Mitigating and Preventing Terrorism

            Terrorism has become an accepted way of life for some people and governments. Having lived with terrorism for so long, it seems the most natural way of life. On the other hand, some governments never think about terrorism and there are people who are sure that "it cannot happen here." The most prudent course is for governments to recognize the threat of terrorism, inform the citizens and take the proper actions to prevent terrorists' acts. If unsuccessful in preventing terrorism, government should mitigate its effects through concerted, well-orchestrated actions.

A Counter Terrorism Model 

            A counter terrorism model would involve the following elements:

                        Intelligence

                        Threat Analysis

                        Operational, Physical and Personal Security Measures

                        Authority and Jurisdiction Decisions

                        Planning for Crisis Management

                        Incident Occurs

                        Performing Crisis Management 

            Gathering intelligence about terrorist groups, their objectives, their members and their plans are vital to preventing their actions. The most important need is to determine when a group will carry out a specific act. So far we have not been very successful at this, primarily due to a lack of good human intelligence and the proliferation due of terrorist groups. Although human intelligence is perhaps the most valuable, it is also the most costly in terms of time, expenses and the possibility of losing the agent who has penetrated the terrorist group. Signals intelligence, the   interception of radio and telephone traffic, and photo intelligence are important pieces in the intelligence-gathering puzzle.

            When a crisis occurs, you need up to the minute information quickly. In some   cases, this information can be garnered from the media services. They often have good access through correspondents who are familiar with the local area.  Threat analysis is the second element of the counter terrorism model. Using either historical or fictitious cases, can assist planners in thinking of all possible cases.

            Operational, physical and personal security measures must be constantly evaluated to find ways to improve them. The United States has recently upgraded security at its embassies, worldwide, through the use of such methods as flowerpots and fountains arranged to prevent a car from getting close to the building. Terrorist organizations frequently have sympathizers in sensitive positions, so personal security measures, such as bodyguards, are important. Special considerations must be given to advanced technologies available to the terrorist. For instance, airport security checks and mechanical searches do not do well against a terrorist armed with plastic guns or plastics explosives. Antiterrorism work involves knowledge of these new technologies and how they can be used in terrorist incidents.

            Advanced planning for crisis management will ensure that questions of authority and jurisdiction are worked before an incident. Each agency, group or person with a role in crisis management should understand the role itself, duties of the role, limits of authority and extent of responsibility. Nothing is more confusing during a crisis than to have different agencies all trying to handle the same function while other jobs go undone. Advanced planning will make the difficult   task of managing the crisis once it occurs that much easier.

            Planning includes an evaluation of the potential threats:

                        Analysis of Available Resources

                        Development

                        Maintenance

                        Evaluation of the Plan 

            Often various agencies within a government fight each other in "turf battles" rather than work together to fight the threat. One way to lessen this factor of  "turfdom" is to use "Counter Vulnerability Planning (CVP)." In this concept each agency responds to another in formulating a detailed plan to be used in case of emergency. The focus is on critical points, such as communications, transportation and power. Focusing on a specific critical point helps each agency plan what they   must do to ensure that proper action is taken.

            Obviously there must be some management system. Some governments use   their existing framework and personnel while others appoint a special manager to take charge. Remember that the person who will function on the crisis team should be involved from the beginning steps of planning. For instance, if the mayor is the crisis team chief, then he or she needs to be the one practicing and approving the total planning effort. Most governments will choose someone other than the prime elected official so that one person can devote the time necessary to ensure that proper plans are made.

            Preventing terrorist actions involves a series of measures. One is to create a   layered defense, such as concrete vases outside to prevent entry of a vehicle along with staggered doors and multiple entries guarded by different people. Reinforce the physical obstacles, which are erected. Well-protected facilities not only decrease vulnerability to attacks, they also make it less likely for terrorists to attack them in the first place.

            Adequate weapons, appropriate to the task at hand, are essential in preventing terrorism. Unfortunately, machine guns, which have been used against terrorists, can end up killing innocent bystanders. There is no reason to use machine guns in a crowed facility, like an airport.

            Mind set of both the guards and the people who are being protected can aid in the prevention of terrorist actions. Guards must possess mental toughness and must be able to think like the terrorists they are working against. The person being protected must realize that the threat is serious without being afraid to go on with carefully chosen activities. Complacency is the worst enemy of protecting people from terrorist attacks and prevention is the best defense. Those who need protection can help themselves by taking several simple actions. First, they should never leave for work at the same time. Second, they should give no clues they are about to leave for work and they should not leave by the same door. Cars, which are frequently blown up by terrorists, should be kept in a safe place, started and moved before entry of the person being protected.

            The money supply, essential to pay for terrorist supplies and hired agents, should be interdicted by whatever methods the government is able to take. Stopping the cash flow to terrorist groups can be as effective as turning off the spotlight created by the media.

            Governments must be willing to take a stand against terrorism to prevent it from occurring. A firmly worded public policy statement shows both the citizens and terrorist groups that the government is serious in its efforts. Be sure your actions speak the same message that is being given verbally. Many governments make loud protestations about their stand against terrorism, yet their actions indicate otherwise. The European community has yet to be united in any action against terrorism inspire of all their accords and meetings condemning it.

            The next step is to take proactive measures and go after the terrorist groups. Waiting until terrorist groups have struck first is an invitation for disaster. Terrorists have a way of matching retaliation with further retaliatory actions of their own. Preemptive actions against training areas and known safe houses, cutting off money conduits, drying up sympathy among the populace and similar actions will be the most successful in the long run.

            One tool in taking proactive measures against terrorists is the "KOMMISAR" an outstanding computer support system created by the German government. Other governments are able to use this database in their own efforts to fight terrorism. Displaying wanted signs is a way to let terrorists know a particular government is after them.

            The uniqueness of terrorism demands that governments have specially trained    police and/or military units to assist in actions against terrorists. These units must be precisely trained, fearless in performance and backed up by the government. They need to be equipped properly with supplies propositioned wherever there are likely critical targets. Specially trained antiterrorism units exist in several American cities. These are kept active at all times, ready to respond should a crisis occur.

            Prevention also involves maintaining surveillance on known terrorists. Once a terrorist is chosen as a target for action, use professionals to go after that person or that group. Other proactive steps include exchange of intelligence with other antiterrorist groups or agencies, elimination of training areas and elimination of safe havens.

            One of the greatest hindrances to effective actions against terrorism is the lack of a terrorist "mind set". "Normal" people seem to think more humanely than the terrorist. Some governments are unprepared to deal with the terrorist or unwilling to take a stand for fear of reprisals, yet it is that very fear which may cause more attacks.

            Taking terrorist prisoners may seem like a good idea, but that action typically leads to more attacks to free the captives. A get tough attitude has been shown to be the most effective. Governments must begin to change their mind set to realize how a terrorist thinks and then to take tough, well thought out actions. Citizens must be informed so they can understand what must be done to eliminate the threat.

Strategy and Tactics for Winning Multinational Response 

             Governments support terrorist groups to avoid  engaging in violent actions for which they would be criticized by other countries. Isolating countries that sponsor terrorism can be an effective weapon in the war against terrorism. Use international meetings as a forum to discuss terrorism and actions that can be taken to prevent it or mitigate its effects.

            The development of a strong, special purpose force, specially trained and equipped to fight terrorism, is vital. As we saw in the Achille Lauro Incident, coordinating response between the Special Forces units of different countries can make or break an operation. No one government can have all the tools needed to fight terrorism. Therefore, each must cooperate with others. The British have an outstanding military force, the SAS that can deal very effectively with terrorists.    Your plans might include using the SAS after coordinating with the British government to obtain their services. COBRA (Combat office Briefing Room) functions effectively as the British nerve center to fight terrorism. The German government has an outstanding computer support system, "KOMMISAR." Each country should contact GSG_9 in Germany to obtain information and, if    needed, outstanding antiterrorist teams.

            Storing needed supplies and equipment at predestinated points is an element in the war against terrorism. Too often, however, countries get lax about security of these supplies. Terrorists using your own weapons against you in an attack is a grim idea, but possible without tight security of supplies. 

            Education of the populace will help mitigate the effects of a terrorist attack. However, history is replete with examples of people who had been trained, but did not do what they knew they should because "it could not happen to them". Ask Brigadier General Dozier, the US Army General who was kidnapped in Verona, Italy. Too many similar cases exist. Vigilance must be maintained when in a terrorist threat area or during a time of increased watchfulness.

            Governments must have a tough mindset when it comes to mitigating and preventing terrorism. Prime Minister Trudeau used a tough policy with French Canadian separatists putting them in jail at every opportunity. Within six months, those terrorist activities had stopped. You will need all the strategies, equipment and resources your country can muster to fight terrorism. It's a war. Treat is as such.

             Should you desire a more extensive listing of counter-terrorist units, they are listed as an below.

Elite Forces and Counter Terrorism

            It is clear that in an effort to combat terrorism, every country responsible to its citizenry has had to raise a special force trained with specific talents and capabilities required in that new battle. As you might imagine, today's counter terrorist units, are also among the world's elite military teams. Thus we are able to list both the Elite Military Teams with the clear knowledge that from these ranks are chosen those who would be combatants in the war against terrorism.

            Little is known about the makeup or techniques employed at any given time, so we choose not to speculate beyond what has been made public over the course of the last ten to fifteen years. We are sure these elite military teams are at the cutting edge of technology, techniques and weaponry.

            Below is listed the known Special Forces units in the world. It is noted when it is thought the primary or secondary mission of the unit is counter terrorism, but as was noted earlier, all these units can be called upon to donate members for training in counter terrorism, or may in fact be part of or support of a force performing counter terrorism activities.

Name                              Mnemonic              Country                      Description

Alpine Troops                     Alpine                Italy                                Special Forces

Army Special Forces   TSF                   Thailand                      Special Forces, Cntr Terr.

Army Special Forces   USSF*                 USA                                  Special Forces, Cntr. Terr.

Carabinieri                       CAB                   Italy                                Counter Terrorism

Death Volunteers        VPLA                  Vietnam                     Special Forces

Delta Force                       Delta                 U.S. Army                            Counter Terrorism,S.F.

Federal Bur.of Inv.      FBI                   U.S.                                 Counter Terrorism Dept.

French Foreign Legion FFL                   France                               Special Forces, Cntr Terr.

 (234 Regiment Estranger d'Infantrie)

French Internal Secu. DSGE                  France                               Internal Security

Gurkhas Field Force   1/7GR                 Nepal/UK                     Special Forces, Cntr Terr.    

Grenzschutzgruppen 9  GSG_9             FDG                            Counter Terrorism

Israeli 269 Counter_  UNIT                  Israel                               Counter Terrorism,S.F.

Terrorist Unit

L. Amph. Recon Comm.  LRARC     Taiwan                         UDT, S.F., Cntr. Terr.

Naval Infantry                    NI                    USSR **                    Special Forces

9/10 Para. Reg.                   9th/10th          India                                Para Special Forces

Paratroop                         le Paras  France                               Special Forces, Cntr Terr.

Rangers Recon                     Recon                 U.S.                                 Special Forces, paratroops

San Marco Marines     MARO`               Italy                                UDT, Special Forces

Special Air Service      SAS                   Australia                     Counter Terrorism,S.F.

Special Air Service      SAS                   U.K.                                 Counter Terrorism,S.F.

Special Boat Sqdn.      SBS                   U.K.                                 UDT, Special Forces

Special Forces             JSF                  Jordan                               Special Forces, Cntr Terr.

Special Forces             KSF                   Korean                              Special Forces, Cntr Terr

Special Service Force  SFS                   Canada                               Counter Terrorism,S.F.

SEAL Team Six         SEALs                 U.S. Navy                            Counter Terrorism,S.F

Special Operations    SOG                   Spain                                Anti Terrorism

  Group/pre

Spetsnaz                          Spetz                 USSR **                    Special Forces, Cntr Terr.

US Navy Seals           SEALs                US *                                 UDT, S.F., Cntr Terr

* =Following the disastrous Iranian Hostage Rescue attempt, U.S. special forces has been going through a series of major changes. U.S. Special Forces from all services are now combined in the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

** =The breakup of the former Soviet Union has had demonstrative effects upon all facets of the Soviet military. The remaining Confederation of Russian States has absorbed much of the military units of the former USSR. It is not clear which country has kept Spetsnaz, but odds are that the units are now part of a Special Forces team in Russia. Whether the reporting structure is to Yeltsin as the leader of Russia, or to Yeltsin as the leader of the Confederation, it is clear that if such a unit exists, we can probably figure who has the ultimate authority over their activities.

Treaties and Cooperative Organizations

            TREVI (Terrorism, Radicalism, and Violence International), Permanent police liaison structure in the EEC member states of Western Europe. Members are all EEC nations except Ireland, plus Israel and Switzerland.

            Hijack Pact between U.S. and Cuba, "...return aircraft, crews, passengers, and hijackers."

            Bonn Summit in 1978 agreed to sanctions against states which aided and abetted the hijacking of aircraft. Countries agreeing were U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and West Germany.

Training

            As can be seen from the foregoing, units and activities must be trained for the job they are called upon to accomplish. Their training is very specialized. However, each unit should train with several principals in mind. These are:

Training of emergency services personnel in counter-terrorism should include: