CJ 681 Module Seven
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Milestone Two
Current Counterterrorism Strategy
The most current strategy for counterterrorism that was able to be found is the National Strategy
for Counterterrorism of the United States of America, 2018. This strategy points out short- and
long-term goals in regard to counterterrorism. Some short-term goals have been described as
“our boarders and all ports of entry into the United States are secure against terrorists’ threats,
terrorism, radical Islamist ideologies, and other extremist ideologies do not undermine the
American way of life” (Director of National Intelligence, 2018). Additionally, the guide speaks
about foreign partners addressing terror threats in a way that such threats do not jeopardize
interests of the United States and its partners. This strategy does not name Hezbollah directly.
However, given that Hezbollah is considered a terror organization by the United States, they are
included in these short-term strategies, regarding terrorism.
Long term goals within the National Strategy for Counterterrorism speaks about
eliminating terrorist threats directed towards the United States. This is considered a long-term
goal, given that in order to fully eliminate these threats, there will be an abundance of both
domestic and foreign policy that is directed towards a common goal of ending terror
organizations across the world.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The National Strategy for Counterterrorism of the United States of America speaks 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). Hezbollah has long used propaganda in order to radicalize and recruit individuals into
their organizations for years. In return, some of these individuals carry out attacks in the form of
suicide bombings. The strategy also speaks to preventing and intervening in recruitment
operations. This strength also plays into drastically reducing the amount of Hezbollah
propaganda that is able to be shared through the world.
While these strengths are critical, there is also a major weakness. The weakness is that
there is no definitive plans or examples as to how the United states will reach these short- and
long-term goals, nor how the United States will combat “radical Islamic terrorism” recruitment
and propaganda. As it is 2021, and this strategy is from 2018, the current administration should
incorporate specific plans and examples as to how the United States will accomplish these goals.
However, these two administrations are different in many different ways.
Effective
Within the United States strategy, it took an “America” first approach. Within this approach, it
spoke about “emphasizing protection of the homeland, building strong borders, strengthening
security at all ports of entry into the United States, protecting it’s critical infrastructure, and
facilitating preparedness” (Director of National Intelligence, 2018). Within the past decade, the
United States has seen relatively low numbers of terror attacks, virtually none from Hezbollah.
Changes or Enhancements
It’s possible to incorporate soft power into this counterterrorism strategy. While looking at the
2021 Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, we are able to see examples of soft power.
As stated “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). This use of soft power can assist in working with foreign counties such as
Lebanon, given Hezbollah is most active there, both politically, and militarily.
Protection
As stated prior, diplomacy is key to eliminating terror threats within the United States. The
United States can begin talks with southeastern countries such as Indonesia, where Hezbollah has
continued to freely operate within little pushback from the country. Within the country of
Indonesia, the United States can work towards limiting al-Manar, which is a Hezbollah backed
satellite television channel, which spreads Hezbollah propaganda (Reuters, 2008).
Global Impact
As the United States continues with diplomacy, the development of new allies in the MENA
region and Southeast Asia assists in the capability of limiting terror attacks and decreasing the
spread of propaganda across the global, including the United States, which is the main goal.
Implement
The fusion center will continue to need guidance from the federal level, in regard to any
implementation that takes place. The fusion center combines local. state, tribal, and federal
government, the distribution of foreign intel would be that of the federal government and
respected agencies. The local, state, and tribal governments who are associated with the fusion
centers will need to incorporate the ability to translate any intelligence that would come their
way.
Media
The 2018 counterterrorism approach utilizes hard power. Fusion centers would be able to
continue counterterrorism efforts by utilizing social media. Such intelligences could be found
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through HUMINT, IMINT, and SIGINT intelligence types. This would allow local, state, and
tribal governments with more information and the chance of successfully collaborating with the
federal level in order to stop terrorism both domestic and foreign.
Desired Outcomes
The desired outcomes of the proposed counterterrorism strategy would be to combine hard and
soft power in order to work towards international diplomacy. If the United States develops
partnerships with foreign countries within the MENA and Southeast Asia regions, the potential to
decrease terrorist propaganda, recruitment, and movement. In addition, the United States should
continue the development of the short-term goals that were seen within the 2018
counterterrorism guide. With these recommendations and the fusion center’s involvement, the
desired outcome is that terrorism threats and attacks are eradicated from the United States, and
such attacks are limited throughout the world, particularly in the MENA region.
Data
Data from the last decade should be pulled regarding terror threats and attacks within the United
States and countries in which the United States has started diplomacy talks. Such data can be
accessed on the Global Terrorism Database. The data will allow researchers the opportunity to
see if the short-term goals within the 2018 counterterrorism guide and soft power diplomacy. As
the United States continues to implement the counterterrorism efforts proposed above, the Global
Terrorism Database will continue to update terror attacks around the globe. Researchers and
officials will be able to compare and contrast present data from data prior to the implementation
of the counterterrorism efforts proposed.
Benchmarks
Benchmarking will be valuable in order to assess if the strategy is on track to achieve the desired
outcomes. For example, Process benchmarking would allow the federal government and
respectful agencies the opportunity to rate and assess how their diplomacy attempts and terror
threat mitigation initiatives are working, compared to competitors, such as a different country.
Additionally, process benchmarking can be considered “an instrumental part of a successful
process improvement program” (The Hackett Group, n.d.). As the United States pushes
diplomacy in MENA and Southeastern countries, process benchmarking will allow the United
States to adjust strategy and implement changes as needed, if another country is succeeding in
areas the US is struggling.
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
The Hackett Group. (n.d.). Process Benchmarking Paves the Way to Process Improvement.
Retrieved from
https://www.thehackettgroup.com/process-benchmarking/
White House. (2021). Interim National Security Strategic Guidance. Retrieved from
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NSC-1v2.pdf
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