Combating Terrorism: Evaluation of Selected Characteristics of National Strategies Related to Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 204020
• Author(s): Randall A. Yim
• Date Published: February 2004
• Length: 52 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); Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives. Downloaded February 3, 2004.

Annotation

This report by the U.S. General Accounting Office identifies and defines the desirable characteristics of an effective national strategy to counter terrorism and assesses whether the national strategies related to terrorism address those characteristics.

Abstract

Although national strategies to fight terrorism are not required by either executive or legislative mandate to have a single, consistent set of characteristics, this study identified a set of desirable characteristics, based on a review of numerous sources, to assist responsible parties in the development and implementation of counterterrorism strategies. These characteristics pertain to purpose, scope, and methodology; problem definition and risk assessment; goals, subordinate objectives, activities, and performance measures; resources, investments, and risk management; organizational roles, responsibilities, and coordination; and integration and implementation. This study assessed the seven national strategies that relate, in part or in whole, to combating terrorism and homeland security. These strategies pertain to the overall national security strategy and the national strategies for homeland security, for combating terrorism, for combating weapons of mass destruction, for the physical protection of critical infrastructure and key assets, for securing cyberspace, and for countering money laundering. The study found considerable variation in the extent to which these seven strategies related to combating terrorism and achieving homeland security address the desirable characteristics. None of the strategies addressed all of the elements of resources, investments, and risk management, or integration and implementation. Even when desirable characteristics existed, improvements could be made; for example, even when strategies identify goals, subordinate objectives, and specific activities, they generally do not discuss or identify priorities, milestones, or performance measures. On the whole, the national strategy for homeland security and the national strategy for the physical protection of critical infrastructure and key assets address the greatest number of desirable characteristics; and the national security strategy and the national strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction address the fewest desirable characteristics. 44 notes and a listing of 72 General Accounting Office related products