Combating Terrorism: Comments on Counterterrorism Leadership and National Strategy

• NCJ Number: 190316
• Author(s): Raymond J. Decker
• Date Published: March 2001
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded on 09/17/01

Annotation

This U.S. General Accounting Report (GAO) report examined the overall need for a single national entity to lead and manage, within the Federal Government, programs to combat terrorism and the development of a national strategy to articulate a clear vision statement on combating domestic terrorism.

Abstract

This GAO report discussed the need for overall leadership and a national strategy to combat terrorism in the United States. Two key issues emerged from research conducted. First, the overall leadership and management of anti-terrorism programs were fragmented within the Federal Government. Second, there was no single entity within the Federal Government to administer programs combating terrorism and no top government official held accountable to both the President and Congress. Fragmentation was seen to exist in both coordination of domestic preparedness programs and in efforts to develop a national strategy. Even though the Attorney General’s Five-Year Interagency Counterterrorism and Technology Crime Plan most resembled a national strategy, it was viewed as lacking critical elements including measurable outcome, linkages to resources, and a discussion of the role of State and local governments. Additional work is needed to build upon the progress the plan represents and develop a comprehensive national strategy.