How Terrorism Changed America - Essay Example

How Terrorism Changed America Introduction The terrorist attack of September 9/11 is one of the saddest issues that served to alter the perspective of many Americans. The attack instilled fear, anxiety, and immense uncertainty to the American government and the people. The grief of losing innocent Americans in the attack in the targeted building was overwhelming. The attack compelled the American government to formulate effective strategies that would serve to heighten the security level. Evidently, the terror attack exerted immense effects on Americans. Notably, the nation faced the compulsion to take abrupt measures in a bid to address the salient threat defined by terror attack. Its international relations with the Arab world would change immensely after the war as America tried to identify the perpetrators of the violence. Changes made in the Airline Transport Presently, the US Congress faces the challenge of how to protect, finance, and adequately respond to terror threats on airlines across the United States. Ideally, terrorist attacks tend to interfere with commerce and travel industry in that investors develop fear pertaining to the consequences of the launched attacks. Evidently, the terror attacks of September eleventh in 2001 have made airlines adopt stringent policies that have enabled the airline companies to reassure passengers of their safety abode their airplanes. With the attacks, Congress moved swiftly in a move to prevent future attacks on American soil as it passed the Act on Aviation and Transportation Security that saw the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration. With this act in place, security screeners had the authority to inspect the luggage of their prospective clients as part of the routine security checks (Conser, Paynich, & Gingerich, 2013). As per the act, airline security personnel had an entitlement to advanced screening equipment that could detect any security threat at any distance. As part of the checks, passengers also had to submit their identification details for scrutiny against the terrorist database as a way of limiting the ferrying of terrorists to other destinations and on terrorism. Cargo also did not fall short of the screening aspect in that cargo had to undergo intense checks to prevent the ferrying of terrorist merchandise. With this, the security levels in aircrafts and airports in general have strengthened although not to the highest intended level (Lee, 2013). Ideally, land, air, and marine systems of transport are the systems that have witnessed intense utilization in both America and other developing economies. They serve as the propellants to the economy as they feed the economy through revenues that accrue on every minute of every day. However, this aspect has also made it vulnerable and prone to terrorist attacks hence presenting the complexity of protection the transport system from unprecedented terror attacks. Subsequently, the cost implication on the ways in which these transport systems may have protection is the key problem that policy makers in Congress seek to resolve. Despite the hurdles that fighting terrorism may present, the achievement of safer travel and transport zones is achievable provided the authority structures establish proper mechanisms. The establishment of these secure systems should be in a way that the flow may not experience interference in terms of commerce, freedoms, and travelling for passengers (Conser, Paynich, & Gingerich, 2013). In order for the security structure within transport terminals to be effective, there are at least four principles that this venture may adopt to ensure efficiency and success. For one, transport agency must ensure that their passengers have trust in the agency by not causing delays as they execute their security checkups. The continued flow should also apply in the cargo section of the system in that it should be efficient at all times. Secondly, there should be trust for those working within the transport industry and the security levels for the surroundings of the transport facilities. Lastly, the private companies also need to portray trustworthy qualities in terms of cargo handling, passenger assistance, and maintenance of equipment. Nevertheless, the adoption of these requirements may be effective, but the problem lies in the passengers themselves as they may disguise as genuine passengers while they might be terrorists. Terrorists may also disguise as machine operators or as shippers as a way of positioning themselves for an attack (Shearman & Mcdougall, 2006). On the contrary, the attack may not occur from within a facility, but may be because of an attack from outside the facility hence creating the need to secure the facilities borders. For instance, terrorist may use vehicles or speed to execute attacks using suicide bombers as the best executors of the attack. Presently, the use of suicide bombers has taken root in terrorism as the rewards awarded after a successful bombing to the family of the perpetrator are worth the trouble. Therefore, the achievement of the all the four intended goals may be next to impossible, but that does not necessarily mean that it is unachievable. However, this leaves policy makers with the task of structuring the policies that may minimize the chances of terror attacks while retaining the load of intense requirements to safety of the transport systems (Lord, 2010). Air cargo safety As per the 9/11 Recommendation Act, all cargo intended for transportation had to undergo security screening to prevent a repeat of such a terror attack. Essentially, cargo screening was effective as this led to the discovery of bomb devices bound for the US soil in October 2010. The act provided for the use of bomb detectors, explosive traces detectors, canines, physical frisking, and X ray systems that complement the screening of passenger luggage. Ironically, this policy met intense critic by stakeholders as they viewed the adoption of this policy as expensive and time consuming concerning the screening equipment and the training of canine squads. Despite the opposition witnessed at the start of the implementation of the policy, stakeholders resolved to adopt it as passenger safety was on top of their priority list. Moreover, the Transportation Security Administration also implemented the use of registered screeners to serve as the inspection agency at the transport terminals hence making them liable in case terror threats occur within the terminals (Shearman & Mcdougall, 2006). However, some congressional representatives did not agree with the TSA in terms of outsourcing screeners at national airports and other transport terminuses. Their argument was that the outsourcing aspect by TSA would make the institution non-reliable as its prime role is in ensuring cargo safety directly and not any other role. Therefore, the reports that the security agency would file would be secondary reports and not based on the actual feel on the ground by the agency. In essence, TSA had the obligation of reporting to Congress on matters pertaining to cargo safety in that their reports were substantial in the development of necessary policies to enhance safety standards at transport terminals. In addition, the authorization bill related to TSA provided for the establishment of Advisory Committee on Aviation Security whose mandate was to address cargo handling and security (Shearman & Mcdougall, 2006). Presently, all cargo transported through domestic flights are subject to mandatory screening, but the problems lie in cargo from outside the North American continent. However, policy makers in congress are in the process of adopting a bill that would force cargo handlers intending to transport cargo to the US establish verification frameworks. Therefore, no cargo bound for USA could get on board a US plane without undergoing screening. Remarkably, many nations have cooperated with the US requirements for airlines headed to America to undergo cargo screening both in Europe and in other regions of the globe. The TSA is also in the process of coordinating with the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization as a way of drafting international standards on cargo security. Despite efforts by TSA, the organization has limited resource capabilities that would enable them to assure security of all the cargo bound for the US soil hence requiring the involvement of other stakeholders within the cargo industry. As a requirement, all cargo handlers have to undergo trainings on how to screen luggage and cargo on airplanes (Lord, 2010). Changed Perception towards Arab Americans The effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that registered the death of innocent Americans. The fact that an Arab group had perpetuated the terrorism attack served as created an uneasy relationship between the Arab Americans and the mainstream society (Iseby, 2008). The attack led to the isolation of Arab Americans from the American identity, with the society and media expressing negative sentiments concerning them. One of these was institutional discrimination caused by different laws passed as preventive measures of future attacks. These laws were acts such as the patriot, CLEAR, NSEERS that infringed the human rights of Arab Americans. They also faced social discrimination in different settings and labeling with such titles as ‘terrorist’. Economically, Arab Americans had to deal with labels in the workplace. All these forms of discrimination served to infringe the rights of the Arabs residing in America. It becomes evident that there have been barriers for the Arab Americans to be accepted as a diverse group into the American identity. The failure to embrace the minority group has led to the infringement of their human rights especially in connection with the September 9/11 aftermaths. The minority group faces different forms of discrimination, isolating them from the American identity. However, there are efforts geared towards assimilation into the mainstream society. Increased Surveillance by the NSA The September 11 2001 attack served to reawaken the need for an operational NSA. Apparently, the terrorist attack had surprised America, because of adequate lack of surveillance that could highlight the planned attack prior to its perpetration. Reasons why the NSA had failed to spy on the terrorist activities prior to the attack were that its existing team of experts lacked modern techniques of spying, and the structure of information in the society had failed (Etzioni and Jason, 2003). After that fateful attack, the NSA sought to introduce a new level of surveillance through the adoption of new technology. The agency received new sources of funding and staffing in a bid to revamp the dwindled agency. Apparently, this happened only a few months after the attack. The years following 2001 have seen numerous technological breakthroughs that have altered the sharing of information. The internet has provided the power of global connectivity, while also offering the NSA and other security agencies a critical tool for spying on all the information shared via phones, internet sites, and emails (Iseby, 2008). During that time, America argued about the urgency and the need for it to have an operational surveillance system for security purposes. One would argue that that the spying that started in a bid to address the surging security concerns has extended to compromise the privacy of the citizens. The compromised privacy does not only apply to the American citizens, but has become a salient concern for the global society. The NSA has defined the personalities, state agencies, and government that it offers service in its spying mission. It has described such clients as ‘external customers’. As expected, the key customer is the white house, state department, and defense intelligence agency, US mission to the UN, CIA, and the state department. The NSA working relationship with these external customers has proved complex after the September 2001 terrorist attack. In the previous era, when the NSA was spying on the political and military developments exhibited in Europe and Russia, the areas that need spying seem to have increased. After an established linkage of the September 11 attack to the Al-Qaeda group, the NSA heightened its surveillance, stating its new mission as using signal intelligence and introducing a technique of intercepting communications. Elaboration of its mission highlights that such interception is geared towards countering the efforts of adversaries. According to NSA, such efforts are inevitable because of the ruthlessness depicted by terrorists in the attack that led to the death of many people in New York. This compelled the NSA to expand its surveillance system so that it would increase its vigilance potential. The NSA was hoping that the increased surveillance would offer an expose of the dealings that terrorists were keeping under cover. Emerging International Relationships After the September 9/11 attack, the diplomatic relationships of the United States changed. Evidently, America needed allies to support its quest for justice and the determination to wage war against terrorism. America decided that it would engage the Iraq and Afghanistan regions in counter attacks because of the strong affiliation to the AL-Qaeda group, blamed for the fateful attack. A classic example is the strengthened relations between the United States of America and Australia. In conformity to its commitment and agreement to the ANZUS agreement, Australia expressed it support with immediate effect. Howard invoked the fourth act described in the treaty, and declared the attack of the United States as equivalent to an attack of Australia four days after the attack. The alacrity with which Howard responded was partly because of the ANZUS commitment, but also the hegemonous position of the United States proved compelling. In addition, the assessment of the potential security threat in Australia itself moved Howard to express Australian support. At that time, his support represented the opinion of many Australians who were in full support of the war on terror and n approval of their prime minister for supporting America (Iseby, 2008). The interests pursued during the war on terror waged on Iraq, Afghanistan and their allies were primarily the interests of the United States. Australia was not the sole ally of the United States during the critical time. Other allies included Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. Criticism and Resolutions of the Intelligence Department Evidently, the America’s lessons from the 9/11 attacks mainly focus on countering intelligence agencies. Intelligence is crucial in implementing security measures thus protecting innocent civilians from impending malicious violations like terror attacks, therefore savings the situations, or minimizing harm. Intelligence agencies have several measures of identifying, countering, and maintaining situations. One of them is policy briefing - tactics of addressing the terror threat was that the intelligence agents sought to analyze and seek to deeply understand an enemy. They conduct background investigations and establish the possible pattern an enemy applies, thereafter applying measures to counter potential threats or attack the enemy in advance. This method however poses some challenges in that today, several enemies work from vast bases, targeting different locations. This makes it hard for intelligence to scrutinize individual enemies, therefore resolving extending the policies to key points such as airports, foreigners, and foreign goods all over the world in associated states. Conclusion As highlighted above, the September 9/11 terror attack in the United States changed multiple aspects of the American society. The grief and fear caused by the attack proved highly overwhelming for the American people. Security measures by the intelligence system, the defense department, and the national Security agency heightened. Evidently, the terror served to challenge the American spirit although may Americans have exhibited resilience. Immediate measures involved stringent checking at airports. Notably, the perception of many Americans towards Arab changed because reports indicated a direct connection of the attack to the Arab Americans. Moreover, NSA has increased its surveillance strategies after the war. References Conser, J. A., Paynich, R., & Gingerich, T. (2013). Law enforcement in the United States. Burlington, Mass: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Etzioni, A., and Jason H. (2003). Rights Vs. Public Safety After 9/11: America in the Age of Terrorism. Lanham Rowman & Littlefield. Iseby, J. (2008). 9/11 Commission recommendations. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Lee, N. (2013). Counterterrorism and cybersecurity: Total information awareness.New York: Springer. Lord, S. (2010). Aviation Security: TSA Is Increasing Procurement and Deployment of the Advanced Imaging Technology, But Challenges to This Effort Remain: Congressional Testimony. Darby: Diane Publication Press. Shearman, P., & Mcdougall, D. (2006). Australian security after 9/11: new and old agendas. Burlington, VT, Ashgate. Read More