Domestic Terrorism in United States - Article Example

Domestic terrorism in United s In the past decade, the level of terrorism has increased in the whole world. One of the causesis globalization which has increased the flow of information from one area to another. Technological advancement has also been a major cause of this increase as terrorists has been evolving from one technology to the other, therefore, making it hard for governments to fight terrorism. The United States has not been spared from this challenge. For the past years, the level of insecurity has been in a rising trend with the government concern on insecurity increasing. Since the attack on September 11 2001, the government has tried to improve the level of internal security although this has proven to be a great challenge. Literature review One of the major causes of domestic terrorism in the United States is political differences. The United States has been having differences in terms of governance with Arab countries. This has agitated different groups that have ganged up to oppose the US government interference on their internal affairs. These groups have gone ahead and merge with gangs such as drug dealers based in the US with their main aim being to make a political statement through terrorism activities (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Underlying conditions that affect the United States citizens plays a great role in offering terrorist an excuse for their actions. Terrorists use issues such as poverty as an excuse to conduct their act and as a way of getting attention from the government. Currently, a large number of youth in the United States is jobless. This provides a channel for terrorist to lure these people and use them to terrorize the government. Religious differences are another underlying issue that is used by terrorist as a reason behind their action. Terrorist attacks people of different religious affiliation in order to create a rift between two or more religions. This creates hatred among two religions, e.g. Muslims and Christians, giving terrorist a channel to conduct their attacks. Uniting these groups has been one of the greatest challenges that government of the United States has been facing for decades. In addition, convincing people of these two groups that the war against terrorism is not directed towards one group has been creating a barrier towards fighting terrorism. Corruption cases also give terrorists an opportunity to justify their actions and even expanding their support from other people. In addition, the belief that terror action is a legitimate means of addressing corruptions cases enables terrorism to develop and grow tremendously (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Terrorist sympathizers increase the challenge of fighting terrorism in the country. For terrorist activities to succeed, terrorists require a physical base from where to operate (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003, p.6). Some of these safe grounds include training ground, reliable communication and financial networks which these terrorists require in order to plan and execute their plans. Weapons of mass destructions are in the hands of terrorists. With the advanced technology, terrorists are able to manufacture their own weapons which are used to kill innocent civilians. According to CIA, the probability of a terrorist organization using chemical, biological, radiological or even nuclear weapon has been on an increasing trend for the past decade. In addition, some scientists who have high knowledge concerning manufacturing of these explosives cooperate with terrorists making it easy for the terrorists to get access to the explosives (United States General Accounting Office, 2012). Terrorists keep on changing tactics posing a threat to police officers. Terrorists have been changing their mode of attacks with increased change of technology. This is becoming a treat to law enforcers who are required to outmatch any advancement made by the terrorist in order for the war against terrorism to remain effective. This requires law enforcers to keep on advancing their level of intelligence and education. In addition, the United States numbers of police officers that are mandated with a role of maintaining high security and curbing any terrorist plans are low. This increases tension levels by the citizens an aspect that affect their way of conducting business (United States General Accounting Office, 2012). Illegal migration is a major threat that is making the effort by law enforcers to fight terrorism activities futile. Some of the individuals in the immigration department collaborate with terrorist groups. These people assist terrorists to get access to the United States territory. It becomes very hard for the government to fight terrorists as the enemy is within the country’s boundaries (United States General Accounting Office, 2012). Internet activities have been in increase. Access of internet services has improved all over the globe. This has made it easy for people who have ill will to target the United States due to its stand on democracy and accountability of the governments in the world. Different cyber attacks have been rampant mainly aimed at government agencies. This poses a great threat and the government might be forced to control some of public activities (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Internal support of terrorisms by top government officials is a challenge that bodies entrusted with the mandate of maintaining homeland security face. They are involved with funding these groups; an aspect that has strengthened them. In addition, these top officials provide them with government intelligence, especially information concerning government plans directed towards them. This has made it hard for the officials to counter their activities (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Government agencies that are involved with maintaining homeland security are poorly funded making it hard for them to counter terrorism. Although the current government has directed its attention towards the country’s security, a lot needs to be done so that the United States can be secure. Government is currently involved in stabilizing other countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan leaving little funds to maintain local security (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Political incitement has been associated with increased security in the country. Many of the politicians who are vying for top seats in the country use terrorists to create mayhem an aspect that increase instability of the current leader. This reduces his/her support from the public while the other politician uses the situation to popularize his/her bid for the top seat. Some of these terrorist groups, therefore, starts as a reform group and later become a dangerous group to the public security. Government is, therefore, facing a great challenge as some of these politicians are in the government and they use the power embedded on them to frustrate police effort to curb groups’ activities (Central Intelligence Agency, 2003). Specific incidents In 2000, the country suffered several anthrax attacks. Letters which contained spores of anthrax were sent to several media houses offices. They were also sent to two senators that belonged to Democratic Party. This attack killed five people while infecting seventeen others. This attack was associated with American scientist who was named Ivins. He worked in government’s biodefense labs which made it hard for him to be detected by the defense officers (United States General Accounting Office, 2001). Another case of terrorism involved a local who was referred to as Andrew. He flew his plane into a building in Austin that was referred to as IRS. This attack killed one person while several others got injured. This was referred to as lone terrorism activity. This man cited his act for his grievances that were directed towards the US government. Other facets that were cited as ones that forced him to commit the act include bailouts of financial institutions, labor bodies, politicians etc. He also said that his meeting with a poor widow who never got her pension forced him to conduct the attack (United States General Accounting Office, 2001). Lastly, Fort Good shooting is another specific terrorist activity that involved mass shooting that occurred in 2009. The gunman who was identified as Hasan killed thirteen innocent people and wounded thirty people. These indicated that firearms were and are finding their ways to the hands of civilians who has converted to terrorists. Impact of domestic terrorism Domestic terrorism has reduced the rate of economic growth in the country. Government has diverted much of attention to maintaining and improving security in the country. Funds that could have been used to spearhead development projects are directed to security agencies. The government has also been improving the security through increasing the number of police officers. This has increased the government’s remuneration commitments thereby reducing budget that is directed towards development (Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, 2012). Domestic terrorism has reduced the level of investment in the country through causing capital flight and uncertainty. Many of the investors who want to invest in the country have found the environment unfavorable for their business due to insecurity levels. This is because domestic terrorism causes destruction of properties as terrorists have conflicts with the government (Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, 2012). Specific deterrents In order to curb cases of domestic terrorism, one step that the US government has to undertake is to make public all large amounts of money that has been devoted to specific projects. Intelligence information has indicated that top government officials spend some of the resources that have been devoted to the public to fund terror groups. This mission, therefore, ensures that there is transparency in government operations. In order to enforce this measure, the government unanimously passed the USA Patriot Act which, in collaboration with other provisions, grants the United States Government the authority to intercept different communications that are suspected to have a relation with terrorist activities. Also, in an effort to control terrorist funding, the government requires different entities to implement anti-money laundering procedures. It also requires these entities to observe various reporting and record keeping requirements an aspect that would enable the government to follow up any transaction (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2009). Government has improved the scope of bodies that fight terrorism. This has through reducing regulations on bodies such as FBI in order to ensure that they counter terrorism activities without government regulations. This has enabled Federal Bureau of Investigations to open counterterrorism center. This center maintains regular relations with other bodies that are mandated with a role of countering terrorism. This has provided an opportunity for sharing information, giving warning and even real-time intelligence analysis (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2012). Government has established national infrastructure protection center which is an interagency center that is housed by FBI headquarters. This center is playing an important role of warning the government and public of any case of cyber intrusions. This move has prevented many planned cyber attacks that have been leveled towards the United States government (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2012). Since the formation of formal right-wing hate groups, such as the National Alliance and Church of the Creator, they have increased terrorist tension in the country. These antigovernment groups have been opposing government progress and use terrorist activities to attract government attention. As a way of countering these threats, the government is encouraging the formation of bodies that represent public interests. Such groups include labor unions, which represents the grievances of the public to the government (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2012). Government has identified that some of the domestic terrorists has international links. The international terrorists fund the group and provide them with firearms. To deter entry of firearms in the country, the government has collaborated with maritime authority in an effort to prevent entry of firearms through the sea. This is because sea routes have been identified as the most porous route that terrorists can use to transport weapons to the United States (Federal bureau of Investigations, 2009). In the past years, Federal Bureau of Investigations has identified an array of cyber threats in the country. These threats range from defacements of different websites by juveniles to planned attack on government websites that have very important information on national security. Some of the impact of these terrorists has been interruptions of electricity, and other economic sabotage measures. Terrorists has also been using new information that are in the internet to raise funds, spread propaganda against the government and also communicate securely with other terrorist groups in other countries on how to execute their plans. In order for the government to deter such cases from occurring, FBI is planning to get go ahead from the government to get access to communication or computer evidence from a person or group who is suspected to be planning of terrorist activities (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2009). Recommendations Government should increase the level of spending on security. This measure would aim at ensuring that security personnel are able to afford sophisticated technology, which will counter that of terrorists. In addition, police officers should be given few regulations, which deter them from carrying out their roles. The funds should also be used to increase the number of law enforcers; an aspect that would help to counter the activities of the terrorists. Government should boost security in areas that are prone to security attacks. Some of these include government offices, different institutions, e.g. health, education and business centers. In addition, the government should ensure that law enforcers keep on updating their knowledge concerning strategies of curbing terrorisms. This is because most of the terrorists are elite who are jobless. If this measure is not taken, terrorists are likely to outdo the law enforcers as they keep on recruiting members who have fresh knowledge some of those who have worked in police departments. These domestic terrorist have an international roots which can only be identified and controlled through increasing the level of knowledge of law enforcers. Government should make it clear the strategy to be used to negotiate with any group. Lack of clear laid out procedures on how the government should negotiate with the groups have given way for the formation of groups that claim to represent public grievances some of which end up becoming a threat to the countrys security. Lastly, many terrorists join the groups because of being idle despite gaining formal education. The government should, therefore, ensure that it provides employment to the young generations who ends up becoming hopeless and join these groups. This would reduce domestic threats as these individuals will be able to afford basic needs without influence of terrorist groups. References Central Intelligence Agency. (2003). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Retrieved https://www.cia.gov/search?q=national+strategy+&site=CIA&btnG=Search&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&client=CIA&myAction=%2Fsearch&submitMethod=get&ud=1&y=0&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=CIA&x=0 Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2012). Testimony. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/the-terrorist-threat-confronting-the-united-states Federal bureau of Investigations. (2009). Domestic Terrorism. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2009/september/domterror_090709/ Homeland Security. (2012). Preventing Terrorism and enhancing Security. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/preventing-terrorism-and-enhancing-security-progress-since-9-11.shtm Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. (2012). Awareness and Prevention Participant Guide. Retrieved from http://publicintelligence.net/new-jersey-office-of-homeland-security-terrorism-awareness-and-prevention-participant-guide/ United States General Accounting Office. (2001). Combating terrorism: actions needed to improve DOD antiterrorism program implementation and management: report to the chairman, Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives. New York. The Office. United States General Accounting Office. (2012). Combating terrorism: opportunities to improve domestic preparedness program focus and efficiency: report to congressional requesters. New York: The Office. Read More