA Counter Terrorism

Currently, the USA Counter Terrorism is associated with almost every kind of counter terrorism activity. Over the years, the strategies have been revised to emphasize on different elements, and make sure a definite plan of action is implemented with proper lines of communication and clear leadership. Some of the elements of USA Counter Terrorism have been discussed in this post.

Intelligence Sharing – While the US has an established National Counter Terrorism Center, there is a lack of information sharing within the intelligence community. It is important that the US intelligence community shares diplomatic reports, open source information and other forms of data with relevant authorities in real time. It is also important to share crucial information with the Police in foreign countries. This increases the possibility of making arrests and executing safety measures.

Global Financial Cooperation – Most of the countries around the world have signed the International Convention related to suppression of financing to terrorism. However, many countries still lack proper legislation to indict terrorist financing. Some countries even lack the capability to properly enforce such regulations. The United States of America and its allies need to provide assistance to such countries in Southeast Asia and Middle East.

Use of Drones – For a long time, the United States has been using unmanned aerial vehicles or drones. These drones monitor attacks to terrorist installations. The current Obama administration has increased the use of drones for monitoring terrorist activities. In recent years, a lot of drone attacks have been conducted. While the Pakistani Government has challenged the ethics of drone attacks, they definitely provide a good method of monitoring and tackling terrorists without any military presence.

Renditions – After the tragedy of 9/11, the United States of America was hugely criticized for secret abductions or renditions of suspected terrorists and anti social elements to other countries for interrogation. It was alleged that the suspects were brought to secret prisons and tortured for information. Renditions have been used for many years. They have been effective in capturing global criminals.

The current USA Counter Terrorism authorities have not ruled out renditions. However, in order to make sure that human rights are not violated, there should be strict standards regarding conduct of interrogation, holding locations, evidences against a suspect and so on.

Raids on Safe Havens, Training Camps and Terrorist Bases – When training camps and terrorist bases are located in foreign countries, the USA Counter Terrorism department encourages concerned authorities to take action and destroy such sites. In recent years, USA has assisted countries like Yemen and Pakistan in destroying such sites.

If a foreign Government is unwilling or unable to take action against terrorist training camps or other sites, the United States of America is prepared to take action. Since a military strike on foreign soil can easily bring an international political fallout, the US Counter Terrorism authorities should be certain about the target prior to action.

It is worth mentioning that the USA Counter Terrorism not only focuses on foreign sources, but also domestic terrorism. It is important to understand that domestic terrorism is equally dangerous.