Counterterrorism

Counterterrorism - Comparing Bush and Obama. The policies of President Bush and President Obama were more aligned than some think in the counterterrorism effort. While President Obama wanted to withdraw from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - reality hit him square in the face. In addition, his efforts to close Guantanamo's prison for terrorists hit a roadblock as well as the reality of capturing terrorists in 'ungoverned areas' complicated internment practices and extradition to other nations. Read more in  "When It Comes to Counterterrorism, Why Bush and Obama Aren't So Far Apart", National Public Radio, October 30, 2015.

Drone Papers. The Intercept recently published articles on the drone programs used by the U.S. to kill terrorists and high-level combatants in Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and other places. There are critics and defenders of the program. Read "The Drone Papers: Intercepting the Nonsense", Lawfare Blog, October 27, 2015.

Updated DoDD 5205.15. The Department of Defense Directive DoD Counter Threat Finance (CTF) Policy (DoDD 5205.14), dated August 19, 2010 has been updated with changes effective October 21, 2015. The directive establishes DoD policy and assigns DoD responsibilities for countering financing used to engage in terrorism, illicit trafficking networks, and related activities that support an adversary's ability to negatively affect U.S. interests.
www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/520514p.pdf

Hesitant to Say 'Islamic Terrorism'. The Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, seems to be reluctant to say the words 'Islamic Terrorism' - as if it didn't exist. Read more in a news report by CNS News, October 30, 2015.

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