Al Qaidas Major Domestic Attack on the United States - Research Paper Example

Al Qaida’s Major Domestic Attack on the United States Introduction The Al-Qaida, one of the most active terrorist groups today, has been the biggest threat to the US, since September 11, 2001. The horrifying attack on the World Trade Centre was not the final desolation to the United States of America by the Al-Qaida group. It was an open declaration of enmity towards the U.S.A., and the beginning of domestic and international attacks, to weaken U.S government and economy (NBC News 2012). Several attacks of minor scale on the US army and government officials were also reported during the period of 2003- 2012 (NBC News 2012). This includes the recent attack on U.S. embassy in Yemen and evidence proves the involvement of the Al-Qaida group in the attack (Ghobar and Blair 2012). The Al-Qaida group has been reignited by the launch of film “The Muhammad” and has openly announced increase in terrorist attacks against the US (Hasni 2012) Forecasting Activities of the Al-Qaida Many researchers and analyst, studying Al-Qaida’s strategies and threats, forecasted that the death of their former leader Osama Bin Ladin, would be the major setback for the group. Unfortunately, this prediction turns out to be false as the strength of the Al-Qaida group does not look to shrink, with their new leader and new strategies (Geltzer 2010). After the death of Al-Qaida’s former leader and administrator, members of the group started spreading in different European countries with fake nationality, to escape from the US invasion in Afghanistan and Iran (Hollywood, Synder, Mckat, Boon 2004). Al-Qaida’s movement in South Asian countries, have also been reported, giving signs of their flexibility to change, with regard to the situation. So even now, they should be considered as a serious threat as they do not look to settle down or get weaken (Geltzer 2010). Joshua Geltzer, in his book highlights key factors, which have nailed in the Al-Qaida troop. This includes killing of Osama Bin Ladin, the most prominent figure of this group and the mastermind behind most attacks made by the Al-Qaida (Geltzer 2010). In addition, US army has been successful in tracing down locations of Al-Qaida’s members worldwide and eradicating them from the face of the earth. Moreover, their funds of around $140 million and a large number of weapons have been captured (Geltzer 2010). And they have been forced to leave their homeland in Afghanistan, from where they used to meet and plan their terrorist activities. But despite all these factors, Al-Qaida still stands as a big threat to Western or Non-Islamic countries, especially the U.S.A (Khalsa 2004). Al-Qaida can no more be considered, a small group of fundamentalist targeting non-Muslim governments, as it has turned into a giant body of force and technology, since 9/11. Geltzer, illustrating Al-Qaida strength, imposes on the fact, that presently they have been more innovative and dynamic in their terrorist activities, and showing stronger communication links (Geltzer 2010). It is reported, that they are preparing for new ways and techniques to hurt US economy. Realizing the study and knowledge of the US army, about their members and strategies, the Al-Qaida group looks more cautious and is forecasted to change its action plans, locations and equipments (Khalsa 2004). The new leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, is planning to include Muslim jihadists (fighters), who are natives of Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan (Brookings Institution 2011). This will help in strengthen his force, and get access to these territories, with the help of natives of these countries. He is particularly eyeing on Muslim fundamentalists, who are residing in Western countries. Including them in his troop, would open room for the Al-Qaida, to get more relevant information, to plan future attacks (Brookings Institution 2011). Another alarming issue for the US government is the use of chemical weapons that has the potential of mass destruction. The high trade in toxic chemicals, like ammonium nitrate and those used in “Liquid Bombs” worldwide, can be a sign of threat for the US (Tucker 2000). The US military is aware, that the Al-Qaida group will come with deadly measures to harm the US nation, but accurate prediction of what it would be is not that simple. Fact shows, that terrorist are learning new ways of destruction and getting equipped with the new technology. They can use these toxic chemicals against US forces, which are easily moveable and hard to trace down (Tucker 2000). Indication of Future Domestic Attacks on the United States The recent attacks of the Al-Qaida on US embassies, is a clear indication that they would try to injure US domestically too, in the coming future (Ghobar and Blair 2012). The present security measures though, make it almost impossible to bring a large amount of explosive material illegally, in the US territory or plan a massive attack sitting outside the US. But analyst forecast that, there are still high threats of Al-Qaida entering the US with fake identity, or operating from outside, with their links in the US (Khalsa 2004). They can take root form trains, and subways to enter America. Entering in any of the neighbor countries of the US will open ways for them to use railway terminals, to get in the US territory, rather unnoticed. Moreover, they can even plan a terrorist attack on American railways that will not only hurt US economy, but the damage in railway security system, but will ease their path of entrance (Riedel 2008). Eyeing on US economy, the Al-Qaida group can target local places of US, which are less secure and easily reachable. Tourist places have a high probability of being their domestic target as they serve a vital source to the US annual income (Riedel 2008). Looking at the current scenario, one can see that the US military is all over Afghanistan, and the majority of the Al-Qaida members, have been forced to leave their homeland. So now, they are spreading in diverse countries, which can bring two major threats to the US (Khalsa 2004). First, that they will try their maximum potential, to get their homeland back in their control, forcing US army out. They certainly cannot do it by fighting with the US army in the battle field (Khalsa 2004). They have already lost a substantial number of their fighters while fighting against US army, and surely stand weak, in front of them. So they can start shelling and bombing in US towns and each and every place, wherever they get easy access (Riedel 2008). And then ask the US government, to call off their military from Afghanistan, avoid such terrorist blows. The second threat it brings, is that now they have more channels for their operation, than before. They might not be meeting directly, but it is suspected, that their communication is stronger than before. And can plan a nuclear attack, from one of the several countries they are in, or a plane attack, as they did before. It is certainly not easy to detect, which country’s airline and resources they will use as their options are wider than before now (Riedel 2008). As stated by the Al-Qaida leader, Al- Zawahiri, they will come strong in the revenge to American’s drone attacks against their officials (Hasni 2012). Sheik Al-Libi, Al-Qaida’s deputy leader, was killed in the recent drone attack of the US army in June 2012. Moreover, the historical killing of their former leader Osama Bin Ladin has also augmented their hatred towards the US. They might target US government officials and prominent leaders, to take revenge for their leaders. This might sound impossible today, but if the mobility and technological growth of the al-Qaida keeps building up, they can make this possible too. They can utilize all their manpower and arms in one major blow to the US economy (Riedel 2008). Analyzing the Al-Qaida attack on the US embassy in Libya, one can infer that they have not used large quantity of explosive material, yet the impact was huge (NBC News 2012). Similar to that attack, they can plan a series of minor terrorist attacks, one after another, in US regions. The strategy was to bomb blast, on the outer side of the embassy, knowing that they cannot directly target the underground and highly secured areas of the embassy. After a calculated interval, when all officials and US ambassadors were out from their secured places, and gathered near the scene, another bomb attack was made. And this time, there was far more damage done, to lives and properties near the embassy (NBC News 2012). Conclusion We can conclude from given analysis and facts that the Al-Qaida is emerging more powerfully, with the passage of time. One leader is replaced by another, one major general by other. Their moral and enthusiasm to hurt the US still remain high, even after several major strokes, to weaken their aim. They have been successful in changing their mechanism and strategies, to compete their opponents. The war between the US army and the Al-Qaida does not seem to end up any soon until each, and every member of the group is either assaulted or arrested. The US government and intelligent bureau need to be proactive in their approach to avoid Al-Qaida threat. Their National and commercial security systems, needs to be upgraded, before the terrorist learns, how to fool them. BIBLIOGRAPHY Brookings Institution. Al Qaeda's Future: How Likely Is Another Attack? September 1, 2011. http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2011/09/01-al-qaeda-byman (accessed Novenmeber 15, 2012). Geltzer, J. US- Counter Terrorism Strategy and Al-Qaida. Abingdon: Routledge, 2010. Ghobar, M, and E. Blair. U.S. embassies attacked in Yemen, Egypt after Libya envoy killed. September 13, 2012. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/13/us-protests-idUSBRE88C0J320120913 (accessed November 15, 2012). Hasni, M. Al-Qaeda says Libya was revenge attack, US deploys forces. September 15, 2012. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/271422/al-qaeda-says-libya-was-revenge-attack-us-deploys-forces (accessed November 15, 2012). Hollywood, J., D. Synder, K. Mckay, and J. Boon. Out of the Ordinary. Finding Hidden Threats by Analyzing Unusual Behavior. Research Report, santa Monica: RAND Corporation, 2004. Khalsa, S. Forecasting Terrorism: Indicators and Proven Analytic Techniques. Research, California: Springer, 2004. NBC News. Al-Qaida timeline: Plots and attacks. 2012. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4677978/ns/world_news-hunt_for_al_qaida/t/al-qaida-timeline-plots-attacks/#.UKVYhHPDduN (accessed November 15, 2012). Riedel, B. The Search for Al-Qaida. Its leadership, ideology and future. Washington DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2008. Tucker, J. Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons. The MIT Press, 2000. Read More