Economic Research: Counter Terrorism Center

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Counter Terrorism Center

Matthew G. Olsen was sworn in as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on 16 August 2011 upon his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

NCTC has two core missions. The first is to serve as the primary organization in the U.S. government for analysis and integration of all terrorism intelligence. In this role Mr. Olsen reports to the Director of National Intelligence. The second mission is to conduct strategic operational planning for counterterrorism activities integrating all elements of U.S. national power. In this role he reports to the President of the United States.

Prior to joining NCTC, Mr. Olsen served as the General Counsel for the National Security Agency where he was the chief legal officer for NSA and the principal legal advisor to the NSA Director.

Mr. Olsen previously served in the Department of Justice as an Associate Deputy Attorney General and was responsible for supervising and coordinating national security and criminal matters. He also was Special Counselor to the Attorney General and Executive Director of the Guantanamo Review Task Force. In 2009 he managed the interagency process to implement the President’s executive order calling for a comprehensive review of the intelligence information pertaining to individuals currently detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.