Time to Redefine Policy?

• NCJ Number: 124680
• Journal: Security Management Volume: 34 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 38-44
• Author(s): W T Corbett
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

European counter-terrorism tactics decreased the incidence of international terrorism during the two years following the April 1986 U.S. air strike against Libya, despite U.S. official contentions that conventional military retaliation is the most effective measure.

Abstract

European governments took several steps against Libya, other State sponsors of terrorism, and terrorist organizations. The closure of Libyan diplomatic missions in Europe closed the channels through which weapons, explosives, and personnel moved from the Middle East to Europe. The two-year reduction in terrorist acts also resulted from the extensive increase in international cooperation, coordination, and intelligence-sharing among European countries. Finally, a joint effort by the 12 members of the European community to target terrorist movements and money, arms, and equipment suppliers was also effective. Many counter-terrorism experts believe that military retaliation is the result of looking for simple answers to terrorism. A long-term, U.S. counter-terrorism strategy should establish goals and programs to neutralize and defeat terrorist movements while simultaneously developing security measures to defend personnel and activities. In addition, the West needs to understand and redress the causes that underlie national and international support for violent, radical movements. Terrorism can be neutralized by mitigating legitimate causes, which in turn reverses the cycle of international sympathy. Differentiating between terrorist movements identifies the greatest threats to U.S. interests, develops long-range neutralization strategies, profiles tactics and techniques, and uses profiles to develop counter-terrorist security programs. In general, terrorists can be categorized as fundamentalist, anarchists, or "cause terrorists;" each type with different long-range objectives, short-range goals, and techniques.