by Joe Wright

January 7, 2012
from ActivistPost Website
 

Apparently having goons grope the public nearly every step of the way as they walk under the watchful eyes of full-spectrum surveillance just isn't good enough.

The new Bureau of Counterterrorism was announced on January 4th by Obama's State Department as an agency with,

The mission... to lead the [State] Department in the U.S. Government’s effort to counter terrorism abroad and to secure the United States against foreign terrorist threats.

 

The bureau will lead in supporting U.S. counterterrorism diplomacy and seek to strengthen homeland security, countering violent extremism, and build the capacity of partner nations to deal effectively with terrorism.

(Source)

 

Probably the least comforting part of this announcement is the use of the term "violent extremism."

 

It is under this very flexible definition which allows the agents of tyranny to assign it to anyone, at any time, thus making them susceptible to the full arsenal of the War on Terror, which we now know includes the indefinite detention and torture of American citizens on American soil.

The idea that security actually needs to be further strengthened by a new bureau in addition to,

...and every other alphabet agency ignoring the Constitution is a clear sign that the U.S. government is done with even pretending to listen to its own citizens, or those around the world who are subjected to dehumanization while traveling within U.S. borders, as well as when they return home.

In reality this bureau is not new at all; it was similarly established in 1996... in Israel.

 

It, too, received an "upgrade" similar to what the Obama administration is now proposing.

 

The U.S. bureau had operated on a previously smaller scale in America, but one look at the newly released fact sheet demonstrates its expanded role for the future. It is worth reading in full, as it speaks for itself, but we should pay particular attention to the mention of "ideologies" and "ideas," as well as "international cooperation."

 

So what are you thinking?
 

Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 4, 2012

“As the threat from al-Qaida becomes more diffuse, it is in the interest of the United States to forge closer ties with the governments and communities on the front lines and to help them build up their counterterrorism capacity.

 

We need to expand our efforts to build an international counterterrorism network that is as nimble and adaptive as our adversaries’. So we have launched a diplomatic offensive to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on counterterrorism.

 

We have a broad and ambitious agenda, and to carry out this work, I am upgrading our office devoted to counterterrorism to a full-fledged bureau within the State Department.”
United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

speaking on a “Smart Power Approach to Counterterrorism”

September 9, 2011

The Department of State announces the establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, fulfilling one of the key recommendations of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review concluded in December 2010.

 

The Bureau of Counterterrorism will lead the Department’s engagement in support of U.S. government efforts to counter terrorism abroad and to secure the United States against foreign terrorist threats.

 

The new Bureau will assume the responsibilities of the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
 


The Challenge
The United States faces a continuing terrorist threat from al-Qaida and other groups and individuals who subscribe to violent extremism. While we have made much progress in combating terrorism since the 9/11 attacks, challenges remain.

 

Together with defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security, diplomacy and development are critical to keeping America safe.

 

To secure our future, we must continue to strengthen our international coalition against terrorism, build foreign partner capacity to mitigate terrorist threats, reinforce resilience against attacks, and counter the ideologies and ideas that fuel violent extremism around the world.
 


The Mission
The Bureau of Counterterrorism, in coordination with Department leadership, the National Security Staff, and other U.S. government agencies, will develop and implement counterterrorism strategies, policies, operations, and programs.

 

It will lead in supporting U.S. counterterrorism diplomacy and seek to strengthen homeland security, counter violent extremism, and build the capacity of partner nations to deal effectively with terrorism.
 


The Bureau
The Bureau of Counterterrorism will implement its mission by:

 

  • Developing and implementing counterterrorism strategies, policies, and operations

    The U.S. government has no greater responsibility than to protect the American people.

     

    The Bureau of Counterterrorism will play an integral role in meeting this obligation by leading the Department’s engagement to develop and implement counterterrorism strategies, policies, and operations to disrupt and defeat the networks that support terrorism.

     

    The Bureau will work to safeguard American security interests while promoting our values, including our support for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

     

  • Strengthening counterterrorism diplomacy

    Strengthening existing partnerships and building new relationships is a cornerstone of U.S. counterterrorism policy.

     

    The Bureau of Counterterrorism will engage with bilateral partners, regional organizations, and the United Nations to broaden and deepen counterterrorism cooperation.

     

    In one of many initiatives, the Bureau will lead U.S. government efforts on behalf of the State Department to support the Global Counterterrorism Forum, a new multilateral initiative focused on setting the international counterterrorism agenda for the 21st century.

     

  • Strengthening homeland security.

    Securing the homeland from external terrorist threats is central to U.S. foreign policy.

     

    The Bureau of Counterterrorism will be the principal State Department link with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on counterterrorism strategy and operations.

     

    The Bureau will work in partnership with DHS, as well as other agencies and bureaus, to strengthen international cooperation on a wide range of homeland security issues including transportation security, the interdiction of terrorist travel, and critical infrastructure protection.

     

  • Countering violent extremism

    To defeat terrorists, we must undermine their ability to recruit.

     

    The Bureau of Counterterrorism will focus the State Department in U.S. government efforts to counter violent extremism, thereby reducing radicalization and mobilization abroad.

     

    The Bureau will work to delegitimize the violent extremist narrative, to develop positive alternatives for populations vulnerable to recruitment, and to build partner government and civil society capacity to counter violent extremism themselves.

     

  • Building the capacity of foreign partners

    The security of the United States depends on the strength of our partners and allies abroad.

     

    With capable partners who are able to manage the threats within their borders and regions, the likelihood of U.S. forces being called into action is greatly reduced.

     

    The Bureau of Counterterrorism will work with other bureau and agency partners in supporting U.S. government work to build international partner counterterrorism capacity in the civilian sector and will contribute to efforts in the military and defense sectors.


The Future
Protecting the United States, the American people and our interests abroad will remain a challenge in the 21st Century. New terrorist threats will require innovative strategies, creative diplomacy, and stronger partnerships.

 

By establishing the Bureau of Counterterrorism, the Department of State will strengthen its efforts to meet this challenge.

(Source)


Let's weigh in:

  • Is this really the future we want? Because it is being written for us

  • Is this how we approve of our tax dollars being spent?

  • Or is it high time to declare your own independence and once and for all renounce what it being done in our names at any cost?

One thing is for certain, it is no time to remain silent; the drums have started to roll.
 


Note:  For further U.S. government justification, here are the 10 Things You Should Know About The Bureau of Counterterrorism (with video)