Making the grade: from A to F, how the U.S. measures up in its struggle against global extremism.

• Author: Hamilton, Lee H.
• Position: Table

I Combating Islamic Extremist Terrorism Overall Grade: D + Al-Qaeda headquarters C Al-Qaeda affiliated groups (e.g., Jemaah Islamiyah & Lashkar-e-Taiba) C Al-Qaeda seeded groups (e.g., London & Madrid bombing culprits) D+ Al-Qaeda inspired groups (e.g., Hofstad Network & JFK Airport attack plotters) D Sympathizers D- II. Improving U.S. & Coalition Counterterrorism Capabilities Overall Grade: C+ Reforming intelligence capabilities C+ Improving law-enforcement capabilities C Transforming military capabilities C Improving money-tracking capabilities C+ Cooperation & coordination between branches of government B- Cooperation & coordination between local, state and federal government C+ Cooperation & coordination between allies B- III. Creating an Effective Coalition to Fight Terrorism Overall Grade: C Creating effective, regional counterterrorism coalitions C Enlisting great powers in the counterterrorism effort C- Bringing Muslim nations into the war On terror D+ European Union-U.S. cooperation in the war on terror B- Passage of effective laws to strengthen international counterterrorism standards C+ Efforts to help willing but weak states better police territory and deny terrorist groups safe havens C- Deterring state sponsorship of terrorism C IV. Preventing Terrorist Attack with Nukes, Dirty Bombs, Germs & Chemicals Overall Grade: C Priority given to preventing terrorists from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons C+ Effectiveness of international counterproliferation policies C+ Efforts to secure nuclear-weapons materials in Russia C+ Efforts to stop CBRN technology transfers B- Ability to locate and dismantle nuclear-proliferation networks C Ability to prevent WMD scientists from cooperating with terrorists C Attempts to deter North Korea from acquiring nuclear weapons C+ Attempts to deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons D+ Effectiveness of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime D+ V. Protecting the U.S. Homeland Overall Grade: C Effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security C- Increasing aviation security B- Improving cargo screening C Protecting U.S. borders C- Improving the ability to track potential terrorists/dangerous cargo traveling by air and sea C+ Protecting critical infrastructure C- Increasing the security of mass transit C- Preventing cyber attack C- Improving emergency response to terrorist attack C+ VI. Balancing Security & Core Values Overall Grade: D- Balance between expanded U.S...