Fusion Task Force Operational investigative support

	Background
	Objectives

Fusion Task - what and why?

As the planning for terrorist attacks often spans countries and regions, fighting terrorism requires the same level of effort and cooperation among nations. Spearheading INTERPOL's anti-terrorism efforts is the Fusion Task Force (FTF), created in September 2002 in the wake of the alarming rise in the scale and sophistication of international terrorist attacks.

FTF's primary objectives are to:

• identify active terrorist groups and their membership
• solicit, collect and share information and intelligence
• provide analytical support
• enhance the capacity of member countries to address the threats of terrorism and organised crime.

As terrorist organisations' far-reaching activities are inextricably linked, the task force investigates not only attacks, but also organizational hierarchies, training, financing, methods, and motives.

INTERPOL has identified public safety and terrorism as a priority crime area, and countries can benefit from INTERPOL's unique position in the international law enforcement community in the fight against terrorism. The INTERPOL officials involved with the FTF are all terrorism specialists seconded from their home countries.

Regional & global efforts

Six regional task forces have been created in regions considered to be particularly susceptible to terrorist activity: Project Pacific (Southeast Asia), Project Kalkan (Central Asia), Project Amazon (South America), Project Baobab (Africa), Project NEXUS (Europe) and Project Middle East. An immediate goal is to increase the number of officers from the above regions to develop region-specific initiatives and enhance the effectiveness of the task force in these areas. In January 2008, 119 member states were contributing to terrorism related matters.

Fusion Task Force in action

INTERPOL works closely with organizations such as the United Nations Al Qaeda and Taliban monitoring teams and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to maintain its lists of suspected terrorists. FTF also maintains a secure website for member countries which includes all information on the Fusion Task Working Group Meetings, including presentations and analytical reports; photo boards of suspected terrorists; notices and diffusion lists. In January 2008, 545 users were accessing the FTF restricted web site.

Returns on investment

FTF efforts have already reaped substantial returns: as in January 2008, there were 8 479 persons suspected in database linked to terrorist activities who have no ASF restriction; the FTF team has built a contact network of nearly 200 contact officers in more than 100 member countries.