Civilian Counterterrorism Capacity-Building Programs

Civilian Counterterrorism Capacity-Building Programs in 2016

As the terrorist threat has evolved and grown more geographically diverse in recent years, it has become clear that our success depends in large part on the political will and capabilities of our partners to counter terrorism. To succeed over the long term, we must have partners who can not only militarily disrupt threats and degrade networks in a way that comports with international laws and norms, but who have strong civilian capabilities, as well. We need law enforcement, justice sector, and corrections partners, who can disrupt attacks and investigate, arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate terrorists and their facilitation networks

The United States uses various funding authorities and programs to build the capacity of law enforcement, justice, and corrections officials to counter terrorism. The Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism oversees the following capacity-building programs: Antiterrorism Assistance, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Counterterrorism Engagement with Allies, the Regional Strategic Initiative, and the Terrorist Interdiction Program. For further information on these programs, we refer you to the Annual Report on Assistance Related to International Terrorism, Fiscal Year 2016: https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/267763.htm.

Civilian Counterterrorism Capacity-Building Programs Developments

Congress has appropriated additional funding for the Department of State's Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund. This funding will allow us to significantly expand civilian counterterrorism capacity-building activities with key partner nations in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, South and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and other regions as required to mitigate the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, prevent and counter terrorist safe havens and recruitment, and counter Iranian-sponsored terrorism.