The U.S. Organization and Strategy for Combating Terrorism: Lessons Observed and Future Possibilities
Abstract
This paper analyzes and compares the strategy and organizational composition of Al Qaeda (AQ) and networked Islamic terrorist organizations against the U.S. organization and strategy for combating terrorism. AQ and affiliates is a network operating in at least 60 countries with the goal of a revived caliphate. Despite U.S. efforts, AQ continues to masterfully recruit, train, finance, and provide logistics for their entire network. As a networked non-state actor, AQ poses challenges that the U.S. national security apparatus is not well designed to handle. The institutionalized and stove-piped U.S. interagency architecture has created a cumbersome process through which the elements of national power are wielded, and the structure through which the U.S. combats terrorism is a subset. As such, the operational seams created by stove-piped organizational construct avert the requisite agility, speed and synchronization needed to execute effective actions in combating terror. The agility and speed needed to produce broad spectrum solutions to combat terror will require updated authorities, capabilities, and responsibilities. The U.S. national security apparatus will benefit from an information age National Security Act. As a result, the U.S. organization for combating terror will be more effective.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA468597
Entities
People
- David L. Baudoin
Organizations
- National Defense University