Comitato di Analisi Strategica Antiterrorismo (C.A.S.A.)

The Counterterrorism Committee for Strategic Analysis (C.A.S.A.) is a permanent round table composed by senior representatives of the security agencies of the Italian State. The centre has functions related to coordination, prevention, pursuit and response.
The body applies a multi-agency comprehensive approach in relation to potential threats of terrorism and application of domestic policies. While in one side it promotes gathering and analysis of information concerning the national and international threats and sharing within the security agencies, on the other it provides info-operational coordination to the territorial offices - regionals or locals – of the Italian state.
Furthermore, the body produces risk assessment analysis, every time that a relevant terrorist attack takes place in the European soil. When this scenario occurs, the risk assessment report is complemented with information provided by representative security officers of the EU member state or third country attacked. C.A.S.A. has as well political and representative functions in EU and international arenas. It participates to periodical meetings with foreign analogous organisms with the scope of determining the current status of threats, assessing the best practices available and promoting bilateral initiative between Italy and other states.
The strategic location and the proximity of the actors involved ensures a prompt reaction and gathering in case of need and an immediate coordination of the security agencies, which results on development of top-down operational strategies, information sharing and prompt intervention.
The sustainability of the practice is enhanced on its ability to transmit promptly top-down decisions and bottom-up feedbacks and results.
The round table allows to transfer skills and knowledge to the diverse actors who are or might be involved with the arisen situation and potential threat.
While on the strategical side, the mechanisms provide high inclusiveness of the relevant security actors, it does not foresee the involvement of those stakeholders working at the community level on prevention to violent extremism leading to terrorism.

The Counterterrorism Committee for Strategic Analysis (C.A.S.A.) is a permanent round table composed by senior representatives of the security agencies of the Italian State. The round table, which is located at the Ministry of Interior and headed by the Central Chief of the Prevention Police with functions of President, brings together senior officials from the law enforcement agencies (Polizia di Stato and Arma dei Carabinieri), a representative of the Department of Information and Security, forepersons from the intelligence agencies (AISE and AISI) and when necessary the Penitentiary Department and the Financial Investigatory Authority (Guardia di Finanza).
The body applies a multi-agency comprehensive approach in relation to potential threats of terrorism and application of domestic policies. While on the one hand it promotes gathering and analysis of information concerning national and international threats and sharing this between security agencies, on the other it provides info-operational coordination to the territorial offices - regional or local – of the Italian state.
The fields of intervention are:
- Coordination of national measures against Jihadist extremism and assessment of implementation at local and regional levels;
- Information sharing on foreign citizens (e.g. Foreign Fighters) considered radicalised
- Information sharing on provisions of expulsion against individuals considered dangerous for the national security;
- Coordination of extraordinary measures of preventive character at the national and regional levels;
- Intelligence gathering in relation to persons and associations of interest with the scope of verifying eventual financial flow from and to international terrorist networks;
- Monitoring of the Web with reference to Jihadist propaganda and potential terrorist threats;
The policy led to weekly preventive interventions at airports, seaports, train stations and to all those strategic bus stations for routes constituting a hub for foreign fighters.
Furthermore, the body produces risk assessment analysis for the round table, every time that a relevant terrorist attack takes place in Europe. When this scenario occurs, the risk assessment report is complemented with information provided by representative security officers of the EU member state or the third country that was attacked.
Whereas C.A.S.A. is the most important strategic body in terms of Italian counter-terrorism, it has further political and representative functions in EU and international arenas.
In its collegial configuration, the C.A.S.A. participates to periodical meetings with foreign analogous organisms with the scope of determining the current status of threats and assess the best practices to pursue on the field.
In this scenario, the centre represents a bilateral initiative between Italy and other states leading to international cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Recent meetings
- Following the terrorist attack of Manchester, the Italian Minister of Interior, Marco Minniti, headed an extraordinary gathering of C.A.S.A. with representatives of LEAs, Intelligence agencies and the representative in Rome for UK security. It was decided to reinforce the security measures of sensitive sites and locations where large gatherings occur (soft targets) in order to prevent similar attacks in Italy. Finally, the round table resulted in a Directive addressed to councils’ leaders in order to ensure the control of the territory and the execution of preventive approaches.
Available data:
- In 2013 C.A.S.A gathered 51 times, 50 in ordinary and 1 in extraordinary meeting- Among the 266 topics reviewed, 164 related to threats against national interests.
- In 2014 C.A.S.A. gathered 53 times. Among the 465 topics reviewed, 255 related to threats against the national interests.
- In 2015 C.A.S.A gathered 57 times, 7 in extraordinary circumstances- Among the 578 topics reviewed, 308 related to threats against the national interests.
- 2016: no official data have been published so far.
Legal Basis:
The creation of the body finds its legal basis on the art.6 of Law Decree of 6 May 2002, which was formalised with the Ministerial Decree of 6th of May 2004 enlisting the National Plan for events on terrorist nature and the procedures and functions of the Crisis Unit.

C.A.S.A. is a coordination body which facilitates the sharing of knowledge and expertise to Italian security agencies. The expertise of the centre is also spread to the regional and local level in order to ensure proactive response and top-down coordination.

Has C.A.S.A. brings together representatives from all the security agencies available in the national territory in order to coordinate and support information and knowledge sharing, the concept can be easily transferred to other scenarios, both an international, national and regional level.

The functions of C.A.S.A. are part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy goal A.1 – Prevention and countering of the anarchist and fundamentalist threat and reinforcement of the international cooperation with those countries where the phenomena are of high relevance.
At the operational level goal A.1 is divided into 6 sub-categories, which at A.1.1 finds: carry out a constant analysis and update on the international and domestic scenarios likely to evolve on potential terrorist threats predisposing suitable measures for prevention and countering within the framework of C.A.S.A. activity.
Every December the Ministry of Interior evaluate the results obtained on each operational goal through a quantitative assessment in percentage of the status of progress of its strategies.
For the year 2014, A.1.1. constituted the 15% of general goal A.1; its target goal was 100% and by 31 December 2014 the reached value was 100%.
For the year 2015, A.1.1. constituted the 35% of general goal A.1; its target goal was 100% and by 31 December 2015 the reached value was 100%.

Cooperation between Italian security agencies and other EU States and Third Parties when necessary.
• Law Enforcement Agencies (Polizia di Stato and Arma dei Carabinieri)
• Central Chief of the Prevention Police (Direttore Centrale della Polizia di Prevenzione)
• Department for Information and Security (DIS)
• Intelligence Agencies (AISE and AISI)
• Penitentiary Department
• Financial Investigatory Authority (Guardia di Finanza)

No information available

1) Francesco Marone, ‘The use of Deportation in Counter-Terrorism: Insight from the Italian Case’, International Centre for Counter Terrorism - The Hague (ICCT), 13/3/2017. Available at https://icct.nl/publication/the-use-of-deportation-in-counter-terrorism-insights-from-the-italian-case/ [accessed 27/07/2017].
2) Giulia Paravicini, ‘From Mafia to Terror: the Italian Way’, Politico.eu, 11/3/2016. Available at http://www.politico.eu/article/operation-expulsion-italys-controversial-counterterrorism-strategy-tunisian-imam-civil-liberties/ [accessed 27/07/2017].
3) Ministro dell’interno, Piano Della Performance 2015-2017. Available at http://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/modulistica/ pianoperformance2015-2017.pdf [accessed 27/07/2017].
4) Ministro dell’interno, Relazione sulla Performance 2015. Available at http://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/allegati/ relazione_sulla_performance_2015_dic_12.pdf [accessed 27/07/2017].
5) Ministro dell’interno, Relazione sulla Performance 2013. Available at https://performance.gov.it/performance/relazioni-performance/documento/160 [accessed 27/07/2017].
6) Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Relazione sulla politica dell’Informazione per la Sicurezza 2016. Available at https://www.sicurezzanazionale.gov.it/sisr.nsf/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/relazione-2016.pdf [accessed 27/07/2017].
7) Polizia di Stato, Viminale: riunione del Comitato di analisi strategica antiterrorismo, 15/07/2016. Available at http://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/155788fe7dde874078744817 [accessed 27/07/2017].
8) Ministero dell’Interno, Comitato di analisis Strategica Antiterrorismo opo I fatti di Manchester, Comunicato Stampa del 23/05/2017. Available at http://www.interno.gov.it/it/sala-stampa/comunicati-stampa/comitato-analisi-strategica-antiterrorismo-dopo-i-tragici-fatti-manchester [accessed 27/07/2017].
9) Claudio Ianniello, Polizia e Democrazia, Il comitato di Analisi Strategica Antiterrorismo. Available at www.poliziaedemocrazia.it 27/07/2017].

www.poliziaedemocrazia.it
http://www.interno.gov.it/it/sala-stampa/comunicati-stampa/comitato-analisi-strategica-antiterrorismo-dopo-i-tragici-fatti-manchester
http://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/155788fe7dde874078744817
https://www.sicurezzanazionale.gov.it/sisr.nsf/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/relazione-2016.pdf
https://performance.gov.it/performance/relazioni-performance/documento/160
http://www.interno.gov.it
http://www.interno.gov.it/modulistica/pianoperformance2015-2017.pdf
http://www.politico.eu/article/operation-expulsion-italys-controversial-counterterrorism-strategy-tunisian-imam-civil-liberties/
https://icct.nl/publication/the-use-of-deportation-in-counter-terrorism-insights-from-the-italian-case/

The multi-agency programme comprises measures that aim to prevent and counter potential terrorist threats on Italian soil. The constant analysis of domestic and international events combined with coordination of national security agencies and prompt application of info-operational strategies at the regional and local levels ensures that the country has an effective mix of measures at its disposal to confront the current threat. In spite of this, an attack can never be avoided.
The practices within this framework are consistent with the overall goal of the project. On the one hand, important efforts are made to constantly analyse the potential risk of terrorist attacks and the impact of these incidents; and on the other, solid measures are implemented at the national, regional and local level ensuring information sharing and operational coordination in a top-down strategy and bottom-up feedback mechanisms. Moreover, the key role played in international gathering and in bilateral meeting ensures cooperation with similar mechanisms present in other European and national contexts.

The central aim of C.A.S.A. is to ensure information sharing between the different security agencies available in the Italian framework and coordinate operational measures at the national, regional and local levels. With regards to the area of intervention the centre provides ad hoc analysis of potential threats and the impact of terrorist attacks in the future. As threat assessments are treated as unique situations, the approach therefore results in strategies and tactics that are customized according to the specific needs of specific, relevant actors.
Reports indicate that the objectives have so far been achieved.
Representatives of all the security agencies play a fundamental role in ensuring that all the bodies have access to the most updated and consistent information and are able to promptly assess the needs of the case. The round table ensures that decisions are taken involving all the relevant actors and that operational orders are provided to the regional and local authorities in a short time. Moreover, the involvement of particular actor as the financial investigation authority, the probation department and the representatives from other member states ensure that the round table has access to multiple actors and agencies when assessing which strategy to pursue.
Because the approach takes into account all the available security actors it can be assessed that the adequate monitoring and assessment and a multi-agency top-bottom response provides effectiveness.

Although there is not information available related to the costs of C.A.S.A., it can be presumed that the strategy has a low cost. The meetings take place at the Ministry of Interior premises which is located in Rome and houses in its premises representatives from all the national security agencies.
The strategic location and the proximity of the actors involved to the centre ensures a prompt reaction and gathering in case of need and an immediate effect on the development of strategies.
The data available show that C.A.S.A gathered 51 times in 2013, 53 times in 2014 and 57 times in 2015, resulting in more than one meeting weekly. On details, during the latter year 578 topics reviewed, of which 308 related to threats against the national interests.
Furthermore, the evaluation provided every year by the Ministry of Interior indicates that C.A.S.A. reached the 100% of proposed targets for the years 2014 and 2015 (no more recent Information available).
Considering the mentioned indicators and their results, the strategy seems of low cost and extremely efficient.

The impact of the strategy is extremely high. The coordination of the security agencies and the top-down operational application and knowledge sharing ensures a prompt intervention.
With this is mind it is important to mention that unlike many other EU states, Italy has so far avoided major attacks on home soil. On the one hand, the country has a well-developed security apparatus able to effectively address terrorist and organised crime threats (i.e. Black and Red brigades in the past, anarchist groups currently and Mafia groups). On the other hand, the country has recently been largely affected by the migration phenomenon leading to higher levels of grievance in those communities, which could potentially lead to attacks from extremist-oriented individuals within them.
Furthermore, it is extremely important to mention that the country pursues an ‘expulsion policy’ of foreign citizens considered a potential threat to national security. Data provided by the government indicates that from January 2015 to March 2017, 147 individuals have been deported without prior trial since, including at least 12 imams. All deportations were allegedly related to the deportees harbouring extremist Islamist views. The vast majority come from North Africa and the Balkans. Moreover, according to recent estimates, Italy represents a country with relatively few instances of foreign fighters having left, compared to other European countries and only a small minority (arguably fewer than 20) have been proven to have Italian passports.

The sustainability of the practice is enhanced on its ability to transmit promptly top-down decisions and bottom-up feedbacks and results.
The round table allows the transferal of skills and knowledge to the diverse actors who are or might be involved with the arisen situation and potential threat.
During the year 2015, C.A.S.A. met 57 times, resulting in more than meeting per week. In these occasions 578 topics reviewed, of which 308 related to threats against the national interests and consequent assessments and decisions taken.
Due to its significant expertise base, positive impact and efficiency the body has been mentioned in several occasions by EU agencies working in security has a good practice on the field as it develops and enables longer-term capabilities within other institutions.

As mentioned C.A.S.A. is composed of senior representatives of the security agencies of the Italian State. The round table, itself is made up of the Central Chief of the Prevention Police, chiefs of La Polizia di Stato and Arma dei Carabinieri, a representative of the Department of Information and Security, various heads of the intelligence agencies (AISE and AISI) and in necessary cases includes representatives from the Penitentiary Department, the Financial Investigatory Authority (Guardia di Finanza) and relevant representatives from foreign countries.
While on the strategical side, the mechanisms provide high inclusiveness of the relevant security actors, it does not foresee the involvement of those stakeholders working at the community level on prevention to violent extremism leading to terrorism.
It is suggested to include on the round table periodical meetings with those practitioners working on the cause of the phenomena (socialists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, civil society organisations, front-line practitioners) which due to their expert knowledge could give extremely beneficial suggestions for more comprehensive approaches. As a result, the centre would be able to re-dimension and adapt its coercive strategies to the needs of the current society.