Counterterrorism
484 Articles

The Failing Response to Violent Extremism in Africa – and the Need to Reform the International Approach
Militant groups recruit where predatory governments alienate youth, exclude vulnerable groups, and rule with violent impunity.

Preventing Violent Extremism in Africa: The Overlooked Role of Mayors and the Governments They Lead
As security-heavy tactics fail, a more localized strategy is needed to focus on socio-economic and political grievances that fuel extremism.

The UN’s Counterterrorism Office Wants a Seven-Fold Budget Increase. First, Tackle Underperformance and Risks.
Failure to act now on human rights shortfalls in an already well-funded area could expose the UN to repercussions from a record of repression.

Abusive “Counterterrorism” Crackdowns Choke Independent Civil Society in the Middle East
Abusive counterterrorism practices—whether in Saudi Arabia, Israel, or elsewhere—threaten fundamental norms and undermine the rule of law.

Oversight Reports Raise Questions About Value of DHS Counterterrorism Efforts
Twenty years after DHS was cobbled together in the wake of 9/11, it’s time to seriously examine which of its programs really protect us.

Five Years After “Unite the Right”: Reflections on Charlottesville for Today’s Threat Landscape
Charlottesville was a watershed moment in US politics and a wake-up call to the counterterrorism community. What lessons have been learned on how to counter white supremacist extremism?

What Was the International Legal Basis for the Strike on al-Zawahiri?
Serious questions need to be addressed in order to establish that both the killing of Zawahiri, and the use of force against Afghanistan, were not violations of international law.

In Support of Sunsets: Easy Yes Votes on AUMF Reform
Congress and the Biden administration should support inclusion of a reauthorization requirement in any new authorization for use of military force.

One Year On: Marking Progress on Biden’s Counter-Domestic Terrorism Strategy
Assessing progress on understanding, preventing, and disrupting threats, and on addressing long-term contributors.

Al-Kurdi Capture Raises Thorny Detention Issues
The capture raises a host of issues on detention and prosecution of terrorists in areas where the US does not have a large ground presence.

Still at War: The United States in Iraq
There are both benefits and risks to maintaining a U.S. military presence in Iraq.

Biden’s New Counterterrorism Policy in Somalia: Cautions and Unknowns
More information is needed to assess the strategic and legal basis for redeploying U.S. troops to Somalia.