Terrorism Studies Programs Incorporate Terrorism Theory and Fundamentals of Counter-Terrorism
Introduction
United States counter-terrorism operations have been forefront in the public eye throughout the past few months, given the elaborate operation to finally hunt down Osama bin Laden. As has been reported across multiple channels, this operation relied upon patient intelligence-gathering and analysis from multiple agencies. Without collaboration from numerous sources this operation would never have come to fruition. This insight into intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism planning illustrates the importance of understanding both terrorism theory and the basic fundamentals of counter-terrorism, as one informs the other. In addition to understanding the basic underlying structure of a terrorist group, including where it originated and how it networks, professionals need to be equipped with theories and resources on how to combat terrorism – the essentials of counter-terrorism theory and practice. How a government formulates a counter-terrorism policy is directly dependent upon its analysis and view of the terrorist threat. Therefore, educational institutions that provide terrorism studies programs must teach both disciplines. This essay provides an overview of terrorism studies programs, an explanation of counter-terrorism, and then explains why terrorism studies programs must incorporate both counter-terrorism strategy as well as the theoretical underpinnings of terrorism.
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