Counterterrorism and Policing

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Weiner. The terrorism threat environment in the United States has evolved considerably in the 20 years since 9/11. Today’s threat is ideologically diverse, tactically unsophisticated, geographically dispersed, and driven by a combination of digital catalysts and local threat actors. The threat has evolved from one that is primarily external in origin and nature to one that is primarily homegrown and domestic—and driven by online radicalization that turns into real-world violence. This change has required different strategies and approaches from the counterterrorism community. Law enforcement, and in particular police, play a growing role in countering terrorism. This course will examine: the evolution of the terrorism threat in the United States since 9/11; the role that the digital realm has played in changing the threat landscape; some of the challenges and opportunities in policing terrorism; and how the various structures that developed since 9/11 have had to adapt to meet the changed threat.