PTSS creates and empowers a global network of counterterror (CT) professionals in the fight against transnational terrorism and violent extremist organizations (VEO). 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 rule of law, international norms, and democratic political and societal values.

• Share perspectives about transnational threats from terrorism and violent extremism, and discuss how adversarial states employ irregular means to accomplish national objectives.
• Describe and balance tensions between operational effectiveness against transnational threats and protection of political and civil liberties including democratic governance, rule of law, and universal human rights.
• Build practitioner and network capacity to mitigate terrorist, violent extremist, and irregular threats through whole of government and whole of society approaches.
• Increase intellectual interoperability across borders and cultures and strengthen capacity and resilience in partner nations by expanding a global network of CT/CVEO experts and practitioners.

The Program on Terrorism and Security Studies (PTSS) takes place for one month during the summer and hosts approximately 85 pro­fessional participants from around the world. The curriculum incorporates both plenary and small group seminar dynamics and includes more than two dozen global CT experts as well as robust exercise play and case study analysis. The program focuses on mid-to-upper level government and private officials including: law enforcement, military, intelligence, interagency, academia, and security service practitioners working in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism. Participants immerse themselves in contemporary terror threat analysis while exploring and discussing comprehensive CT efforts, strategy development consider­ations and operational initiatives. Upon graduation, participants join our alumni network which includes over 2,300 members 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.