Second Annual Report: Toward a National Strategy for Combating Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 189850
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 191 pages
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation; US Dept of Defense, Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; US Dept of Defense, Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislative Hearing/Committee Report
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded August 10, 2001

Annotation

This document provides findings and recommendations by an advisory panel to address the threat of a terrorist attack.

Abstract

Findings indicate that the United States (U.S.) has no coherent, functional national strategy for combating terrorism. The next President should develop and present to the Congress a national strategy for combating terrorism within one year of assuming office. The organization of the Federal Government’s programs for combating terrorism is fragmented, uncoordinated, and politically unaccountable. The next President should establish a National Office for Combating Terrorism in the Executive Office of the President. The Congress shares responsibility for the inadequate coordination of programs to combat terrorism. The Congress should consolidate its authority over programs for combating terrorism into a Special Committee for Combating Terrorism and congressional leadership should instruct all other committees to respect the authority of this new committee and to conform strictly to authorizing legislation. The Executive Branch and the Congress have not paid sufficient attention to State and local capabilities for combating terrorism and have not devoted sufficient resources to augment these capabilities to enhance the preparedness of the Nation as a whole. The Executive Branch should establish a strong institutional mechanism for ensuring the participation of high-level State and local officials in the development and implementation of a national strategy for terrorism preparedness. Federal programs for domestic preparedness to combat terrorism lack clear priorities and are deficient in numerous specific areas. Specific recommendations are to collect intelligence, assess threats, and share information; provide operational coordination; train, equip, and exercise resources; evaluate health and medical considerations; establish research and development, and national standards; and provide cyber security against terrorism. Appendices