ism should include economic policies that encourage development,
more open societies, and opportunities for people to improve the lives
of their families and to enhance prospects for their children's future.
Practically every aspect of U.S. counterterrorism strategy relies on international
cooperation. Since 9/11, these contacts concerning military, law enforcement,
intelligence, travel and customs, and financial matters have expanded so dra-
matically, and often in an ad hoc way, that it is difficult to track these efforts,
much less integrate them.
developing a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamist terror-
ism. There are several multilateral institutions in which such issues
should be addressed. But the most important policies should be dis-
cussed and coordinated in a flexible contact group of leading coalition
governments.This is a good place, for example, to develop joint strate-
gies for targeting terrorist travel, or for hammering out a common
strategy for the places where terrorists may be finding sanctuary.
with each other in organizations such as NATO and the Group of Eight sum-
mit of leading industrial nations.A recent G-8 summit initiative to begin a dia-
logue about reform may be a start toward finding a place where leading Muslim
states can discuss--and be seen to discuss--critical policy issues with the lead-
ing Western powers committed to the future of the Arab and Muslim world.
structive efforts to direct assistance and coordinate action.
it harder to build the diplomatic, political, and military alliances the government
will need. The United States should work with friends to develop mutually
agreed-on principles for the detention and humane treatment of captured inter-
national terrorists who are not being held under a particular country's criminal
laws. Countries such as Britain,Australia, and Muslim friends, are committed to
fighting terrorists.America should be able to reconcile its views on how to bal-
ance humanity and security with our nation's commitment to these same goals.