Definition of Domestic Terrorism - Essay Example

Running Head: Domestic Terrorism Domestic Terrorism Inserts His/her Introduction Domestic terrorism is a big problem that many countries of the world are facing. With evolution of technology criminals have also find out ways in which they can hurt the society. For some reasons they are always one step ahead of the law enforcement agencies and this is why many crimes cannot be stopped from happening. United States of America is facing the threat of terrorism from many groups. These groups are present both within the country and outside it but their operations are aimed at hurting the people of United States of America. The extensive technology that the country posses, is not sufficient enough to stop any such attack from taking place. The attacks of 9/11 have shown the world that no power is immune to attack and loop holes exist in any security structure. In this essay we will determine if domestic terrorism is still a threat to United States of America or not. A brief history of domestic terrorism will be presented and main threats will be highlighted. Definition of Domestic Terrorism The definition of domestic terrorism has been transformed many times in United States of America. The latest definition of domestic terrorism has come in the USA Patriotic Act which defines domestic terrorism as those which "(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) appear to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States” (Section 802 of USA Patriotic Act). History of Domestic Terrorism in United States of America There is a long history of domestic terrorism in United States of America. From 1970’s there have been gangs that were involved in criminal activities. The definition of domestic terrorism given above is too broad therefore in this section we will discuss terrorism acts and gangs that are located within the geographical limits of United States of America. Many gangs have committed acts of domestic terrorism o A or have the potential to do so in near future. Some of them are given below. Alpha 66 Alpha 66 is a gang that was formed in 1960s by Cuban exiles in the country. This group was responsible for many bombings and assassinations in Miami in 1970s. Alpha 66 is an anit-communist group that is against Fidel Castro and his Cuban administration. The group is mainly known for targeting the Pro-Castro speakers. The amount of ammunition this group has got is pretty amazing and they have training camps in South Florida (Korten & Nielsen, 2008). The group can turn against the locals at any time and the presence of arms is a serious threat for the local community. Animal Liberation Front Animal liberation Front is a famous domestic terrorist organization that focuses on animal liberation. They are against use of animals for testing of substances and save them from unnecessary torture. They rescue animals from laboratories and are against use of animals as guinea pigs in studies. The aim of the organization is good and it also claims non violence approach. But this is not entirely true as the organization is blamed for many attacks within United States of America. The organization has been named as a domestic terrorist organization by FBI (SPLC, 2002). The front enjoys presence in different countries and can be named as an extremist group. It can attack on research laboratories again in United States of America and therefore they are a threat. Earth Liberation Front The Earth Liberation Front is also a group that believes in violent activities against institutions who are involved in exploitation of environment. The main aim of the organization is to protect the environment but they resort to violent means to do so. The Earth Liberation Front is also present in many countries and because its cause is just many people support this organization. The cause of the organization is good but they have taken a radical approach to this cause. They think that hurting people is justified keeping in mind the long term interest of the environment. It is also true that fewer deaths have been resulted from the attacks of this group but still it is regarded as a serious domestic terror threat in the country (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2008). Army of God This is another group that has been involved in terrorist activities in United States of America. The main target of the group is the ‘sin’ of abortion and it attacks clinics where abortions are carried out. It is an anti abortion terrorist group and has been involved in violent crimes. The main threat from this organization is to the society because they are religious extremists and want to follow The Bible by the book. They think they are supporting human life by killing people who are involved in the process of abortion. They are not only against abortion but are willing to kill in order to stop abortion from ever taking place. The group made headlines once again in 2002 when it said that it will target homosexual people in United States of America. The group is known to rob banks and buy equipment in order to fund its terror campaign (Clarkson, F. 2002). This is something very alarming for the FBI as they are religious extremist that are willing to hurt people for their cause and ideology. Ku Klux Klan This is probably the most well known domestic terrorist organization of United States. Ku Klux Klan is a hate group that preaches white supremacy and is against all other races. The group is also violent and is known to attack blacks and immigrants. The ideology of the group is based on the idea that whites are in some way better than other races therefore should continue to enjoy superiority. They are not in favor of equal rights to blacks and favor segregation in schools. The violent nature of there is hidden to no one and they have considerable power even today. After the election Barrack Obama as the president of the country the membership of Ku Klux Klan has seen a great increase (Mangus, R. 2009). The hate group is growing because a black person has taken an office of such great importance. The whole ideology behind the Ku Klux Klan is that whites are the greatest race on the planet therefore all other races should be subservient to them and their dominance should not be challenged. They actually believe that they are better than blacks and other races; therefore they attack them when they try to match up with whites. The Threat of Al-Qaeda and Domestic Terrorism According the US Patriotic Act all terrorist actions within the country are characterized as terrorism. With this definition Al-Qaeda is included in domestic terrorist organizations and it is a serious problem for the country. Ever since 9/11 attacks security agencies are trying their level best to stop terror groups like Al-Qaeda to launch domestic attacks in the country. Al-Qaeda is the main threat USA is facing. Religious extremists groups like Al-Qaeda have a powerful tool at their disposal. They can twist religion and motivate people to perform criminal activities in the country. Al-Qaeda can easily plan terrorist attacks in future using a local resident of United States. There are many Muslims in the country and security agencies cannot keep an eye on every Muslim. Religion can be used to motivate them for attacking an installation in the country and this is how Al-Qaeda becomes a great threat. One definition of domestic terrorism can be an act that is performed by a domestic citizen of the country. Even under this definition Al-Qaeda is a serious threat to the country. The presence of weapons and drug mafia in the country is also a major threat for United States of America. These things actually complement the efforts of Al-Qaeda to damage the country. Al-Qaeda can use these weapons and can cause havoc in the country. The organization has so many factions in different countries that it is impossible to track where the instructions are coming from. The only way to stop attacks is to curtail weapons in the country. The structural support is available to locals of the country and if they want to attack then they can do so easily by buying weapons through domestic terrorist groups. It is said that Al-Qaeda is getting weaker in the Afghanistan and Pakistan therefore they are trying harder to recruit US nationals to plan and execute attacks on American people (Ackerman, S. 2009). Actually it is not possible for Al-Qaeda to attack United States like 9/11. Therefore they are trying to find new ways in which they can attack United States of America. The only way through which they can attack USA is by recruiting US nationals and the fear is that they are already doing it. Another way through which Al-Qaeda can operate is by collaborating with domestic terrorist organizations. Organizations like Ku Klux Klan can collaborate with Al-Qaeda and attack the President of America and other targets. The cause of both of these organizations can coincide therefore they can come together. This is a serious threat for America as local gangs have a better know how of the geography of the country. Al-Qaeda has shown in the past that it can prove itself dangerous and Ku Klux Klan is another terrorist organization so both combining is not incomprehensible. The main thing is that if some domestic gangs are given the freedom to operate freely then it will promote lawlessness in the country. It should not be the strategy to ignore domestic terrorism especially when Al-Qaeda is trying to train and recruit US nationals. The threat of terrorism is very real and this is why domestic terrorism cannot be ignored. The role of weapons still exists in the country and domestic terrorism cannot be ignored until these weapons are not confiscated. The role of weapons exists in the country because domestic terrorist organizations exist and they are using it. Whether or not Domestic Terrorism is Still a Threat? The definition of domestic terrorism involves any act of terror within the geographical limits of the United States of America, according to the US Patriotic Act. Popularly domestic terrorism is known as acts of terrorism that are committed by locals. The gangs that have been presented above are a few examples of the domestic terrorism in the country. The ideology of these gangs is such that is not peaceful. These gangs are willing to use violent means to fulfill their aims and goals. This is something which is not acceptable and full action should be taken against them. Al-Qaeda is also trying to find US nationals in order to execute terrorism acts in the country. In such a situation it is very clear that domestic terrorism is still a problem for the country and it is a serious threat for United States of America. Al-Qaeda is a threat and it can collaborate with other domestic terrorist organizations. The objectives of some of the organizations are similar to that of Al-Qaeda therefore attacks can happen on United States of America. The seriousness of the threat has been identified by security agencies of the country as well (Whittell, G. 2010). Some people say that it is just another technique to keep people under fear but this is not true. Domestic terrorist groups exist in the country and they are a bubble that can burst at anytime. It has been identified in the essay through evidence that domestic terrorism is still a threat in the country. Domestic gangs exist they can collaborate with international terrorism and can cause havoc in the country. Conclusion Domestic terrorism is defined as any act that occurs in the United States of America according to the US Patriotic Act. The popular definition of domestic terrorism is an act of terrorism that is executed by local people of the country. In United States of America Al- Qaeda is looking to cause damage and they can work with local terrorist groups. Weapons and criminals are at the disposal to the local terrorist gangs and they can be used by international terrorist. For this purpose domestic terrorism is still a threat for the country. References Ackerman, S. (2009). Security Experts: Administration Overstates Domestic al-Qaeda Threat, The Washington Independent. Retrieved from http://washingtonindependent.com/70710/security-experts-claim-administration-Overstates-domestic-al-qaeda-threat Clarkson, F. (2002). Brand new war for the Army of God? Salon.com. Retrieved from http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2002/02/19/gays/index.html From Push to Shove. (2002). Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved from http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2002/fall/from-push-to-shove?page=0,0 Korten & Nielsen. (2008). The coddled "terrorists" of South Florida, Salon.com. Retrieved from http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/01/14/cuba/ Mangus, R. (2009). Obama Win Fuels Ku Klux Klan Membership, Now Public. Retrieved from http://www.nowpublic.com/world/obama-win-fuels-ku-klux-klan-membership Putting Intel to Work against ELF and ALF Terrorists. (2008). Federal Bureau of Investigation Official Website. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2008/june/ecoterror_063008 The New Legal Definition of Domestic Terrorism. (2001). Rense.com. Retrieved from http://www.rense.com/general16/thenewlegaldefinition.htm Whittell, G. (2010). Domestic terrorists as big a threat as al-Qaeda, says FBI head Robert Mueller, The Times. Retrieved from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7100318.ece Read More