On September 11, 2001, Americans were witness to one of the most devastating and deadliest attacks on American soil in close to a century. As the World Trade Center came crashing down, America was faced with a threat that continues to plague the country today. Unlike the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the attack on the World Trade Center was not executed by a state actor. Instead, it was the act of terrorism by a group known as Al Qaida. The fight against this terrorist group would continue over the next decade. By most accounts, the struggle even continues today. While this was one of the worst terror attacks in modern history, terrorism is not a new concept. Terrorism dates back to the nationalists’ fights against established governments, but has amplified since the 1970’s. New terrorist groups are constantly forming and recruiting members, not only from their home countries, but thanks to technology, from every corner of the globe. Today, even American citizens are being recruited to fight against the ideals of Western Civilization that are perpetuated by the very county they were born in. While Al Qaida might have been the focus of counter-terrorism a decade ago, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, is an even greater threat to Americans today. It would seem that the main issue with combatting terrorism is that a state cannot use traditional warfare because there is not another state to target. It may be the case, however, the more important and difficult issues of
In the article “Is Terrorism Distinctively Wrong?”, Lionel K. McPherson criticizes the dominant view that terrorism is absolutely and unconditionally wrong. He argues terrorism is not distinctively wrong compared to conventional war. However, I claim that terrorism is necessarily wrong.
Since the brutalizing attacks that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001, terrorist groups such as al Qaeda, and its subdivision turned adversary - the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - which we affectionately refer to as ISIS, have metastasized into a worldwide threat that has shaken our way of life, our culture, and our approach to our opponents (Kohlmann). From 2013 to 2014 there was a whopping 35% increase in terrorism with attacks in 95 countries, proving that despite the valiant counterattacks, terrorism will not go down without a fight (Williams). Of course, the United States did declare a “war on terror” that despite many cons did result in the ultimate pro - the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda and mastermind behind many terrorist attacks, including 9/11 (Shah). All casualties aside, the death of bin Laden, and more specifically the means by which his
When the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred the United States responded in a manner which was seen as a traditional reaction to such an attack; it used its overwhelming superior military to invade the nation of Afghanistan. As Afghanistan was the operating base of the terrorist group responsible for the attacks, Al Qaeda, the invasion all but destroyed the group's operating capacity. But in response to the United States' apparent victory the terrorists have re-organized themselves into a looser confederation and turned to alternative methods of finance and operation. One could say that the success of the American military's answer to the September 11th attacks have created a new environment in which terrorists currently operate. This includes the use of the internet, unconventional alliances with international criminal organizations, as well the inception of the "lone wolf" terrorist. Faced with these new type of threats, the United States and its allies must find a way to identify and deal with them.
On September 11th 2001, America experienced the most catastrophic terrorist attack on its home soil in the history of the country. The men responsible for this event hailed from Middle Eastern countries and identified as Islamic extremists. Two years after the attack, former president George W. Bush, announced that the United States would declare war on the terrorism and on the nations in the Middle East that harbored the terrorists group Al-Qaeda. The men at the top of this organization have been taken out of power and Al-Qaeda’s influence and leaders have been silenced to a certain extent. However, the United States still faces resistance in this unstable region and a new terrorist organization, ISIS, has appeared and is showing the
Throughout history, various terrorist groups have targeted the United States, endeavoring to prove its power and capabilities. Al-Qaeda, a terrorist group, run by Osama Bin Laden, is an explicit example of this. This group’s actions during the early 21st century has changed the lives of American’s forever. On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacked the twin towers and World Trade Center, whilst attempted to attack the White House. This act of terrorism killed thousands of innocent civilians, no matter age, gender or race. Al-Qaeda’s main goal is to diffuse fear throughout the world. As time continues, the amount of terrorism within the world is increasing. An increase of terrorism activity is due to the increased amount of state support for it.
The Attack on the September 11, and the consequent War on Terror changed how the American government and its public perceive terrorism and how to formulate a policy to counter the phenomenon. A couple of large wars were waged on the name of War on Terror and many other small wars and conflicts took place in numbers of countries and continents to eradicate the threat of a terrorist attack. Yet the terrorist groups survived and the United States were left with a large debt acquired by expensive counterterrorism effort. After more than a decade, we are still facing the same enemy with no concrete plan to end the conflict. As long as the United States remains as a world powerhouse and a key player in global stage, it will be a target of a terrorist attack, so there must be an effective plan to finally end the threat of terrorism. The counter-terrorism strategy of the United States following the Attack on September 11 has been largely ineffective. In order to end the Fourth Wave of Modern Terrorism, there must be a strategy shift within the United States government while simultaneously creating a counter-narrative to oppose Al-Qaeda 's propaganda.
As a direct consequence of September 11, a number of substantial challenges lie ahead in the area of counter-terrorism.. The most prominent of these is the changing nature of the terrorism phenomenon. In past years, when terrorism was largely the product of direct state sponsorship, policymakers were able to diminish prospects for the United States becoming a target using a combination of diplomatic and military instruments to deter potential state sponsors. Today, however, many terrorist organizations and individuals act independently from former and present state sponsors, shifting to other sources of support, including the development of transnational networks.
Terrorism and the United States A cloud of anthrax spores looming in the sky of San Diego California
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, then President George W. Bush stated “[o]ur war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated” (Bush, 2001, p. NA). The nature of the war on terror has changed dramatically since its inception in 2001. With al Qaeda decimated, its remaining leaders, members and supporters have fractured into several splinter groups each with their own aspirations. With varying ideologies, tactics and techniques, the strategy for dealing with these groups must be as complex and comprehensive as the groups themselves.
Terrorism has shown itself to be a major issue in the past couple of decades. With the birth of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, otherwise known as ISIS, the word saw a new kind of evil. The United States and the rest of the world had never been threatened more with the militant groups rise to power. Thousands of people have been slaughtered at the hands of ISIS and a majority of the World powers have yet to intervene. A majority of the World Powers have a strong enough military force to defeat them, yet have not taken action on ending the evil Jihadist. However, an attack on the Islamic State would not be easy and many negative factors would have to be worked around. As the World Powers continue to put ISIS on hold, the terrorist strength and power continues to grow stronger. If a change isn’t made, and a fight isn’t brought to the Islamic State, hundreds of thousands
Terrorism is becoming more and more of a threat to Americans both at home and abroad. International terrorism happens when terrorism occurs out of our country. An example of an International terrorist is Osama bin Laden. Laden is the worlds most dangerous terrorist. Laden shows genocidal tendency by killing Americans through-out the world from the bombings of the World Trade Center to the embassy bombings in Africa. The African blasts killed more than 250 people. The FBI has been tracking him for more that four years and they still couldn't stop him from striking Americans overseas and can't stop him now with the current foreign policy that has been adopted. He feels that all Christians and Jews worldwide need to be exterminated because
As a new presidential team enters the White House, the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is an important issue that will require changes in strategy if American foreign policy hopes to successfully eliminate the threat of ISIS in the Mideast and beyond. The current policy of the United States on dealing with terrorism through military action emphasizes: utilizing allies, keeping American ground troops out of Iraq and Syria, and direct action through military strikes. This strategy has been relatively successful in the past in keeping ISIS in check, but the recent rising power of the radical state suggests this policy is failing to achieve the ultimate goal of eliminating the threat entirely. In order to reach the American
(intro)September 11, 2001 is the defining moment in the annals of terrorism. Today, after the large ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terror, US is stronger and better positioned to safeguard and support its interests against the risks of an insecure world. However, he still continues to face new dynamic challenges. I argue that the most pressing national security challenge facing the United States in the next 5-10 years is the violent extremism and terrorism derived from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) group. MP1.ISIS is posing a persistent threat to our security and terrorist attacks within the US Homeland, but also against US citizens abroad and our Allies raise a grave danger. MP2Moreover, ISIS radical ideology undermines all the democracy values by which we live; the respect for human rights, the freedom of speech and religion. MP3 The two main factors that influenced my interpretation of ISIS challenge are the potential risk that ISIS could attain and use weapons of mass destruction, and MP4 its capability to recruit, radicalize and motivate, especially young people, to terrorist acts. MP5 US should continue to lead the fight with our Allies and partners to dismantle ISIS terrorist organization and its violent extremism ideology.
Think of the word terrorism. What is the first thing that comes to mind? One might think of kidnapping, assassination, bombing, or even genocide and guerrilla warfare. Because it is such a broad and complex issue, an all-encompassing definition is hard to formulate. The United States Department of Defence defines terrorism as…
Our world has been a victim of terrorism and terrorist acts since the civilized human life began on this planet. There have been radicals and extremists who have been unhappy about something or the other all along during the development of our world. It can be seen that the ways how these people terrorized the world has changed along with time. Terrorists have always used the path of violence to get their voice heard to the world. With the technological innovations these groups also adapted their means of violence.