About Counter Terrorism
According to the New York State Division of State Police, the purpose of counter terrorism agencies is to deter, detect and prevent future terrorist attacks. In attempting to prevent terrorist attacks from succeeding, a variety of agencies from governments around the world to local police and citizens combine to pool resources and information.
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Terrorism
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The U.S. government’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describes terrorism as the use of force or acts of violence against the citizens and property of a country contrary to national law. Terrorism is performed for a variety of reasons, including to bring attention to a cause with immediate effect through news organizations' reporting of terrorist acts. Terrorist groups use a variety of tactics to scare members of the public into believing a government is incapable of protecting them from terrorist attacks to weaken the position of a national government. FEMA reports acts of terrorism to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, bombings and chemical weapons.
History
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The history of U.S. counter terrorism efforts reaches back to 1972 with the establishment of the Office for Combating Terrorism under President Richard Nixon. The U.S. Department of State reports the counter terrorism office was begun in response to terrorist attacks at the Munich Olympics. The Office for Combating Terrorism was given the responsibility of coordinating the U.S. government’s response to terrorist activities and U.S. counter terrorism activities. Counter terrorism agencies within the Department of State were made a part of U.S. law by Congress in 1994. In the 21st Century, the Office for Combating Terrorism became the Office of the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism.
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Activities
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The Department of State reports the Office of the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism is headed by an ambassador at large whose purpose is to work with governments and agencies from around the world in an attempt to foil terrorist plots. The ultimate aim of counter terrorism efforts is to ensure U.S. national security for the citizens and property of the U.S. The office of the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism attempts to create and maintain agreements of mutual assistance between the U.S. government and foreign organizations who may provide assistance to the U.S. in reducing the risk of terrorist attacks.
Threats
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FEMA reports counter terrorism efforts revolve around the reduction of threats to U.S. national security offered by terrorist organizations on a national and international level. Threats of a terrorist nature are commonly made against public buildings such as government facilities and international airports and large public landmarks.
Preparedness
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The U.S. Office of Justice Programs reports that an integral part of counter terrorism efforts is ensuring law enforcement, government agencies and the general public are prepared to take part in counter terrorism activities. The Office of Justice Programs explains that all U.S. citizens should be trained and made aware of incorporating counter terrorism activities into their daily routines to reduce the risk of future acts of terrorism taking place.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pakistan 05-12 06 Simly Dam image by Arnim Schulz from Fotolia.com
