Integration of Department of Defense and State Department Efforts to Continue the Global Pursuit of Violent Extremist Organizations

The United States has been engaged in active conflict against Violent Extremist Organizations for over 11 years. This has given the United States the ability to effectively track and target hostile organizations before they could materialize enough manpower and resources to effectively target the U.S. homeland and significant interests abroad. Even as the United States draws down a majority of combat forces from the Middle East, its ability to effectively track organizations that are attempting to target American citizens must be maintained and expanded. The Department of Defense and the State Department need to integrate their efforts and maximize their capabilities to maintain the pressure that has been maintained on Violent Extremist Organizations over the past 11 years. The Department of Defense should provide personnel and equipment to embassies overseas to help track Violent Extremist Organizations so that the United States maintains awareness of the movements and actions of its adversaries. The State Department should conduct diplomatic negotiations before the need for action arises to ensure that the U.S. military can conduct rapid actions as needed once a threat is identified.