Terrorism Early Warning and Co-Production of Counterterrorism Intelligence

Contemporary terrorism is a complex phenomenon involving a range of non-state actors linked in networked organizations. These organizations, exemplified by the global jihadi movement known as al-Qaeda, are complex non-state actors operating as transnational networks within a galaxy of like-minded networks. These entities pose security threats to nation states and the collective global security. Traditional security and intelligence approaches separated criminal and national security intelligence, as well as domestic and international security concerns. Modern terrorism exploits these seams to operate on a global scale. The Terrorism Early Warning Group (TEW) concept emerged in Los Angeles in 1996 as a way to bridge the gaps in traditional intelligence and security structures. The TEW embraces a networked approach to intelligence fusion and directs its efforts toward intelligence support to regional law enforcement, fire and health agencies involved in the prevention and response to terrorist acts.