Buy an essay: Defending the United States, its citizens, and its interests at home and abroad

Since the early 70-ies each regular U.S. administration had to deal with the problem of coordination among federal agencies in combating terrorism. The counterterrorism strategy was formed during the Nixon and Ford presidents, where coordination issues have moved to a government committee chaired by Secretary Department of State. At the international level coordination of the fight against terrorism was carried out through established in 1971 the Organization of American States (the fight against terrorism directed against diplomats), and in the framework of Interpol (Law enforcement cooperation). However, while terrorism has not reached a critical threat level, the problem of coordinating the fight against terrorism at the government level is almost not done.
September 11 2001 tragedy has forced the White House to create a “Homeland Security Council” (HSC), a new body to “advise and assist the president in a strategy of internal security” and “become an instrument of coordination between all structures of executive power generating and implement security policies within the country.” (United States General Accounting Office)
The administration has a new position – assistance to the president for homeland security. At the same time, the NSC continues to be responsible for coordinating efforts to combat terrorism abroad. In this unit was created post of deputy national security adviser, who is responsible for combating terrorism (National Director / Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism). He is in constant contact with the Assistant of president national and homeland security. (United States General Accounting Office)
As a result, all internal and external efforts to combat terrorism are coordinated by the relevant committees in the structures of NSC and HSC.
Once the new coordinating structures have taken their place in the executive branch, Department of Homeland Security was created (DHS), designed to “unite under one roof most of the agencies and departments responsible for internal security (including Office for the Protection Borders and Transportation, Department of Emergency and National Preparedness and the Agency for the Protection of critical infrastructure). The main task of the new ministry is to warn and prevent “terrorist attacks” inside the U.S., reducing the country’s vulnerability to terrorism, minimize damage and aid in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in U.S.
At the same time for the investigation of terrorist acts continue to meet the appropriate levels of law enforcement agencies (federal, state, municipal).
In addition, in 2003 was created the “Terrorist Threat Integration Center” (TTIC), responsible for integrating and analyzing all the information on terrorism, both domestically and abroad. It includes representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, Office for the FBI counter-terrorism, center to combat terrorism by the CIA and the Defense Ministry. It was determined that the Director of the Centre (for the position he was appointed John Brennan) obeys the CIA director, the center itself is located at CIA headquarters. (United States General Accounting Office)
Immediately after Sept. 11, in late October 2001, Congress and the White House adopted the amendments to the legislation called the “Patriot Act”. This document was designed to help law enforcement agencies to effectively prevent terrorist attacks. The act increased the powers of the FBI and other agencies that have received the right to listen to telephone calls, monitor e-mail messages, to demand from libraries and bookstores data on ordered or purchased by visitors books. In addition, it introduced the responsibility for harboring terrorists.( The White House)
System to combat terrorism in the United States includes such responsible agencies:
 In the National Security Council :
 National Director / Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism
 Principals Committee on Counter-terrorism and National Preparedness
 National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection and Counter-Terrorism
 Homeland Security Council
 National Counterterrorism Center
 Terrorist Screening Center ( TSC)
 Department of Homeland Security
 In the Central Intelligence Agency – Counterterrorist Center (CTC)
 In the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Counterterrorism Division (CTD)

References
United States General Accounting Office. (2003). Combating Terrorism: Observations on National Strategies Related to Terrorism. Washington, D.C.