9/11 Attacks Challenge to Americas Foreign and Domestic Policies - Case Study Example

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: 9/11 Attacks’ Challenge to America’s Foreign and Domestic Policies Emergency Management It is important for our nations’ leaders to anticipate problems before they even arise. To be able to make the most rational and effective decisions, a leader must remain composed and focused despite the audacity of the circumstances. Laws are proactive tools used by our leaders to control and act upon such situations. They are even used to prevent the occurrence of chaos, national and political instability, terrorism, and the likes. Many terrorist groups have threatened the United State of America and it allied countries. The most dominant groups to terrorize the American public were Islamic militants who aimed to disrupt America’s influence in Muslim nations. These militants never ceased in plotting attacks against the U.S. and other U.S. allied countries. Among the activities that they do, which the public calls to be alarming was developing nuclear bombs and warheads, crafting biological and chemical weapons, civilian killings and abductions. The world has not seen the severity of this problem until the September 11 bombing in the United States. Considering that the United States has the strongest military groups and state of the art technology hubs, which can be used to detect and control terrorist activities, it still did not stop these radical groups from creating a massive havoc to the country. The Al Qaeda (The Base) group was pointed responsible for the September 11 bombing (also referred to as “9/11 bombing”) in various states in the U.S. It has been said that it is indeed the worst terrorist attack in the history. The Al Qaeda group was said to be instituted in the early 1980’s by Osama Bin Laden, son of a rich businessman in Saudi Arabia. The group was initially established to support troops from different countries to be part of an Afghan group fighting against the Soviet Union. They called this as the Holy War movement. They formerly had their underground offices in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and in the United States recruiting members and training them in military exercises and the use of firearms, computers, and other things necessary to successfully carry out terrorist activities. Several other terrorist groups operate under the umbrella of the Al Qaeda like the Al-Jihad, the Al-Gamma Al-Islamiyya, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, and a number of jihad groups in other Middle East Asian countries. Al-Qaeda along with other terrorist groups purported to work against their common adversary in the West - mainly the United States which Al-Qaeda regards as an "infidel" who works alongside with other “infidels” (FBI, 2001). As of today, the group’s mission for carrying on with its radical activities is launching pan-Islamic jurisdiction throughout the world. They aspire to promote Islam and remove non-Muslims in Muslim territories. Al Qaeda spread fear across American and Western territories, not to mention their Jewish targets in Asia. They have been noted for their bombings in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Kenya, Yemen, and Pakistan. It plotted and carried on attacks on US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1998 during the Clinton regime. The most shocking and controversial attacks that they have made in history was the September 11, 2001 attack in the United States. The day which will never cease in the minds of the American people and the rest of the world was schemed by the notorious group Al Qaeda. The United States of America was seriously challenged by the September 11 attack in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Fear grew in the American public, economic fallback awaited, and domestic and national policies must be confronted. The whole world was tuned in to the acts of revelation that is seemed to be shown in the happening in the United States. A clear Tuesday morning in the United States was replaced by a tensed and apprehensive atmosphere when a group of terrorists, which was identified as the Al Qaeda, stroke two commercial passenger airplanes through the World Trade Center building in New York City. First it hit the North tower, then the South tower of the World Trade Center causing the building and other nearby infrastructure to collapse. The whole world saw this sight in their news channels with growing fear and terror. Later, America and the world saw another airplane to strike the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The building not only houses the U.S. Department of Defense but was also one of the offices to contain the largest collection of important books, journals and documents in the United States. Chaos did not stop from there as the fourth hi-jacked plane crashed through a field near Shanksville in Pennsylvania. It was said that the target of the hi-jackers was the White House in Washington D.C. Although, they were unsuccessful in hitting the White House, nobody in the plane endured the crash. Nobody in all four hi-jacked airplanes did. More than three thousand people died in the attack including nineteen hi-jackers. Most of the victims were civilians caught between the attacks. In addition to that is the threat of lung diseases that might await those that were exposed to the collapse of the World Trade Center. The American public felt that they were not secure inside their own homes, thinking that terrorist might strike again any minute. The U.S. economy suffered greatly since the group attacked one of the major business districts of the country. Aside from the twin tower of the World Trade Center, many building were also destroyed and damaged including the World Financial Complex, Deutsche Bank Building, and Marriot World Trade Center. Most importantly, U.S.A.’s leaders and officials were seriously challenged to address the situation by strengthening anti-terrorism laws and other domestic and foreign policies. More to anger and grief, the American people, along with the rest of the world, helped in rebuilding the American spirit. Help came from various parts of the world including blood donations, psychological help for the families of the victims, and relief goods. Allied countries of the United States expressed their support in fighting against terrorism and seeking to incarcerate and punish those responsible for the disastrous attacks. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended the entry of international aircrafts to in the North American airspace and land in U.S. soil for several days after the attack in order to prevent similar events to happen. Rescue operations were authorized to recover bodies and rescue survivors from the site of the collapsed twin towers. Investigation results pointed Osama Bin Laden and his group, Al Qaeda, responsible for the attacks on all three states. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001) was inspired from the 9/11 attack. U.S. President George W. Bush authorized the bill and was made into law on the 25th day of October 2001, exactly 45 days after the 9/11 attack. It constitutes laws that fight against terrorism. Provide protection to American inhabitants, and crime-fighting protection. It has been controversial for its extending provisions particularly the Title II of the said Act, which discusses surveillance procedures to detect terrorist activities. It comprised extended laws towards computer fraud investigation, roving wiretaps, and access to stored voicemails with the pursuance of a warrant. Opposing parties question the Title II of the Patriot Act. They thought that it bypasses the Fourth Amendment, which requires a warrant before a search operation. In addition to that, the Patriot Act was not clear on its provisions in holding suspected terrorists for detention. Commentators said that it violates the basic human rights of the immigrants to the United States. In spite of the criticisms to the Patriot Act of 2001, it is however proved to be helpful in against terrorism. The USA Patriot Act of 2001 seeks to help in funding for counter-terrorist activities, and strengthen the communication between law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. Moreover, it provided funds for assistance and compensations for the victims of wars and attacks and their families. The 9/11 attack made U.S. Embassies and Immigrations more strict in granting visa’s for other nationalities to enter the country. USA Patriot Act disallows aliens who are affiliated with organizations supporting and endorsing terrorist activities. The Act also extends this ruling to the families of the alien. On the lighter note, the Act preserves immigration benefits to the victims caught in the battle due brought about by terrorism (FinCEN, 2002). The United States increased its awareness of the fight against terrorism as they improve their investigations by extending Secret Service’s jurisdiction as regards to fraudulence using computer and telecommunication devices and susceptive activities relating to U.S. Financial Institutions. Information sharing for infrastructure protection was also reinforced among counter terrorist groups. Prosecution and penalty for those convicted with terrorist acts were made even bolder as the terrorism criminal laws hold. The U.S. government has since been extra-careful in disclosing matters especially when it concerns national security. Other than the USA Patriot Act, a “War on Terrorism” was immediately declared by U.S. President Bush in response to the 9/11 attack. This aimed to capture and prosecute Osama Bin Laden and the members of the notorious Al Qaeda group, as well as to campaign the prevention terrorist networks from surfacing. The U.S. government also instigated the expansion of global surveillance and intelligence sharing among other countries which advocate counter-terrorism. The Bush Administration stated U.S.’s objectives and strategies in the War on Terrorism as: 1) Overthrowing of terrorists and their networks and organizations; 2) Disrupting, all sponsorship, support, and sanctuary to terrorists; 3) Withdrawing all underlying conditions that can be oppressed by radical groups; and 4) Defending and preserving the interests and safety of the Americans in the U.S.A. and abroad (Bush, 2003). With the War on Terrorism, the U.S. government had sought to defeat the Taliban rule of Afghanistan along with its allied forces. Nations around the world grew awareness to the severity of terrorist threats. Countries like the Philippines and Indonesia increased its military readiness as they faced similar conflict with Islamic militants and rebels. With the help of the USA Patriot Act and the War on Terrorism Law, Investigations of the September 11 attacks were sped up and resulted to the indictment of Osama Bin Laden, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, and other members of the Al Qaeda terrorist group. Osama Bin Laden, the leader of the infamous radical group, denied in various interviews that he had nothing to do with attacks in September 11 despite all evidences that points to him. However, a tape statement by Osama Bin Laden in December 2004 later revealed that he had direct link with the 9/11 attacks with words: “As you undermine our security, we undermine yours”. (Michael, 2004) The U.S. government ruled to freeze all accounts of Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda in the U.S. financial market but Bin Laden said that it will not affect their operations because the Al Qaeda group still has other independent accounts in other financial markets. (Karachi, 2004) The U.S. government’s campaigned for an immense global fight against terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. It had also been intrepid in its sought for justice for all the victims of the catastrophe. With improved laws and policies to detect, fight, and prevent terrorism, the U.S. government learned then that Iraq secretly possesses weapons for mass destruction that poses threat of mass destruction. Some U.S. officials accused Saddam Hussein of supporting such activities. He was believed to have links with the Al Qaeda group since both Iraq and the Islamic militant group have military and political issues with the United States, which threatens national security and public safety. Along with U.S.’s other allies, they declared war and occupation of Iraq and ordered that Saddam Hussein be put to trial and be executed. It was formally launched in March 2003 with reasons that include Iraq’s support for suicide bombers and human rights abuses. The aim of the coalition of countries contra-terrorism was to restore democracy in Iraq and eliminate forces that pose as threat to the security and safety of interests of Western countries. The power of the Al Qaeda group had been decentralized with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, smaller umbrella terrorists groups were weakened as military troops from the United States, United Kingdom, and other allied forces came to Iraq to shut off all terrorists and enemies of the democracy. Up to this day that Saddam Hussein had been incarcerated and sentenced with death by hanging, Osama Bin Laden still remained free and at large. War in Iraq has not yet been stopped and military troops from the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries were still being sent to fight in the war to eliminate all enemies of democracy and freedom. The United States Government had continually reviewed legislative orders and policies contra-terrorism as it revised and amended its law like the USA Patriot Act which was reauthorized by two bills: the USA Patriot and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorized Act of 2005 and the USA Patriot Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendment if 2006. The U.S. government also formed the Department of Homeland Security whose main responsibility is to protect the state and its territories from catastrophes like terrorist attacks and natural disasters. This newly founded organization coordinates homeland security effort, a proactive measure in responding to adversities and emergency incident management. Since the 9/11 attack, actions to arrest terrorists were made even bolder. In 2003, the believed to be mastermind of the 9/11 attack, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was arrested and incarcerated. In 2005, other non-Al Qaeda members were also convicted and imprisoned because of their conspiracy with the terrorist, among them were Imad Yarkas, Driss Chebli and seventeen other men (BBC 2005). Many ongoing trials were being held to convict Al Qaeda members and other terrorists. Osama Bin Laden is still at large and there is still a long way to go before terrorism is completely eradicated. Despite collaborative global fight against terrorism, it is difficult to determine its end to this moment. We all campaign for freedom, terrorists and government; however, we differ in its interpretation. We call terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, enemies of our democracy because they cause mass destruction to achieve their ends and although military forces have weakened them for the past years, we will never know when they will strike again and how massive the destruction will be this time. We must all be vigilant so we can prevent such tragedy from happening again. It is one thing to disrupt an organization such as Al-Qaeda, and it is never too easy; much more to totally dismantle and eradicate them. To be successful in this cause, we must continue to seek international effort and cooperation in every aspect of our aspiration to bring forth peace among nations. References Bush, George W. (February 2003). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Retrieved October 10, 2008 from http://whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/counter_terrorism/counter_terrorism_strategy.pdf BBC News (September 2005). Al Qaeda suspect jailed over 9/11. Retrieved October 11, 2006 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4281808.stm Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] (18 December 2001). Congressional Testimony: Al Qaeda International. Retrieved October 10, 2008 from http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress01/caruso121801.htm Financial Crime Enforcement Network [FinCEN]. (2002). USA Patriot Act. Retrieved October 10, 2008 from http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/patriot/index.html Michael, Maggie (29 October 2004). "Bin Laden, in statement to U.S. people, says he ordered Sept. 11 attacks". The Associated Press. SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved October 10, 2008 from http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/terror/20041029-1423-binladentape.html Umnat Karachi (28 September 2001). Usama bin Laden Says the Al-Qa'idah Group had Nothing to Do with the 11 September Attacks. Retrieved October 10. 2008 from http://www.robert-fisk.com/usama_interview_ummat.htm Read More