Reference no: EM133486362

Question: Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City international terrorists announced to the world through their actions that they have the capabilities to conduct advanced forms of warfare against the United States and the world. The attacks on the World Trade Center also exposed several vulnerabilities and deficiencies of federal counterterrorism agencies and local law enforcement. In the next ten years, local law enforcement agencies will be faced with many challenges that must be addressed to combat terrorism. The biggest challenge will be the need to continually stay several steps ahead of the enemy in areas of finance, technology, recruitment, and imagination.

On a financial level the United States must dedicate adequate funds to training, resources, and personnel needed to investigate potential threats and combat acts of terror. Additionally, the United States government must cut off terrorist's avenues to procure funds that finance and supply them. In areas of technology, the counterterrorism strategy must evolve to equal the capabilities of extremist groups. Maintaining a physical presence in the digital landscape and monitoring social media is key to procuring intel on recruitment tactics and possible lone-wolf attacks inspired by international terrorist organizations. Finally, local law enforcement and other Joint Terrorist Task Forces must not fail to recognize the tenacity of motivated terrorists and the imaginative efforts put forth. Despite reports prior to 9/11, it was not imagined that terrorists would utilize commercial planes as mobile missiles to strike fear in the heart of an entire country. By failing to acknowledge the imagination of terrorist capabilities the next ten years could be challenging for local law enforcement.