Connecting Scholars and Practitioners:

1
Connecting Scholars and Practitioners Reflections
on the Development of the Combating Terrorism
Center at West Point
Dr. James Forest, Director of Terrorism Studies
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Agenda

• Introduction
• 1 Establishing the CTC
• 2 Pursuing Three Core Mission Areas
• 3 Achievements, Years 1 Thru 6
• 4 Challenges, Years 1 Thru 6
• 5 Lessons Learned

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Establishing the CTC

• The Context, Post-9/11
• Increasing demand for courses informed analysis

Sources of Funding USMA Alumni Private
sectorGovt. projects
The Founders, 2001-2003Mr. Viola, COL Howard,
CPT Sawyer , GEN Downing
Additions 2004-2005
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3 Core Mission Areas

• Teaching
• Develop and teach courses at West Point
• Contribute to the development of intellectual
  capacity for organizations in the military, law
  enforcement and intelligence communities
• Research
• Contribute meaningfully to the expansion of the
  Terrorism Studies field
• Connect scholars with practitioners
• Examine issues that enhance the understanding of
  al-Qaida and others targeting the U.S.
• Provide insights that are relevant and accessible
  to operators and the general public
• Policy/Strategy Advice
• Contribute to new strategic thinking about
  counterterrorism policies and strategies
• Offer informed analysis of existing and proposed
  policies and strategies for counterterrorism

5
Achievements, Years 1 thru 6

• Teaching
• 5 courses developed, incorporated into West Point
  curriculum
• Minor in Terrorism Studies
• External education programs (FBI, FDNY, NYPD)
• Research
• 12 edited volumes, 4 authored books, 25 articles,
  etc.
• Research reports (Harmony series, Iraq, Militant
  Ideology Atlas, etc.)
• The Sentinel (monthly journal), 10,000
  subscribers
• Policy/Strategy Advice
• Congressional Testimony
• Defense Science Board, Army Science Board,
  military briefings, etc.
• Other
• Academic conferences (Internet radicalization,
  AfPak, SE Asia, etc.
• Funding source diversification

6
Indicators of Success
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Challenges, Years 1 thru 6

• Internal hurdles to establishing a new academic
  unit at West Point
• 13 academic departments, divided over budget,
  curricular priorities, cadet time
• Whos in charge? Accountability issues and
  personality clashes
• Security concerns physical protection?
  antagonizing a lethal enemy?
• Office space, support staff, and computer network
  support
• Personnel (are they qualified to teach other
  courses in the department? Will they relocate to
  West Point for short-term, funding-dependent
  contracts?)
• Establishing a website (logistics, regulations,
  technical control and security issues, design and
  appearance considerations, content control
  issues, bureaucratic resistance, lack of a
  dedicated webmaster or technical expert . . . )
• External challenges
• Army concerns Is a CTC really necessary? Why at
  West Point?
• Ensuring academic integrity, ideological
  neutrality (critical for bridge-building)
• Funding issues perceptions, military
  regulations, logistics (AOG)

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Lessons Learned

• Establish Purpose and Relevance
• Must contribute in multiple, meaningful ways (our
  emphasis on education and scholarly-policy
  bridge-building has been a key to our relevance
  and success)
• Define a lane, stay in it, but dont be afraid to
  take risks
• Establish boundaries dont be too opportunistic,
  even if this constrains funding opportunities
  maintain academic integrity, ideological
  neutrality
• Assemble and Lead the Right Herd of Cats
• Build a Cloud Network of multi-disciplinary
  collaboration
• Establish a Robust Communications Effort
• Work with institutional public affairs office on
  media relations
• Give briefings to whomever asks (from Rotary
  clubs to Congressional staff)
• Diversify funding sources
• Establish a long-term endowment