Defeating the Jihadists: A Blueprint for Action

by Richard A. Clarke, Glenn P. Aga

"It is imperative that we implement effective policies that address the causes, conditions, and misunderstandings that have brought the world to the current impasse. The Century Foundation's Defeating the A Blueprint for Action builds on the findings of the 9/11 Commission and provides a detailed plan for creating a more secure world. It is essential reading."—Bob Kerrey, president, New School University Defeating the A Blueprint for Action , the report of a task force assembled and chaired by Richard A. Clarke, assesses the nation's successes and failures in fighting terrorism and provides a detailed action plan for neutralizing the international movement at the core of worldwide terrorism. Central to these plans are the group's proposals for significant changes in U.S. policy toward key Muslim countries. The report also describes the nature of the jihadist threat; provides comprehensive profiles of the various groups; and offers a rationale for the effort and money that would be needed to make the plan a success. Key strategies covered in depth Focus on winning the "Battle of Ideas" Invest in education and development in Islamic nations Implement tailored strategies for key countries, particularly Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq Defuse sources of Islamic hatred for the United States Improve U.S. intelligence and law enforcement organization Reinvigorate efforts to combat terrorist financing Improve U.S. military organization and Accelerate security investments for ports, trains, and chemical plants.

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

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Richard Alan Clarke was a U.S. government employee for 30 years, 1973–2003. He worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National Security Council. President Bill Clinton retained Clarke and in 1998 promoted him to be the National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism, the chief counter-terrorism adviser on the National Security Council. Under President George W. Bush, Clarke initially continued in the same position, but the position was no longer given cabinet-level access. He later became the Special Advisor to the President on cybersecurity, before leaving the Bush Administration in 2003.

Clarke came to widespread public attention for his role as counter-terrorism czar in the Clinton and Bush Administrations in March 2004, when he appeared on the 60 Minutes television news magazine, released his memoir about his service in government, Against All Enemies, and testified before the 9/11 Commission. In all three instances, Clarke was sharply critical of the Bush Administration's attitude toward counter-terrorism before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and of the decision to go to war with Iraq. Following Clarke's strong criticisms of the Bush Administration, Bush administration officials and other Republicans attempted to discredit him or rebut his criticisms, making Clarke a controversial figure.