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EO 13721Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13721

Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584

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In simple terms

This executive order establishes the Global Engagement Center (GEC) within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government communications aimed at foreign audiences to counter terrorist messaging from ISIL, al-Qa'ida, and other violent extremists. It replaces the temporary organization created by Executive Order 13584 with a permanent center supported by a temporary coordination office (GECCO) and an interagency steering committee.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 14685

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 81 FR 14685

    Federal Register PDF

  3. GECCO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)

Key directives

  • Secretary of State shall establish Global Engagement Center
  • Center shall lead coordination of government-wide communications to foreign audiences to counter terrorist messaging
  • Executive director shall be Special Envoy and Coordinator for Global Engagement Communications reporting through Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy
  • Develop strategic counterterrorism narratives based on rigorous research and modern data analysis
  • Establish Steering Committee chaired by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy with designated senior representatives from 10 specified agencies
  • Establish GECCO as temporary organization under 5 U.S.C. 3161
  • GECCO to provide technical, marketing, management, and operational support for partner networks outside government
  • GECCO to develop analytical models and metrics for measurement and evaluation
  • Agencies directed to provide personnel, premises, equipment, information, and other resources upon request
  • GECCO termination at end of maximum period under 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)

Who is ordered

Prior policy

  • revokeExecutive Order 13584 of September 9, 2011 (Developing an Integrated Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Initiative and Establishing a Temporary Organization to Support Certain Government-Wide Communications Activities Directed Abroad)

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • Revocation of Executive Order 13584
  • Establishment of Global Engagement Center mandated
  • Steering Committee establishment required

Near term (90d)

  • GECCO staffing and interagency personnel details
  • Initial partner network development
  • Research and analytics framework development

Long term

  • Sustained counterterrorism communications campaigns
  • Ongoing measurement and evaluation of Center activities
  • GECCO termination at maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) (typically 3 years for temporary organizations)

Risks & tensions

  • Potential tension between counterterrorism messaging objectives and First Amendment protections acknowledged in text but not resolved
  • Vague 'as appropriate' and 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifiers may limit interagency resource commitments
  • GECCO temporary status (3 years) creates institutional uncertainty despite permanent Center
  • Non-reimbursable personnel details depend on agency cooperation without enforcement mechanism
  • Measurement and evaluation of 'hearts and minds' communications notoriously difficult
Executive Order 13721: Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584 · Executive Orders