The document summarizes an Arizona State University study abroad program in Israel focused on counter-terrorism training. The program was designed to introduce modern counter-terrorism techniques to students preparing for careers related to national security. Students received briefings from experts on topics like suicide bombings and visited sites targeted by attacks. The program aimed to fill the need for preparing the next generation of national security practitioners and to create a bridge between academics and real-world experts. Studying counter-terrorism in Israel provided access to decades of experience dealing with terrorism that is not available in the United States.

1. www.iacsp.com
Preparing
the Next Generation
of Defenders
By Charles and Rebecca Loftus
F O B WA R H O R S E ,
Iraq (Sept. 10, 2008) Petty
Officer 2nd Class Jason Jordan,
assigned to Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD MU) 12,
practices reflexive firing during a periodic
weapons assessment at Forward Operating Base
Warhorse. The assessment allows EOD team members
the opportunity to ensure optimal weapon performance
while maintaining combat readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Mario A. Quiroga/Released)
Vol.14, No.4
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International

2. A study abroad seminar in Israel might not be the first The ASU delegation included both traditional Israel and Arizona share a number of character-
students and students who are current practi- istics including a warm, dry climate. But the
choice for many college students, but the delegation tioners such as military officers, ROTC cadets two regions also face similar issues relating to
from Arizona State University that traveled to Israel and police officers. Many of this latter group infrastructure and border security, immigration,
attended to increase their skill level and see and scarcity of water resources. Many of the
in July 2008 was not composed of the typical what they could bring back to their agencies. solutions the Israelis have implemented could
While counter-terrorism training is offered in be applicable in the Southwestern United States,
college students. In its first counter-terrorism class
the United States, it is rare for the facilitators even in non-security related fields. For example,
in Jerusalem, Israel, ASU’s goal was to introduce to include international experts who have per- the Israeli requirement for solar hot water heaters
sonally experienced this type of attack or dealt for all newly constructed residences could save
modern intelligence and counter-terrorism techniques with its consequences. The program offered a tremendous amounts of energy.
different focus for students from the latter cat-
to a select population of students: the next generation
egory (including weapons training and defensive Issues related to security walls were also a con-
of defenders. tactics). Because of the sensitive nature of the sideration in selecting Israel as the destination
material and because some students did not want for this study abroad program. With the present
to be exposed to this material, it was not offered construction of the US-Mexico security wall,
Need to Fill the Gap to the traditional students. anticipation of similar threats and attempted
breaches were examined during the course of
Why Israel? the program. At a time in the US where crimes
The seminar was coordinated in partnership with the committed by illegal immigrants are increas-
Israel was chosen for a multitude of reasons, ingly in the news, Israel’s drop in violent crime
Institute of Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR). not the least of which is the country’s long his- after construction of its security walls made a
tory of fighting terrorism. Israel’s defenders strong argument in favor of similar structures
This joint partnership provided a unique opportunity (e.g. police, military, intelligence) have been at US borders.
for students to learn from experts with hands-on protecting the country against hostile forces
for approximately 60 years. This time frame So, choosing Israel as the location for this study
experience in the field of counter terror. Moreover, easily exceeds the professional career of over 3 abroad program made sense for a number of
generations. This delegation sought to tap into practical reasons.
students were given access to locations not normally
this vast reservoir of knowledge and experience
accessible to citizens of Israel, let alone tourists or because our generation of defenders in the Focus on Suicide Attacks
US is close to or in the process of retirement.
other student groups. Indeed, in the seven years since the attacks Particular interest was focused on suicide bomb-
on September 11, those who entered the fray ers/attackers, a subject with which Jerusalem
are close to the midpoint of their careers. The has unfortunately become all too familiar.
The Global War on Terror is unlike any other war ones already involved are close to
the United States has fought. We are battling retirement or already retired. Thus,
non-government combatants and the duration there is a need to prepare not only
of this war will endure well past the careers of the next generation, but succeeding
current defenders. Recognizing that the torch generations of defenders.
needs to be passed to the next generation, it is
critical that experts in the field prepare the suc- Israel was also selected because it
cessive generation. is the only true democracy in the Israel was also selected because it is the
region, and its institutions and ser-
Since the War on Terror is not limited to gov-
only true democracy in the region, and its
vices are regularly tested by hostile
ernment agencies, the class was geared toward forces. Seeing firsthand how the institutions and services are regularly tested
students from a variety of degree fields: emer- need for national security is bal-
gency management, foreign service, military anced against civil liberties gave by hostile forces. Seeing firsthand how the
service, intelligence, political science, criminal students insight into how the two need for national security is balanced
justice, and victim services/grief management. concepts can co-exist. In addition,
Additionally, this struggle involves private in- as a democracy, Israel exhibits some against civil liberties gave students insight
dustry and protection of infrastructure as well. of the same weaknesses as the US
Indeed, there is a demand for professionals in (e.g. polarized politics, corruption, into how the two concepts can co-exist. In
this area, so the need is not limited to military and vocal activists). addition, as a democracy, Israel exhibits
and government service.
Moreover, few civilian institutions some of the same weaknesses as the US
There is a strong need to create a bridge be- provide specialized instruction to
tween academics and practitioners in this field. prepare students for the practical
(e.g. polarized politics, corruption, and
Although a solid background in the theories career. While this delegation of ASU vocal activists).
of aggression, political issues and history are students was granted unprecedented
important, a practical application is also neces- access to security operations not gen-
sary. Practitioners need to be given a sound erally open to other student groups,
transition into whatever field they choose, and this level of access is not available to
this program provides unparalleled access to similar groups in the United States. Thanks
real-life examples. ITRR was able to fill these to ITRR’s connections in Israeli government
gaps with its treasure chest of experts. and industry, access was made.

3. www.iacsp.com
Consequently, considerable time was spent on ing this threat and are starting preparations. The
briefings by experts on suicide bombers, and the demand for education and training in suicide at-
students visited many suicide attack locations. tacks appears to be increasing, and for a student
Particular emphasis was placed on motives, to already possess a basic toolbox for this threat
security breaches, and lessons learned. This helps increase their marketability.
particular element was highly valuable not only
to the practitioners but in preparing the students Public-Private
for the likelihood of a wave of suicide bombers
in the United States. Partnerships
The phenomenon of school shootings is, sadly, Among the many subjects ITRR introduced to
not new to the United States. But, if this type the students was the importance of public-private
of violence was suddenly linked with Islamic partnerships. The underlying message was that
extremists inside the continental US, the psy- government alone cannot protect the country;
chological impact would be much more serious. private industry must also play a large role in
One aspect was very clear: the citizens of Israel national security. In a time where governmental
have been battle-hardened, and their ability organizations are increasingly short of resources,
to rebound to a “normal” existence after such this partnership with private organizations for
attacks is extraordinary. The ability of the US the sake of security is particularly important.
community to rebound as fast in similar attacks
is yet to be determined. Students toured several infrastructure locations,
all of which had very creative relationships
If the US was to experience an active shooter with private industry to provide a high level of
incident such as the March 2008 murder of asset protection. The common thread among
eight students at a Jerusalem rabbinical semi- the locations was the emphasis that security is
nary (Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav) or the 2002 everyone’s responsibility. These experiences
bombing at Hebrew University which killed showed the students not only a functional secu-
nine students, tremendous pressure would be rity role in private industry but also a macro view
placed on government resources to return the of the security umbrella that Israel has created
community to the status-quo. With weapons to protect herself.
much more available in the US than in Israel, the
probability of a bulldozer attack is not as high Summary
(although not beyond the realm of possibility),
and the chances of active shooter and bomber The ASU delegation’s trip to Israel was con-
situations quite high. sidered a successful initial venture, and one in
which the university plans to offer again. There
The study of suicide attacks is of growing is a great need to prepare the next generation
interest not only within academia but among of defenders, regardless of whether they are
practitioners as well. The ASU delegation seeking employment in governmental service or
was particularly interested in learning threat private organizations. In a time when succession
identification, detection, mitigation, detection, planning is a buzz word for industries across the
and neutralization. The students were very globe, this particular type of planning is all made
eager to obtain as much post-action analysis all the more important by the very real threats to
as possible. freedom and democracy.
The American public has become accustomed to About the Author
hearing about suicide attacks in Israel, Iraq, and
Afghanistan; however, many did not recognize Charles Loftus, Ph.D., is a veteran police officer in Arizona
the potential for this type of attack to become and teaches National Security, Intelligence, International
a reality in the United States. Along with the Terrorism, Domestic Terrorism and Homeland Security.
multitude of other social issues that accompany Dr. Loftus is heavily involved with research regarding
FOB WARHORSE, Iraq (Sept. 10, 2008) the US Security Wall, Police Corruption and Local
our porous border situation, the opportunity for Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Preparedness for terrorist attacks.
would-be suicide attackers to slip through the US Mobile Unit (EOD MU) 12 man the firing Charles.loftus@asu.edu
border is an increasingly dire reality. line during a periodic weapons assessment
at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. The Rebecca Loftus, Ph.D., is a veteran probation supervisor
With Iran’s continued development of nuclear assessment allows EOD team members and policy advisor in Arizona. Her area of specialty
technology, it is very likely to be the recipient the opportunity to ensure optimal weapon includes violent sex crimes, Internet child pornography,
performance while maintaining combat and women in crime. This Dr. Loftus regularly teaches
of a pre-emptive attack to delay or destroy its
readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass International and Domestic politics, Women, Crime and
nuclear program. Regardless of who attacks Communication Specialist 1st Class Mario Justice, and Sex Crimes and Sex Offenders.
Iran, it is likely that its allies (including Hezbol- A. Quiroga/Released) Rebecca.loftus@asu.edu
lah) will retaliate with suicide attacks within the
United States and against its allies. American
intelligence and law enforcement are recogniz-
46 Vol.14, No.4
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International