As a sin of omission, the Iraq war diverted massive and much-needed resources from the fight against jihadists. The continued unrest in Iraq will further delay any U.S. effort to create a new international coalition to confront Syria’s and Iran’s support for terrorist activities, a point not lost on Damascus and Tehran. As a result, they may do everything in their power to further bog down U.S. efforts in Iraq. Ironically, the war in Iraq has contributed to creating the breathing room Syria and Iran so desperately needed to avoid a robust international action response to their terrorist activities. Despite these many challenges, the battle against the jihadists can and must be won. The forthcoming Century Foundation Report, Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action, endorses and builds on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, providing ten concrete actions that the next presidential administration should pursue. The full report offers substantial detail on specific strategies for implementing the following list of key recommendations: RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Focus on Winning the Struggle of Ideas: The U.S. should work with its allies to erode support for jihadists in the Islamic world by engaging in what the 9/11 Commission called the “struggle of ideas.”
2. Invest in Education and Development in Islamic Nations: The U.S., the European Union, and the international financial institutions must greatly expand financial and programmatic support for development, including support for human rights, education systems, and economic opportunities, especially for women.
3. Implement Tailored Strategies for Key Countries: Five countries—Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq—are particularly critical. They require the tailored, detailed, proactive, and integrated policies outlined in the full report.
4. Defuse Sources of Islamic Hatred for the United States: Many supporters of the jihadists oppose the U.S. because of specific actions and policies, chief among them our support for Israel and the occupation of Iraq. The U.S. can, without compromising its core interests, values, or support for allies take steps that would reduce our exposure.
5. Improve U.S. Intelligence and Law Enforcement Organization: In addition to implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations, the U.S. should facilitate non-career tracks in the FBI and CIA and separate the domestic intelligence activities of the FBI into a distinct organization. The external oversight board should be independent, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission, rather than the internal advisory group created by recent Executive Order.
6. Reinvigorate Efforts to Combat Terrorist Financing: The president should designate a Special Assistant to the President for Combating Terrorist Financing at the NSC to lead U.S. efforts on fighting terrorist financing. In addition, the U.S. should build a new framework for U.S.-Saudi relations and create a certification regime for terrorist financing.
7. Bolster Special Forces and Improve Their Coordination with Intelligence Community: Special operations forces for counter-terrorism should be greatly expanded and enhanced to facilitate small unit operations. These units should be supported by a military organization with a covert presence. Congress must make clear that it will accept necessary casualties in counterterrorism operations.
8. Accelerate Security Investments for Ports, Trains, and Chemical Plants: Funds should be significantly increased, with priority given to vulnerabilities in our rail systems, chemical plants, and ports. Assistance to states and cities should be based upon a multi-year plan that is driven by risk assessments and provides essential minimum capabilities to each.
9. Strengthen and Improve Oversight of Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Efforts: The president should appoint a senior official to direct all U.S. nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear counterterrorism efforts. A new initiative should provide countries with international guarantees of nuclear energy supplies in return for agreements to terminate enrichment.
10. Improve U.S. Energy Security by Reducing Reliance on Middle East Oil: The United States should appropriate significant funds to subsidize a rapid shift to energy sources that do not rely upon oil and gas.
