1/11 The 2018 NDS prioritized strategic competition, but DoD is still struggling to turn the page on counterterrorism. I’ve got a new paper out with @CNASdc on the need to develop a SecDef level strategy for conducting a sustainable CT mission. https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/a-resource-sustainable-strategy-for-countering-violent-extremist-organizations

2/11 There are at least three ongoing, but unaligned reviews that could have implications for how DoD pursues the CT mission. There is no top-level vision of how DoD can achieve a sustainable steady state that successfully balances risks and resources.

3/11 The main sustainability issues are with readiness, especially for SOF and also in terms of some of the enabling platforms that are still dedicated to CT.

4/11 4Money is less of an issue overall, but we still may be spending more than we need to on CT, at least given the threat and other priorities.

5/11 In the paper, I recommend DoD take several steps.

6/11 First, DoD should create a standardized, universal list of terrorist groups, prioritize them based on threats to US, and assign a specific mission depending on priority. I know... you think they'd have done this by now.

7/11 Second, I propose a comprehensive framework for balancing risks and resources for CT missions.

8/11 Third, DoD should assess the resources dedicated to the overall CT mission in relation to the terrorism risks that the DoD is prepared to accept. Adjust missions and resources accordingly.

9/11 Fourth, develop a process for conducting a net assessment of the overarching mission and the individual missions that make up its component parts.

10/11 Fifth, conduct contingency planning for where DoD plans to scale back its CT efforts.

11/11 These steps require investing intellectual capital in CT so we can right-set that mission and focus on priorities, while mitigating the potential for terrorism-related developments that kill Americans or otherwise throw us off course.