Produced by Al Haines [Transcriber's note: Underscores denote italicized text, plus signs (+) denote bolded text.] National Strategy for Combating Terrorism February 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism INTRODUCTION THE NATURE OF THE TERRORIST THREAT TODAY _The Structure of Terror_ _The Changing Nature of Terrorism_ _A New Global Environment_ _Interconnected Terrorist Organizations_ _Availability of Weapons of Mass Destruction_ _Summary_ STRATEGIC INTENT _Victory in the War Against Terror_ GOALS AND OBJECTIVES _Defeat Terrorists and Their Organizations_ _Deny Sponsorship, Support, and Sanctuary to Terrorists_ _Diminish the Underlying Conditions that Terrorists Seek to Exploit_ _Defend U.S. Citizens and Interests at Home and Abroad_ CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION "_No group or nation should mistake America's intentions: We will not rest until terrorist groups of global reach have been found, have been stopped, and have been defeated._" PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH NOVEMBER 6, 2001 The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Pennsylvania were acts of war against the United States of America and its allies, and against the very idea of civilized society. No cause justifies terrorism. The world must respond and fight this evil that is intent on threatening and destroying our basic freedoms and our way of life. Freedom and fear are at war. The enemy is not one person. It is not a single political regime. Certainly it is not a religion. The enemy is terrorism--premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Those who employ terrorism, regardless of their specific secular or religious objectives, strive to subvert the rule of law and effect change through violence and fear. These terrorists also share the misguided belief that killing, kidnapping, extorting, robbing, and wreaking havoc to terrorize people are legitimate forms of political action. The struggle against international terrorism is different from any other war in our history. We will not triumph solely or even primarily through military might. We must fight terrorist networks, and all those who support their efforts to spread fear around the world, using every instrument of national power--diplomatic, economic, law enforcement, financial, information, intelligence, and military. Progress will come through the persistent accumulation of successes--some seen, some unseen. And we will always remain vigilant against new terrorist threats. Our goal will be reached when Americans and other civilized people around the world can lead their lives free of fear from terrorist attacks.