The War on Terrorism

War on Terrorism

Terrorism takes on many forms and has had an impact on the lives of many, both domestically and internationally in one way or another. Although the calamity and misfortune of September 11, 2001 took place in America, fundamentally the threat posed by “international terrorism” falls upon those in all countries, either by account of close proximity or devoted alliance, and those nations will forever recall this event, registering it without end in their reflection on the battle against terrorism.

After Sept. 11, America turned to tough talk and decisive action as President W. Bush threw down a foreign policy gauntlet that struck out to eliminate the threats that became far too real on that day: The US would make no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them. The “War on Terror” became his quest and he laid out a declaration to systematically rid the world of the terrorist enemies to America and her friends and strategic allies. That point has become the backbone of the war on terrorism.

It is a definitive policy that requires a definitive answer to the question; what is terrorism? Consensus has been elusive because of the many forms terrorism takes. It is hard to clearly identify its character, but given the United States governments pledge to wage a war against terrorism which is now assisted by other nations, it is important to make a valid attempt look at its definitions. In its broadest sense the Department of Homeland Security website explains that “terrorism can be thought of as the use or threatened use of force against civilians designed to bring about political or social change”.

The definition adds that a goal of terrorism can be “inculcating fear” (thus the psychological dimension) and “immobilize people”, while the State Department is more elaborate, specifying that terrorism may include the use of biological, chemical or nuclear devices as well as the act of "assassination." With this assumption the majority of all people find terrorism as being an irrational act (especially suicide terrorism).

Terrorists

Terrorism became more transitional with the ease of migration, especially owing to the liberalization of immigration laws and policies in many countries, is aiding the growth of international terrorist networks. Terrorists typically blend into, and recruit among, co-ethnic immigrant communities.

The information revolution has also assisted terrorists to become more transnational. During the last twenty years, new terrorist groups have sprung up all over the world. They use the Internet and their own websites to spread their message, recruit new members, communicate quickly and reliably, and plan operations. Al-Qaeda was proficient enough to conduct major and sophisticated operations worldwide, using modern communications to direct terrorist attacks thousands of miles away.

Metaphor of Terror

The spectacular nature and very high casualty toll of the plane crashes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon may accelerate the trend toward deadlier attacks. Future terrorists may believe that they must make a bigger physical impact to achieve the desired psychological effect.

Terrorism is laden with subtle and not so subtle traps. More than the political embarrassment from incidents in which terrorists are able to flaunt there success in the face of the world’s most powerful nation with the use of media attention, terrorism can turn truly ugly overnight and the shock of another disaster like the World trade Centers and Pentagon can seem pale in comparison with nuclear, chemical, and biological acts of mass destruction.

We must be particularly concerned that groups like these will seek and obtain weapons of mass destruction, including biological weapons such as anthrax. In fact, terrorist groups worldwide have ready access to information on biological, chemical, and even nuclear weapons via the Internet. Governments have had little success in their attempts to resolve issues in which terrorism is used.

Preparedness

(Baker, Kevin) “The Cold War finally forced a change in our national attitude toward preparedness. We have certainly maintained a bigger, more capable, more professional standing military than the nation ever did before”. The attacks on September 11, 2001, forced NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) to change their focal point that fateful day. The eyes and ears of NORAD were focused on aerospace threats from sources far away from the shores of Canada and the