There are two primary reasons why the 11th day of September 2001 terror attack in New York and Washington DC led to the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. The first was the magnitude of the attack, based on the numbers of fatalities, the sheer volume of terror that ensued, and the material damage caused (DHS, 2011). The two successful attacks included the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center leading to the deaths of thousands of people most of whom were American citizens. The second successful attack did not lead to a lot of loss of life or physical damage but it was extremely embarrassing as it involved the Pentagon, an icon of US military prowess. The realization of just how bad terror attacks could get led to the raising awareness of terrorist attacks and also created an urgent need for the DHS. The second main reason was the outcome of the investigations to the attack which showed that there was enough information available to federal investigators to stop the attack but there was a problem with information sharing (DHS, 2011). However, like a jigsaw puzzle, different three-letter federal agencies held pieces of crucial information which were only brought together after the attack. The DHS magnified the abilities of the USA to prepare for and reach to similar emergencies even as it brought the different agencies involved in preventing such tragedies under a singular cabinet organ to improve coordination and the sharing of information.
Why the Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings Had Less Impact than 9/11
America is a nation of survivors who label themselves as having the ability to survive and thrive in spite or even because of adversities. The US National Anthem celebrates the bombing of Fort M'Henry by the British with an iconic statement indicating that the light from the bombardment only bore witness that the American flag was still there. The Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings were terrible but each had a silver lining as their impacts were minimized. Further, the reactions by first responders and investigators magnified the American spirit (Adam & Boscarino, 2015). After Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings, the Americans were able to hold their heads high in the belief that the greatest nation on earth could withstand anything. The sad news about the bombings was shrouded by the good news about terrorist being arrested, people being rescued, and Americans standing together. The bombings bore witness that the American spirit was still alive (Adam & Boscarino, 2015). Unfortunately, the 9/11 bombings were a worst case scenario as what was erstwhile thought impossible, attacking the Pentagon and bringing down the twin towers happened on the same morning. 9/11 exponentially terrified America.
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How Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings Could have been Averted by DHS
On a balance of probabilities based on the preponderance of the available capabilities of the DHS in the modern times, Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings would never have happened if the same capabilities existed in the 1990s. Timothy McVeigh used a crude improvised explosive device made up of a collection of very specific materials including high volumes of agricultural fertilizers. All these materials were purchased in the USA. Currently, making such purchases would trigger the oversight function of the DHS leading to an investigation (Shea, Schierow & Szymendera, 2013). McVeigh would thus have been caught by the DHS long before he detonated his bomb. Conversely, the 1993 WTC bombing was a massive conspiracy involving tens of local and international players who must have used a lot of electronic communication. Due to the current security surveillance spearheaded by the DHS and three letter agencies, such communication would have triggered an investigation that would have revealed the conspiracy long before it materialized (DHS, 2011). Had America learned its lesson early and created the DHS in the 1980s, both Oklahoma City and 1993 WTC Bombings would most probably have been avoided.
References
Adams, R. E., & Boscarino, J. A. (2015). Volunteerism and well-being in the context of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health , 17 (1), 274-282
DHS (2011). Implementing commission 9/11 recommendations: Progress Report 2011. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/implementing-9-11-commission-report-progress-2011.pdf
Shea D. A, Schierow L., Szymendera, S. (2013) Regulation of fertilizers: Ammonium Nitrate and Anhydrous Ammonia. Congressional Research Service . https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43070.pdf
