Homeland Security by Capstone - Essay Example

?Chapter Introduction Introduction to the Chapter Since the terrorist attacks that were witnessed during the 11th of September in 2001, there have been considerable increases in the personal and governmental expenses for anti-terrorism strategies as well as for the implementation of programs primarily intended to combat terrorism. Owing to the increased attention, resources, and efforts toward the reduction and prevention of terrorist attacks, it has been of paramount importance to determine whether anti-terrorism strategies are highly effective. The current study will then look into the role of homeland security in the prevention of terrorism, such as the terrorist attacks launched in September 11, along with the possible anti-terrorism strategies that can contribute to the success of the government in reducing the occurrence rates of terrorism. Because of the effect of terrorism on the social, economic and political aspect of states and non-states, various methods have been devised to prevent terrorist attacks, or at least reduce its negative effects. Thus, counterterrorism has been considered as yet another important agenda of states and other juridical entities (Durmaz, 2007). This study aims to look into the methods that fall under counterterrorism which could have prevented the September 11 attacks as well as other acts of terrorism. This chapter aims to provide an introduction to the topic at hand as well as to the aims and contents of this dissertation thus dividing it into the following sections: background of the study, problem statement, significance of the study, overview of the methodology, delimitations, definition of terms, and summary. Background of the Study Counterterrorism refers to an important agenda of states and non-states in their attempt to respond to terrorist threats and attacks (Orttung and Makarychev, 2006), thereby playing a very important role in homeland security. More specifically, counterterrorism pertains to the different practices, tactics, techniques and strategies that various juridical personalities (i.e. departments and corporations) make use of in order to effectively prevent and respond to terrorist threats and acts whether they are real or not. In this regard, counterterrorism and homeland security emphasizes the detection of potential attacks as well as the development of effective responses in order to address the same. More often than not, counter-terrorist strategies involve an increase in intelligence both in its standard police and domestic forms (Silke, 2010). Because of the importance of strategies related to counter-terrorism, it has been expounded that all aspects and segments of the society are of paramount importance in designing a counter-terrorist plan (Gnezo, 2002). In the same manner, it has also been argued that it is of utmost significance that propaganda and indoctrination be properly understood for the two lie at the heart of terrorism. Aside from these, focus must also be given to the social networks that compose terrorist groups in order to understand the same thereby making counter terrorism more successful (Beckman, 2007). As asserted by many studies, not all counterterrorist strategies have been effective with respect to reducing or preventing terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, there are still a few which have been successful in terms of achieving the goals of counterterrorism. In this regard, it is important to recognize the most common elements of successful counterterrorist strategies in order to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency in terms of combating terrorist attacks. For instance, the study of Lum et al. (2006) evaluated the effectiveness of the strategies in terms of reducing and preventing terrorist attacks. It has been noted by the said authors that existing counterterrorist strategies must be re-evaluated considering their failure to properly reduce or prevent terrorist attacks. In fact, instead of preventing them, some of these so-called counterterrorist strategies even ignite other conflicts. In view of the same, Lum et al (2006) identified various manners by which counterterrorist strategies may be enhanced to ensure their effectiveness. First, counterterrorist policy must be rational, effective and cause as little harm as necessary. In order to ensure their effectiveness, it is suggested that the intervention be connected to a measureable and desired outcome. For instance, individuals must be surveyed with respect to what they think with respect to the manner by which a policy works. Government agents must also give consideration to research conducted as to counter-terrorism programs whenever they make certain choices with respect to policy. Furthermore, evaluation research must also be incorporated into counterterrorism so as to foster better collaborations between the different government agencies and researchers. Through this, people will have more access to information with respect to security protections and the steps undertaken by their government in the prevention and reduction of terrorism. This study then focuses on the examination of the different counter-terrorist strategies adopted by the different states and non-states in their efforts to curb and reduce the number of attacks related to terrorism. Moreover, the study also aims to identify the possible means with which the September 11 attacks could have been prevented. In the examination thereof, this dissertation aims to analyse whether the most common forms of counter-terrorist strategies identified are successful in terms of reducing and preventing terrorist attacks. Problem Statement The importance of homeland security in encouraging counterterrorism lies on the fact that its scope widely includes strategies and tactics that are considered of paramount importance in terms of reducing and preventing terrorist attacks (Haggerty and Gazso, 2005). However, not all counter-terrorist strategies are successful. Some prominent international affairs analysts are of the opinion that some strategies do not match the threats that terrorists pose, such as the failure in preventing the terrorist attacks launched in September 11. In view of this argument, this research seeks to look into the commonly implemented counter-terrorist strategies and determine its degree of effectiveness, thereby identifying which of these strategies could have helped prevent the September 11 attacks. Once examined, this research shall then determine the most common elements present amongst the most effective or successful counter-terrorist strategies. Significance of the Study The importance of homeland security has already been established. In a nutshell, counterterrorist strategies play an important role for strengthening homeland security in a sense that these reduce and prevent terrorist attacks. However, these strategies are often ineffective in terms of addressing the problem at hand. Counterterrorist strategies often fail due to the fact that they often address a particular means of terrorist attack. Posen (2001) also stresses that terrorists are not limited to any particular means of attack. Instead, these terrorists often change their tactics according to the opportunities they find with respect to the achievement of their ends. Consequently, it must be altered in order to ensure its success. Findings of the current study may further contribute to the current literature on counterterrorism and homeland security by identifying the most reliable and effective strategies that have been implemented to combat terrorism and their applicability to acts of terrorism, such as in the September 11 attacks. Overview of the Methodology The main approach that the researcher shall use in this study is the qualitative approach to research. The qualitative approach is commonly used by researches that are aimed towards the exploration of issues, the development of a better understanding of the phenomena and answering questions. Thus, the study can conduct semi-structured interviews with individuals who are concerned with homeland security and defense, such as those who have played a role in planning, developing, and implementing counterterrorism strategies. Secondary data will also be gathered through the use of online libraries with which journals and books can be obtained, providing relevant information about the study’s topic. Delimitations of the Study This research covers all types of counter-terrorism strategies. The enumeration of the elements, however, shall focus only on the characteristics of those counter-terrorist strategies that are successful with respect to their capacity to properly respond to terrorist attacks in order to identify the possible strategies that could have attained success in preventing the September 11 attacks as well as other forms of terrorism. The qualitative approach to research also limits the reliability and validity of the findings, such as the small sample size or the lack of statistical analysis. Definition of Terms Terrorism- the use of threat, force and violence against individuals or properties in order to cause intimidation or coercion, most especially for political intentions. Counterterrorism- refers to an important agenda of states and non-states in their attempt to respond to and prevent terrorist threats and attacks. Homeland Security- is characterized by security and safety efforts at a national level to strengthen the protection in the United States against terrorist acts, thereby preventing terrorist attacks and reducing the country’s defenselessness against terrorism. Summary Terrorism poses a number of problems in today’s society and has increased the pressures on homeland security and defense reinforcement. Because of this, many states and non-states have incorporated a number of strategies into their international policy by which they could prevent and reduce terrorist attacks. However, the most common forms of counterterrorism had been relatively ineffective with respect to preventing and reducing the said terrorist attacks. As earlier mentioned, this is generally because of the fact that they merely tend to escalate the conflict and are unresponsive to the nature of the threat waged by the terrorist groups. Because of the same, it has been suggested that an overhaul of the said counterterrorist strategies is of paramount importance in order to ensure their effectiveness as regards their capacity to stop terrorism. This said overhaul must take into consideration the previously enumerated characteristics and elements of a successful counterterrorist strategy as identified by previous researches with respect to the subject matter at hand. Through a qualitative approach, the study will then look into the ways with which homeland security can be increased, particularly through effective and wide-ranging counterterrorism strategies that can successfully contribute to terrorism prevention. References Beckman, J. (2007). Comparative legal approaches to homeland security and anti-terrorism. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing. Durmaz, H. (2007). Understanding and responding to terrorism. Amsterdam: IOS Press. Gnezo, G.J. (2002). Counter terrorism: impacts on research, development, and higher education: Hauppage, NY: Novinka. Haggerty, K.D., and Gazso, A. (2005). Seeing beyond the ruins: surveillance as a response to terrorist threats. The Canadian Journal of Sociology, 30 (2), 169-187. Lum, C., Kennedy, L.W., and Sherley, A.J. (2006). The effectiveness of counter-terrorism strategies. Retrieved from: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/CCJG/reviews/CampbellSystematicReviewOnTerrorism02062006FINAL_REVISED.pdf Orttung, R.W., and Makarychev, A. (2006). National counter-terrorism strategies, Amsterdam: IOS Press. Posen, B. (2001). The struggle against terrorism, grand strategy, strategy, and tactics. International Security, 26 (3), 39–55. Silke, A. (2010). The psychology of counter-terrorism. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis. Read More