Welcome to the Washington Institute for near east policy. I have the pleasure of directing the institutes rinehart pergamon counterterrorism intelligence and i am very pleased to be joined here today by the acting director of the National Counterterrorism center, russell travis. Todays conversation is part of the ongoing counterterrorism lecture series. Russell took office as the acting director in august but its not his first, second or third time in the building. He told many other leadership positions in ctc including a director at the office of Data Strategy and innovation, chief data officer among others. Hes held positions at the office for Defense Intelligence agencies, National Security council, the u. S. Army, joint chiefs of staff so we are very thrilled that he has been able to carve time out of his busy schedule and spend some time with us today to talk about counterterrorism in the era of competing priorities. One russell will deliver some remarks from the podium and then
Good afternoon. This hearing will come to order. I want to thank our witnesses for your service to our country. 13 people lost their lives, 30 people were injured. It underscores what we are dealing with here in terms of a threat environment. This is my ninth annual threat hearing that i have either chaired or participated in. I often say im not the most uplifting character. Those i could say that in nine years, i have seen tremendous progress being made and we have reduced these threats and all is well. Unfortunately, we face the same threats. If anything, the threats are growing. Nine years ago, we were talking about the blind use of drive drones or the use of social media. We face the same threats. They are evolving. Terrorist groups are metastasizing. They are spreading around the world. , it has happened is grown more complex and difficult. You have tremendous responsibilities on your shoulders. Really, i will turn it over to my Ranking Member and we will get to witness testimony.
The International Security program aims to provide evidencebased analysis of some of the toughest security challenges facing american policy makers and the public. From homegrown american terrorism to United States drone wars abroad and the proliferation of drones around the world to the profound changes in warfare brought by new technology and societal changes. Id like to introduce jesse morton who will begin with a presentation on their new initiative before we jump into the panel information. Jesse was once a jihadist propagandist who ran revolution muslim, a new york city based organization active in the 2000s and connected to a number of terrorism cases. He connected al qaedas ideology and transformed it for america, creating english language propaganda. Morton deradicalized in 2011 following his arrest in casablanca and incarceration in the u. S. Hes now executive director of parallel networks. After jesses presentation, ill invite the rest of our speakers to join me onstage and
Dealing with in terms of threat environment. Hearing that ih have participated in. Have seen ald say i reduction in threat and all is well. If anything, the threats are growing. We were talking about drones and the extent of social media. Evolving and terrorist groups are spreading around the world and if anything , it has grown far more complex and difficult. You have tremendous responsibility and on your shoulders. I will turn it over to witness testimony. Thank you for being here today. The department of Homeland Security was created to defend the United States from any and all threats. The departments leaders are critical to our National Security efforts and we rely on them to coordinate with the National Counterterrorism and fbi. 9 11,hs was created after agency was very clear [inaudible] the narrow focus was expanded and as threats have grown, they have become more dynamic as well. Andthreats have emerged foreign adversaries disrupt the nations cyber networks. Interference has pr
Investing Additional Resources into Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. Fbi director Christopher Wray was on capitol hill with intel officials to testify on security threats facing the u. S. Senators asked about counterterrorism efforts, stopping foreign influence in elections, and cybersecurity measures. This Senate Homeland security hearing is two hours 15 minutes. Good afternoon. This hearing will come to order. I want to thank our witnesses for your service to our country. 13 people lost their lives, 30 people were injured. It underscores what we are dealing with here in terms of a threat environment. This is my ninth annual threat hearing that i have either chaired or participated in. I often say im not the most uplifting character. Those i could say that in nine years, i have seen tremendous progress being made and we have reduced these threats and all is well. Unfortunately, we face the same threats. If anything, the threats are growing. Nine years ago, we w