6 September 2002

COUNTRY IS NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET: PREVENTION STRATEGIES ARE CRITICAL TO THWARTING TERRORISM
VIEWPOINT by Dr. Saul B. Wilen

The United States is at war with a foreign enemy, but for the first time since the Revolutionary War 226 years ago, the battleground is America's homeland soil, as was shockingly learned on Sept. 11.

Recent warnings from the FBI and the White House indicate that the next attack on our homeland will occur and is expected at any time. America remains unprepared. Now is the time for government leaders to fully focus their attention on preventing another devastating and crippling terrorist act.

This enemy is different. It acts with anonymity, fervor, and as though it was invisible. This enemy strikes at will using previously unthinkable weapons, against targets with total disregard for any human life, and then disappears into the background protected by a well organized, world-wide network of supporters. The targets are chosen from a global array, but the choicest are those directly in the American homeland. These targets are meant to permanently disrupt the routine functions and economy of the United States and produce fear due to vulnerability and insecurity.

However, this enemy has flaws and America must learn to detect and exploit them. These flaws will ultimately lead to their defeat. Some of the flaws have already been defined, while others will take time to unmask. Although the fundamental intent of today's terrorists has changed from those of the past, they continue to tell the world - in advance - of their plans. Individuals continue to brag about their triumphs and accomplishments, and extol their future deeds.

America's previous posture of ignoring or minimizing these pronouncements can no longer be the status quo. All information must be considered. Systems to integrate all of this data in real-time must be developed and become operationally established as soon as possible.

History is an amazing teacher as has been attested to for centuries by successful generals who have studied and used the tactics developed by generals of the past. The most significant lessons are learned from the mistakes. It is the duty of government to admit to its mistakes and failures and work diligently to prevent any repetition, and use them as the lessons to build stronger operating foundations.

The prevention process is defined by the innovative use and evaluation of information and resources employing strategically designed real-time horizontal data integration technologies to support the initiation of action. Real-time effective communication serves as the foundation allowing for decision-making and response preparedness. Integral to any program or system is personnel education and training processes that guarantee consistency and thoroughness of operation, understanding of policies and procedures, operational effectiveness, and motivation to apply problem solving and critical thinking to actual or potential threats. Multiple competing systems are not part of the solution but only contribute to enhancing the existing chaos. The goal is to use information, communication and education as a powerful prevention tool.

Awareness of potential targets, terrorists, and threats must be determined and incorporated in the creation of any system that supports prevention. Consideration of the wide spectrum of implications and public impact imperatives are essential. Dynamic and multi-directional communication concepts and processes are major considerations. Systems that incorporate horizontal data integration utilize and share vital information in real-time for effective planning and assessment. This, when coupled with strategic resources management will produce effective decisions and actions. Any response should first consider prevention and early detection, and the avoidance of uninformed, counterproductive tendencies. The expected results include:

• Limiting the extent and consequences of potential threats;
• Preventing and containing panic;
• Optimizing the performance of participating personnel; and
• Allocating, re-allocating and managing resources.

Prevention is mandatory to defend against terrorism because:

• America remains unprepared for the next terrorist attack;
• America's primary strategy has been reaction to an attack and the subsequent recovery;
• America does not have the resources to support a reaction strategy.
• America lacks a coherent, unified direction or prevention plan to deal with terrorism.
• America's efforts are fragmented and interagency communication, cooperation and sharing are essentially non-existent.
• Americans view government actions with mistrust and are becoming progressively disengaged from the terrorism process.
• The U.S. government is not providing Americans with the information to understand the unwavering determination of the terrorists and their motivations for America as the target.
• The terrorists have targeted American society, security, and safety with the intent to disrupt daily activities and economic stability through fear, vulnerability and diversion of resources.
• America has failed to learn prevention from the lessons of history and this failure will result in catastrophe.
• America has neglected to establish the necessary partnerships of the people, the government and the private sector.
• The terrorists have the advantage of time and the choices of threats and targets.
• America believes that it is helpless against these terrorist advantages (this is totally untrue) having chosen to bypass revention and support primarily the strategies of reaction.
• The stakes for America (global, survival, societal, ideological, and economic) are immense.

All Americans must be part of the information and communication efforts. To accomplish this, appropriate education of the citizenry in general must be undertaken.

Thomas Paine in 1776 described those engaged in the war for independence as "the summer soldiers and sunshine patriots who will not shrink from the service of our country."

Throughout American history law enforcement agencies have depended on input from individuals in the community to help solve crimes. Why should we expect less of the American people during this time of war?

Americans want to participate and should be trusted and trained to serve as prevention foot soldiers. The American people are the partisans and therefore should actively participate in the terrorism prevention process.

America has the ability to win the global war on terrorism, but America also has the ability to unnecessarily lose it. Prevention strategies and prevention systems are available. Prevention strategies are the most critical and effective elements for success against terrorism.

Dr. Saul B. Wilen is president and CEO of International Horizons Unlimited - www.intlhorizons.com, (210) 692-1268] - a think-tank on terrorism prevention in San Antonio, Texas. He serves on the U.S. Secret Service Task Force on Electronic Crimes and Terrorism; on the U.S. Department of Commerce Critical Infrastructure Working Group on Community Structure for Crisis Management, Planning, Preparedness and Recovery; and as a consultant to the Best Practices Institute of the National Governors' Association.

© 2002 American City Business Journals Inc.