Terrorism has been an ongoing issue in the United States of America for the better part of the last century. With problems such as the heavy toll on the American economy due to the vandalization of property and the loss of innocent American lives, there is no denying that terrorism has been a matter of national interest for the country. It is correct to point out that terrorism on America not only affects America and its citizens, but it also impacts how the country, through the National Security Council, interacts with the rest of the world through the policies against terrorism. It is, therefore, the duty of the NSC to ensure the safety of Americans, and strong healthy ties with America’s allies, and should therefore put in place measures that reflect public diplomacy in its anti-terrorism efforts. It is essential that the National Security Council develops robust but effective policies regarding its anti-terrorism policies and the coordination of such plans with the affected states, particularly the MENA region, to ensure such factors as increased threats of national security are adequately dealt with.
Eight years later since the 9/11 terrorist attack, despite the technological efforts that have been realized over the years, the world is still a dangerous place to be in. The human, as well as the economic cost of the little progress, realized so far can hardly be justified (Pillar, 2004). From the Bush administration to the Obama presidency and now the Trump administration, very little has been accomplished. However, the governments in Afghanistan and Iraq remain weak, with the latter being in the midst of a civil war while the government on Afghanistan does not have complete control outside the capital. Such issues as the violence and terror witnessed in these regions, with the death and casualty rates increasing exponentially, the people in the regions are less safe, with limited access to such amenities as food, education, and electricity now more than before the American led invasion (Pillar, 2004). To this regard, the United States of America is seen as a big part of the problem and not the solution, although the fear remains that without the presence of the strong Western forces, things will get worse in these regions. What therefore should the American National Security Council do to make things better?
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While it is true that it is paramount for the country to maintain high punitive measures for the culprits of terrorism, it is critical that the systems used be of set standards and in line with the international standards of handling such cases. This is because how America treats terrorists found guilty of their acts directly impacts the relationship and the diplomatic ties between the United States and the countries the terrorists are from (Savun & Phillips, 2009) . For instance, the torture of prisoners in the country has greatly fueled the Anti-Americanism not only across the Muslim world but also on the global front. The flaunting of the international law Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib have not in any way helped ease the situation. It is essential therefore that the NSA liaise with the MENA regions whose citizens make up for the most significant percentage of the criminal masterminds behind the terrorist attacks on America. Such diplomatic partnerships in the face of terrorism ensure that both sides of the issue understand the magnitude of the act and the importance of breaking the perpetrators to book, while at the same time being mindful of the various doctrines the Muslim world hold onto when it comes to the punishment of murderers (Savun & Phillips, 2009) . Failure to do so, the continued erosion of civil liberties will only be seen as a violation of the Muslim teachings and doctrines, leading to a global uproar in Anti-Americanism. Anti-Americanism not only hinders the progress America makes in fighting terrorism, but it also indirectly promotes terrorism by offering religious coverage to such acts (Savun & Phillips, 2009) . This explains why most terrorist groups are built on the feeble foundation of the fallacy that pagans or "Khafirs" are any group of people who do not believe in Islam, the one true religion of the world.
The American-led war on international terrorism has long been regarded as a war against the Islam faith and the Muslim world in general (Kertzer & Zeitzoff, 2017) . This explains the reasons why many view America, according to polls, as an arrogant and ruthless nation that is a danger to world peace. America has pledged countless times to promote democracy in the MENA region as well as to reinvigorate the route taken for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Kertzer & Zeitzoff, 2017) . But the policies have instead failed to respond promptly to give an independent reign to the Israeli military during the Israeli wars, such as in Gaza and Lebanon. It is essential the American military understands that in as much as they play a critical role in maintaining peace in the Middle East by offering the troops for peacekeeping, the Israeli government, more specifically the military, should be guided onto how it can help hold and maintain the internal peace, and then left to establish the authority. Instead of taking such an approach, the American military has over the years taken such adverse measures as shipping cluster bombs to Israel, and cut off their aid in an attempt to destabilize the democratically elected HAMAS (Kertzer & Zeitzoff, 2017) . Such acts not only undermine the American credibility and moral authority; they are the grounds upon which Anti-Americanism is built, the same grounds terrorist attacks against the United States of America find their root. America may be one of the most influential allies’ countries in the MENA region like Israel could have. It is also correct that it is the moral and diplomatic duty for America to step in during such moments of political turmoil to help stabilize the country's systems of governance, but in so doing it is crucial that the National Security Council policies allow the country to make their democratic and independent choices on how they want to be governed.
Another scope the NSA should take in maintaining world peace is opening its borders for such individuals and victims of social injustices to seek refuge as it fights alongside other allies to bring peace and stability in the conflicting regions. Additionally, the council should actively engage in offering solutions to such countries by providing foreign aid (Wiarda, 2018). For example, it should aid states in the Middle East and other regions that are undergoing warfare, such as Syria, with military weapons. Political turmoil and international wars are some of the insecurities that prompt citizens of the said countries to flee. America could be actively involved in such situations by offering military support to end the wars and bring an end to the oppressive forms of government (Wiarda, 2018). Moreover, NSA should liaise on the international scope with other peacekeeping bodies, like the United Nations to bring to an end tyrannical government. A successful case scenario was the American initiated operation that led to the successful assassination of one of the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. Such international initiatives play a leading role in pushing for peace in troubled countries, hence offering security to the otherwise would-be immigrants to the United States of America. Another initiative America could embrace would be directly partnering with the various UN departments for protecting domestic refugees and offering relief services to hunger-stricken countries, particularly in the African continent (Wiarda, 2018). By providing food to such countries, America plays its part in ensuring the protection of refugees. Such initiatives not only solve other issues like immigration into the country, but they go a long way in offering permanent solutions to the states in need because they are shown the path to follow in providing solutions to their citizens. Unless answers are found and implemented within the countries in need, then a remedy for immigration will never be found, and more people will continue to flee their countries for better opportunities in America. It is crucial, therefore that these opportunities are created within the mother countries.
Having pointed out all the wrong ways America is approaching its antiterrorism policies, the next step is to forge the way forward. What is the best way for the NSA to ensure it has effective foreign strategies against terrorism that will enhance its fight against terrorism while ensuring it is in line with its allies? The best way out is forging an effective public diplomacy (Yarchi, 2016) . The current administration will have to learn something from the Bush administration which was effective in employing an economic, military and public diplomacy strategy to fight terrorism. Bush realized the impact being on the same with other global agencies had on the fight against terrorism (Yarchi, 2016) . However, the current administration will need to go a little bit over the board in realizing that while the military has the powered to capture and contain terrorists, and in certain extent kill them, it cannot fight a war against global terrorism. Such a fight calls for a partnership of all the stakeholders involved in the fight against terrorism, including international peacekeeping agencies and other countries (Yarchi, 2016) . America, therefore, needs to adopt policies that are tailored to embrace public diplomacy between the countries involved in the operations and techniques used to capture terrorists, as well as the justice systems to be used.
In conclusion, America may have the most advanced and technologically equipped military to fight terrorism, but it needs to be more creative in its foreign policies. Such policies should be aimed towards promoting real self-determination, not just some form of democracy requiring the NSA stamp of approval. Such an approach should feature a diplomacy that pressures the otherwise autocrat rulers in the MENA region, like Algeria and Egypt to open up their systems to allow for a more effective path of greater power sharing. Only by embracing such unity can the United States of America succeed in its fight against terrorism. No more shows of supremacy and double standards.
References
Kertzer, J. D., & Zeitzoff, T. (2017). A bottom‐up theory of public opinion about foreign policy. American Journal of Political Science , 61 (3), 543-558.
Pillar, P. R. (2004). Terrorism and US foreign policy . Brookings Institution Press.
Savun, B., & Phillips, B. J. (2009). Democracy, foreign policy, and terrorism. Journal of Conflict Resolution , 53 (6), 878-904.
Wiarda, H. (2018). Civil society: The American model and third world development . Routledge.
Yarchi, M. (2016). Terror Organizations' Uses of Public Diplomacy: Limited versus Total Conflicts. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism , 39 (12), 1071-1083.
