An effective strategy must incorporate many elements. Active prevention, preemption, and retaliation are crucial. One of the best deterrents to terrorism is the certainty that swift and sure measures will be taken against those who engage in it. Democratic countries need to be united in a common defense against terrorism. Sanctions, when exercised in concert with other nations, can help to isolate, weaken, or punish States that sponsor terrorism against the United States and its allies, Additionally, the United States has begun to augment and improve its capabilities in terms of accurate information and intelligence. The ability to analyze and report on terrorist threats has increased, and data facilities have been expanded to keep on record information on individual terrorists and terrorist groups. Finally, the U.S. Government must join with businesses overseas to meet the threat of terrorism together. Toward this end, a joint venture between the State Department and the private sector, the Overseas Security Advisory Council, has been formed. Among the goals of this organization are to establish a continuing liaison between officials in both the public and private sector in charge of security matters and to recommend plans for greater operational coordination between the Government and the private sector overseas.