Homeland Security and Terrorism - Term Paper Example

 Homeland Security and Terrorism Abstract This paper explores various articles and other significant sources to discuss a terrorist group that threatens America, the ISIS, and how some of the strategies and policies developed by the homeland security have helped in preventing terror attacks and protecting American citizens. Generally, terror attacks are not only a problem to the American society but also a global problem. Terrorism is a major threat to global security, and so the rise of new terror organizations or groups such as the ISIS increases insecurity in the world. ISIS is a terrorist organization that has drawn much attention worldwide following its brutality and violent tactics in its attempt to establish a new caliphate. The homeland security that was developed after the 2001 terror attack has really helped in preventing subsequent terror attacks on the U.S soil. Introduction Terrorism is a global problem and the emergence of terrorists groups is a threat to the international security. The Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is known by many individuals worldwide following its brutal actions and violent tactics in an effort to establish Islamic state in Iraq, Syria and beyond. ISIS is a major threat to America because it has a territorial base, which makes it easy for them to plan and organize terrorism against the U.S. More so, ISIS recruits American citizens who have travelled to Syria and Iraq to support them and help them fight, and this makes them dangerous and able to commit acts of violence upon their return. This paper explores the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria as one of the major terrorist groups threatening America. It also covers new homeland policy designated to prevent and respond to terrorism and protect citizens. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) The Islamic state of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIL, is a rebel group that is popular worldwide because of its violent tactics to create a caliphate. This group is based in Iraq and Syria in the Middle East and its major aim is to establish an Islamic state in majority regions of Iraq and other Muslim-inhabited regions worldwide. This group claims religious authority over all Muslims globally and have absolute control over Islamic states. The United Nations and many countries have recognized the ISIS as a terrorist organization because of its violation of human rights. Notably, ISIS is one of the major terrorist groups that pose a threat to American security and the international security. America is one of the countries that view terrorism as not only a national challenge but also a global problem. Generally, the actions, authority and theological interpretations of this group have been widely condemned worldwide by different communities including some Muslim community who view ISIS as outsiders. Ideologically, the ISIS believes in an extreme interpretation of Islam as a religion and it enhances religious violence and considers those who disagree with its interpretations as infidels and treat them in an unfriendly and brutal manner. Their ideology is that of Salafist and according to them, there is no difference between religion and the state, and that all decisions are based on the interpretations of Islamic law (Friedland, 2014). The group’s ideology has its origin in the branch of modern Islam that mainly focuses on returning the traditional Islam and ignoring any emerging innovations in the religion, which it believes, interferes with the religion’s original spirit. Moreover, it criticizes later caliphates, which it claims that have deviated from pure Islam, and this is the main reason why it focuses on establishing its own caliphate. Structurally, the ISIS is headed by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who has declared himself the caliph and requires all Muslims to obey him (Friedland, 2014). He has appointed advisors, minister and military commanders to assist in running the caliphate, and he has one assistant in Syria and another one in Iraq. A hierarchy of commanders controls ISIS and each one of them has a specific role, and down the hierarchy, its own governor manages every province (Friedland, 2014). Notably, the ISIS mainly targets Muslim-inhabited nations with the aim of establishing a caliphate and reviving the pure traditional Islam in these countries. However, this terrorist group also targets western countries, Christians, and rebels as they are attacked and tortured since they do not support it in its operations. Some of the tactics used by ISIS include recruiting many foreign volunteers in Syria including American citizens and influence them to join and help them in their mission. ISIS brutally treats those who are not its followers and this includes torturing and beheading these individuals in public. In addition, it uses tactics such as suicide bombings and attacks on the security forces and these have enabled it to be successful in its operations. Indeed, ISIS has been successfully in most of its operations due to its ability to recruit followers and mobilize support. Homeland Security Policy and Terrorism Homeland security refers to the effort of the national government to avoid terrorist attacks on American soil and protect all Americans from terrorism. Notably, homeland security was developed to minimize the exposure of America to terrorism and reduce the damage caused by terrorist attacks. After terrorist attacks in 2001, the department of homeland security (DHS) was established to ensure that the U.S was safe from terrorist attacks as well as other disasters (Viotti, Opheim and Bowen, 2008). DHS mainly focuses on preparing the federal government to address terrorism. According to Guiora (2011), homeland security refers to the protection of domestic infrastructure and institutions whose exposure puts the lives of civilians at risk. It was mainly formed to protect individuals, secure the U.S borders, and prevent terrorism (Bullock, Haddow and Coppola, 2013). Arguably, the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) and National Strategy for Information Sharing are some of the effective homeland security policies that helped in preventing terrorism in the United States and protecting American citizens from terrorist attacks. It provided adequate information about any terrorist threats and provided security measures to government agencies, airports, and even members of the public. Moreover, the local law enforcement officials were trained on how to identify individuals with suspicious behaviors and indicators that are related to terrorism and other threats, and this led to increased public awareness of the indicators of terrorism making it easier for the public to identify and share what they find suspicious with the authorities. Encouraging the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities has helped in reducing terror attacks in the country. Increased screening of passengers within the U.S and checking their names against government watch lists, and also screening luggage for explosives, weapons and destructive items has really helped in identifying possible terror threats (Penn, 2013). Indeed, the change in airport security helped in reducing terror attacks as it enabled the local authorities to be aware of any threat to national security early before it affects the country. It managed to heighten security in the country and significantly minimized terror attacks on the U.S soil. A report released by DHS highlighted its progress in protecting the country against another terrorist attack some of these accomplishments include, expanded information sharing. Therefore, DHS established fusion centers all over the country to allow them collect, share and analyze information related to terror threats and this information was shared with the federal government and local agencies. Nevertheless, DHS also encouraged sharing any information about terrorist and criminals globally to eliminate terrorism and increase global security. The key strategy of homeland security was to facilitate information sharing between the federal and the local authorities in order to ensure that no suspicious activity was spared. This is because the previous terrorists realized that there was lack of information sharing between agencies and this enabled them to succeed in their operations. Notably, homeland security-related information sharing systems have played a key role in ensuring national security. This way, the ISIS members who have been sent to attack the U.S have not been successful. Conclusion The ISIS is one of the extremist terror groups that have emerged and are a threat to the U.S and international security. It is based in Syria and Iraq and it mainly aims at creating a caliphate and having control over all Islamic states. The ISIS is popular worldwide because it is brutal and uses violent tactics in their operations such as massacre killings and beheadings. This group believes that there is no difference between religion and the state and their interpretation of Sharia law is outrageous. According to this group, all decisions made should be based on their interpretation of the Islamic law. The U.S government has developed various strategies to address terrorism and protect the American citizens from terror attacks. for instance, homeland security was established as a counter-terrorism measure and it has succeeded in reducing incidences of terrorism in the country by creating policies such as information sharing to enable local agencies be informed about any possible terror threat in the country. Moreover, increased security in airports and the U.S territory has allowed local authorities to be alert and identify any suspicion about terrorists. References Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., and Coppola, D. P. (2013). Homeland security: The essentials. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann. Friedland, E. (2014). The Islamic State (ISIS) fact sheet. New York City: The Clarion Project. Guiora, A.N. (2011). Homeland security: what is it and where are we going?. Florida: CRC Press. Penn, E.B. (2013). Homeland security and criminal justice: five years after 9/11. London: Routledge. Viotti, P., Opheim, M. and Bowen, N. (2008). Terrorism and homeland security: thinking strategically about policy. Florida: CRC Press. Read More