A Fight Against Terrorism – and Disorganization

US government bureaucracy and spending has exploded since the 9/11 attacks five years ago. The US has spent almost $500 billion on counter-terrorism, and layers of protection that often overlap – which doesn’t include a burgeoning private security industry – yet many experts still question the country’s safety. Government agencies still clash and fight for turf. For example, the Central Intelligence Agency has opposed Pentagon plans to send US Special Forces in civilian dress to gather intelligence in countries friendly to the US. Analysts have come to realize that terrorism is much more widespread and diffuse than eliminating one group in Afghanistan or one leader in Iraq. "You'll never win unless you can get to the sources of radicalization,” said one counterterrorism official. A new National Implementation Plan, agreed to by more than 200 department and agency heads, decreases military dominance and increases “soft” power goals such as education, diplomacy and economic aid that change attitudes over time. The National Counterterrorism Center, a lead group that prepared the plan, strives to add transparency to the process and convince multiple agencies to cooperate, eliminating expensive confusion and competition. – YaleGlobal