Spencer Lecture Honors US Alumnus

The FBI's role in the global war on terrorism was the topic of a speech recently delivered by Supervisory Special Agent Eric Smith at University School's ninth annual George E. Spencer III Lecture Series.

The lecture series honors George "Twig" Spencer III, the only known University School alumnus to perish in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Mr. Spencer's family, classmates, and friends established the series to pay tribute to him and to enhance awareness and knowledge of international relations, tolerance and understanding.

Special Agent Smith has served as the FBI’s senior representative to the Counterterrorism Joint Task Force and was deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, where he supported sensitive military operations in multiple theatres of active armed conflict. He has served as the field supervisor for Cleveland Division Counterterrorism Squad and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. As unit chief of the division's investigation unit, he oversaw counterterrorist investigations in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Addressing over 400 students, faculty, and guests at the school's Hunting Valley Campus, Agent Smith said that the primary threats to the U.S. come from Al Qaida and its affiliates, homegrown violent extremists, and domestic terrorists. Citing examples of bombing attempts on commercial and cargo flights in the U.S., he said the most serious threats emanate from members of Al Qaida in the Arabian peninsula who are able to inspire and recruit a small number operatives in the United States to initiate attacks.

"The multitude of terrorism threats coupled with the changing political world climate creates an increasingly complex and evolving landscape," he said. "As a nation we must be equally flexible in our approach if we are to be successful in countering these threats."

Click here to view this year's lecture.