Antiterrorism Tactics of the United States and Brittan

Running head: USA & Brittan

Antiterrorism tactics of the United States and Brittan

Justin R. Nichols

Political Science 3060

Alyson Durham, JD

June 30, 2011

Abstract

This examination will compare and contrast the anti terrorism techniques of the Untied States of America and the United Kingdom. This examination will delve into many aspects of these countries antiterrorism organizations. The first of these aspects will be structure, or how the organizations are structured within the government. Secondly, we will examine goals. What goals if any have these organizations set for themselves. Finally, we will examine the tactics, techniques, and policies these two countries use to fight terrorism. This paper will also suggest that these two countries along with others would do a better job fighting terrorism if they were to work together.

The United States and The United Kingdom are two of the most influential countries in the world. Each country has had to deal with international terrorist groups. However, the way they organize themselves to fight terrorism and the policies they use differ from each other. Some aspects of their strategy are very similar however some is not similar at all. We will begin by looking at each countries counter terrorism structure.

The United States of America has a very complex yet organized counter terrorism structure. It is in a linear order in which each organization answers to the one above it. At the top is the White house which has the Department Homeland and National security directly under it. Next in line is the Department of State. The Department of State has organizations such as the Anti Terrorist Assistance Program, and the Counterterrorism & Economic Sanctions Police. Next is the Department of Defense. Under the Department of Defense is the Defense Intelligence Agency.

The Department of Defense is also in charge of the United States war on terrorism. The next department is the Department of the Treasury. They have the Office of foreign Assets Control and the Office of Terrorist and Financial Intelligence. Next in the line is the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice is in charge of Counterterrorism training and Resources for law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation counterterrorism and the FBIs most wanted list. The list of offices goes on and on but the final major departments and offices are the Department of Homeland Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director for National Intelligence, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Agency for International Development. Next we will look at the structure in The United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom has a very similar structure. At the very top is the Parliament. Under the parliament is The Home Office. The home office "is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police." (Directgov) There are many groups that fall under The Home Office. These groups include the Science and research group, the Strategy and International Group (SIG), the Crime and Policing Group (CPG), the financial and Commercial Group, (F&C), the OFFICE OF Security and Counter - terrorism (OSCT), the Legal Advisors Branch (LAB), the Border Force (UKBA), Criminality and Detention(UKBA), the Immigration Group (UKBA), Intelligence(UKBA), Policy and Strategy(UKBA), Identity & Passport Service (IPS), and the Criminal Records Bureau(CRB). As you can see both countries have a very complex structure with many agencies and or groups that fall under a main office, which falls under the central government. The next aspect of counter-terrorism we will look at will be the goals the government has set out. We will begin with the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom the Office for security and counter-terrorism (OSCT) has laid out a list of their main responsibilities or goals. These responsibilities include "support the Home Secretary and other Minister in directing and implement CONTEST-the government's strategy for countering international terrorism." (Directgov). We will Discuss CONTEST more later when we delve into the United Kingdoms counter terrorism policies.

The United States of America has also has goals it has laid out for their fight against terrorism. The Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) has laid out their goals and objectives in their National Strategy for Combating Terrorism published in Februrary of 2003. In this report the CIA listed their goals and objectives when it comes to combating Terrorism. These goals include "Defeat terrorist and their organizations; deny sponsorship, support, and sanctuary to terrorist; deminish the underlying conditions that terrorist seek to exploit, and defend the U.S. citizens and interest at home and abroad" (CIA). The final aspect we will examine the tactics, techniques, and policies these two countries use to fight terrorism. Again we will begin with the United States of America.

The United States of America has taken a hard stance against all terrorism since September 11th 2001. President Bush stated in his now famous speech, "If you are not with us then you are against us." The terrorist attacks on our eastern seaboard gave our false sense of security a serious reality check. Since that day we have introduced many policies to help protect us from future terroristic threats. One of these techniques is to enforce economic sanctions against countries that support terrorist organizations. Under the Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic sanctions policy the United States of America, "Coordinates