Enhancing U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts - The Role of State and Local Actors

After more than a decade of revamping the United States counterterrorism apparatus, there remains critical work to be done. Swelling budgets and added components of government bureaucracy are tools of the past thatshould be left behind. The United States must marshal the resources of state and local governments to supplement and augment robust federal counterterrorism efforts in the face of an ever-changing threat. In orderto ensure the best counterterrorism enterprise for protecting the homeland, leaders in Washington must pursue better partnerships with state and local counterparts while also streamlining federal coordination. Leveragingthe strengths of the U.S. federalist system is the best path to enhancing U.S. counterterrorism and protecting long-term U.S. interests.