When dealing with terrorism while protecting the public interest, a number of important factors come into play. First, counterterrorism programs need to combine both short-term and long-term measures, carefully and strategically balancing strong and soft tactics. Second, even in the face of conflicting goals, preservation of human dignity and fundamental rights is crucial because they form the basis of common society interests. Third, in order to prevent reoccurring cases of backlash and overreach, practitioners should consider historical events in the sector and use lessons learned from previous counterterrorism initiatives. Though it need not ignore existing knowledge, the discipline frequently responds to new dangers. Finally, it is important to evaluate critically whether current issues call for alternative, multidisciplinary approaches and which demand for counterterrorism or P/CVE answers. If counterterrorism is overemphasized, it could misrepresent a variety of issues.
