Combating Terrorism: Law Enforcement Agencies Lack Directives to Assist Foreign Nations to Identify, Disrupt, and Prosecute Terrorists

State's Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) serves as the focal point for U.S. efforts to combat terrorism overseas, including those of law enforcement agencies. S/CT's Bureau Strategic and Resource Plan for Fiscal Year 2013 contains the most recent guidance from the Department of State (which funds many of the U.S. government's counterterrorism efforts overseas) to its component bureaus on how they should implement the national security strategies' goal of using the full capabilities of law enforcement agencies to assist foreign nations to address terrorism. It acknowledges the unique capabilities and programs of each of the relevant State bureaus and indicates how they should utilize those programs to enhance foreign partners' capacity.

The National Counterterrorism Center is responsible for overseeing U.S. government-wide efforts to combat terrorism. As such, it monitors the efforts of agencies?including law enforcement agencies?to help foreign nations combat terrorism. To fulfill this responsibility, NCTC undertakes a variety of efforts to monitor agencies' accomplishments, impediments, and planned improvements. One key part of NCTC's activities is developing matrices for key counterterrorism objectives. Such matrices identify the key efforts contributing to achievement of the objective, the agency serving as the leader of the effort, the status, and remaining obstacles. The Department of Homeland Security provides this information to NCTC for efforts in which it is involved. Using this information, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center provides Congress with information on the U.S. government's efforts to combat terrorism in his "Annual Threat Assessment" testimony.

The National Counterterrorism Center is responsible for overseeing U.S. government-wide efforts to combat terrorism. As such, it monitors the efforts of agencies?including law enforcement agencies?to help foreign nations combat terrorism. To fulfill this responsibility, NCTC undertakes a variety of efforts to monitor agencies' accomplishments, impediments, and planned improvements. One key part of NCTC's activities is developing matrices for key counterterrorism objectives. Such matrices identify the key efforts contributing to achievement of the objective, the agency serving as the leader of the effort, the status, and remaining obstacles. The Department of Homeland Security provides this information to NCTC for efforts in which it is involved. Using this information, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center provides Congress with information on the U.S. government's efforts to combat terrorism in his "Annual Threat Assessment" testimony.

The National Counterterrorism Center is responsible for overseeing U.S. government-wide efforts to combat terrorism. As such, it monitors the efforts of agencies?including law enforcement agencies?to help foreign nations combat terrorism. To fulfill this responsibility, NCTC undertakes a variety of efforts to monitor agencies' accomplishments, impediments, and planned improvements. One key part of NCTC's activities is developing matrices for key counterterrorism objectives. Such matrices identify the key efforts contributing to achievement of the objective, the agency serving as the leader of the effort, the status, and remaining obstacles. The Department of Homeland Security provides this information to NCTC for efforts in which it is involved. Using this information, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center provides Congress with information on the U.S. government's efforts to combat terrorism in his "Annual Threat Assessment" testimony.

According to the Special Assistant to the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, State discussed whether to create new mechanisms to enhance coordination and information sharing among law enforcement agencies at embassies. However, it was determined that the existing law enforcement working groups were the most appropriate forum for such activities. However, he acknowledged that, consistent with GAO's work, additional steps were needed to improve coordination of U.S. efforts to enhance foreign partners' capacity building needs. As a result, State's Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism has begun working within the existing law enforcement working groups to coordinate agencies' efforts to perform needs assessments, especially when conducting site visits. Ensuring, to the extent practical, that all key agencies are represented during needs assessments can avoid duplication of effort and ensure that the most appropriate U.S. programs are utilized.

The National and Homeland Security Presidential Directive on United States Policy and Strategy in the War on Terror (NSPD-46/HSPD-15, signed March 6, 2006), directed the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) to prepare a National Implementation Plan for the War on Terror (NIP). The first version of the NIP was approved by President George W. Bush in June 2006 and an updated version in September 2008. The 2008 NIP provides strategic guidance on the use of law enforcement agencies to help foreign nations identify, disrupt, and prosecute terrorists.

The National and Homeland Security Presidential Directive on United States Policy and Strategy in the War on Terror (NSPD-46/HSPD-15, signed March 6, 2006), directed the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) to prepare a National Implementation Plan for the War on Terror (NIP). The first version of the NIP was approved by President George W. Bush in June 2006 and an updated version in September 2008. The 2008 NIP provides strategic guidance on the use of law enforcement agencies to help foreign nations identify, disrupt, and prosecute terrorists. In addition, NCTC undertakes a variety of efforts to monitor agencies' accomplishments, impediments, and planned improvements. One key part of NCTC's activities is developing matrices for key counterterrorism objectives. These matrices identify the key efforts contributing to achievement of the objective such as enhancing the capacity of foreign law enforcement agencies and working more closely with foreign partners. Each matrix identifies the lead agency for the effort as well as the specific responsibilities of the lead agency.

The National and Homeland Security Presidential Directive on United States Policy and Strategy in the War on Terror (NSPD-46/HSPD-15, signed March 6, 2006), directed the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) to prepare a National Implementation Plan for the War on Terror (NIP). The first version of the NIP was approved by President George W. Bush in June 2006 and an updated version in September 2008. The 2008 NIP provides guidance how agencies should monitor and report progress regarding the implementation of the NIP.