Developing an Integrated Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Initiative and Establishing a Temporary Organization to Support Certain Government-wide Communications Activities Directed Abroad

This executive order establishes a Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government-wide counterterrorism messaging abroad, and creates a temporary Counterterrorism Communications Support Office to provide research and campaign support. Both entities focus on countering al-Qa'ida and violent extremist ideologies through strategic communications to foreign audiences.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 56945

Impact dates

Sep 8, 2014
CCSO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)
Mar 7, 2012
Steering Committee meetings — not less than every 6 months

Key directives

Center shall coordinate Government-wide public communications activities directed at foreign audiences against violent extremists and terrorist organizations
Center shall coordinate analysis, evaluation, and planning with National Counterterrorism Center per 50 U.S.C. 404o
Secretary shall establish Steering Committee with senior representatives from 10 specified agencies
Steering Committee shall meet not less than every 6 months
CCSO established as temporary organization under 5 U.S.C. 3161
CCSO to provide baseline research, campaign development, and social media expertise to agencies
CCSO headed by Director selected by Secretary with Steering Committee advice
Steering Committee agencies shall provide non-reimbursable personnel details and support to CCSO
CCSO terminates at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) unless sooner terminated

Timeline

Immediate

Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications assumes coordination role
Steering Committee to be established
CCSO temporary organization created within State Department

Near term (90d)

Steering Committee first meeting expected within 6 months
CCSO staffing and agency detail arrangements

Long term

CCSO terminates at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) — typically 3 years for temporary organizations, unless sooner terminated

Risks & tensions

Temporary nature of CCSO (5 U.S.C. 3161 typically limits to 3 years) creates institutional knowledge risk
Non-reimbursable personnel details may strain agency budgets and create competing priorities
Coordination mandate with NCTC under 50 U.S.C. 404o may create turf tensions with intelligence community
Vague 'as appropriate' and 'as the Secretary may assign' language in several provisions leaves scope uncertain
Dependent on 'availability of appropriations' per Section 4(b), creating execution risk