The tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the subsequent anthrax attacks, and persistent threats clearly demonstrate the importance of continuing to prepare our nation to counter more effectively the threats of terrorism. These attacks underscore the urgency by which we must act to implement fully a comprehensive national approach to preparedness.
The Advisory Panel began its work in 1999 with an in-depth consideration of the terrorist threats faced by the United States. We have continued to analyze and deliberate the issues and to offer recommendations that we believe will better prepare the United States to deal with such threats.
To that end, this third annual report represents three years of focused deliberation and cumulative recommendations. Because each set of recommendations builds on the ones contained in the previous year’s report, this Executive Summary encapsulates the recommendations in the second report and a brief explanation of those contained in the full third annual report.
