ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the history and achievements of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). It argues that the JTTF model represents the most successful whole-of-government approach to fighting terrorism due to its seamless blending of resources, talent, and connections—all focused on a common purpose. This model represents the gold standard in uniting disparate agencies for large investigations that sometimes extend beyond terrorism. The chapter revisits the New York JTTF’s efforts to investigate al-Qaida before and after the 9/11 attacks, as well as the many challenges it encountered working with other U.S. intelligence agencies in the lead-up to 9/11.
