Report — May 2018

This independent report and its recommendations focus on ways to improve the development, coordination, delivery, and impact of UN efforts in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism (PVE). In light of the changes to the threat environment and alterations made to the UN architecture, this report also looks at what can be done to ensure that the sixth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy can be used to assess more systematically the effectiveness of UN efforts to support Strategy implementation at headquarters, on the ground, and, importantly, between the two.

Book chapter — 2018

“Principles of Effective Counterterrorism,” by Alistair Millar in The Ecology of Violent Extremism: Perspectives on Peacebuilding and Human Security, ed. by Lisa Schirch (Lanham, Md., Rowman & Littlefield International, 2018).
Counterterrorism policy requires a holistic effort to assess, prevent, deter, and counter terrorism. The chapter’s author offers four essential principles for guiding policy makers and practitioners in developing a principled approach to countering terrorism.

Report — October 2017

“The UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) was established in 2004 with the core mission of supporting the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in monitoring the implementation of counterterrorism obligations required by Security Council Resolution 1373 and facilitating technical assistance to member states to aid their implementation activities. Since 2004, however, CTED’s mandate has expanded considerably in response to the evolution of the threat and the increased number of stakeholders benefiting from CTED assessments and analyses, a group that includes not only the council itself, but also UN member states in general, regional and functional organizations, and other counterterrorism-relevant entities inside and outside the UN system.”

Journal Article — 7 April 2017

“Trump’s Muddled Message on Human Rights and Security,” by Eric Rosand and Alistair Millar, Just Security, (7 April 2017).

Journal Article — 24 February 2017

“Proposal for UN Counterterrorism Coordinator Misses the Mark,” by Alistair Millar and Eelco Kessels, IPI Global Observatory, (24 February 2017).

Report — September 2016

The Global Center has produced this independent report to take stock of a decade of multilateral activities implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (Strategy), including past biennial reviews, and develop a set of findings and recommendations to support implementation efforts in the coming decade.

Journal Article — 28 January 2016

“Is UN Equipped to Deliver New Plan on Preventing Extremism,” by Alistair Millar, IPI Global Observatory, (28 January 2016).

Report — May 2015

This report outlines ideas for strategies, programs, and initiatives that can be implemented to prevent and counter violent extremism in the Greater Horn of Africa and increase human security and community resilience. Suggestions include training officials and frontline practitioners to enhance their engagement with communities, improving service delivery and reform of the security and criminal justice sectors, introducing disengagement and reintegration programs, promoting subregional cooperation and information sharing, fostering youth leadership, engaging the media and the private sector, and strengthening the capacity of and engagement with civil society actors.

Magazine article — September/October 2014

“Between Iraq and a Hard Place,” by David Cortright, Sojourners, September/October 2014.

Report — April 2014

The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006, presented a watershed moment for the institution that has historically faced fundamental divisions on counterterrorism issues, which has limited cooperation among member states. This report reflects on the United Nations’ performance on counterterrorism issues since the adoption of the Strategy in 2006, and in particular, developments since the 2012 review. It offers a strategic analysis of the changing counterterrorism landscape since the last review. The report concludes with a set of practical recommendations for the UN and member states to strengthen UN counterterrorism capacities, particularly through internal coordination, responsive programming, improved reporting, and strategic communication.