17.919 - 2004.01.23
Handout: How to write a memo on a counter-terror operation
- Event
- Give a brief, one-paragraph overview of both the terrorist attack and the counter-terrorist response.
- Target
- Briefly describe the organization to which the terrorists belonged. When was it
formed? Where was it based? Did it have the support of a state? What were its
general goals? What strategy did it plan to use to achieve its goals?
- What was the terrorist strategy behind this particular attack? How was the attack
planned and organized?
- Describe the terrorists. How many were there? How were they armed? How
were they deployed? Did the attack proceed according to plan?
- Response
- What agency or agencies were involved in the operation? For each agency
involved, answer the following questions. Is the agency state, federal, or local? If
the agency is federal, is it part of a larger department? What is the agency's
budget and manpower? Is terrorism a core concern for this agency, or is it
peripheral? How were jurisdiction issues resolved?
- What counter-terror strategy was chosen to respond to the attack?
- How many personnel were involved in the operation itself? How were they
armed? What other special equipment did they employ? Were they trained for
this type of operation?
- Result
- What was the result of the counter-terrorist operation? Were the terrorists
defeated? How many were killed, wounded, or captured? How many escaped?
How many of the counter-terrorist operatives were killed or wounded? Were any
civilians injured, captured, or killed in the operation?
- How did the public respond to the operation? How was it portrayed in the
national media? How was it portrayed in the international media?
- Evaluation
- Did the operation prevent the terrorists from accomplishing their tactical goals?
Did it prevent them from achieving their strategic goals? Did the operation hinder
their ultimate cause?
- Did the operation achieve its own tactical goals? Was it a successful use of the
chosen counter-terror strategy? Would another strategy or tactic have been more
effective?
- Is the state more or less likely to suffer a similar attack in the future?
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