Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Counter-terrorism strategy has been a key issue since September 11, 2001. Daniel Byman posits, “Most elements of counter-terrorism strategy address one of two different goals: disrupting the group itself, and its operations; or changing the overall environment to defuse the group’s anger or make it harder to raise money or attract recruits” (pg. 121). However, there are some fundamental flaws concerning these simplistic, straightforward approaches. Byman analyzes seven strategic options to combat terrorism; “Unilateral, multilateral action, containment, defense, diversion, delegitimation, and transforming terrorist breeding ground” (pg. 122). Furthermore, while Byman has made some valid observations, it is necessary to educate the public on terrorists threats, how to prevent them, and understand the threat of radical Islam. Moreover, mitigating and disrupting the financial network of a terrorist organization is essential to stopping the growth of terrorism. This essay will explore key decisions on the different approaches to counter-terrorism and determine which strategies are viable for real world application.

Unilateral and Multilateral action sound idealistic on paper, but when applied in real life it leads to blow back. Unilateral action involves direct action against your enemy. Unilateral action tends to be popular with the public. Byman asserts, “The goal is to kill (or arrest) those who mean to do harm. In practice, such an approach means going well beyond current counter-terrorism policies and using military forces to kill terrorist members and large numbers of supporters wherever they can be found. According to proponents, killing on a mass scale will both reduce the number of terrorists and intimida...

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...fective way for the United States to combat global terrorism without alienating support from the public. The use of sound counter-terrorism tactics and the global terrorism threat is not going away it is here to stay. The U.S. must adapt and implement these changes; otherwise, it will lose the support needed to prevent this terribly real threat.

Works Cited

Byman, Daniel (2007)'US Counter-terrorism Options: A Taxonomy', Survival, 49:3,121 — 150

Kepel, Gilles. The War for Muslim Minds: Islam and the West. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press

of Harvard University Press, 2004. Print

Lopez, Clare. Shariah: The Threat to America: an Exercise in Competitive Analysis.

Washington, DC: Center for Security Policy Press, 2010. Print

Mitchell D. Silber and Arvin Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat,

New York City Police Department, August 2007.