Summary

Combating Terrorism: Issues in Managing Counterterrorist Programs

T-NSIAD-00-145  April 6, 2000

Full Report (PDF, 15 pages)   

One of the major shortcomings in federal efforts to combat terrorism is the lack of linkage among the terrorist threat, a national strategy, and agency resources. Improvements are also needed in intergovernmental relations at the federal, state, and local levels. The reality is that the federal government cannot respond on its own to terrorist attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons. The Gilmore Panel, which issued its first report last year, found may of the same problems that GAO has cited, including the need for (1) more rigorous analyses of the threat, (2) better management of federal programs, (3) stronger coordination with state and local officials, and (4) a national strategy to combat terrorism.

Subject Terms

Biological warfare
Chemical warfare
Combating terrorism
Defense contingency planning
Domestic intelligence
Emergency preparedness
Homeland security
Intergovernmental relations
Internal controls
Terrorism
Weapons of mass destruction
DOD Domestic Preparedness Program