Counterterrorism
516 Articles
Addressing Our Whole-of-Government Deficit in National Security
From Russ Travers who retired in July 2020 after a 42-year career in the Intelligence Community, having served in senior positions across multiple intelligence organizations --…
The Risks of Relying on Counterterrorism Laws to Reduce Wartime Sexual Violence
Proponents risk legitimizing abusive laws and procedures and undermining broader efforts to advance equality and human rights protection for women.
Defending Human Rights Is Not Terrorism: The Egypt Arrests as a Case in Point
The UN's global counterterrorism system creates a permissive and enabling environment that sustains and facilitates abuse of rights defenders,
A Path for Renewing Guantanamo Closure
Although closing the 20-year-old detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) may not be a marquee issue among the many significant challenges Joe Biden will face as president…
Plan to Pull U.S. Troops from Somalia is Cold Comfort Amid Civilian Toll of Air War
AFRICOM insists its aim is to ‘degrade’ al-Shabaab. But the US military campaign is taking a heavy toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Militarized Counterterrorism in Africa: Moving Beyond a Failed Approach
Leading with a heavy military response, particularly when government partners are repressive, ultimately makes things worse. The need for a new approach is clear. It should focus…
The Necessity of Enforcing Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Context of Counterterrorism
International legal norms risk marginalization in the rush to embrace ill-defined counterterrorism standards in multiple settings.
Investigation Highlights Transparency Need on US, UK Roles in Kenyan Counterterrorism
If true, the cases further spotlight the doublespeak by the US and the UK on accountability for security force abuses in Kenya.
Great Power Competition Versus Counterterrorism: A False Dichotomy
Not only are these strategic priorities not necessarily at odds with one another, but in fact, they often overlap and complement each other.
GIFCT: Possibly the Most Important Acronym You’ve Never Heard Of
The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) raises questions about who decides what counts as terrorism or the even more loosely defined extremism.
What a Few Cakes Say About the US Drone Program
Fondant creations on cakes - yes cakes - provide a rare window into a largely closed culture of national security policymaking. Their creation in 2013, publication, and re-emergence…
Repatriating ISIS Family Members: A North Macedonia Model?
One of the smallest members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS has adopted a comprehensive plan to bring home its citizens from squalid camps in Syria.