Counterterrorism & Countering Violent Extremism International Coalition Unit
An operational unit of the Global Initiatives Division, developing international frameworks to prevent terrorism and counter violent extremism — combining law enforcement cooperation, intelligence sharing, and prevention programs that address the radicalization pathways that lead to political violence before they produce attacks.
Mission & Operational Scope
Preventing Terrorism Through Both Enforcement and Prevention
Terrorism is a transnational challenge that requires transnational responses. Terrorist organizations recruit across borders, finance operations through international networks, and exploit ungoverned spaces in multiple countries. Effective counterterrorism requires the intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation, and financial disruption frameworks that allow nations to work together against threats that no single nation can address alone. But enforcement alone is insufficient — the radicalization pathways that produce terrorists must also be addressed through prevention programs that identify and support individuals at risk before they commit to violence.
This coalition develops the international frameworks that combine robust law enforcement cooperation with evidence-based prevention programs — addressing both the immediate threat and the conditions that generate it.
Governing Doctrine
Frameworks & Standards
- UN Global CT StrategyUN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy — comprehensive international framework addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, prevention, capacity building, and human rights
- UN SC Res. 2178UN Security Council Resolution 2178 — binding framework for preventing foreign terrorist fighter travel and addressing the threat of returning fighters
- FATF CT FinancingFATF Counter-Terrorist Financing Standards — international framework for disrupting the financial networks that fund terrorist organizations
- Christchurch CallChristchurch Call to Action — international framework for eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content online through government-platform cooperation
Operational Capabilities
Six Core Functions
01
Intelligence Sharing Frameworks
Develop international intelligence sharing frameworks for counterterrorism — establishing the legal authorities, data protection standards, and operational protocols that allow intelligence agencies to share threat information across borders while protecting sources and methods.
02
Terrorist Financing Disruption
Develop international frameworks for terrorist financing disruption — strengthening FATF standards, developing cryptocurrency tracking protocols, and building the cross-border asset freezing mechanisms that cut off the financial flows that sustain terrorist organizations.
03
Preventing Violent Extremism Programs
Develop international frameworks for preventing violent extremism — establishing the evidence-based program standards, community engagement models, and online radicalization intervention protocols that identify and support individuals at risk before they commit to violence.
04
Foreign Terrorist Fighter Management
Develop international frameworks for foreign terrorist fighter management — establishing the prosecution standards, rehabilitation programs, and reintegration frameworks that address the challenge of individuals who traveled to conflict zones and returned to their home countries.
05
Online Terrorist Content Removal
Develop international frameworks for online terrorist content removal — establishing the platform cooperation standards, hash-sharing protocols, and government-industry coordination mechanisms that prevent terrorist organizations from using social media for recruitment and incitement.
06
CT Capacity Building for Fragile States
Develop international counterterrorism capacity building frameworks for fragile states — providing the legal framework assistance, law enforcement training, and border security support that helps states with limited capacity prevent their territory from being used as terrorist safe havens.