Combating
Terrorism: Evaluation of Selected Characteristics of National
Strategies Related to Terrorism
by
Randall A. Yim, managing director, homeland security and justice
issues, before the
Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and
International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform.
GAO-04-408T,
February 3, 2004.
Why GAO did this study
Following the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, the Bush
administration developed and
published seven national strategies
that relate, in part or in whole, to
combating terrorism and homeland
security.
These were the:
- National Security Strategy of
the United States of America.
- National Strategy for
Homeland Security.
- National Strategy for
Combating Terrorism.
- National Strategy to Combat
Weapons of Mass Destruction.
- National Strategy for the
Physical Protection of Critical
Infrastructure and Key Assets.
- National Strategy to Secure
Cyberspace.
- 2002 National Money
Laundering Strategy.
In view of heightened concerns
about terrorism and homeland
security, GAO was asked to identify
and define the desirable
characteristics of an effective
national strategy and to evaluate
whether the national strategies
related to terrorism address those
characteristics. The purpose of this
testimony is to report on GAO’s
findings on this matter.
What
GAO found
National strategies are not required by either executive
or legislative mandate to address a single, consistent set
of characteristics.
However,
based on a review of numerous sources, GAO identified a set
of desirable
characteristics to aid responsible parties in further developing
and
implementing the strategies—and to enhance their usefulness
in resource
and policy decisions and to better assure accountability. The
characteristics
GAO identified are: (1) purpose, scope, and methodology; (2)
problem
definition and risk assessment; (3) goals, subordinate objectives,
activities,
and performance measures; (4) resources, investments, and risk
management; (5) organizational roles, responsibilities, and coordination;
and
(6) integration and implementation.
GAO found considerable variation in the extent to which the seven
strategies
related to combating terrorism and homeland security address
the desirable
characteristics. A majority of the strategies at least partially
address the
six characteristics. However, none of the strategies addresses
all of the
elements of resources, investments, and risk management; or integration
and implementation. Even where the characteristics are addressed,
improvements could be made. For example, while the strategies
identify
goals, subordinate objectives, and specific activities, they
generally do not
discuss or identify priorities, milestones, or performance measures— elements
that are desirable for evaluating progress and ensuring effective
oversight. On the whole, the National Strategy for Homeland
Security and the National Strategy for the Physical Protection
of Critical
Infrastructure and Key Assets address the greatest number
of desirable
characteristics, while the National Security Strategy and
the National
Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction address the
fewest.
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