NCJ Number
132896
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The implications of government counterterrorism policies and strategies are critical in understanding terrorism.
Abstract
Policies should be deliberate and well thought out in advance; an effective policy should be proactive as well as reactive. Various sources contribute to the overall formulation of government policies. In addition to the more structured format of statutory law, publicly reported statements that create an expectation about how the government will respond to terrorism can be interpreted as part of public policy. Eight dimensions of a broad-based terrorism strategy are identified: legal status of terrorists, treatment of arrested or convicted terrorists, level of law enforcement available and required, government readiness to negotiate with terrorists on substantive issues, international cooperation, incident management, media coverage, and State involvement in terrorism. While the police and the intelligence community play major roles in countering the threat of political violence, terrorism is not just a police problem. A better chance of containing terrorism comes from a combination of political, social, and criminal justice components of government and society. In an effort to protect U.S. citizens, the investigative jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been broadened. The FBI can initiate investigations overseas wherever a U.S. citizen is taken hostage or becomes the subject of a serious assault. It is also noted that international terrorists have difficulty sustaining operations in societies with strong, responsive political institutions. The use of counterterrorism strike forces is addressed briefly. 3 notes