Six Months After the Countering Domestic Terrorism Strategy: A Conversation with John Cohen

Summary

Six months ago, the Biden Administration released its new National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. Rooted in assessments by numerous government, academic, and civil society stakeholders, the new strategy outlined a four-pillar plan to tackle our nation’s top domestic terrorism challenges. As a major stakeholder and implementing agency, the Department of Homeland Security plays a key role in these efforts. 

To discuss the new strategy and more, on December 15, 2021, the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) and the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University hosted an online panel featuring John Cohen, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Undersecretary of Intelligence and Analysis at DHS. Mr. Cohen discussed how DHS sees the current threat of domestic terrorism, the difficulties tied to resource allocation, and the successes and challenges with implementing the strategy so far. He was joined by Gina Ligon, the Director of NCITE, and Seamus Hughes, Deputy Director of the Program on Extremism, for a moderated panel following his remarks.