The International Coalition

The world community has confronted the threat posed by global terrorism with an unprecedented worldwide coalition that is employing every tool of national and international power at its command: diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence, financial investigation, military action, and humanitarian aid.

Just as terrorism constitutes a fluid, elusive enemy, so the new anti-terror alliance has assumed new and flexible forms in which different countries assume different levels of action and responsibility.

Already, the war against global terrorism has achieved important successes. On the diplomatic front, for example, a UN Security Council resolution, adopted unanimously, obligates all 189 members to end all terrorist activity and support, and to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice.

"We cannot overestimate the importance of that trailblazing resolution," said Secretary Powell. "No resources plus no refuge ultimately equals no escape."

Investigators throughout the world have arrested hundreds of individuals with possible ties to al Qaeda and other terrorist networks. The threat of future attacks remains, but the sustained pressure of police work and intelligence gathering, coupled with military operations in Afghanistan, means that al Qaeda is on the run and its network is being dismantled cell by cell, cave by cave.

Killing and hate take money. Drying up the financial sources of terror is vital to end the terrorist threat. More than 112 nations have issued blocking orders and frozen assets used to finance terrorism, which have been found everywhere from bank accounts in the United States to relief organizations in Europe and chains of honey shops in the Middle East. The 29-nation Financial Action Task Force has played a particularly active role in coordinating efforts to identify and stop financial flows to terrorist organizations.

Nations bring their own experiences, concerns, and even policy differences to this effort. That is inevitable, and positive; the diversity and flexible nature of this unprecedented coalition is one of its strengths. But the unity and commitment of the coalition remains deep as well: everyone recognizes that, without concerted action, all nations remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

NEXT: Defeating Terror/Defending Freedom: Terrorism and U.S. Policy