Behind The Counterterrorism Center

The National Counterterrorism Center is staffed with top intelligence officers in constant contact with one another. The top-secret facility was set up to overcome the rivalries between intelligence agencies such as the CIA and FBI, which failed to share vital clues about the al Qaeda plot to attack the United States on Sept. 11.


What is counterterrorism?

Counterterrorism refers to the practices, tactics, and strategies that governments, militaries, and other groups adopt in order to fight terrorism. Counterterrorism is not specific to any one field or organization; rather, it involves entities from all levels of society. For instance, businesses have security plans and sometimes share commercial data with the government.

Click here for an interactive about the Sept. 11 Commission's findings and recommendations.

What does the National Counterterrorism Center do?

It is the nerve center of the war against terror. It is a 24/7 operations center where all the intelligence collected by 18 different agencies is supposed to come together. It serves as the central knowledge bank on known and suspected terrorists and international terror groups, as well as their goals, strategies, capabilities, and networks of contacts and support.

The center was created to conduct strategic operational planning for counterterrorism activities, integrating all instruments of national power, including diplomatic, financial, military, intelligence, homeland security, and law enforcement activities within and among agencies.

Who is the director?

On June 10, 2005, President Bush named Retired Vice Adm. John Scott Redd to lead the National Counterterrorism Center. Redd is a 36-year Navy veteran and was commander of the Navy's Fifth Fleet in the Middle East. Most recently, he served as deputy administrator and chief operating officer of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.

Redd reports directly to the President.

What role do the FBI and CIA play?

Carrying out the operational plans is left to the CIA, the FBI and Defense Department units, along with diplomats and Treasury Department officials where appropriate.

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Learn more about counterterrorism:

• Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism

• Take a look at the National Counterterrorism Center's Web site.

• Read more from The State Department's National Strategy for Combating Terrorism

• The Institute for Counter-Terrorism

• Executive Order National Counterterrorism Center

[paintviv]

Is there some kind of national suggestion box for the Institute for Counter Terrorism? I have some unusual ideas of my own to counter terrorism, and I am sure there are many other people who do as well. Who do I contact? Who would listen to me?

[dcgirl14]

So I live near NCTC and let me tell you what the traffic looked like going into that building this morning - hell! The backup was completely out of control because CBS exposed not only its existence, but it's location (CBS should be footing the taxpayer bill for the increased level of security required today). The fact that you showed part of the building WAS saying where it was. If US officials can figure out where Osama is in Afghanistan by recognizing the rock formation he is sitting in front of, then "they" can definitely figure out which building this is!!! How irresponsible! CBS News you should be ashamed of yourself and investigated for breach of national security!

[beatpestytex]

I was watching the O'Reilly Factor & saw Katie Couric would like an ending comment. Here it is. I would like to report that I will no longer be on TV since I'm so liberal that I can't give an unbiased opinion on anything. Therefore, any opinion I give is worthless. Good night to all of my liberal friends.

[jimmincy]

Jack Bauer Rules!

[bluesman60]

I watched cbs to see what Katie Couric had to say and won't be watching your socialist outfit again
Goodbye

[souprman_69]

I am glad that a place like this exist but, but upset that it's being publically displayed. Most of all the members being put on display. Being a part of the military the eliment of suprise is priceless in any battle.
This is one secret I feel that shoulda stayed Secret!Now the people we are trying to capture , kill or defeat can now start trying to figure ways around us (the pigeon and paper or regular mail.
I leave the people manning the post a Job well done and keep up the outstanding work!

[maresea]

I am a member of the Trauma Team nights at a major medical center in Boston MA and will retire in about 68 weeks. I would like to contribute to my country in any way that I can. Is there anything that I would be able to do in the counter terrorism agency. I am a registered nurse with a undergraduate degree in nursing. I consider myself an oberservant person with a keen sense of my surroundins probably from years of working with patients in the operating room. I feel that you may think that this is crazy, but, I have found in life that it never hurts to ask. I hope you continue to be successful and support all that you do. Mary Poitras [e-mail]

[edwmik]

I just saw the counterterrorism piece on the 6 o'clock news with Katie Couric.

I found it unbeliveable that you would show such a piece. ALL the "bad guys" watched it also. They will try to see something that they can use against us. There was a display screen shown filled with writing that the "bad Guys" will have the technology to freeze/blow up and see what was on the screen.


The fact that the center is not completely manned yet is NOT an important fact for the regular public - but for the "bad guys" was probably good to know.

There were several things I noticed that the "bad guys" would find interesting and I wasn't even looking hard.

Under the auspices of "informing the public", I think you have been irresponsible and compromised our national security.