681-Journal 6.3
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Political Science
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Dec 6, 2023
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Module Six Journal Assignment
Current Counterterrorism Strategy
National Strategy for Counterterrorism of the United States of America (2018) is the most
current strategy for counterterrorism. Within this strategy, short term, the goals have been
developed of: our borders and all ports of entry into the United States are secure against terrorists
threats, terrorism, radical Islamist ideologies, and other violent extremist ideologies do not
undermine the American way of life, and foreign partners address terrorist threats so that these
threats do not jeopardize the collective interests of the United States and our partners (Director of
National Intelligence, 2018). While this strategy does not name Hezbollah directly, these short-
term goals relate to Hezbollah, given the organization is considered a terror organization within
the United States.
Long term, the strategy points out, the objective of eliminating terrorist threats to the
United States. This goal requires a magnitude of policy both domestic and working with foreign
counterparts towards a common goal of ending terrorism threats, directly within and towards the
United States. In order to begin meeting long term goals, the United States must work with all
available partners and stakeholders towards the completion of short-term goals.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Terror organizations such as Hezbollah has long used propaganda as a recruiting tool across the
globe. The strategy explains “to defeat radical Islamist terrorism, we must also speak out
forcefully against a hateful ideology that provides the breeding ground for violence and
terrorism” (Director of National Intelligence, 2018). Additionally, the strategy speaks about
preventing and intervening in recruitment operations by terrorist organizations, such as
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Hezbollah. As described, “minimizing the appeal of terrorist propaganda online, and building a
societal resilience to terrorism” (Director of National Intelligence, 2018).
The weakness to this strategy is that there were no definitive examples as to how the
United States government would go about intervening in recruitment operations, secure U.S.
ports of entry, and working with foreign partner to address terror threats. While this strategy was
from 2018 and under a different administration, if any of these counterterrorism measures and
goals were to be carried into future administrations, it would be important to include broad or as
specific as possible examples as to how goals would be accomplished.
Effective
Following the release of the strategy, the United States took an “America First” approach. This
approach “emphasizes protection of the homeland, building strong borders, strengthening
security at all ports of entry into the United States, protecting its critical infrastructure, and
facilitating preparedness” (Director of National Intelligence, 2018). Overall, the United States
has seen minimal terror attacks within the country, including from the terror organization,
Hezbollah, which is the topic organization within this class. It appears as through within this
strategy, there is a hard power approach, given some of the goals and approaches seen
throughout.
Changes or Enhancements
While looking at the strategy, soft power could potentially be incorporated. For example, in the
2021 Interim National Interim National Security Strategic Guidance “We will make smart and
disciplined choices regarding our national defense and the responsible use of our military, while
elevating diplomacy as our tool of first resort” (White House, 2021). Working towards
diplomacy in foreign countries, such as Lebanon, could help alleviate potential terror attacks
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abroad and within the United States. As allies and partnerships are made, both countries
collaboratively can work towards fighting terrorism.
Protection
As stated prior, diplomacy can begin alliances which work towards combatting terrorism such as
Hezbollah. While Hezbollah holds political power in Lebanon, the United States could begin
diplomacy talks with countries in which Hezbollah has operations. For example, the Southeast
Asian country of Indonesia has continued to see Hezbollah operations within the country. For
example, the working towards eliminating the al-Manar satellite tv channel which is backed by
Hezbollah (Reuters, 2008). Diplomacy allows the United States to gather more allies and protect
countries from terror groups, such as Hezbollah.
Global Impact
Globally, developing new alliances in the Middle East and Southeast Asia has the capability of
mitigating terror attacks and limiting the spread of propaganda from organizations such as
Hezbollah. As alliances and joint counterterrorism efforts continue to grow, globally, more
countries can become resilient to terrorist attacks and mitigate plots prior to their execution.
Implement
The regional fusion center will need guidance from the federal government. While fusion centers
work with local, state, tribal, and the federal government, the federal government would
primarily take charge in the distribution and communication with foreign countries in which
there are joint counterterrorism operations. In return, the federal government would distribute
any relative information appropriate to tribal, state, and local governments from foreign countries
in which joint counterterrorism efforts are taking place. If applicable, the regional fusion center
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would need access to translators in order to translate documents from foreign governments
regarding terrorism.
Media
In the 2018 Counterterrorism approach, it takes a hard power approach. With this, fusion centers
could utilize the media through social media. Counterterrorism intelligence could be found via
HUMINT collection. In return, local, state, and federal could decipher credible threats and be in
coordination with each other. In 2012 a report stated that “fusion centers provided only low-
quality intelligence to the federal government and were not contributing in a meaningful way to
counterterrorism efforts” (Barnosky, 2015). Fusion centers could utilize the media to update the
general public on counterterrorism efforts and topics in which the fusion center is working on. Of
course, without revealing classified information.
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Reference:
Barnosky, J. (2015). Fusion Centers: What’s Working and What Isn’t. Retrieved from
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2015/03/17/fusion-centers-whats-working-and-
what-isnt/
Director of National Intelligence. (2018). National Strategy for Counterterrorism of the United
States of America. Retrieved from
https://www.dni.gov/files/NCTC/documents/news_documents/NSCT.pdf
Reuters. (2008). Indonesia Rejects U.S. Concerns on Airing Hezbollah TV. Retrieved from
https://www.reuters.com/article/indonesia-usa-hezbollah/indonesia-rejects-u-s-concerns-
on-airing-hezbollah-tv-idUKJAK3864420080814
White House. (2021). Interim National Security Strategic Guidance. Retrieved from
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NSC-1v2.pdf