The Program on Terrorism and Security Studies (PTSS) creates and empowers a global network of counterterror (CT) professionals in the fight against transnational terrorism and violent extremist organizations. Participants examine terrorist actions and capabilities while discussing and sharing best practices for comprehensive whole-of-government and whole-of-society solutions. Participants work closely to generate common understanding while building professional networks and forming practitioner-focused intellectual interoperability that crosses national borders. Ultimately, the program empowers counterterrorism security officials to cooperate and coordinate regionally and globally while balancing security with the rule of law, international norms, and democratic political and societal values.

• Provide knowledge regarding foundational ideas, concepts, and tensions in terrorism and counterterrorism, including the nature of terrorism, how it is evolving due to technology and other global developments, and what can be done in order to combat those who seek to use it to advance their political goals.
• Identify and provide perspectives on how to balance the tradeoff between operational effectiveness against transnational terrorist threats and the protection of civil and political liberties, including democratic governance, rule of law, and universal human rights.
• Build practitioner and partner capacity to mitigate terrorist, violent extremist, and irregular threats through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.
• Create an environment in which participants, as professionals and practitioners, share and exchange their diverse perspectives on common transnational threats from terrorism and violent extremism.
   

The PTSS course is 3 to 4 weeks long and hosts approximately 85 participants from around the world. The curriculum incorporates both plenary and small group seminar dynamics and includes presentations from global CT experts, exercises, and case studies. The program focuses on mid-career government and private professionals working in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism, including individuals from law enforcement, military, intelligence, interagency, academia, and other entities. Participants immerse themselves in understanding fundamental concepts in terrorism and counterterrorism while exploring and discussing comprehensive CT efforts, strategy development consider¬ations, and operational initiatives. Upon graduation, participants join our PTSS alumni network that includes over thousands of alumni representing 153 countries. For individuals or governmental organizations desiring additional engagements, the program maintains a virtual curriculum capability as well as opportunities for in-person regional events where our team, in conjunction with the local U.S. and German embassies, works with local and regional CT professionals on specific topics of interest to that nation or region.