Global Security and Intelligence Studies
terrorism , they usually do not incorporate terrorist investigations into their core investigative efforts .
Central Intelligence Agency
With the primary objective of collecting intelligence overseas , and legally prohibited from operating domestically , the Constitution and other laws rarely constrain the Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) while operating internationally . However , as an agency with the primary focus of collecting intelligence to inform policymakers , the actions of individuals , or even small groups , who conduct political or religious violence are of secondary concern . Of course , the CIA would have concerns regarding lone wolf terrorism and would not ignore an imminent attack by an individual working without being affiliated with a group , but the CIA operational model does not facilitate concentrating on this type of terrorism . The CIA approach focuses more on larger , more established terrorist organizations . Their definition of terrorism demonstrates this :
• The term “ terrorism ” means premeditated , politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents .
• The term “ international terrorism ” means terrorism involving the territory or the citizens of more than one country .
• The term “ terrorist group ” means any group that practices , or has significant subgroups that practice , international terrorism (“ Central Intelligence Agency — Terrorism FAQ ” n . d .).
While the CIA ’ s definition of terrorism does include “ clandestine agents ,” their efforts are more strategic , concentrating on groups and subgroups .
Department of Defense
Much like the CIA , the Department of Defense ( DoD ) does not have jurisdiction or operating authority within the United States except under limited circumstances . As such , similar to the CIA , its counter-terrorism approach is much more focused on larger , more organized threats . Although there are elements of DoD policy and guidelines which emphasize protecting the individual warfighter from an attack , these are not policies or guidelines directed at the more significant issue of lone wolf terrorism in general , but specific tactics to prevent or reduce injuries should an attack occur , regardless of the perpetrator . Domestically , from a security or “ force protection ” standpoint , DoD policies are focused on securing military bases and the individuals who live and work within them , best illustrated by the after-effects of the attack on the recruitment center in Chattanooga , TN , where the military vowed to increase security at recruiting stations ( Miklaszewski , McClam , and Kube 2015 ).
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