Student Post #7

Mary Simmons

            When discussing the various agencies and organizations that work to protect the United States and its interests from terrorist attacks, it is important to note that they can be divided into two broad categories based on their general method of operation (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). Anti-terrorism organizations work from a defensive perspective and attempt to reduce the opportunity for and vulnerability to an attack, hence working to prevent acts of terror before they occur by making them too difficult to execute successfully. Counterterrorism organizations work from a more offensive posture which is slightly different in that they actively seek out threats and eliminate or redirect them before an attack occurs against people or property.  

            Organizations considered to be in the realm of anti-terrorism are more diverse, reaching into many different areas such as operations, personal security, physical security, and awareness training to lower the risk of terrorist acts occurring (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). The U.S. Department of Treasury is not an agency that one might commonly associate with this discussion. However, its Office for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence detects and monitors funds being used on a large scale for terrorist operations, weapons of mass destruction, and other threats. The Federal Bureau of Investigation works with the Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force to deny entry of foreigners who are suspected of participating in terrorism and locate those who are already in the United States to prosecute and deport them. Those who are in the country temporarily, have stayed too long, and are believed to be a threat are handled by the Terrorist Tracking and Pursuit group of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other organizations involved in terrorism defense include the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the military.  

            Many of the organizations involved in the offensive efforts of counterterrorism are associated with a branch of the military (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). Since warfare, raids, preemptive strikes, and other forms of direct action are often used, specially trained forces such as the Army’s Delta Force, 75th Ranger Regiment, and “Green Berets” and the Navy SEALs are prepared for these missions. The U.S. Special Operations Command oversees these specialty forces and coordinates their efforts. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also has a Hostage Rescue Team that is involved in these operations and the Central Intelligence Agency utilizes a Special Activities Division.  

            The true challenge may potentially lie in knowing which method of protection, or which agency specifically, is best for each situation. As Scripture describes in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and place for everything, including “a time for war, and a time for peace.” ( English Standard Bible, 2001/2011, Ecclesiastes 3:8) This makes it clear that there is a time for offense, and a time for defense. Discernment must be used by government leaders to determine which is best. Wisdom such as this is given by God freely to those who ask ( English Standard Bible, 2001/2011, James 1:5). This demonstrates the importance of having officials who are devoted to following God first and foremost.