[3][4][5] The United States counterterrorism policy has four main aims: Regarding international terrorism, the U.S. government will make no concessions to individuals or groups holding official or private U.S. citizens hostage.

[7] Johnson wrote: I believe that part of the reason the statistics became an issue again this year is because of the failure to keep the position of the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism filled with a competent Presidential appointee.

While the conventional wisdom is that State Department’s role in combating terrorism consists of sending stern diplomatic notes to terrorists, it is an unfair and inaccurate perception.

A National Security Decision Directive signed by President Ronald Reagan in early 1986 gave State the responsibility of coordinating international terrorism policy.

Recognizing the need for a clear chain of command the Department of State was put in charge of coordinating the efforts of CIA, DOD, and FBI to track and deal with terrorism.