NSC hosts leading counter-terrorism experts

On 4 September, the ANU National Security College (NSC) hosted a reception at Old Parliament House for the McCain Counter Terrorism fellows and NSC alumni. Guests were privileged to hear addresses from counter-terrorism experts Nick Rasmussen and Steve Killelea AM.

Nick Rasmussen was the former United States Counter Terrorism Coordinator, and White House senior counter-terrorism official under Presidents Bush and Obama. Nick was instrumental in creating the McCain Institute National Security and Counterterrorism Fellowship. As part of the McCain Institute’s mission to advance democracy, human dignity, and security, the Fellowship program fosters relationships between FVEY emerging leaders. Executed in partnership with NSC, the 2024 program also featured meetings with senior leaders and practitioners across the national security community. 

Steve Killelea AM is one of Australia’s preeminent philanthropists focused on peace and sustainable development, including establishing the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) which undertakes research on the contribution of peace to global prosperity and development. Steve spoke about the important work of the IEP, in particular the Global Terrorism Index. In 2023, Global deaths from terrorism increased by 22 per cent (now at their highest level since 2017), whilst the number of terrorist incidents fell by 22 per cent, and the number of countries experiencing terrorism incidents also fell. Showing that whilst acts of terrorism are falling, they are becoming more concentrated, and also more lethal. 

The event was a great opportunity for NSC alumni to network with counter-terrorism experts. We would like to thank everyone who helped make the event a success.