Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) incorporates a range of policy responses aimed at countering terrorism, which, as the name implies, essentially focus on preventative measures. Beginning as a domestic response to terrorism in Western states, today CVE incorporates a broader range of actors than ever before, as states and societies are confronted with new threats and sources of conflict.

Terrorism and violence prevention have traditionally been the responsibility of security agencies. However, as the focus of CVE policies widen, more and more government and non-government agencies have been drawn into the implementation and development of counter terrorism (CT) initiatives. Under the widened CVE banner, national and international policy-makers have responded to concern about the increased terror threat by increasing outreach and engagement (both online and offline), and incresing CVE aid funding and programming in non-Western states.