President Pervez Musharraf?s comments echo similar points made in recent WAR Reports analyzing the recent CIA strike against suspected al-Qaeda leaders?including the second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri?in Pakistan within the context of a long-term ?war on terrorism? . Of particular import in such a discussion of long-term counterterrorism strategies is the balance between short-term, tactical-operational initiatives aimed at disrupting and combating current terrorist operations and capabilities and long-term, strategic initiatives aimed at durably eroding the ?root causes? that drive and support terrorist groups and networks. As noted in the January 18 TRC analysis, the long-term strategic ramifications of the strike?the perception that it was a violation of Pakistani sovereignty and the resultant popular and Islamist unrest and pressure on the Musharraf regime?must be taken into account along with any near-term tactical-operational effects.

As each terrorist group or network is unique in its hue of ideology, motivations, and environmental context, advantageous long-term counterterrorism strategies must apply a holistic, sophisticated, and agile package of initiatives, utilizing all elements of national power tailored to erode the particular root causes, support environments, and capabilities of the terrorist groups and networks. A fixation on near-term tactical-operational strategies?while certainly a necessary element of overall counterterrorism strategies, particularly when potential terrorist operations likely to kill and wound can be thwarted?without a sounding against and integration with long-term strategies risks a strategic myopia, imperiling ultimate success against the group.