GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – The Marshall Center concluded its 38th edition of the Program on Terrorism and Security Studies Dec. 19. This iteration of the course brought together 93 participants from 65 countries, and for the first time in PTSS history, 30 percent of attendees were women, setting a new benchmark for gender balance.

The course, titled "Steadfast Core Principles of Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Dynamic Environments," provided participants with the foundational knowledge necessary to address contemporary national and international security challenges related to terrorism and violent extremism.

“Even though terrorism as a tactic has changed over 20 years, the need for transnational cooperation and dealing with terrorism has never been greater, and so terrorism continues to be a national security issue for many of the countries that are represented here,” said Joseph Airey, Marshall Center Professor for Transnational Security Studies. “What’s unique is that this course gives them an opportunity to talk about terrorism in a global context and learn the best practices, and learn from what has been done in other countries and other parts of the world. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the PTSS program, which focuses on empowering a global network of counterterrorism professionals in the fight against transnational terrorism and violent extremist organizations. The course examines terrorist actions, capabilities, and trends, while providing a platform to share best practices for comprehensive whole-of-government and whole-of-society solutions.

Through this global collaboration, PTSS enables participants to generate a collective understanding of the challenges posed by terrorism, while also focusing on building intellectual interoperability. By fostering professional networks and a shared commitment to counterterrorism, PTSS helps participants bridge national borders and develop unified strategies to address global security threats.

Marshall Center alumna Dr. Monika Wysocka, Polish Naval Academy, spoke to PTSS participants on the importance of understanding terrorism through the lens of gender, including societal, religious, and ethnic considerations. As a youth, Dr. Wysocka remembers the impression 9/11 left on her, and inspired her passion for counterterrorism studies, international collaboration, and education when it comes to counterterrorism solutions.

“I believe that the most important aspect of PTSS is networking, because the people who participate in the seminars are security professionals with a wealth of experience, so we share our knowledge and experience,” she said. “I hope that in the future we can cooperate with each other and it will be fruitful cooperation. Terrorism is a global threat, and we have to examine it from it from many different perspectives, from Poland to the United States and Sierra Leone to Australia.”

In addition to providing key knowledge on counterterrorism, PTSS focuses on empowering security officials to cooperate and coordinate both regionally and globally. The program emphasizes balancing security priorities with the protection of rule of law, international norms, and democratic political and societal values—an essential aspect of combating terrorism while preserving the freedoms and rights that underpin democratic societies.

Upon completing PTSS, participants join a broader network of more than 2,600 alumni from 140 countries who have graduated from this GCMC course. These professionals are part of the larger George C. Marshall Center alumni community, which includes over 16,000 alumni from 164 nations. This global network continues to provide valuable support as counterterrorism experts and practitioners work together to address evolving security threats.

At the closing ceremony, Marshall Center German Deputy Director Rolf Wagner, reminded participants that the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism are complex and ever-evolving, but equipped with new knowledge and skills, PTSS graduates are better prepared to respond to these challenges both in their own countries and in collaboration with international partners.

 “It’s a privilege and honor for me to be standing in front of you today, expressing my gratitude for your engagement and your dedication and contribution. The knowledge you have gained, and the connections you have made, are [an] invaluable asset, and I’m sure will help serve you in your careers going forward,” said Deputy Director Wagner. “We have given you the tools to expand capacity and resilience in your own countries. Remember that the challenges we face are complex and are ever evolving. However, with the insights and skills you have cultivated here, I’m confident that you are equipped to navigate those challenges.”