Counterterrorism

I

Introduction

Counterterrorism, the policies and methods used to deter and defeat terrorism. Counterterrorism involves the use of information gathering, law enforcement, diplomacy, military force, and protective security. Besides eliminating existing terrorists, effective counterterrorism also attempts to discover and remove the causes that motivate terrorists.

Terrorism is generally defined as politically motivated violence by clandestine groups or individuals against civilians or noncombatant personnel. The United States Department of State has adopted the definition found in Title 22 of the United States federal code, which defines terrorism as “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.” There is no universally agreed definition of terrorism, however. Through bombings, assassinations, hijackings, hostage taking, and other violence, terrorists usually seek to intimidate nations into changing their policies or their leaders or surrendering parts of their territory.

The catastrophic terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, which killed about 3,000 people, exposed America’s vulnerability to terrorism at home and showed the need for improved counterterrorism. Today, the “war on terrorism” is at the center of U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

II

How Is Counterterrorism Conducted?

Counterterrorism is conducted in a variety of ways. It involves the gathering of information about terrorists, using that information to prevent terrorist attacks and to prosecute terrorists, working with other countries to curb global networks of terrorists, and discovering and disrupting the financial resources used to support terrorism. In addition, effective counterterrorism often includes the use of sanctions against other nations that sponsor terrorism or allow terrorists to operate on their soil, and in extreme cases, it involves the use of military force. Finally, to be truly effective, counterterrorism requires winning public support against terrorism so that terrorists are isolated and lack popular support.

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A

Intelligence Gathering

Governments collect information about terrorists, their intentions, and their capabilities in order to provide warning and prevent terrorism. This function is known as intelligence gathering, and the government agencies that gather the information are known as intelligence agencies. United States government agencies that collect and analyze intelligence information are sometimes referred to as the intelligence community. Because terrorists operate secretly and sometimes hide in remote locations, governments must rely, in part, on secret intelligence to locate and identify terrorists and penetrate their groups. Governments keep intelligence methods secret to conceal their methods from terrorists, although general information about intelligence is available from nonofficial sources. Intelligence gathering can be divided into two types: intelligence gathered by technical means, such as electronic eavesdropping or satellite photographs, and human intelligence, which involves the use of spies and informers. Intelligence gathered through electronic eavesdropping is sometimes known as sigint (signals intelligence), and human intelligence is sometimes abbreviated as humint.

A

1

Technical Means

Governments use advanced technologies to eavesdrop on telephone, radio, Internet, and other communications among terrorists and to break codes. However, terrorists also use sophisticated measures such as new code language and computer software to encrypt messages. See also Cryptography.

Intelligence agencies also use satellites that circle the globe to photograph terrorist bases on the ground, such as training camps or weapons depots, or their tactical movements. But satellites are not always effective. Terrorists are usually few in number, highly mobile, and often blend into urban and rural environments to conceal themselves. Satellite coverage is not comprehensive, and it is less useful during bad weather and at night.

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