ESSAY ON TERRORISM

Introduction

This essay is a research report, developed on the topic of “Terrorism in America”. The thesis
statement of this essay is that “America is at war with terrorism”. In this essay, various terrorism
attacks occurred in America at different time periods have been discussed. Along with that, the
reasons of terrorist attacks have been analyzed. Finally, the measures taken by the country to
deal with terrorism have been discussed as well.

Discussion

According to Jongman (2017), in United Sates (US), a common definition of terrorism is

available. In America, terrorism can be defined as the systematic use of violence to intimidate
the government or a specific group of population. Thus, terrorism has severe impact of political,
economic and global relationship of the country (Spindel, 2015). The terrorist attacks in America
had been started during the 17th Century. In the year of 1782, the first terrorist attack took place
in Pennsylvania, America. The Pennsylvania militia surrounded and executed 96 pacifists
Christian. It included 69 women and children (Bergen et al., 2017). Another terrorist incident
took place in the year of 1791, named as “Big Bottom Massacare.” Lenape and Wyandot
warriors tried to drive the settlers out of their land. 12 persons were killed in this terrorism.
During the 18th century, approximately 27 terrorist incidents took place in America. Among them
six terrorist attacks took place within the 1846 to 1847. Approximately 300 innocent people were
killed due to these terrorist attacks. Among them, the “Sacramento River massacre” was the most
significant one. Delaware Indians and White expeditioners did this terrorist attack.
Approximately, 120-200 people were killed in this attack. Another major terrorist incident took
place in the year of 1859, known as “Mendocino War”. It took place in Mendocino
County, California. Anti-Indian mercenaries named “Eel River Rangers” had killed
approximately 292 Red Indian in 24 engagements (Bergen et al., 2017). In the year of 1880, one
of the most significant assassinations took place in the District of Columbia. It was known
“Assassination of James A. Garfield.” The president of United States, James A. Garfield was
assassinated a disgruntled officer named as Charles J. Guiteau. During the 19 th century, almost
20 terrorism incidents took place in America. In the year of 1901, president of USA McKinley
was assassinated by Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, New York. In the year of 1910, the Times
building of Los Angeles was destroyed by dynamite. It approximately killed 21 workers and
injured more than 100 innocent people (Collins, 2016). James and John McNamara were
responsible for this attack. Many more terrorism incident took place in America during this
period of time. During the 19th century, the rate of terrorism attack had been increased
dramatically. Total number of terrorism incidents took place in America was 68. Among them,
Oklahoma City bombing was one of the most significant one. A truck bomb was placed near the
“Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building”, which killed approximately 165 people along with 19
children. This incident took place as the outrage against FBI for handling the Waco Seige (Van
der Brug et al., 2015). Another 72 terrorist incidents took place during 20th century. Among all of
them, the “9/11” terrorist attack took place during 11th September 2001 was the most significant
one. It was the series of four coordinated terrorist attack conducted by Islamic terrorist group
named as “al-Qaeda.” Two passenger airlines were crashed into the south and north towers of
World Trend center within only 1 hour and 42 minutes. Both of these 110 storied building were
collapsed during this incident (Jongman, 2017). Another plane was crashed in the US department
of defense “Pentagon” (Kellner, 2015). The fourth plane was crashed near Shanksville,
Pennsylvania. It was originally targeted towards Pentagon D.C. (Van der Brug et al., 2015).
Approximately 2996 people died in this terrorist attack along with 19 hijackers. Along with that,
more than 6000 people were injured due to this terrorist attack. According to the firefighters and
law enforcement officers, “9/11” is the deadliest terrorist attack took place in the history of
America. Based on the historic data gathered on various terrorist attacks occurred in America,
the main reasons of terrorisms have been assessed. Hey are discussed below.
Ethno-nationalism is one of the major reasons of terrorist attack occur in America, during the 17th
and 18th Century. According to Taylor et al. (2014), it can be defined as the desire of a group of
people to get rid of the existing government and the ruling party. They often desire to develop
their own state, which lead them to develop a terrorist group. Discrimination or isolation is
indicated as another major reason of terrorism pointed out by many researchers (Law, 2015). It
has been found that, many groups in America have to face discrimination due to their thoughts,
values and cultures. It is more prominent in case of people belong to Islam religion. The
increased amount of discriminated led them towards more conservative ideologies and finally
extremist ideologies. The Hamburg Cell that consisted of two pilots of “9/11” terrorist attacks is
one of the major example of discrimination. It has been found that this cell includes various
expatriate Muslims, who study in Germany. They inspired other Muslims in the country to get
together, when they feel homesick and isolated from rest of the world. It leads to the
development of terrorist group. Another major reason of terrorism is religion. Laqueur (2016)
stated that one of the most popular beliefs is that religion is the main cause of terrorism. It has
been found that during the 20th century, religion has become one of the major reasons behind
terrorist attacks in America and Islamic fundamentalism had major contribution in it. According
to Spindel (2015), the true danger is related with the capability of religion to encourage terrorist
attack. It is mainly prominent in case of Islamic religion. The leaders of terrorist groups like “Al
Queda” brainwash people to attack nations like USA by making false promises of rewards in
after life (Taylor et al., 2014). They falsify these terrorist activities as “Jihad.” It leads people to
become suicide bombers and various other “all-in” strategies, which are very difficult to defend.
However, terrorism activity can also be drive be the socio-economic status of the attackers.
Laqueur (2016) stated that the, lack of growth in society and the senesce of depravation leads
people towards terrorist activities. According to Alexander and Weems (2017), in recent time the
globalization help people realize the opportunities that are available outside USA. It is most
prominent in case of youth Muslims, who are urbanized, undereducated and unemployed. They
compare their condition with the Muslims live in Middle Eastern countries. The social and
economic difference between them and Muslims living in Middle Eastern countries led to
victimization, frustration and humiliation (Chomsky, 2015). Political issue is another major
reason that can lead to terrorism. A lack of political inclusiveness in United States during various
time period had motivated individuals to join terrorist groups. It has been found that, the left and
right wing terrorist group of America often desire power in the political system, which lead them
to various terrorist attacks. David Kilcullen had developed a theory named as “accidental
guerilla.” In this theory, David Kilcullen stated that a terrorist organization mainly occurs in the
area with conflict and poor governance. Al Qaeda is used as the example. They use this area as
their safe haven to spread their ideologies among people and brainwash them to conduct violent
activities. They often take help from the outside forces to conduct these terrorist attacks. The US
intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan to fight against Al Qaeda is considered as the major
example of it. Chomsky (2015) stated that, this theory indicates the questions associated with the
viability of direct intervention to pursue.
Now after the identification of the major reasons behind terrorism in America, it is required to
find out the measures taken by the country to deal with terrorism. Combs (2015) stated that after
the incident of “9/11” America declared itself in war against terrorism. The country has
developed both long term and short-term policies to deal with terrorism. Becker (2014) stated
that, the long term policy developed to deal with terrorism associated with dealing the reasons of
terrorism such as political alienation, grievances, sub-culture conspiracy and extremist
ideologies. The factors included in the long-term policy are such as replacing alienation with
democracy. Price (2014) stated that democracy will provide USA the opportunity to shape the
future of the society. Secondly, with the help of democracy, the country has developed polices to
deal with grievances, disputes and conflicts. The country has provided the freedom of speech, a
marketplace of idea and freedom of speech to deal with falsehoods, dishonest propagandas and
prejudices (Combs, 2015). The government has taken initiatives to improve the lifestyle of all
people living in the country using democracy. It will replace the ideology that justifies murder
with mutual respect and human dignity. The main strategy of USA to deal with terrorism is to
develop counter argument against the lie of terrorist ideology that gives rise terrorism. The
government has to provide empowerment to all the peaceful Muslims living in America to
practice their religious activities. It will help the country to gain the support of nonviolent
Muslims around the world. It will help the country to develop Muslim allies in the fight against
terrorism. In addition to that, the USA has developed strategies to fight against terrorist in
Middle Eastern countries as well. For this purpose, USA has developed and maintained the
international standard of accountability with Middle Eastern Islamic countries. USA has
strengthened its partnerships with countries like Jordon to fight against terrorist organizations
like Al Queda. They also take support from various multilateral countries like International Civil
Aviation Organization and regional organizations like European Union, NATO and Association
of South East Asia Nations (Laqueur, 2016). After the incident of “9/11” attack, the country has
tried to improve its architecture of counterterrorism and interagency collaboration. The country
has also developed short-term strategies to deal with terrorism activities. They are such as
preventing attacks from terrorist networks. The government of USA has made commitment to its
citizens to protect them against terrorism. It can be done by attacking terrorist and their capacity
of operation. The company has developed strategy to prevent terrorist entry in the country and
disrupt their travel. They are also developing strategies to prevent travel internationally. The US
government after “9/11” attack has increased their security in potential target of attack such as
various government buildings. The country has developed strategies to prevent terrorists to use
weapons of mass destruction (WMD). US government has taken aggressive efforts to deny the
access of terrorists from various WMD, expertise and equipment (Masciandaro, 2017). It is
mainly done by determining the capabilities, intentions and plans of terrorists to acquire weapons
of mass destruction. In addition to that, the US government has taken aggressive approach to
prevent terrorists from accessing WMD technology, fabrication of technology, source of their
funds and capabilities (Price, 2014). The country has also developed a special combat team to
detect and disrupt the attempts made by terrorists to transfer WMD related weapons, personals
and materials. This team also has the responsibility to prevent and responding to the WMD-
related attacks done by terrorists (Kellner, 2015). Identification of the sources and natures related
with terrorist employed WMD, help US military force to response to terrorist attacks quickly. In
addition to that, the country has developed strategies to prevent terrorists from gaining the
support and the sanctuary gained from the rogue states. It can be done by eliminating terrorist’s
safe havens and legal safe havens, financial safe havens and cyber safe havens. Cutter et al.
(2014) stated that, in recent years US along with other countries are facing issues associated with
cyber attack or cyber terrorism. Hackers are using virus like Rasomware to hack personal
information of various government bodies (Masciandaro, 2017). In order to deal with the
situation, the country has developed a team of ethnic hackers to deal with cyber threats.
Conclusion

Now it is required to discuss, whether America has really become safer from terrorism after the
six teen years of the “9/11” incidents. In this context, Bizina and Gray (2014) stated that after the
“9/11” incident, no major terrorist attack takes place in the soil of US. The US government
during the time of Jorge W Bush and Barrack Obama made significant investment to make their
homeland security strong. They have created a new transport security administration and new
line of communication for the intelligence agency of America, which failed during the “9/11”
incident. In this context, White (2016) stated that the cost of homeland security alone is almost
$500 billion. Along with other security measures, the cost goes up to $4 trillion. This is a huge
amount of money invested to fight against terrorism. However, the reality is that people in
America has more chance to die without food and natural disaster compared to terrorist attacks.
On the other hand, it has been found that the level of domestic terrorism has been increased
significantly within the last 16 years after the “9/11” attack. 49 homicides and 26 attacks took
place in these years. White extremists conduct all these attacks. Cutter et al. (2014) stated that,
within these 16 years, more than 1000 innocent people died due to gun violence. Often
“Islamophobia” leads white extremists to attack their own people, who are not supporting
violence against Islam religion. It also leads to “Muslim-Americans” to become more
radicalized. In order to deal with the situation, the Trump government has donated $400, 000
funds to enhance the security fund program. It helps the US government to deal with right
extremists. In addition to that, it has been found that America is still not able to win its “war
against terror”, which is announced 16 years ago after the incident of “9/11.” This war has
already claimed 7,000 US troops. Still after 16 years, the American soldiers have to put their life
at risks at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. White (2016) stated that they have also be engaged in the
Syrian conflict as well. Although the power to Al Queda has decreased, other terrorist
organizations like Taliban are gaining supremacy in terrorism. For this reason, the Trump
government has decided to send more troops to Afghanistan (White, 2016). In addition to that,
although Al Queda is unable to repeat incidents such as “9/11”, it is still functional. The invasion
of US Troops in Iraq has created turbulence in the political condition of Middle East and give
rise to a new terrorist groups named as “ISIS”. This terrorist group is also known as “Al Queda
in Iraq.” The US government and its allies have made various successful attempts to fight
terrorism. However, it is not possible to eliminate terrorism for ISIS is unlikely to be completely
eliminated. In conclusion, it can be stated that after the “9/11” incident the America is safer but it
has still a long way to go to win the war against terrorism. It is due to the fact that, killing
terrorism is easy but killing their ideology is not easy.
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