Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584

This executive order establishes the Global Engagement Center (GEC) within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government communications aimed at foreign audiences to counter terrorist messaging from ISIL, al-Qa'ida, and other violent extremists. It replaces the temporary organization created by Executive Order 13584 with a permanent center supported by a temporary coordination office (GECCO) and an interagency steering committee.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 14685

Impact dates

Mar 14, 2019
GECCO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)

Key directives

Secretary of State shall establish Global Engagement Center
Center shall lead coordination of government-wide communications to foreign audiences to counter terrorist messaging
Executive director shall be Special Envoy and Coordinator for Global Engagement Communications reporting through Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy
Develop strategic counterterrorism narratives based on rigorous research and modern data analysis
Establish Steering Committee chaired by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy with designated senior representatives from 10 specified agencies
Establish GECCO as temporary organization under 5 U.S.C. 3161
GECCO to provide technical, marketing, management, and operational support for partner networks outside government
GECCO to develop analytical models and metrics for measurement and evaluation
Agencies directed to provide personnel, premises, equipment, information, and other resources upon request
GECCO termination at end of maximum period under 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Revocation of Executive Order 13584
Establishment of Global Engagement Center mandated
Steering Committee establishment required

Near term (90d)

GECCO staffing and interagency personnel details
Initial partner network development
Research and analytics framework development

Long term

Sustained counterterrorism communications campaigns
Ongoing measurement and evaluation of Center activities
GECCO termination at maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. 3161(a)(1) (typically 3 years for temporary organizations)

Risks & tensions

Potential tension between counterterrorism messaging objectives and First Amendment protections acknowledged in text but not resolved
Vague 'as appropriate' and 'to the extent permitted by law' qualifiers may limit interagency resource commitments
GECCO temporary status (3 years) creates institutional uncertainty despite permanent Center
Non-reimbursable personnel details depend on agency cooperation without enforcement mechanism
Measurement and evaluation of 'hearts and minds' communications notoriously difficult