Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program (ATA)
The Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program fosters cooperation between U.S. law enforcement officers and those of our partner nations engaged in anti-terrorism efforts. ATA provides advanced counterterrorism training and equipment grants to maintain and increase our partners' capabilities to find and arrest terrorists. The ATA program also advances U.S. foreign policy goals by strengthening bilateral relationships.
Nearly all terrorists that have been captured overseas have been apprehended by the law enforcement authorities of our partner nations, most of which are recipients of ATA training and equipment.
The Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) funds and provides policy guidance to the ATA program and determines which countries are authorized to participate in the program. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance (DS/T/ATA) , implements and manages program operations. DS/T/ATA coordinates closely with other federal, state, and local agencies that assist in providing expertise, assessments, training, and facilities. As terrorist networks adjust their tactics and strategies, ATA has continued to adapt and refine its counterterrorism training initiatives to meet evolving threats.
The Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program trains foreign law enforcement personnel to:
- Protect national borders
- Protect critical infrastructure
- Protect the national leadership
- Respond to and resolve terrorist incidents
- Investigate and prosecute those responsible for terrorist acts
- Respond to weapons of mass destruction attacks
- Manage kidnapping for ransom crimes
- Respond to terrorist incidents resulting in mass casualties or fatalities
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