NCJ Number
177438
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 68 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 3-10
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article identifies current terrorist threats to the United States and describes the FBI's terrorism program, with attention to interagency cooperation at the Federal, State, and local levels.
Abstract
The terrorist threat against the United States and U.S. citizens is both internationally and domestically based. International terrorism is foreign-based and targets U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Domestic terrorism involves individuals who operate without foreign direction and represent extreme right-wing, extreme left-wing, and special interest beliefs. Although terrorists continue to rely on such conventional weapons as bombs and small arms, several cases suggest that terrorists and other criminals may consider using unconventional chemical or biological weapons in an attack in the United States at some point in the future. One major concern is the possibility of an attack on the network of information systems upon which governments and private businesses depend for their daily operation. Major objectives within FBI domestic and international terrorism programs include identifying and preventing the activities of terrorists prior to the commission of terrorist acts and pursuing the arrest and prosecution of responsible individuals. As part of this prevention effort, the FBI collects foreign intelligence information on international terrorist groups and individuals whose activities threaten the security of the United States. The FBI Counterterrorism Center uses various resources, including multiagency task forces; ongoing liaison with all Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; its Legal Attache program; the Terrorist Threat Warning System; and the introduction of new Federal legislation. 7 notes