U.S. Department of State

The tragic events of 9/11 demonstrated the gravity of the threat international terrorists pose to the United States and its citizens, at home and abroad. With a presence in some 60 countries, Al-Qaeda continues to be of great concern, although it has been significantly weakened by U.S. actions in the past two years. The Department has the lead in international aspects of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), which remains its top priority. In every corner of the globe, the Secretary, other senior officials, and Ambassadors have pressed their counterparts for expanded cooperation and intensified efforts against terrorists. Through such effective diplomacy, the U.S. has developed and leads a worldwide coalition that acts to suppress terrorism on all fronts: military, intelligence, law enforcement, public diplomacy and financial. In collaboration with its partners in other agencies and in other countries, the Department will remain committed to combating terrorist networks wherever they exist, until the mission is accomplished and Americans are secure from such threats. To date, the Department has mobilized some 180 countries and territories in the GWOT to identify, disrupt and destroy international terrorist organizations. Over 3,000 terrorist suspects have been arrested, and over $138 million in terrorists' assets have been blocked by over forty foreign governments. Key to the ability to mobilize effective action by our foreign partners is the provision of training to those who want to help but lack the means. Since 9/11, these programs, including programs on anti-terrorist assistance, terrorist interdiction, and terrorist finance, have significantly improved the abilities of many countries to be effective partners.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage gestures during a press conference in the headquarters of the U.S.-led occupation force in Baghdad. © AP Photo/Ali Haider