NCJ Number
219392
Date Published
February 2004
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report provides evaluation results of selected characteristics in national strategies related to counter-terrorism efforts.
Abstract
The General Accounting Office (GAO) office found wide variation in the extent to which their seven identified strategies were used by agencies to combat terrorist threats. However, the majority of strategies at least partially addressed the desirable characteristics, which are described below. None of the strategies under examination, however, addressed all of the elements of resources, investments, and risk management or integration and implementation. Improvements could be made to strategies that did include the desirable characteristics. For example, while most strategies addressed goals and specific objectives, they did not address priorities, milestones, or performance measures. Additionally, the strategies under examination were organized in a rough hierarchy with the National Security strategy used as an overarching strategy for national security while the Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism strategies provided a more specific, defensive approach to counter-terrorism. Although national strategies are not required, the GAO identified a set of desirable characteristics to aid agencies in developing and implementing counter-terrorism strategies: (1) purpose, scale, and methodology; (2) problem definition and risk assessment; (3) goals, subordinate objectives, activities, and performance measures; (4) resources, investments, and risk management; (5) organizational roles, responsibilities, and coordination; and (6) integration and implementation. Each of these desirable characteristics are described in turn followed by a discussion of the ultimate value of these strategies in combating terrorism at the national, State, and local levels. Tables, figures, footnotes, appendixes