The Obama administration is changing the way it wants to combat terrorism.

In a new report released Wednesday, the White House advocated fighting the threat more on the local level.

While the administration acknowledges al Qaeda is still a significant and direct threat, it says local communities around the country are best suited to take on violent extremism.  

"Violent extremists are targeting their children, families, and neighbors," officials said in the report. "Rather than blame particular communities, it is essential that we find ways to help them protect themselves."

Under the three-pronged plan, the government said it would:

• Support communities by sharing information.
  
• Strengthen cooperation with local law enforcement.
  
• Help people understand and protect themselves against violent extremist propaganda.

The eight-page plan titled Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism was more than a year in the making.
 
Still, it's is short on specifics and stakes out no new ground on homegrown terrorism.

CBN News Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck will talk more about the new counter-terrorism strategy on the Newswatch, Aug. 3.