From the press release:

With a new administration in the White House, January 2009 will be the starting point for a new approach to U.S. counterterrorism efforts. This conference presents solid, immensely practical analyses of strategic counterterrorism policies based on the lessons and experiences of the past eight years and earlier, and on what proven strategies will yield the most beneficial results for the United States. In addition, the conference focuses on defining realistic objectives and allocating military, federal and state government expenditures according to these goals. To accomplish this, an outstanding group of national and global experts has been assembled to share their insights, accomplishments, and strategic recommendations for the coming administration.

This Conference is made possible through the generosity of The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Registration fee: $50. Registrations must be received by noon Friday, January 9, 2009.

Conference Schedule

Monday, January 12

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Panel I: How Overreaction and Misdirection Play into the Terrorism Strategy

Terrorism seeks to weaken strong powers like the United States by goading them to overreact and waste their own blood and treasure, give sympathy and recruiting gains to terrorists, and come loose from their ideological moorings. Beyond avoiding war and misdirected homeland security efforts, counterterrorism strategy requires some subtle awareness of the different ways a victim state’s actions can play into terrorists’ hands. Countering the strategic logic of terrorism will require the new administration to adopt some very disciplined responses and deny superficially appealing impulses toward overreaction.

Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies, Cato Institute
Paddy Hillyard, Professor of Sociology, Queen’s University, Belfast
Michael German, Policy Counsel, ACLU
Robert Hutchings, Diplomat in Residence, Princeton University

Chair: Christopher Preble, Director of Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Panel II: Terrorism’s Causes: Grievances, Goals, or Gang Membership

Much effort has gone into discovering terrorism’s causes, but the roots are as diverse as the groups that adopt terrorism as a tactic. Terrorists are not homogenous from place to place, or even within organizations. Some may regard themselves as geopolitical actors with articulated grievances, and others may be disaffected youth drawn to a thrill-kill cult. Understanding all the motivations that animate terrorists can help to frame a proactive and comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. (more…)