Compare Counterterrorism: Joint Publication 3-26

Terrorism has evolved as a preferred tactic for ideological extremists around the world, directly or indirectly affecting millions of people. In addition to increasing law enforcement capabilities for counterterrorism (CT), the United States (US), like many nations, developed specialized, but limited, military CT capabilities. In jointdoctrine, CT was simply defined as operations that include the offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, preempt, and respond to terrorism.In addition to any diplomatic and law enforcement actions, the US Government (USG) typically viewed CT missions as special operations by covert, clandestine, or low visibility means. CT is one of the core tasks of the US special operations forces (SOF), and their role and additivecapability is to conduct offensive measures withinDepartment of Defense's (DOD's) overall combating terrorism (CbT) efforts. Some significant policy and strategy adjustments were required because terrorism has evolved from a tactic of inducing fear in select populations/areas to a transnational threat of strategic proportion.