International Terrorism as a Threat to the United Kingdom - Essay Example

Running Head: International Terrorism as a Threat to the United Kingdom International Terrorism as a Threat to the United Kingdom [Institute’s Name] International Terrorism as a Threat to the United Kingdom International terrorism has become one of the most important and debatable matters in almost every part of the globe. Nowadays, it is very imperative for every government, especially, the developed countries to identify the motives of such terrorist activities. Moreover, identification of supporting bodies of such terrorists is another major step of a number of governments, especially the United States that is running the War against Terrorism since half a decade, as well as, the United Kingdom that is considered the closest ally of the United States in this Global War on Terror. 1In order to prevent such terrorist activities, it is very important to understand the term terrorism, especially the international terrorism that affected some of the major developed countries of the world. Over the last twenty-five years, significant change can be observed in the abovementioned debatable matters, and a noteworthy evolution can be seen in this regard. As compared with the mid-eighties, international terrorist activities have accelerated at a greater extent. On the other hand, War against terrorism has resulted in the disappearance of various terrorist groups that was targeted, especially after the September 11 attacks. Some of the major sanctuaries of the terrorist groups are demolished or evacuated, such as the Soviet bloc, as well as, the Afghan sanctuary that once used to be the base of Al-Qaeda terrorist group. Now, terrorism is condemned by the countries that used to support such activities in the past. 2 Terrorist activities are now monitored very closely, and a significant improvement can be observed in the international cooperation of different countries for the sake of international security and safety. In midst of such opposition of international terrorism, terrorists are still at large, and supported by different countries in the world. In the result, a number of countries are posing threats due to their involvement in War on Terror, and this paper will specifically discuss some of the significant aspects of international terrorism that have created threats for the United Kingdom. In brief, probabilities and possibilities of a terrorist attack are broadly identified by the creation of threat levels, and such creation is done by consideration of different factors that will be discussed in this paper briefly to understand the range of threat that is presently being posed by the United Kingdom from international terrorism. At present, a number of studies and reports have indicated that severe threat is being posed by the United Kingdom from the international terrorists, and one of the major reasons of such threat is its closest relationship with the United States, which has been leading the combat against the terrorists in different parts of the globe. Briefly, available intelligence is one of the rare, but imperative factors that decide the extent of threat. It is observed that fragment information is used by the experts to make their judgments related to such threats. Secondly, experts examine different capabilities of the terrorists by analyzing their activities and attacks through available intelligence. Thirdly, it is very imperative to understand the perspective and intention of terrorist organizations, which facilitates countries to treat them in an efficient manner.3 Lastly, timescale is one of the factors that allow the countries to judge the likelihood of an attack in the near future. Despite of a number of factors and aspects, it is still very difficult to identify threats and threat levels, which has now become very important in present era of terrorized globe. In the year 2003, investigation and assessment of international terrorism and related factors became focus of the British experts by establishment of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre,4 which is operating since then to identify threat levels and related steps that can be taken to prevent such threats in the United Kingdom. 5A number of terrorist networks are comprehensively researched by the centre, which is facilitating the country in dealing efficiently with the possible international terrorist organizations. Recently, a study has been carried out to understand the factors of present international terrorist organizations, as a paradigm shift is observed in their working patterns due to rapid advancement around the globe. Nowadays, international terrorist organizations are operating globally by articulation of their intentions to different affiliated groups that has increased the threat range in an extensive manner. Moreover, studies have indicated that threats related to international terrorism has increased globally due to representation of threats to Islam, which has asserted a number of individuals and organizations in Muslim countries to react adversely against such representation. In this regard, the United Kingdom is posing the same threat due to the creation of hazards against Islam; however, UK organizations are endeavoring to diminish the impact of hazards by changing their attitude towards the international terrorists. Since three decades, armed forces and security agencies of the United Kingdom have been involved in countering international terrorism, which has provided helpful and valuable information and experience to the country in reducing terrorism in its different parts. However, bombing of Pan Am flight 103 remained the only focus of security-related organizations of the United Kingdom until 1990s. 6It is considered that focus on only one terrorist activity on the UK surface resulted in allowance of planning different terrorist-related activities by the international terrorist organizations, which has been one of the major criticisms for the United Kingdom. Moreover, individuals in the United Kingdom were busy in funding and planning terrorism activities in Gulf areas, as experts of national security of the United Kingdom did not consider such individuals as threats for the country, and resulted in anger of a number of foreign governments around the globe. Still, some of the critics consider the United Kingdom responsible for present threats that are confronting by the country from international terrorist organizations. It is indicated by some reports that a lesser priority to international terrorists by the United Kingdom encouraged the Al-Qaeda to increase the extent of their terrorism plans, and thus, 9/11 attacks are considered the result of failure of not only the United States, but the lenient attitude of the United Kingdom towards these militant groups. In the result, the United Kingdom being the closest ally of the United States is posing threats from the Al-Qaeda, as well as, some other international militant groups that are currently operating in more than fifty-five countries according to some reports. Unlike circumstances of 1970s and 1980s, mass killing is now promoted by terrorist organizations, which has resulted in rapid increment in the extent of such threats. The United Kingdom has played a vital and crucial role in the War on Terror by providing its armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and by different endeavors to eliminate the possibilities of any financial support for such terrorists. In the result, a number of taped messages of Al-Qaeda have pressured the United Kingdom to stop such support to the United States, or it will not be able to prevent mass killings in the country. However, the United Kingdom continued to lead the War on Terror with the United States resulting in terrorist attacks on July 07, 2005 that killed a number of people in London. 7 It is observed that the United Kingdom is not posing threats from Al-Qaeda only; however, terrorists involved in Good Friday Agreement, as well as, extremists of Animal Rights also pose threats to the country due to its complicated counter-terrorism policy. However, the country is now significantly focusing on threats from Al-Qaeda due to its adverse capabilities, which can be seen from the event of 9/11 attacks. In midst of such threats, the country has continued to deploy its armed forces in different parts of the globe with support of the United Nations. Moreover, different strategies have been implemented locally by the country to prevent application of threats on its homeland, which will be discussed briefly in following section of the paper. One of the steps taken by the United Kingdom is increment in its funding for counter-terrorism projects. For instance, more than eighty-five million pounds are funded in NHS to counter terrorism activities related to biotechnology. Moreover, distillation programs worth fifty-five million pounds have been started by the country, and more than 132 million pounds are invested in advancement of fire service facilities to cope with up the possible threats. 8Furthermore, airport and border security has been tightened, and a number of accounts and assets of international terrorists have been frozen by the country, which was done in the past decades. Until now, more than 1500 individuals are confronting their trials in the United Kingdom courts related to terrorist activities in the country. However, even after the implementation of effective counter-terrorism policies and extensive funding in abovementioned programs, a number of UK places have become the targets of different terrorist organizations, and the country is still posing serious threats from them. A significant modification is observed in the extent of terrorism around the globe. In this regard, it is essential that British security agencies should create effective counter-terrorism policies to prevent the application of discussed threats in the country. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial in better understanding of the topic. References International Bar Association. (2003). International Terrorism. Transnational Publishers. Jeffrey Record. (2004). Bounding the Global War on Terrorism. University Press of the Pacific. John K. Cooley. (2002). Unholy Wars: Afghanistan, America and International Terrorism. Pluto Press. Jonathan R. White. (2006). Terrorism and Homeland Security. Springer. M. Cherif Bassiouni. (2001). International Terrorism. Transnational Publishers. Noam Chomsky. (2003). Pirates and Emperors, Old and New: International Terrorism in the Real World. South End Press. Walter Laqueur. (2004). No End to War: Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century. Continuum International Publishing Group. Total Words: 1511 Words Read More