“Terrorism Financing Blacklists At Risk Global System Faces Multiple Challenges,” Washington Post (November 2, 2008)

“The global blacklisting system for financiers of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups is at risk of collapse, undermined by legal challenges and waning political support in many countries, according to counterterrorism officials in Europe and the United States.”

“Briefing by CTED Executive Director Mike Smith to UN Security Council,” United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (March 19, 2008).

“On 10 December 2007, the Council adopted resolution 1787 (2007), which extended the mandate of the CTED [Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate] until 31 March 2008 and which requested me, in consultation with Council members, to recommend changes to the organizational plan of the Executive Directorate. I duly carried out that review of the Directorate’s organization and methods of work, consulting with all the members of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the wider United Nations membership, CTED staff, other relevant United Nations agencies and experts outside the system.” Smith’s remarks review the changes in the Directorate that will further the ability of the office to successfully carry out its mission.

“Seven Years After 9/11: al-Qa’ida’s Strengths and Vulnerabilities,” by Richard Barrett for the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (September 2008).

“The core Al-Qaida leadership remains in place, but it is still far from recovering the position of strength it enjoyed in 2001. It has suffered from an inability to clarify its role and aims. Though it may still count on thousands of sympathizers across the world, the leadership has failed to find a consistent and reliable way to connect with and direct its supporters. Furthermore, there has been a considerable backlash against Al-Qaida-inspired violence across the Muslim world, with the result that even in places where Al-Qaida used to be highly active – such as Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, and Saudi-Arabia – its campaign has lost traction and influence.” The report makes recommendations for furthering the campaign against Al-Qaida.

“Building Global Alliances in the Fight against Terrorism,” Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation ( November 2007).

“Commissioned by the Better World Campaign of the UN Foundation, ‘Building Global Alliances in the Fight Against Terrorism’ outlines steps the next administration should take during its first one hundred days to improve international cooperation against terrorism, repair its damaged reputation on the international stage, and protect America from another major terrorist attack .”

“The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Regional and Subregional Bodies: Strengthening a Critical Partnership” Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation ( October 2008).

“This report discusses the contributions that regional and subregional bodies can make to implementing the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It provides a region-by-region survey of some of the contributions of those bodies and an overview of counterterrorism-related engagement between regional and subregional bodies and the UN system. It concludes with a series of forward-looking recommendations as to how to maximize the contributions of regional and subregional bodies to the implementation of the Strategy and to counterterrorism in general, as well as how to improve cooperation between those bodies and the United Nations.”

“Remarks by Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative, on the adoption of the UN General Assembly Strategy Review Resolution, in the General Assembly, September 4, 2008,” US Mission to United Nations (September 4, 2008).

“ The United States welcomes the Review of the United Nations General Assembly Counter Terrorism Strategy. The unanimous adoption of the Strategy during the 61st General Assembly marked the first time that all UN member states agreed to a common strategic approach to fighting terrorism. The Strategy represents a pragmatic, action-oriented approach to that end.”

“Counter-Terrorism and the International Community: Waxing Fatigue, Waning Commitment?,” The Century Foundation (September 2008).

“Terrorism officials from dozens of countries came to the United Nations in New York for a two-day meeting of the General Assembly ( 4-5 September 2008) to review their governments' implementation of the U.N. Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in 2006.  The meeting provided an opportunity for The Century Foundation and the Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation to organize a luncheon roundtable to allow candid discussion among those officials, U.N. representatives, U.S. representatives, and terrorism experts…The discussion explored the political priority of counterterrorism as an international issue seven eventful years after the World Trade Center attacks, the readiness of governments to work together – bilaterally or multilaterally – to deal with violent networks, and the obstacles to effective action both in the United Nations and among individual governments.”

“International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response,” Congressional Research Service (January 2007).

“This report examines international terrorist actions, threats, U.S. policies and responses. It reviews the nation’s use of tools at its disposal to combat terrorism, from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to physical security enhancement, economic sanctions, covert action, and military force.”