The Aspects of Terrorism in the United States - Research Paper Example

? New Terrorist Threats The aspect of terrorism has been continuously ignored and the severity of the tenets of terrorismnot understood by many states. Many nations all over the world were stunned beyond comprehension when the United States fell victim to terrorist attacks. A paradigm was created where nations took it upon themselves to understand what terrorism was and the overall mindsets that formed the terrorists’ radical ideals. Varied ideologies have been propagated with the sole aim of deciphering terrorism in the past and current terrorist operations. Al Qaeda has undergone a radical metamorphosis from the “organized, idealistic group” to a rag tag unit that advanced aspects of radicalism. The radical shift and nature of Al Qaeda does not mean that its lethal power has been reduced. What is contrary is the observation that the unit has embraced new and modern ways to advance its terrorist ideals. The strength and the standards of the group have been embraced by many people from all over the world who have aligned and embraced the radical tenets of the group. Nations all over the world have acknowledged that Al Qaeda cannot be ignored, and its radical aspects should not be dismissed. They have set modalities that will ensure that they are perfectly equipped with the ability to deal with any form of terrorist act. In instances where nations lack the capacity to deal with terrorism and terrorist groups, international bodies have offered assistance at each and every stage. This is with the realization that terrorism affects all nations in the world. New Terrorist Threats Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, the United States, and much of the world for that matter, was blissfully ignorant with regards to the terrorist threat. Although it is true that terrorism had been evidenced within the United States many times throughout its history, the sheer scope and scale of destruction, as well as loss of human life, that was exhibited on September 11, demanded that the United States integrate with a more nuanced and proactive approach to defining and combating terrorism around the globe. One definitive reality that can currently be stated with regards to the current evidence of terrorism is the fact that over 10 years of incessant conflict between the United States and its allies and al Qaeda have severely weakened it and monumentally decreased its operating effectiveness, it should not be understood that Al Qaeda does not pose a threat anymore (Spaaij, 2010). Rather, the capabilities of this particular entity have severely been weakened as leadership has been decimated by a proactive and aggressive assassination program. Yet, even though Al Qaeda no longer poses anywhere close to the same level of threat that it did but a decade ago, the reader should understand the definition of terrorism and terrorist entities do not begin or end with Al Qaeda; or even radical Islamic terror groups in and of themselves. Whereas the recent past has been defined by large terror organizations seeking to carry out complex and logistically challenging tactics, the recent paradigm necessarily denotes a far larger number of individual or “lone wolf” terrorists, oftentimes under the leadership of a mentor, have begun to redefine terrorist threat within the modern era. As a function of understanding and appreciating this new dynamic, the following analysis will seek to illustrate some relevant in recent cases in which the “lone wolf” terrorist has engaged and/or destroyed/killed targets based upon seemingly their own volition (Barnes, 2012). Additionally, the analysis will also discuss the means by which traditional interpretations of terrorism and the groups that sponsor it, such as Al Qaeda, continue to be relevant and should not be discounted entirely. Although the analysis will focus much of the attention upon radical Islamic extremists, it must be understood that many different and disparate groups comprise the terrorist threat that is based within the current system. One reality that must be appreciated before such an analysis can continue is the fact that the traditional understanding of Al Qaeda as a well-developed and organized terrorist organization no longer exists. Whereas Al Qaeda has long been pointed to with regards to defining the most relevant and prescient threat that the majority of the world faces with regards to terrorism, this entity, although severely weakened, has not ceased to exist; rather, it is merely operating under a different structural format that it had done previously. In such a way, the reader should come to the appreciation and understanding of the fact that even though Al Qaeda may pose less of a threat within the current system, the means by which it has shifted its operational focus has ultimately made it more volatile and potentially dangerous. One particular way that this can be seen is with regards to the impact and the fact that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has sought to produce and distribute its own terrorist magazine – Inspire (Moskalenko & McCauley, 2011). Within such an understanding, the reader can come to an acceptance of the fact that Al Qaeda has shifted its focus from running a well organized top-down terrorist organization to seeking to employ a litany of motivated lone wolf terrorists. This has been engaged due to the fact that the group has become keenly aware of the unique threats that continuing to operate under the old paradigm brings. Due to the fact that the United States and its allies have become particularly adept at intercepting phone calls, emails, satellite calls, and other forms of communication between upper and lower level leaders of such organizations, tactics have been forced to shift towards a more simplistic model; a model in which individual attackers are given handlers and encouraged to acts of terrorism (Parachini, 2010). This represents an extraordinarily difficult situation for stakeholders seeking to stop such forms of terrorism due to the fact that levels of communication and the traditional structure of terrorist entities have become fundamentally different. Within such a context, it is difficult to track corresponding, difficult to anticipate threats, and extraordinarily difficult to seek to neutralize these threats prior to them coming to a form of fruition. However, it should not be understood that each and every lone wolf terror attack can be definitively linked to Al Qaeda; or indeed any other radical Islamic group. Ultimately, what has been noted lately is that these types of attacks are oftentimes carried out at the volition of the individual attackers themselves without any type of direct encouragement from bona fide members of a terrorist organization. Evidence of this is clearly demonstrated with regards to the recent Woolrich beheading. Although the case is still quite young and all of the details have not been brought to light yet, what is known as that the individual attackers did not maintain any definitive ties to terrorist organizations; either within the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the world. Rather, they were clearly motivated to a degree of radical activism and terrorism as a result of the types of web postings, interaction, friendships, beliefs, and mosques that they attended. In such a way, these otherwise "normal” British citizens were able to fly under the radar of one of the most monitored societies within the entire world. As such, these particular attackers represent the worst-case scenario or the “nightmare scenario” for the authorities and anti-terror groups seek preserve level of justice and law and order society (Barnes, 2012). Although there are number of mitigating circumstances that could have easily touched off the Woolrich beheading and stabbing death of the soldier, it is without question that the individuals were accused of this crime harbored radical sentiments that were merely carefully concealed surface otherwise life. Thus far, the analysis has discussed individuals acting alone who have affected only a nominal level of death or destruction within society. Additionally, the analysis that has been conducted has been specific towards radical Islamic extremism and the means by which lone wolf terrorist attacks help to redefine terrorism within the current era (Spaaij, 2010). However, the fact of the matter is that non-Islamic terrorism is not only alive and well within the United States, and elsewhere throughout the world, it has a much longer past then does Islamic terrorism. One need think back no further than the horrific events of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 to determine the full range and extent to which to individuals, seemingly operating upon their own initiative, could affect such a horrific loss of life on so many unsuspecting and innocent individuals. Due to the fact that more and more individuals within the United States, and elsewhere throughout the world for that matter, are becoming disgruntled with forms of government that constrain them, it is only reasonable to assume that more and more lone wolf terrorists, ascribing to either a far leftist or rightist ideology will be evidenced. Specifically, with regards to the United States, a culture of libertarianism is emerging among certain groups (Parachini, 2010). Although it is not the intent of this particular analysis to label each and every member of this particular political ideology as a potential terrorist, the fact remains that they are increasingly hostile to any form of government control seek to return the nation to supposed ideal that only they can truly define. One definitive threat that has grown out of this domestic interpretation of libertarianism is with regards to what has been known as sovereign citizens. These individuals, although not putting forward a definitive level of political belief, deny any and all authority that the United States government and/or regional or state governments might seek to impose upon them. Although not necessarily violent by nature, there have been incidents in which sovereign citizens have had deadly clashes with law-enforcement, have been caught smuggling automatic weapons, and have had unfinished and indeterminate terrorist plots foiled by federal authorities (Cragin & Daly, 2004). Although this particular group has yet to pull off a single definitive act of terrorism, it nonetheless remains a threat with regards to the current state of affairs and as such cannot be ignored. Perhaps the clearest indication of the role and impact that lone wolf terrorists can have is with regards to the Boston bombers. Even to this day, the ultimate motive behind why these brothers, seemingly prompted by no one, sought to engage in such a horrific act of violence is little known or understood. Unlike the information which is previously been discussed, there has been no clear or definitive link between these brothers and all Qaeda, or any other terrorist entity for that matter. Within such an understanding, the Tsarnaev brothers represent the perfect definition of “lone wolf” terrorism. A further level of threat that has been little been discussed since the Bush administration is with regards to what is known as “state sponsored terrorism”. As such, the both the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as the nation of Syria have both been definitively linked to providing monetary and material support to known terrorist groups such as has Hezbollah and others. This particular terrorist threat adds an entirely different dimension to a traditional understanding of how counterterrorism operations should be directed. Whereas the previous analysis has been mainly concentric upon integrating an appreciation and understanding upon the reader with respect to the dangers that lone wolf terrorists currently exhibit within the world, the fact of the matter is that state sponsored terrorism is, on the whole, perhaps far more dangerous. Whereas lone wolf terrorists must make do with rudimentary instrumentation and an inherent lack of funding and logistical support, state-sponsored terrorism is able to draw upon the resources of an entire nation to plan and execute whatever ends it may deem necessary. Although there are few instances that can definitively be linked to state-sponsored terrorism, by very virtue of the fact that the states sponsoring this terrorism will go to any and all lengths to obscure their participation, it can and should be stated that these forms of terrorism necessarily account for a much higher death toll and rate of destruction than do any prior forms which have thus far been conducted. Conclusion Ultimately, what has been described to the reader is the fact that an asymmetrical approach to terrorism within the current world model has been employed. Due to the fact that the United States and many other nations around the world have been, quite proficient in infiltrating and destroying traditional terrorist entities such as Qaeda, terrorism has morphed in a responsive and proactive manner. Once again, as a result of the success that has been experienced with regards to fighting radical Islamic terrorism in and around the world, the level and threat that domestic non-Islamic terrorism poses has continually risen as malcontents within society see the only means of “reclaiming” their government is by engaging in acts of violence to jar their fellow citizens to action with regards to whatever particular worldview they seek to further. All in all, although state-sponsored terrorism as well as the traditional interpretation of an organized terrorist entity, such as Al Qaeda used to be, are still relevant and pose a very real and present threat, it is the understanding of this particular analysis that the greatest threat that currently exists is with regards to the lone wolf terrorist; urged to action by as little as one, perhaps even no, handler. Though these attacks continue to exist and are increasingly difficult protect against, short of a complete and entire surveillance state, it must also be understood that these lone wolf attacks are necessarily low and overall casualties the on sophistication and lack of resources, material, support, or logistics that their perpetrators reflect. References Barnes, B. D. (2012). Confronting the one-man wolf pack: Adapting law enforcement and prosecution responses to the threat of lone wolf terrorism. Boston University Law Review, 92(5), 1613-1662. Cragin, K., & Daly, S. A. (2004). Dynamic terrorist threat: An assessment of group motivations & capabilities in a changing world. New York: Free Press. Moskalenko, S., & McCauley, C. (2011). The psychology of lone-wolf terrorism. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 24(2), 115-126. doi:10.1080/09515070.2011.581835 Parachini, J. (2010). Assessing the threat of twenty-first century terrorism. International Studies Review, 2(3), 163. Spaaij, R. (2010). The enigma of Lone Wolf terrorism: An assessment. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 33(9), 854-870. doi:10.1080/1057610X.2010.501426 Read More