FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing: The Future of Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Original title: THE FUTURE OF COUNTER- TERRORISM STRATEGY

January 1, 2017

counter-terrorism national security foreign policy ISIS al Qaeda military strategy

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing informs the development of future national security policies and government structures intended to address evolving terrorist threats, including lone-wolf attacks and radical ideology.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. National Security Agencies

These agencies are responsible for implementing the counter-terrorism strategies and coordination structures discussed by the committee.

Local populations in conflict zones

These populations are impacted by the transition of security responsibilities to local forces as territories are reclaimed from ISIS.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a hearing on December 1, 2016, to discuss how U.S. counter-terrorism strategies should evolve as ISIS loses territory in Iraq and Syria. Experts and senators examined the shift from territorial control to decentralized radicalization and discussed the need for improved government coordination.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on December 1, 2016, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The committee discussed the transition of ISIS from a territorial organization to one focused on inspiring violence and spreading ideology.
Senators noted recent terrorist-related incidents in Chattanooga, Orlando, San Bernardino, and Ohio State University.
The committee reviewed the status of military operations in Mosul and Raqqa.
The hearing focused on how the U.S. can better coordinate a 'whole-of-government' approach to counter-terrorism.
The committee examined the role of local security forces in maintaining stability in reclaimed territories.

Why It Matters

This hearing informs the development of future national security policies and government structures intended to address evolving terrorist threats, including lone-wolf attacks and radical ideology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main purpose of this hearing?

To gather expert insights on how the U.S. should adapt its counter-terrorism strategy as terrorist groups like ISIS lose territory and change their tactics.

Who testified at the hearing?

Juan C. Zarate of the Financial Integrity Network and Daniel Benjamin of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Shift in Counter-Terrorism Focus

The hearing highlights a strategic pivot from fighting territorial-based groups to addressing decentralized, ideology-driven 'lone wolf' threats.

ISIS al Qaeda

Connected Entities

personBenjamin L. Cardin“Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations”Map →

personJuan C. Zarate“Witness, Chairman and co-founder of the Financial Integrity Network”Map →

personBob Corker“Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations”Map →

organizationSenate Committee on Foreign Relations“Congressional committee conducting the hearing”Map →

personDaniel Benjamin“Witness, Director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understandin”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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