Terrorism is a global threat to America and other nations. Therefore, the government has established both internal and external measures to combat terrorism such as use of both force and diplomatic strategies.
Use of force
On November 6, 2001, President Bush made a significant state that described the direction the government would take in its future steps to combat terror. Part the speech reads that-
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“ No group or nation should mistake America’s intentions: We will not rest until terrorist groups of global reach have been found, have been stopped, and have been defeated.” (USA Gov., 2003, p.1). This statement sounded an alarm to terror groups that the US government would henceforth apply force. The government has been consistent with this statement as seen in her response to global terrorism. It has assisted through training of international forces, sharing of intelligence, sending combatants to the sites and providing ammunitions (USA Gov., 2003).
A multifaceted approach has been pursued to accomplish the goal of eradicating terrorist groups wherever they hide. Through force, the sanctuaries, command, leadership, communications, control, finances, and material supports have been destroyed at one level or another (USA Gov., 2003). The global agenda can be summarized as the consolidation of efforts to reduce terrorism, take it back within the borders of the perpetrators, and finally destroy it at the state level. By pushing the terror groups to their zones and destroying them, the government hopes to eliminate other occurrences that would involve the groups coming to attack US citizens locally or in other vulnerable places abroad.
Diplomacy
Global terror can best be combated by forging international relations. The government has appealed to international bodies to join forces in the war against terror (USA Gov., 2003). Use of diplomacy has been applied repeatedly to convince the regimes affected by terrorist groups to join in combating terror. This approach has been challenged by states partly directed by terror groups or divided by internal schisms while other nations have been reluctant due to their role in providing sanctuary and support to the terror groups (USA Gov., 2003). Against such undecided nations, the government has pursued a different agenda. Some have been exposed to sanctions or even attempts towards regime change (USA Gov., 2003).
US Plan for Home Terrorist Event
Home terrorism can be understood as terrorist activities conducted within the United States. Since the 9/11 al-Qaeda attack, the government has established a series of regulations to enhance internal security and preventive measures against another attack. The first initiative was to strengthen the homeland security enterprise. This was done purposely to enable it to address evolving threats. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have taken advanced measures in conducting investigations and prosecuting suspects since 9/11 ( Department Of Homeland Security, 2011 ). This is an indicator that the government is committed in its mission to prevent another attack and reassurance to the nation. Further, the system has increased corporation at the grassroots level through a joint effort with private sectors, community-based organizations, the court system, and local and state leaders to combat terrorism immediately it is detected ( Department Of Homeland Security, 2011 ). DHS is committed towards increasing transparency between the various agencies established to combat terror. Information sharing with the local administrators such as police and other groups has been enhanced through access to information from Washington ( Homeland Security, 2015 ). The lower organs are also expected to provide the higher structures with valuable information they collect at the grass root and feedback on the progress. On the same note, DHS has ensured the education of the police force and other concerned bodies on the behaviors, tactics, and indicators that terrorists display to enable them to do the work of identifying terror suspects better ( Department Of Homeland Security, 2011 ). This initiative ensures that there is a united and penetrating effort in the tracking terror activities and responding to them internally.
Several organs have been established to enhance the process such as the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) that ensures a timely collection and dissemination of information and recommendations to the government and the public ( Department Of Homeland Security, 2011 ). There has been increased activity at the airports and the railway terminals to help in detecting and thwarting terror attacks. The initiative to work with airline service sector came after the attempted attacks on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on December 25, 2009 (Department of Homeland Security, 2011). Some of the security measures taken at airports include the tightening of vulnerability assessment techniques, airport security management, screening techniques, and cargo security among others. These measures are established to ensure that persons entering the country do not smuggle in weapons or do not get on board with any weapons. In addition, it assists in the detection of terror suspects and foiling of any planned attack or hijacking of planes (Department Of Homeland Security, 2011).
The government has also developed a national cyber strategy as an initiative to fight terrorism. The national cyber strategy released in September 2018 identifies the government’s objective in enhancing cyber security through the protection of systems, networks, and data and functions (The white house, 2018).
Other initiatives include If you see something, say something. This strategy encourages people to speak once they detect any threat and the REAL ID Act that establishes minimum requirements for license and ID acceptance from other states and rejection of those not meeting the standards of the act.
In conclusion, the USA government has made progressive steps towards eliminating terror attacks. Its presence in several nations is an illustration of that commitment. Force, diplomacy, and internal strategies have been put in place and pursued to their possible ends. Nonetheless, there is still a need to progress and pull together if the battle is to be finished.
References
Homeland Security. (2015). Preventing Terrorism Overview. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/topic/preventing-terrorism-overview
The white house. (2018). NATIONAL CYBER STRATEGY of the United States of America. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Cyber-Strategy.pdf
U.S. Department Of Homeland Security. (2011). IMPLEMENTING COMMISSION 9/11 RECOMMENDATIONS. Retrieved From Https://Www.Dhs.Gov/Xlibrary/Assets/Implementing-9-11-Commission-Report-Progress-2011.Pdf
USA Gov. (2003). NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR COMBATING TERRORISM. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/news-information/cia-the-war-on-terrorism/Counter_Terrorism_Strategy.pdf
