Why America is a Target for International Terrorism - Research Paper Example

Why America is a Target for International Terrorism Abstract This paper addresses the question of why America is a target for international terrorism. Since 2001, America has suffered a series of terror attacks from international terrorists. These continued attacks both within the American soil and in regions where Americans operate are a clear indication that America is highly vulnerable to international terrorism. It is essential to note that terrorists from certain countries are more likely to launch attack on Americans than terrorists from other regions. These two scenarios are clear indicators that there are some underlying factors that cause America to be vulnerable to terror attacks. In this paper, America’s involvement in fighting terrorism, America’s military support to countries faced with civil wars and some of America’s policies will be discussed in details as the major cause of increased international terror attacks on Americans. Why America is a Target for International Terrorism Introduction The US department of defense refers to terrorism as the use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; the intention includes coercing or intimidating governments or societies in the pursuit of religious, political, or ideological goals (Terrorism Research, 2012). Key components of this definition, which include fear, intimidation, and violence cause terror on attacked victims. Apart from having direct harm to immediate victims, acts of terror also affect people who are not at the scene of the attacks. Terror attacks attract the attention of national governments, the international community, and international organizations. The main motive of launching terror attacks against civilians of a given country is believed to be inspired by the need to gain publicity both locally and internationally (Pillar 2004, p.19). Looking into the case of America, the 9/11 attack on American soil is perhaps the worst terror attack to have ever occurred on the American soil. Past events show that before 9/11 terror attacks, over 500 Americans had died from terror attacks conducted against Americans in over 37 different countries around the world. All attacks in the foreign countries were conducted by non-US terrorists. These statistics show that there are factors that influence terrorists to carry out terror attacks on America and its citizens. Being the strongest nation in the world, America has immense influence on the operations of individual countries. One characteristic of terror groups is the need to gain political relevance in their country of origin and by extension international recognition (Pillar 2004, p.23). America’s ability to influence the governance of other countries serves as the driving force for America to offer its assistance to governments in conflict with terror groups. America recognizes that the existence of terror groups is a threat to its foreign and homeland security. Therefore, the move to offer assistance to governments in conflict with terror groups is aimed at safeguarding America’s interests. This is one factor that is believed to cause the increased incidences of international terror attacks on America. Terror groups in countries where America offers its assistance in fighting domestic terrorism view America as the greatest hindrance to their operations. With this perception, terror groups turn against America and its people in order to frustrate the American government with hopes of America withdrawing its assistance (White 2012, p.43). Apart from offering assistance to governments in conflict with terror groups, America ranks as the leading exporter of arms, and provider of military aid. In addition, America has its military personnel in numerous countries around the world. However, America is highly selective when giving military support. It is believed that there are increased terror attacks against America in countries that highly depend on America for military support. It is further hypothesized that terror attacks against America are motivated by some US foreign policies and its supporting allies. Therefore, America’s increased vulnerability to international terrorism may be as a result of its engagement in the world’s politics and its choice of key allies (White 2012, p.45). Over the past several decades, America has suffered terror attacks from terror groups aiming at gaining radical political changes in their countries. These groups launch their attacks on America with a strong belief that America will withdraw its support if it is hit hard, which will give the terror group a chance to continue with its radical political struggle. In general, launching terror attacks against America is due to a power struggle in a battle ground where America has its support on the existing government. Therefore, the weak terror group finds it rewarding when attacking the world’s powerful nation. Today, there are countless terror groups around the world and the American government has worked tirelessly to fight down some of the existing terror groups (Dyson 2012, p.57). Overview of some of the US military support believed to result to a wave of international terror attacks on Americans As mentioned earlier, America’s military support is one factor contributing to increased international terrorism on America. Therefore, it is essential to have a look into some of US military aid that may have contributed to the emergence of terror attacks on America. In 1980, the US offered its military support to El Salvador. America’s support was as a result of a civil war that started in 1980, forcing America to respond to the situation remarkably quickly. During the period of the civil war, the presence of the US military was remarkably high throughout the 1980s, making the US military expenditure increase drastically. As a result of America’s military support, a wave of terror attacks faced America and its citizens throughout the 1980s (Neumayer & Plu¨mper 2011, p.7). Before the 1980s terror attacks, America had not experienced acts of terrorism. One notable thing about the 1980s terror attacks is that there was a decline in terror activities as the number of US military in El Salvador continued to decrease. In similar events, there was a wave of terror attacks on Americans in the late 1970s following America’s weapon support to the Guatemalan government. These terror attacks persisted for almost half a decade. In the same period, the US gave military support accompanied by massive numbers of weapons to the government of Honduras. This further caused an increase in the incidences of terror attacks on Americans during the late 1970s extending to mid-1980s (Neumayer & Plu¨mper 2011, p.8). In El Salvador and Guatemala, the presence of the US military was less compared to what was present in Honduras. However, in the three countries, the number of the US military personnel declined as the wave of terror attacks on Americans grew stronger. The size of the US military within a conflict zone highly influences the vulnerability of Americans to terror attacks. In the Philippines, the presence of the US military was the largest compared to what had been experienced earlier in other countries. During the early days of the conflict in the Philippines, America had sent over 15,000 military personnel, but from the beginning of 1993, the number of military officers reduced to about 300 (Neumayer & Plu¨mper 2011, p.10). During the period when there was the presence of US military officers in the Philippine, Americans suffered about 59 terror attacks between 1978 and 1992. Contrary to this observation, there were about 20 terror attacks on Americans between 1993 and 2005, despite the existing civil conflict between the Philippine government and rebels. In another example, the US government offered its military support to Kuwait after Iraqi invaded the Kuwait territory leading to Gulf War. During the wake of the war, America temporarily positioned a vast number of military personnel in Kuwait. However, the number of military officers declined, but America continued to offer large amounts of weapons to Kuwait throughout the 1990s (Neumayer & Plu¨mper 2011, p.12). Between 1995 and 2000, a total of 43 Americans were killed by Saudi terrorists. This wave attacks ranked Saudi Arabia among the leading countries with anti-Americans terror activities. Before 1995, there were no reported terror attacks on Americans from Saudi Arabia, but from the beginning of America’s military aid in Kuwait, terror attacks on Americans from Saudi Arabia started to emerge. It is worth noting that international terrorism on Americans is not restricted to the discussed countries, but is also in other countries. Other countries, which also benefit from military support from America, but in lesser scales, also contribute to incidences of international terror attacks on Americans (Neumayer & Plu¨mper 2011, p.13). American policies that put the nation at risk of international terrorism Apart from America’s involvement in ending civil wars in various countries, the US also has some policies that that increases its vulnerability to international terrorism. One of these policies is its total war against terrorism. America is the only nation that has made its declaration of being in total war with terrorists. In 2003, the American government published a National Strategy for Combating Terrorism with a recognition that the nation is at war with terrorists. In addition, the publication outlined that the main obligation of the US government is to protect its territory, and American people plus their livelihoods. The US also recognizes that the war on terror is a unique war (Pillar 2004, p.33). America’s war on terror is not only restricted to battle of arms, but also extends to fight ideas that are considered to contribute to terror activities. In fighting terrorism, the US aims at promoting human dignity and freedom, which, in most instances, cut short by terror groups. Currently, the US government is utilizing any available technology to ensure that acts of terrorism are brought to an end. Apart from using military personnel, the US government adopts the use of diplomats, intelligence officers, finances, and law enforcement agencies in attempts to protect its homeland security (White 2012, p.59). Unlike in cases where the American government offers its support to the national government within a given country to end civil wars, America’s war on terror involves direct engagement with terror groups.This direct engagement with terror groups is the key contributor to increased vulnerability of Americans to acts of international terrorism. Major terror groups such as Al Qaida are extremely strong in terms of finances, technology, and modern warfare. Therefore, attempts to engage in war with such well-established terror groups put the lives of Americans at risk. The fact that Americans are all over the world makes it difficult for the US government to protect its people wherever they are (Terrorism Research, 2012). Over time, the American government has managed to understand its enemy. From the start of the war on terror, the main objective was not only to bring to justice the perpetrators of 9/11 attacks, but also to ensure that terror networks are fully destroyed. The main target was the al- Qaida terror network, which is perhaps the most notorious terror network. Wakening of al-Qaida would contribute immensely in discouraging people from joining terror groups as well as discouraging those who offer financial support to terror groups. Since the war on terror was declared, America has managed to eliminate al-Qaida's key leaders such as Osama bin Laden among other top leaders (Terrorism Research, 2012). The US government admits that the war on terrorism is far to be won despite the killing of key figures in the world of terrorism. This attributed to the increased incidences of international terrorism on Americans. In addition, the radical ideology that supports the use of violence by certain religions further complicates the issue of international terrorism. America recognizes Muslim jihadist as one of its greatest enemy as far as international terrorism is concerned. In the Muslim religion, jihad assumes various meanings, but it is essentially a struggle, fight or a military fight on behalf of Muslims. In western nations, jihad is taken to mean a holy war. This understanding of jihad by the western nations is the principal contributor of the conflict between Arabs and Americans (White 2012, p.64). Americans believe that jihad is the key driving force for the numerous acts of terrorism committed by Muslims. To date, Muslims are highly associated with the most notorious terror groups in the world, which is further supported by the fact that the strongest terror groups are found in Arab nations. However, Muslims strongly defend their actions, claiming that it is in agreement with Quran teachings, and there is the need to respect each other’s religion. These attributes of the Muslim religion create the basis for the conflict between Americans and Arabs, which increases the vulnerability of Americans to international terrorism. Muslims demand for respect for their religion from persons of who believe that their jihad belief is a move to violate peoples’ rights and freedom (Pillar 2004, p.34). Challenges facing the war on terror Today, terror groups have changed their tactics, and this is evident from the fact that modern day terror networks are dispersed and less centralized. In the same note, terror groups heavily rely on small units that have a common ideology with reduced direct command from the chief commanders. The US efforts to bring to an end terror activities have not yet attained the desired outcomes because terrorists not only target Americans within American territory, but also extend their terror activities to Americans living in other parts of the world. The other challenge facing America is the risk of terrorists applying weapons of mass destruction. The US is still not in a position to detect when such catastrophic terror attacks will strike if at all they will ever happen (Dyson 2012, p.68). The fact that countries such as Syria and Iran act as a protection zone for terrorists as well as sponsoring international terror networks further complicates the U.S. efforts is combating terrorism. In addition, the wide usage of the internet enables terror groups to recruit, train, ask for support, communicate, and spread propaganda with a lot of ease. The lack of cooperation between the US government and governments were terror groups are thriving further complicates America’s efforts in ending international terrorism (Pillar 2004, p.37). America’s greatest enemy today Today, the greatest perpetrator of terror acts on America and its people is a transnational movement comprised of extremist individuals, organizations, and networks. These movements exploit Islam and use terror activities to justify their actions. The movement is not under the control of any state, leader or group. However, the movement is united by a common goal, common ideas in relation to the world’s future destiny, and common idea that welcome the totalitarian rule. In general, the uniting factor is the idea built on the basis of hate, oppression, and violence. In this case, the movement utilizes Islam to address its agendas (Pillar 2004, p.39). A common belief with the transnational movement is that the US is leading cause of the majority of the problems that affect Muslims nowadays. Therefore, the movement’s main objective is to eliminate America’s power in order to give way for regimes that exercise their leadership through violence and oppression. With such leadership, America fears that there will be a denial of religious and political freedoms. The extremists will also have an easy way to continue with their acts of terror on American and its partners. The U.S. government states that the biggest ambition of the transnational movement is to create a single, pan-Islamic movement that operates from Spain to Southeast Asia (Dyson 2012, p.88). One way to achieve the movement’s objectives is to create a serious division between Muslims and non-Muslims and further division within the Muslim world. The transnational movement has so far distorted the idea of jihad to mean a call for war against those who do not believe in the Muslim religion. This has led to increased killings on innocent civilians including Muslims who disagree with the new ideas of Islam (Pillar 2004, p.41). References Dyson,W. (2012). Terrorism, Fourth Edition: An Investigator's Handbook. Chattanooga: Anderson. Terrorism Research (2012).Terrorism-What is Terrorism? Retrieved From: http://www.terrorism-research.com/ Read More